Springfield Local School District

Student Services Director: Christina Ziga-Budd

Responsibilities of the Student Services Department

The Department of Special Services in the Springfield Local School District is responsible for many aspects of the day-to-day operations of the schools. Some of the services that are supervised by our department include: special education classrooms, special education tutors, developmental preschool services, school psychology, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, school nursing, work-study programs and counseling services. Some additional duties include overseeing students placed in out-of-district placements, alternative school placements, home instruction, home schooling, homeless children and the juvenile court system.

This department is also responsible for maintaining compliance with federal laws for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act and the State of Ohio Operating Standards for Students with Disabilities.

IDEA Application

The Springfield Local Board of Education annually makes application to the State of Ohio for federal funds that the school district may use for educating students with disabilities. This application is submitted the end of June of each school year.

If you have any suggestions or recommendations with regard to how we can better serve students with disabilities through the use of these funds, please call the Department of Special Services at 330-798-1111.

Child Find/Child Identification

Child Find is the process of identifying, locating and evaluating children with disabilities who may be in need of special education and related services. Both State and local educational agencies are given the responsibility by federal and state laws to conduct child find activities so that children who are in need of special services have the opportunity to receive those services.

For age Birth to 3 – An established condition known to result in delay, or Documented developmental delay.

For ages 3 through 21 – Identification of one or more of the following conditions: autism, developmental disability, deaf-blindness, hearing impairment, including deafness, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, emotional disturbance, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, and/or visual impairment including blindness.

If a need is identified, the child can begin receiving the appropriate special education and related services. Free assessments are available to families to determine whether or not a disability exists. Please contact the Department of Special Services at 330-798-1111 for assistance.