برنامج الجسر

الرؤية

The vision of the Bridge program is to provide each student with structured, specialized educational services and the supports needed to access the general education setting when appropriate. There is a focus on helping students develop social skills, self-advocacy skills, and emotional and behavioral regulation. Students in the Bridge program will feel a sense of safety, comfort, and belonging, allowing them to practice lagging skills in a quiet, calm environment surrounded by supportive staff. This center-based program acts as a bridge to general education settings and the broader school community.

وصف البرنامج

The Bridge program is a specialized education program for students who need more intensive behavior and mental health support than is available in the general education classroom. The program is designed to help students build the skills they need in behavioral regulation, social-emotional learning, and academic engagement so they can participate more fully in school alongside their same-aged peers. Bridge provides each student with individualized instruction, services, and a “home-base” to access regulation support as needed throughout the school day.

Staff use evidence-based strategies and draw on each student's strengths to guide their growth. The continuum of services, from elementary to high school, focuses on highly structured, individualized programming in:

Emotional and Behavioral Regulation: recognizing and managing feelings and responses
Social Skills and Communication: building relationships, advocating for themselves, and navigating social situations
Executive Functioning and Organizational Skills: learning how to manage schoolwork and stay on track
Academic Skills: accessing grade-level content with appropriate supports
Transition and Life Skills (at the secondary level): preparing for independence, employment, and community participation

نموذج تقديم الخدمات والتوظيف

A full continuum of services is available and provided within the center-based program as indicated on a student’s IEP. Students within the Bridge program spend time in a variety of settings throughout the day, depending on their strengths, needs, and level of regulation — spaces include the Bridge classroom, general education classroom(s), and other environments within the school setting. All students in the center-based programs participate in activities with non-disabled peers to the extent that such interactions are beneficial and appropriate.

Each Bridge center-based program classroom/caseload consists of approximately 6-8 students with one licensed special education teacher and paraprofessional support. Additional services and supports are available based upon the student’s Individualized Education Plan goals and needs. Support staff may include, but is not limited to: occupational therapist, school psychologist, social worker, developmental/adapted physical education teacher, behavior strategist, speech/language pathologist, job coach, work experience coordinator, and school nurse.

التوظيف

For placement in a center-based program, such as Bridge, students must be eligible to receive special education services. Placement in Bridge is always an IEP team decision, made collaboratively by families, educators, and specialists. All district center-based programs are multi-categorical based on student needs. This program primarily serves students who have qualified for special education services under the categories of Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (EBD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Other Health Disabilities (OHD).

Before a referral is made, the school team works to provide additional support and interventions within the student's current environment. If those supports are not sufficient to meet the student's needs, a referral may be initiated. Placement decisions are guided by current evaluation data, the student's IEP goals, and a careful review of the least restrictive environment that will best support the student’s growth and success.