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Clifton Public Schools

A Community of Learners

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Special Services

Special Services

School Leader Award badge with a staircase leading to a flag.Clifton Public School District Special Services Department strives to achieve the highest standards of excellence for students with disabilities based upon their individual strengths and needs. Every student is provided with sound academic opportunities to facilitate their physical, emotional, social and vocational potential. It is our responsibility to provide demanding programs appropriate for all levels of ability and to implement this philosophy into practice for all students.

  • It is our goal to serve every school-aged child with a disability who resides in Clifton. If you are aware of a student who resides in the district and meets one or more of the following disabling conditions or if you suspect that your child has a disability that has not yet been identified, please contact our district office or your local school: Physical, sensory, emotional, communication, cognitive, or social difficulties (NJAC6A-3.3). The Clifton Public School District provides a full continuum of special education services for each individual student in the least restrictive environment. Each level of service is available for consideration by the Child Study Team for all eligible students in Clifton Public Schools.

  • Do you have special concerns about your child's development? Clifton Public Schools provides a free preschool program to assist children, ages 3-5, residing in Clifton who have special needs, such as:

    • Delayed Speech and/or language
    • Visual and hearing impairment
    • Delayed motor development
    • Emotional or behavioral problems
    • General learning problems
    • For further information, call the Clifton Public Schools Special Services Department at (973) 470-2286

  • Transition services are provided for students who are at least sixteen years old. These services, which are based on each student's strengths, interests and preferences, help students make the transition from school to post-school activities, including college education, vocational training, employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living and community participation.

    Lynn Tuorto
    District Coordinator
    ltuorto@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-2455

    Bill Colligan
    Part-time Transition Coordinator
    wcolligan@cliftonschools.net
    (973) 470-2455

  • Project CHILD FIND is a free referral service and public awareness campaign to assist in the identification of unserved/underserved youth with a delay or disability from birth through twenty-one years of age.

    In addition, PROJECT CHILD FIND develops and distributes information to the public about early intervention services and special education programs throughout New Jersey.
     

    Call 800-322-8174 — Available 24/7. All calls are confidential.

    Project CHILD FIND was established by the New Jersey Department of Education through I.D.E.A., Part B funds from the U.S. Department of Education.

    Project CHILD FIND's Comprehensive Efforts Include:

    1. Assisting families of infants and toddlers, birth through two, concerned about their child's development by directing all requests regarding early intervention to a family's local Special Child Health Case Management Unit. If you need the number for your Special Child Health Case Management Unit, call for information-  PROJECT CHILD FIND  1-800-322-8174 (in service 7 days a week, 24-hours a day)  (All calls are confidential).

    2. Assisting families of preschoolers, three through five, concerned about their child's development by directing requests to their local school district.

    3. Helping families access community services through referral.

    4. Promoting community and public awareness of all children with disabilities by providing information.

    5. Assisting local school district boards of education to identify unserved children from age three through twenty-one who are in need of special education and related services.

Special Services Department