Special Education

In support of our six local school districts, CCRESA Special Education Department provides numerous supports for eligible infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school age students (K-12) in addition to programs and services for select student with disabilities through age 25.  The range of services include:  Early On; Early Childhood Special Education services and programs for children birth through kindergarten entry age; school based ancillary services including:  Speech and Language Therapy (SLP), School Social Work (SSW), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), School Psychologist, Visually (VI) or Hearing Impaired (HI) Consultant services, Orientation and Mobility (O & M); and program services including:  secondary programming for students with severe emotional impairments (EI), and program services for students with moderate to severe cognitive impairments (MoCI, SCI ages 2 ½ through age 25.  Our department also provides support for transition services (students 16 and older), assistive technology, special education administrative support, and support for local district ASD/Behavior Coaches

In collaboration with the Instructional Services Department, we coordinate and/or provide various professional development activities for teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals and parents.  We jointly support partner districts with rigorous and comprehensive implementation of a Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in conjunction with our technical assistance partnership provided through Michigan's Integrated Behavior and Learning Support (MiBLSi) grant.  Our department Mission is: To provide collaborative services that enhance and support learning and our Vision is: To create a collaborative environment that encourages all learners to successfully achieve their full potential.  To achieve our mission and vision, we recognize and celebrate our partnership with parents, our educational partners, community agency representatives and local businesses.  We are dedicated to providing quality services as our student’s success and achievements are our rewards.


Special Education Contacts

Renee Thelen, Special Education Director
Email: rthelen1@ccresa.org
Phone: (989) 224-6831 Ext. 2325

Ken Lounds, SE Supervisor for Early Childhood Programs, Great Start Collaborative Co-Coordinator
Email: lounds_k@ccresa.org
Phone: (989) 224-6831 Ext. 2132

Vicki O'Rourke, Educational Center Principal
Email: orourke_v@ccresa.org
Phone: (989) 224-6831 Ext. 2155

Melissa Strobridge, Special Education Supervisor / Monitor
Email: mstrobridge@ccresa.org
Phone: (989) 224-6831 Ext. 2343

Colleen Sykes, Special Education Supervisor
Email: csykes@ccresa.org
Phone: (989) 224-6831

Special Education Pages