Children's Resource Center-South

School and Special Education

If you have questions about your child’s school services or special education; call 800-532-3321, email cyshcn@waisman.wisc.edu or contact one of these organizations for more information:

  • CESAs (Cooperative Educational Service Agencies) serve educational needs in all areas of Wisconsin by serving as a link between child’s school districts and between school districts and the state. CESAs provide education and training for parents and professionals related to educational needs and advocacy within the education evnironment.  They may also facilitate communication and cooperation among all public and private schools, agencies, and organizations that provide services to students in the state.
  • WI FACETS (Family Assistance Center for Education, Transition, & Support) helps parents build partnership through information and training with professionals who provide educational services to their child.
  • WSPEI (Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative) Creates partnership between parents and educators for students with disabilities.
  • WSEMS (Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System) provides mediators free-of-charge to help parents and school districts to resolve disputes regarding special education.
  • Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is a state agency that advances public education in Wisconsin.

For more information about what you can expect after your child leaves the education system, please visit the Transitions page.

Schools and COVID Information

Updated COVID-19 Guidance

COVID-19: RETURN TO SCHOOL RESOURCES 
(Redirect to UW Madison Waisman Center)

COVID Resources from Summer 2021-End of 2022

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COVID Guidance

COVID-19 Vaccine for 5-11 year olds

Other updates

Wednesday, October 20, COVID-19 Webinar for Local Public Health and School Stakeholders  presented by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI)

Guidance/Resource issued in Summer of 2021

DCF has updated the mask wearing recommendations the COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Child Care Providers on the DCF COVID-19 Child Care Resources webpages.

Safe, Strong and Healthy Schools
Wisconsin doctors, educators, scientists, and leaders exploring the ways that schools and districts can build

Season Two of the conversation series

Resource Library

ReSET (Restarting Safe Education & Testing)
for Children with Medical Complexity from Healthy Kids Collaborative Dane County

  • Priorities=Prevent, Prepare, Partner and Adapt
  • Resources=Statewide, WI DPI, WI DHS, CDC, AAP

COVID-19 Infection Control and Mitigation Measures for Wisconsin Schools 2021/2022 (8/5/21)

Guidelines for the Prevention, Investigation, and Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in K-12 Schools in Wisconsin (8/5/21)

The CDC published its new guidance for schools. Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Kindergarten (K)-12 Schools

Science Brief: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs – Updated

Guidance for ECE and Child Care

Past COVID Guidance (Pre-summer of 2021)

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Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WI DHS)

Wisconsin Department of Health Services general COVID-19 vaccine page (12/21/20)
Guidelines for the Prevention, Investigation, and Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in K-12 Schools in Wisconsin (8/19/20)
COVID-19 Decision Tool for Individuals and Families (8/19/20)

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WI DPI)

Special Education Transition Requirements During COVID-19 from DPI
Education Forward: Reopening Wisconsin Schools from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
COVID-19 Special Education Information (PowerPoint slides) from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (9/15/20)
Arts Education School Operating Considerations from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (9/15/20)
Supports for Students with Neurodiverse, and Social and Emotional Needs During Covid-19 Resource list (8/20/20)
DiSH Special Session on COVID-19 and Schools  recording along with a Q and A document (8/20/20)
Information on COVID-19 From this page you can find information on Special Education and other Instructional Areas
Education Forward: Operating Schools During a Pandemic (8/19/20)
Special Education Updates from WI DPI
Student Services/Prevention and Wellness ADDED recorded webinars–Session 1: When school starts back: Helping students and yourself cope with crisis during a pandemic and Session 2:When school starts back: Supporting grieving students during a pandemic
COVID-19 Information for School Health Services  School Nurses and other Health Professionals play a CRUCIAL role in keeping our kids safe

Wisconsin Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) and WI DPI Guidance for Child Care

COVID-19 Letter to District Administrators:
New DHS Guidance, DCF Resources, and Digital Equity (8/19/20)  Includes:  DHS Guidance on COVID-19 Outbreaks in Schools and DCF  guidance documents to help child care providers and local educational agencies as families, schools, and child care providers navigate the reopening of school this fall,  (This information can also be found on the DCF website: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/childcare/families) and Support for digital equity
4K Outreach-COVID-19: Guidance and Considerations (8/17/20) Includes: This document provides information for school districts offering 4K Outreach during 2020-2021 school year. It provides guiding questions and  examples of outreach efforts that are acceptable during this time of COVID-19. These are offered to support districts in developing outreach activities that best meet the unique needs of their individual districts and communities.
EARLY LEARNING INFORMATION-COVID-19 (8/24/20) Includes: Link to the running updates for Early Learning information for DPI. The above information is included in this document.

United State Department of Education (DOE) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

U.S. Department of Education Releases Guidance to States on Assessing Student Learning During the Pandemic
IDEA Dispute Resolution Q&A during COVID-19 (Part B)
IDEA Dispute Resolution Q&A during COVID-19 (Part C)
COVID-19 Monthly Updates (August available 8.27)
COVID-19 Resources for Supporting Students with Disabilities from the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI)
Coronavirus Disease updates from Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in K-12 schools from CDC
CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Page
Strategies for Protecting K-12 School Staff from COVID-19 (updated 8.20.20)
Back to School Planning: Checklists to Guide Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers Includes: Preparing for At-Home Learning and and Preparing for In-Person Classes
Schools and Childcare Programs​ (updated 8.21.20)
Includes: Decision-Making Tool for Parents and Caregivers, Checklist for Families; Helping Children Cope; Support for Teens and Young Adults
Toolkit for K-12 Schools (updated 8.21.20)
Includes: Preparing for a Safe Return; Cloth Face Coverings; Screening; Considerations for schools (foundational document); Posters and Graphics

National Association of School Nurses

Videos for Return to School on Wearing Cloth Face Coverings, Washing your Hands, and Staying Home When you are Sick in Spanish and English (9.3.20)
Return to School Post COVID-19 Closure Considerations for Students with Disabilities and Special Healthcare Needs

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Caring for Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Children and COVID-19: State-level Data Report
COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry
Pediatricians, Educators and Superintendents Urge a Safe Return to School This Fall
Healthychildren.org Guidance in English
Healthychildren.org Guidance in Spanish

Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Reunite, Renew and Thrive: SEL Roadmap for Reopening School

National Education Association

All Hands on Deck: Initial Guidance Regarding Reopening School Buildings
Returning Safely to In-Person Instructions: What Educators Need to Know

Public Health Madison and Dane County

K-12 School Requirements during COVID-19

National Down Syndrome Congress

Back to School or Not? Understanding Your Options Webinar

American Occupational Therapists Association (AOTA)

Back to School Resources During COVID-19
Tips for Families: Helping Children and Adolescents Transition Back to School (.pdf)

National Center for Pyramid Model Innovation (NCPMI)

Reopening Early Childhood Programs
Having to Stay at Home
Children: Stress and Challenging Behavior

Center on Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Returning to School During and After Crisis Practice Guides

Resources for Families to Support Learning from Home During COVID-19