The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is a multidisciplinary team responsible for determining if a child aged three to five years meets eligibility for classification with a disability and for special education or related services.

CPSE Referrals

If you have concerns for your child’s development in any of the following areas or you are unsure if a referral to the CPSE is warranted, please contact the CPSE Chairperson.

-Cognitive skills

-Speech and Language skills

-Social or Emotional skills

-Motor skills

-Adaptive skills

-Impact of a medical diagnosis, hearing, or vision on milestones

Early Intervention to CPSE Referrals

If your child is younger than age three and currently receives Early Intervention services through the Department of Health (DOH), your child may continue to receive these services after your child’s third birthday. Alternatively, your child may transition to preschool services sooner than age three. Both considerations require a CPSE referral and preschool evaluations prior to your child’s third birthday and a determination of eligible by the CPSE. Please contact the CPSE Chairperson no later than four months prior to your child’s third birthday, as the transition from early intervention to preschool services is time sensitive.

Next Steps

· Proof of Residency: After your initial communication with the CPSE Chairperson, you will need to contact the registration office at (516) 478-1060 to provide proof of residency with the following documents:

-A deed or mortgage statement

-Three documents with a home address (e.g., utility bill, driver’s license, bank statement)

-A notarized lease with three of the aforementioned documents with home address

· Intake: After your residency has been confirmed, you will meet with the CPSE Chairperson for an informed consent meeting to review your specific concerns and developmental milestones, the intake packet, the preschool evaluation process, how to select a preschool evaluation center, and timelines.

· Consent and Prescription for Evaluations: After you complete your child’s CPSE intake packet, a consent, prescription, and medical form for your child’s preschool evaluations will follow.

Initial Eligibility Determination Meeting

The CPSE will convene for an initial eligibility determination meeting within and no later than 60 calendar days from the receipt of your written consent. If your consent is returned during a weekend or district-wide closing, your consent will be recorded when the district offices re-open. A parent/legal guardian is required for this meeting, as they are a required member of the CPSE.

If the CPSE determines your child eligible for classification as a preschool student with a disability, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed and recommendations will be made for special education and/or related services to help your child build skills in the areas that require support.

A link to The Parents Guide to Special Education

CPSE Chairperson for Garden City Schools: Happy B. Arstark, PhD

Office: (516) 478-2307

Email: arstarkh@gcufsd.net

CPSE Administrative Assistant for Garden City Schools: Rae Kavourias

Office: (516) 478-1050, Option 1

Email: Kavouriasr@gcufsd.net