Structure

Tri-County Special Education Association employs a staff of administrators, supervisors, social workers, psychologists, occupational and physical therapy staff and clerical staff.  The Executive Director meets periodically with an Executive Committee that is comprised of the superintendent and one board of education member from 7 member districts.  This committee sets policy and oversees the operation of Tri-County.  Once each year the Association Council meets to establish the annual budget.  This council includes the superintendent and one board of education member from each of the 15 member districts. 

Tri-County is a largely decentralized cooperative.  Member districts employ all special education instructional personnel.  Our services are largely advisory.  Thus, we support, rather than direct, district practice.  Within this structure, district personnel are active participants in the special education process.  District principals are actively involved in special education as the instructional leaders of their schools.  Member districts also designate one individual to serve as local in-service coordinator.  This person works in concert with Tri-County administrative and supervisory staff to assess needs, develop plans, and implement professional development activities.

Students

The Tri-County Special Education Association coordinates the provision of diagnostic and educational services to students with disabilities ages 3 – 21.  Students with disabilities include those characteristics that match locally adopted criteria based on the definitions of disabilities found in state and federal law.  Namely, students served are those with:  autism, behavioral/emotional disorders, hearing impairment, learning disabilities, mental impairment, other health impairment, physical impairment, speech and language impairment, traumatic brain injury and visual impairment.  Tri-County works closely with other area districts and Illinois State University providing low incidence services through the Heart of Illinois Low Incidence Association (HILIA).

Tri-County Member districts serve a total pupil population of just over 13,000 students.  Roughly 2,300 students have IEP’s.  Personnel within Tri-County are dedicated to providing appropriate services to all children, meaning that decisions where children will be educated and what they will be taught are based on individually identified needs.  The vast majority of students are educated in their resident districts.  A small number attend neighboring districts or nonpublic schools.  Through its participation on area Local Interagency Councils (LIC’s) and Local Area Networks (LAN’s), Tri-County works collaboratively with other agencies to ensure appropriate services.

Tri-County maintains offices in Bloomington, Clinton, and Lincoln.

Services

Tri-County Special Education Association exists to support the administration, supervision and related services provided to students with disabilities.  This support is provided through collaboration with district personnel and through consultation, professional development, coordination, and diagnostic efforts of individuals with Tri-County.  In addition, member district personnel frequently cooperate in order to provide quality educational services to students and their families.

Specific Services Provided by Tri-County Personnel

• School psychological and social work services needed for determining the eligibility of students for special education services.

• Physical and occupational therapy diagnostic evaluations and therapy services.

• Staff development for general educators, special educators, administrative personnel and parents.

• Technical assistance supervision as determined necessary by member districts.

• Consultation services in the areas of administration and supervision of special education, fiscal management, instruction, behavior management, technology use, and program design.

• Child tracking and reporting services.

• Development of policies and procedures to guide the implementation of special education and related services.

Members

Districts belonging to Tri-County cover approximately 2,000 square miles located within DeWitt, Logan, and McLean Counties in central Illinois.  Twenty-nine districts were served by Tri-County when it was organized in 1967 and when classes began in 1968.  Largely due to consolidation, 15 districts now comprise Tri-County Special Education Association.  These districts include:

DeWitt County

Blue Ridge
Clinton

Logan County

Chester-East Lincoln
Hartsburg-Emden
Lincoln elementary
Lincoln High School
Mt. Pulaski
New Holland-Middletown
West Lincoln-Broadwell

McLean County

Heyworth
LeRoy
Lexington
Olympia
Ridgeview
Tri-Valley