Interagency/Community Involvement
Special Multi-disciplinary Assessment Team (SMART) The mission of SMART is to promote and facilitate inter-departmental cooperation and collaboration so that the participating agencies insure that every possible resource is explored and utilized for at-risk children, regardless of which agency door the child and their family used to enter the system. All resources will be used to avoid group home placements.
The weekly meetings consist of representatives from the following San Joaquin County Agencies: Mental Health Services; Public Health Services; Human Services; Office of Education; Probation Department and County Superior Court.
Contact for the San Joaquin County Office of Education, Kris Rodriguez (209) 468-9275.
Supported Employment/Living Interagency Team (SELIT) Coordinated effort of key agencies in the transition process; each facilitating participation in the provision of services leading to supportive employment and living experiences. Contact: Margaret St. George (209) 468-4908.
Non Public Schools Coordination of educational placement into Non-Public Schools for students residing in LCI's, group homes or other residential facilities within the San Joaquin SELPA. Contact: Joan Justice-Brown or Kris Rodriguez, (209) 468-4928.
Early Autism Diagnostic Clinic (EADC) Coordinated team focused on diagnosis, needs identification, family support and education related to young children suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Clinic team members include parents and professionals from Valley Mountain Regional Center, Education and FEAT (Families for Early Autism Treatment). Contact: Debbi Hopman, (209) 468-4907
Autism Connection Five county collaboration focused on needs, services and issues related to individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants include: Valley Mountain Regional Center, San Joaquin SELPA, Lodi SELPA, Stockton SELPA, Tri County SELPA (Tuolumne, Amador and Calaveras counties), Family Resource Network (FRN), non-public agency providers and parents. Family Resource Network meetings are held monthly in Stockton. Sponsor of the Annual Autism Collaborative Forum, typically held in April. Contact: Debbi Hopman, (209) 468-4907
Give Every Child A Chance Give Every Child A Chance (GECAC) is an education based mentor/tutoring program that was founded in 1997 to provide free tutoring services to students in Manteca Unified School District. We have now expanded into four separate school districts, Manteca, Ripon, Banta and Escalon Unified School Districts. These districts represent very different and distinct communities in San Joaquin County. Students K-12 qualify for our program who are in Special Education, have a “D” or “F” on their report card or receive a teacher referral. GECAC has expanded and now offers eight separate programs: One on One mentor/tutoring, Homework Assistance Program, After School Advantage Program (students must attend the school where the program is conducted), Reading to the 2nd Power, Computer Assisted Instructional Tutoring, Health Education, Technology Outreach, and Summer Drop-in Homework Help. We currently operate 34 sites in San Joaquin County. During the 2007-08 school year we served over 2,500 youth. An independent report from San Joaquin Data Co-op shows that nearly 8 out of 10 students in our program improved grades. For more information, please call 825-7003.
CHOICES Committee CHOICES is a non-profit educational organization with the goal of providing education through training seminars and an annual conference. Margaret St.George, (209) 468-4908 Delta College Disability Support Programs and Services Advisory Board Disability Support Programs & Services was developed to provide and coordinate counseling assistance, support services and academic accommodations to students with disabilities who are eligible for services. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Margaret St.George, (209) 468-4908 San Joaquin Mayors’ Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities The goal of the San Joaquin County Mayor’s Committee is to increase public awareness and understanding of the employment needs of people with disabilities. Margaret St.George, (209) 468-4908 Transition Task Force (Description to follow) Margaret St.George, (209) 468-4908
