Exceptional Children
2025 IDEA Grant Application for Review
In order to review the 2025 IDEA Grant Application that will be submitted, please click on the above link to see the draft of the application. If you would like to discuss or have questions about the application, please contact Margie Stebbeds at 828-682-6101 ext. 119. Public Review is open through 5/22/2024.
Project Child Find
What is Project Child Find
An effort coordinated by your local school system and the Exceptional Children Division, State Department of public Instruction, to:
Locate and identify children and youth ages birth through 21 with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services.
Inform parents and /or guardians of the services available from their local school system and other state and community agencies.
Who Are the Children?
Children and youth who have been diagnosed or are suspected to have intellectual, physical, or emotional disabilities and are unable to benefit from a regular school program without special assistance.
What Help is Available?
A complete evaluation and, if appropriate,
An Individualized Education Program for children with a disability beginning at age three,
An Individual Family Service Plan for each child with a disability birth through 2, or
A referral to other agencies when needed.
For further information regarding Child Find or if you suspect your student may have a disability and need special education and/or related services, please contact:
Margie Stebbeds, Exceptional Children's Director
828-682-6101 ext. 120
Parent Information
Parent Rights & Responsibilities in Special Education: NC Notice of Procedural Safeguards
This handbook is designed to support families with the understanding of the rights and responsibilities specific to the special education process. Acronyms and terms often used in special education and resources can be found in the appendices. If, at any time, you suspect your student may have a disability and is in need of special education and/or related services, you may request an evaluation, in writing, to your student’s school principal, teacher, or the Yancey County Schools Exceptional Children's Department.
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Exceptional Children Division
The mission of the Exceptional Children Division is to ensure that students with disabilities develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through the provision of an appropriate individualized program in the least restrictive environment.
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for Families
What is NC MTSS?
Family engagement within an MTSS is defined as the active and meaningful partnerships that educators build and maintain with students' families for the purpose of supporting student learning. It embodies the idea that all parties are equally invested in the student's educational experience and all parties bring knowledge and skills of equal value to the table to work together.
What is "support"?
NC schools that are implementing an MTSS may talk about support for students. To further define that support, NC organizes these supports around the instruction, the curriculum, and the environment.
Other Helpful Links
Autism Society of North Carolina
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center
NC Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities
Medicaid-NC Division of Medical Assistance (NCDHHS)
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Our Mission is to ensure that students with disabilities develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through appropriate individualized education in the least restrictive environment.
Margie Stebbeds - Exceptional Children's Director
828-682-6101 ext. 120
Email Margie Stebbeds
Cindy Barnett - Compliance/Data Manager
828-682-6101 ext. 119
Email Cindy Barnett