3330 Churn Creek Road, Building A-1, Redding CA 96002

(530) 226-5129

FAQs

Empowering people with diverse abilities to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Think of this as our online Parent Consultant. Here we try to answer as many common questions as come to mind. Hopefully this acts as a big time-saver for many parents and yet an indispensable tool for years and years.

General Questions

Is there a fee for your services?

If you live in one of the six counties we are contracted to serve, our services are free. There is no charge. If you have a disability or if you have a child with a disability we may be able to help you.

What areas do you serve?

We serve Trinity, Tehama, Shasta, Butte, Glenn and Siskiyou counties.

Can you come to my child's IEP?

We can help you prepare for the IEP meeting and we can equip you with knowledge. But we can’t come to your child’s IEP.

Who is Rowell?

In short, we’re a small non-profit agency that contracts with state departments to help parents of children with disabilities. Most of us are also parents of children with disabilities.

Can you give me legal advice?

No. We are not attorneys. But we can often point you toward the applicable regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

What disabilities do you help with?

We serve people and families with children who have any and all disabilities. We don’t discriminate. And we even help parents who have a child that’s not diagnosed, or perhaps at-risk or only suspected.

What age range do you serve?

We serve birth through the life span in a variety of ways. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

What services does Rowell provide?

Parent Consultations

Special Education Trainings
Parent to Parent Support
Community Events
Specialized Trainings
Respite Services
Social Skills Groups
ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution Support
Regional Center Support
Servicios en Español (Services offered in Spanish)

What makes Rowell different from any other agency?

Education Questions

I think my child needs an IEP, what do I do?

An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is the result of a child qualifying for special education services. If you suspect that your child has a learning disability and needs additional support in order to be successful, you must first request to have him/her evaluated. Once the evaluation is complete, the IEP team meets with you and the results are discussed. At that time, the IEP team makes a recommendation as to whether or not the child qualifies for special education. If so, an IEP is written.

What are the timelines for holding an IEP meeting?

Starting from the date the district receives your written consent to assessment, the assessment(s) must be completed, and the IEP developed at a meeting within 60 calendar days. You do not count the days in between regular school sessions or school vacation in excess of five school days. If an initial referral of a student to special education has been made 30 days or less before the end of the regular school year, an IEP shall be developed within 30 days after the beginning of the next school year.

At the IEP meeting they told me that it was up to the district to determine the placement that would be best to implement the IEP. Is this correct?

No. Federal law requires that parents of a student with a disability be members of any group that makes decisions on the educational placement of their child. You have the right to obtain as much specific information as possible about the recommended placements during the IEP meeting. You should request at your IEP meeting that you be included in any meeting where the educational placement of you child is determined.

Do I have to sign the IEP at the IEP meeting?

No. It is reasonable for you to have a copy made of the proposed IEP to take home to read over more closely. You may not be able to take the original document home with you. You child remains eligible for special education services and stays in his current placement while you decide whether to consent. If you do not consent or file for due process in a reasonable period of time, then the district may file for due process.

If I need an interpreter at the IEP meeting, must one be provided?

Yes. If you need a language or ASL interpreter to participate at the IEP meeting, one must be provided at no expense to you, the parent. In addition you are entitled to a copy of the IEP in your primary language.

What is the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP?

An IEP is written when a child qualifies for special education. There are 13 qualifying conditions of special education, remember the qualifying condition is not the child’s medical diagnosis. A 504 plan is an educational plan that is written for a student who needs modifications or accommodations within the regular classroom environment. Special education is governed by IDEA while 504 is a component of the Civil Rights Act of 1972.

I don’t agree with my school regarding the services my child is receiving. What can I do?

Services are based on the child’s evaluation results, teacher/parent input, test results and medical data. If you feel the school is not providing a service that is necessary, you can call for another IEP meeting and discuss it with the team. If services cannot be agreed on, negotiations progress to the district level. Mediation is usually the next step with the final step resulting in a due process hearing. Most negotiations are resolved before they reach due process. It is always best to collaborate with your school whenever possible. Remember the public schools are required by law to provide a free appropriate education.

My child’s IEP is not helping. What do I do now?

The IEP is a working document and can be amended at any time. Any child on an IEP has an assigned caseworker that is responsible for IEP implementation. If you feel the IEP needs to be amended, you can ask the caseworker for an IEP meeting so that concerns can be addressed.

My child has been expelled from school but he has an IEP, can they do this?

Yes, however, if a student is up for expulsion and has an active IEP, a manifestation determination IEP meeting must be held in order to determine if the incident was a direct result of the student’s disability. If the IEP team determines that it was caused by the student’s disability, he/she cannot be expelled. However, if the IEP team decides that the incident was not related to the disability, the expulsion can proceed. If a student possesses, uses or sells drugs on campus or brings a weapon on campus, they can be expelled regardless of their disability. Remember that being expelled means the child has been removed from the school district. It does not mean that the child no longer attends school. Usually, students who have been expelled receive their education at an alternative site provided by the County Department of Education.

My child’s teacher is not following his/her IEP. What can I do?

If your child has an active IEP, request a parent teacher meeting and invite the caseworker to join the meeting as well. Sometimes the teacher may need additional guidance regarding the implementation of accommodations and modifications as listed on the IEP. On rare occasions, it’s in the best interest of everyone to make a teacher change.

Can my child use a school-purchased assistive technology device at home or other non-school settings?

Yes. A school district must permit a child with a disability to use school-purchased assistive technology at home or in other settings, if the IEP team determines that the child needs access to those devices in non-school settings in order to receive an appropriate education (for example, to complete homework). Assistive technology devices must be provided to parents at no cost. Parents cannot be charged for normal use or wear and tear.

My child has ADHD and the school is saying he doesn’t qualify for special education. Can this be right?

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Mission Statement

Empowering people with diverse abilities, and their families, to successfully navigate the systems that serve them and to empower them to self-advocate, by providing support, information and training.

Our E-Newsletter

We send out our electronic newsletter quarterly. You’ll want to get the latest from RFENC directly to your inbox!

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday | 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday | Available by Phone

Location

3330 Churn Creek Rd., Suite A-1
Redding, CA 96002

Contact Info

Phone: (530) 226-5129
Fax: (530) 226-5141
Email: [email protected]

3330 Churn Creek Road, Building A-1, Redding CA 96002

(530) 226-5129

FAQs

Empowering people with diverse abilities to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Education Questions

Mission Statement

Our E-Newsletter

Office Hours

Location

Contact Info

Socialize With Us

Help Support Rowell Through Amazon Smile:
https://youtube.com/shorts/entUdhU2m6I?feature=share

3330 Churn Creek Road, Building A-1, Redding CA 96002

(530) 226-5129

FAQs

Empowering people with diverse abilities to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Education Questions

Mission Statement

Our E-Newsletter

Office Hours

Location

Contact Info

Socialize With Us

Help Support Rowell Through Amazon Smile: https://youtube.com/shorts/entUdhU2m6I?feature=share

Help Support Rowell Through Amazon Smile:
https://youtube.com/shorts/entUdhU2m6I?feature=share