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Childcare Assistance | Rochester NY > Childcare For Special Needs Children

Childcare For Special Needs Children

Our special day care service program has many resources and services available to parents and providers. They include:

Support for Parents

The Special Needs Referral Program provides assistance in locating special needs daycare or other community resources for families with children with a developmental disability or developmental delay. An enhanced referral service provides information about types of child care, licensing regulations, legal child care options, quality information, and referrals to programs with confirmed openings. Child care programs in Monroe County may also be eligible to receive an equipment loan for children with special needs while in their care.

  • Enhanced Child Care Referrals: Free customized child care referrals to programs based on families’ needs, helping families enroll in licensed and registered child care programs.
  • Special Needs Loan Equipment: We can purchase a variety of loan equipment items for the child to use when they are in a child care program.* (Monroe County only)

*The child must have OPWDD eligibility to access this program

  • Parental Assistance: Free help for parents enrolling children in FSS through OPWDD and determining eligibility.

These enhanced services are funded through grants from the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

Strategies for Providers

  • Special Needs Training: Classes/in-services* are designed for child care providers to increase their knowledge on a variety of special needs topics to help support their ability to provide high-quality care. (Monroe, Wayne, and Livingston counties only)

*Fees may apply

  • Technical Assistance: Free technical assistance is offered to child care providers who are working with children with special needs. Technical assistance may include support via email, over the phone, or an on-site visit. (in Monroe County)
  • NEW – Special Needs Consultation for Programs & Providers: Preventing the suspension and expulsion of children with special needs from child care settings by supporting parents, providing research-based strategies, and empowering teachers.

About the Special Needs Consultation Program

Initial Phase
  • Team meetings with parents, teachers, and the special needs consultant to get to know the student and their needs
  • Observations
Phase One
  • Prevention focused
  • Team creates a plan to support the child entering a new classroom or child care provider setting
  • If the child is currently enrolled in a program or classroom, the special needs consultant may skip this phase
Phase Two
  • Support plan and action steps are created by the special needs consultant and implemented by the teachers
  • Weekly meetings and observation to monitor the plan and engage in reflective discussion
Phase Three
  • Practice-based coaching
  • Weekly meetings and observation
  • Possible free resources
 

View Our Padlet Resources

Ready to Get Started?

For more provider or parental support information or to begin your search for care, call Bethany Williams at (585) 654-1287 or email her at [email protected].

At Child Care Council, we are dedicated to ensuring proper childcare for special needs children within our community. Our special needs program offers an extensive range of courses to provide child care providers with comprehensive education. 

For parents, our Special Needs Referral Program helps in finding special day care services and other community resources for children with developmental disabilities or delays. We also offer enhanced child care referrals tailored to families’ specific needs, along with equipment loans for children with special needs in Monroe County.

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