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Dr. Carrie Novotny-Buss
Director of Special Education
402.715.8308
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Dr. Amanda Hunt
Coordinator - Early Childhood Education, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Vision Services
Co-Leader of MTSS Framework
402.715.8307
alhunt@mpsomaha.org

Anne KeithÌý
Coordinator - Elementary Special Education, IEP Nursing Services, and Sign Language Interpreters
Co-Leader of MTSS-B (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior)
402.715.8219
ackeith@mpsomaha.org

Dr. Ted EsserÌý
Coordinator - Secondary Special Education
Co-Leader of MTSS-B (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior)
402.715.8224
tesser@mpsomaha.org

Dr. Kristy Feden
Coordinator - Young Adult Program (YAP), Speech Language Pathology, Assistive Technology, & Audiology
Co-Leader of MTSS Framework
402.715.6330
klfeden@mpsomaha.org

Jean Savage
Secretary for Early Childhood & Elementary Special Education
402.715.8302
jasavage@mpsomaha.org

Courtney HeserÌý
Secretary to the Director of Special Education & Secondary Special Education
402.715.8583
clheser@mpsomaha.orgÌý

Beth Pfeiffer
Secretary to the Young Adult Program (YAP), Speech-Language Pathology, &ÌýSpecial Education Records
402.715.6331 (YAP)
402.715.8416 (DSAC)
bapfeiffer@mpsomaha.org

Karen Martindale
Facilitator - Elementary Special Education, K-5 Structured Behavior Skills Program
402.715.8286
kdmartindale@mpsomaha.org

Kristen McKenney
Facilitator - Elementary Special Education, K-5 Alternate Curriculum Program
402.715.8568
klmckenney@mpsomaha.org

Shelley SchmitzÌý
Facilitator- Elementary & K-12 MTSS-A/Intervention
402.715.8813Ìý
slschmitz@mpsomaha.org

Kaye Schweigert
Facilitator - Middle School Special Education, 6-8 Alternate Curriculum, 6-8 Structured Behavior Skills
402.715.8558
kmschweig@mpsomaha.org

Wendy Wight
Facilitator - High School Special Education, 9-12 Alternate Curriculum, 9-12 Structured Behavior Skills
402.715.8763
wawight@mpsomaha.org

Tricia Gillett
Speech Language Pathology Program Facilitator B-21
402.715.8585
tlgillett@mpsomaha.org

Kelli Krause
Facilitator - B-21 Autism
402.715.8600
kkrause@mpsomaha.org

Shelley SchmitzÌý
Facilitator- K-12 MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support)
402.715.8813Ìý
slschmitz@mpsomaha.org

Ìý

These government agencies, links and organizationsÌýoffer resources for families.Ìý

• - Current Parents Rights information

• - Nebraska Special Education Law

• - Rules of Practice and Procedure for due Process Hearings in Special Education Contested Cases

• - Regulations and Standards For The Provision of Early Intervention Services

Autism Resources

- Parent Training and Information - a statewide resource for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs

Early Childhood

Child Find

If you, as a district resident in the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ School District, know of infants, toddlers or school-age children you feel should be enrolled in special education because of a suspected disability, please contact the Special Education Department at the Don Stroh Administration Center, 5606 South 147th Street, Omaha, NE 68137 or call (402) 715-8302. Students attending nonpublic schools in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ School District boundaries may be referred for an evaluation by ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public Schools or their resident district.

School Age

Special Education services are provided at each school. ÌýÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public Schools provides a full continuum of services for school aged students with disabilities.

Resource Services

Students with disabilities who are assigned to a general education classroom and spend most of their day in that setting can be provided services through the Resource Program. ÌýSupports and services are provided in identified areas on students’ IEPs and can be implemented by the special education teacher, the general education teacher, or a paraprofessional in either the general education classroom or a small group setting.

Structured Behavior Skills ProgramÌý

Some students with challenges in the area of behavior may benefit from more intensive supports and services. ÌýThe Structured Behavior Skills (SBS) program is available at various cluster sites within the District.

Key features of this placement include smaller class size with lower staff to student ratio in order to support their individualized behavior modification programs, social skills instruction and frequent opportunities to participate with general education peers at their assigned building. General education curriculum is initially provided in a small group setting provided by our SBS teachers and students continue to have access to other layers of support to support their instructional needs. IEP teams determine placement in this specialized setting based on a child’s individual needs and response to multi-tiered systems of supports within their home school.

Alternate Curriculum Programs

Student placement in an Alternate Curriculum Program (ACP) is considered by the IEP team when a child has a significant cognitive disability that impacts intellectual function and adaptive behavior. Their curriculum and instruction is aligned to the Nebraska Extended IndicatorsÌýand the student requires extensive, direct instruction and substantial supports to achieve measurable gains on the Nebraska College and Career Academic Standards for the grades in which they are enrolled. Features of the Alternate Curriculum Program include an alternate curriculum aligned with Nebraska Extended Indicators that are individualized to each child’s instructional needs in a small group setting and an emphasis on inclusionary practices to the most appropriate extent possible as determined by the IEP team.

Young Adult Program

The ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Young Adult Program Ìýprovides transition services to young adults ages 18 to 21 who qualify for Special Education services. The goal of the Young Adult Program is to provide students with the skills and resources necessary to live and work as successfully and independently as possible within their community. ÌýAgency involvement is critical for the young adults. Representatives from different agencies may participate in Individual Educational Program meetings and Multidisciplinary Team meetings to provide more information about the services and options available for after graduation. For additional information contact Kristy Feden, Coordinator of Young Adult Program, at 402-715-6330.

Related Services

Related services are support services identified to assist students with disabilities in order to benefit from their special education program. ÌýIn ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public Schools, these services can include speech/language services, physical and occupational therapy, adaptive physical education, vision services, audiological services, and assistive technology. ÌýIEP teams determine eligibility for related services based on individual student needs.

Autism Consultation

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public Schools provides autism consultation to staff and families of identified students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. ÌýThis service supports students in various settings throughout the District. The consultation includes assistance with development and implementation of the IEP for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder based on Evidence Based Practices in the field.

The Special Education Community Focus Group consists of parent representatives and special education staff. ÌýAn attempt is made to balance the group so that there is broad representation with individuals from each high school feeder area (North, South, West), disability areas, and grade levels (below-age-five, elementary school, middle school, high school, & young adult transition program). Ìý

The vision for the group is that by working collaboratively together we can inform the education of our students with disabilities so that they can maximize their potential. Ìý

The Special Education Community Focus Group holds four committee meetings and engages in two parent meetings/trainings each school year. ÌýThe meetings focus on items which have district-wide implications. The focus group does not discuss issues related to an individual student. ÌýThose issues should be resolved through the IEP Team process and building administration.

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