Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) What is a Learning Center? Learning Center programs are specifically designed for students with emotional and/or behavioral disturbances. *Members of a multidisciplinary team work together to provide a positive and safe environment where children feel successful by building on their strengths. *Staff receive extensive training in the program behavior management system: Behaviorally Effective Skills Training (BEST) and in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCVI) to ensure the use of best practices. *Children spend time in general education classes when they have made sufficient progress such that the parent(s) and school team believe they will be successful. *Our goal is to help children develop toward a more age-appropriate level so that they may return to the general education setting as quickly as possible. What Services Do We Provide? We provide a wide range of services to all children in our programs. Additional services are provided when requested or appropriate. All children receive: *Small group academic instruction by a qualified teacher with the support of trained paraprofessionals. *Social skills instruction to help children learn positive ways to get along with others and how to handle conflicts peacefully. *Mental health support by a school social worker. Additional services your child might receive: *Individual Therapy - that provides a safe place for a child to express overwhelming feelings in a trusted and nurturing environment. The social worker helps the child learn appropriate ways to ahndle these feelings, learn new coping skills, and build on his/her strengths to increase self-esteem. *Group Therapy - that provides a place for children at different developmental levels to teach each other ways to manage their feelings and behaviors more appropriately. As children practice these new skills with one another, they begin to gain more positive approaches for developing friendships. Who Provides These Services? Learning Center Programs are composed of a multi-disciplinary team, which consists of a team leader, classroom teachers, educational assitants (EAs), teaching assistants (TAs), social workers, speech/communication therapists, occupational therapists, and specialists (prep). Team Leader: Trained either as a special educator or social worker, this person is hired to oversee the day-to-day operationof individual Learning Center programs.  Specific responsibilities include maintaining open communication between parents, staff and community organizations; creating and maintaining an inclusive, bias-free school climate; and supporting and directing staff to enhance program quality. Social Workers:  These individuals are licensed or completing licensure in the field of social work.  Their responsibilities might include providing individual or group therapy, providing mental health services to students or consultation to staff, and assisting teaching staff with daily student problems. Social workers work together with teachers to ensure that students are receiving complete and appropriate services that meet their individual mental health needs. EBD Teachers:  These individuals are trained and are licensed or completing licensure to teach children in special education. They are experienced in working with the variety of learning, emotional and behavioral difficulties that Learning Center students experience. Teachers work together with their team leader and scoial workers to design appropriate, individualized programs for students. Education Assistants: These individuals are experienced in behavior management techniques and supportive intervention that help students manage and process their emotions. In many learning center sites, EAs manage the intervention room. They meet regularly with the team leader, teachers and social workers to create individual plans for students that will be used in the classroom and intervention room. Teaching Assistants: These individuals are the staff members who spend the most time with the students as they accompany students to class, groups, meals, recess and bus. TAs are primarily responsible for behavior management and academic support in the classroom, and in assisting staff with group activities.