Early Childhood Resources

AGENCY NAME: Arrowhead Area Education Agency—Early Access Special Education                                        Department

ADDRESS:   Webster City AEA Office, 501 Bank Street, Webster City, IA 50595

MAIN PHONE NUMBER: 515-832-3791

E-MAIL:

FAX NUMBER:  515-832-6641

HOURS: Office hours are: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Monday through Friday, mid August through May. During the summer months please call the Arrowhead AEA Central Office in Fort Dodge at 800-669-2325, ext. 5400. The county offices have answering machines for after hour and summer non-emergency message usage.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES: The Arrowhead AEA has established the Early Access Special Education Department to help provide education to special children between the ages of birth through six years of age. For children who have special problems, this early time in life is especially important. The Home-based Program is a preschool program that occurs within the home setting and provides services to preschool children who are delayed in their development. The goal of the Home Program is to enhance the development of infants and children with special needs and to support their families in this effort.

The Early Access Special Education Preschool Classrooms are designed to provide services to preschool children (between the ages of three and six years) with developmental delays. The classrooms serve children who need more intensive intervention than the Home Program nor a community based preschool program can provide. Classes are run according to the local school calendar on a Monday through Friday basis.

The Early Access Special Education Department includes the following personnel: Teacher(including Early Childhood Special Education, Vision and Hearing), Psychologist, Social Worker, Speech-Language Pathologist, Audiologist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Special Education Nurse and Consultant.

FEES: There are no charges for the Arrowhead Area Education Agency Services.

ELIGIBILITY: Based on developmental levels of the child.

AREA SERVED: Region 5 covers a nine county area based on the Area Education Agency borders and include Hamilton, Humboldt and most of Wright Counties.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Parental consent is required for evaluation. Referrals can be made by calling an Arrowhead AEA Office.

TRANSPORTATION: Most of the home based services are done at the child’s home if the family desires. Bussing can be arranged for the Preschool Classrooms.

ACCESSIBILITY: All Arrowhead Area Education Agency Offices are handicapped accessible.

LANGUAGES: Interpretation available as needed.

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