Disabilities Services

Our goal is to provide inclusive classrooms and focus on the strengths of all children.

In accordance with the Head Start federal regulations, we complete developmental screenings for all children enrolled in the Head Start (ages 3-5) and the Early Head Start (prenatal to age 3) programs within 45 days of enrollment. The Ages and Stages developmental screening tool is administered for those children. The DIAL 4 developmental screening tool is used with the preschool population as an additional developmental screening tool, if needed. Additional screenings included are speech/language and hearing, and heights,  weights, and vision. Screenings are designed to inform us if further testing is needed for the individual child. 
 
When a screening result indicates further testing is necessary, a referral is made to Early Intervention- Part C agencies (West Virginia Birth to Three Services for children enrolled in Early Head Start and Child Care Partnerships (CCP) living in West Virginia and Ohio Help Me Grow for CCP’s living in Ohio). The Part B agencies- the county school system in which the individual child enrolled in Head Start resides. Further evaluation then determines if an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan for children 0-3 years old) or an IEP (Individualized Education Plan for children 3 and older) is needed. Once an individualized plan is developed, our staff make the necessary adaptations in the classroom to be sure that we are meeting the needs of the individual child. Our agency ensures our enrollees receive the best learning in their least restrictive environment (LRE). This means that a child with a disability must be fully educated within the same classroom as typical mainstreamed non-disabled peers possible.

For more information please contact:

Amanda Ames, Child Development/Disabilities Coordinator
Orchard Road, Wheeling, WV 26003
304-233-3290, Extension 5008
aames@npheadstart.org