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BOCES is an educational service that provides programs for children with special needs disabilities, behavioral problems and learning disabilities in Suffolk County. These students require special attention that often cannot be met in their regular school programs due to emotional, behavioral outburst. They are the most venerable of our populous.
Yet, due to the economic downturn in recent years ES BOCES is trying to cut the financial burden on Suffolk County. Which of course, should be applauded. But instead of cutting non-essential administrative personnel they have chosen to cut individual aids and PARRa's that work closest with these students! They assist in classroom management and monitoring individual student behavior through crisis intervention by implementing positive behavior management strategies or others supported by the program. They have been trained to perform physical intervention techniques (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) their job is to provide consistency through the transition from one program to another.
Any parent of a special needs child could tell you; "Individual consistency and routine" are core and essential in working with these children.
By changing Parra's and individual aids mid-year, (summer session) it places these students in harms way. Without supported transition these highly volatile students with known behavioral outburst will suffer unreasonably long stays in the time out room.
So, how can an highly regarded BOCES hire newly graduated high school students to take the place of seasoned professionals?
I don't know. But I believe this is an accident waiting to happen
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