Special Education Service Center

Special Education

The Natrona County School District Special Services Department is committed to partnering with schools, families, and the community to ensure that every eligible student with a disability has access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). By fostering inclusive practices, supporting high-quality instruction, and ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements, the department strives to empower students to reach their individual potential and achieve meaningful educational success.

Our Vision: Supporting Every Learner, Every Day

The Natrona County School District Special Services Department envisions a learning community where every student with a disability is valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. Through collaborative partnerships, high-quality instruction, individualized supports, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we strive to ensure equitable access to meaningful educational opportunities that prepare students for lifelong learning, independence, and success.

What We Do

The Special Education Department coordinates a wide range of programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of our students. Our work includes:

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): Developing and implementing personalized learning plans for students with disabilities, ensuring each child receives the services, accommodations, and supports necessary for success.
School Psychological Services: Our team of school psychologists supports students by conducting evaluations and helping develop strategies for academic and behavioral success.
Specialized Instruction and Related Services: Delivering specially designed instruction, speech therapy, social work/counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision instruction, hearing instruction, orientation and mobility, behavioral support, and other services as needed to support students' individual goals.
Parent and Family Support: Collaborating closely with families to ensure they are informed, involved, and empowered throughout the special education process.

Our Approach

We believe that all students, regardless of ability, deserve to learn in environments that respect their individuality, promote their strengths, and support their needs. Our programs are designed to foster academic achievement, independence, and lifelong success.

Through collaboration with general education teachers, specialized service providers, and families, we work to promote inclusive practices and create classrooms and school communities where all students can thrive.

Child Find

Suspecting a Disability and Seeking an Evaluation

For School-Age Children Enrolled in Natrona County School District Schools

If you suspect that your school-age child, currently enrolled in Natrona County School District, may have a disability and requires an evaluation, please contact your child's school.

For School-Age Children in Private or Homeschool

If you suspect that your school-age child, currently enrolled in a Private School or Homeschool, may have a disability and needs an evaluation, please call (307) 253-5480 to make a referral.

For Children from Birth through 5 Years Old (Pre-Kindergarten)

If you believe your pre-Kindergarten child (birth through 5) may have a disability and requires an evaluation, please contact the Child Development Center at (307) 235-5097. Child Development Center (located at 2020 E. 12th St., Casper, WY 82601) helps families connect with services for infants and toddlers with disabilities before they reach school age.

What to expect when requesting an Evaluation

After receiving a referral for an evaluation, the school team reviews available information to determine whether an evaluation is warranted. The district will provide Prior Written Notice explaining its decision. If an evaluation is proposed, written parent/guardian consent is required before the evaluation begins. This process is facilitated by the school psychologist. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) will conduct a comprehensive evaluation in the suspected disability category. Once all aspects of the evaluation are complete, the MDT will convene to review results.

To qualify for special education services in Wyoming, a student must meet eligibility criteria under one of the 13 disability categories and require specially designed instruction because of the disability.

Disability Categories

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cognitive Disability
Deaf-Blindness
Developmental Delay
Emotional Disability
Hearing Impairment, Including Deafness
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairment
Specific Learning Disability
Speech or Language Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment, Including Blindness

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan developed for students who qualify for special education services under IDEA.

An IEP outlines:

A description of the student's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance
Specific learning goals
Special education services and supplementary aids and services
How progress will be measured
Behavioral supports, when appropriate
Any additional support needed

It’s designed to ensure that students with disabilities receive the support they need to succeed in school.

District Programs

Placement in district programs is determined by the student's IEP team based on the student's individual needs and in accordance with the least restrictive environment requirements.

Behavior, Academic, Social, Emotional (BASE): Kindergarten through age 21

BASE is a highly structured program for students with significant behavioral needs.
- Elementary - Manor Heights, Paradise Valley
- Middle School - Casper Classical Academy, CY, Dean Morgan
- High School - Kelly Walsh, Natrona County, Roosevelt

Day School: Kindergarten through sixth grade

The Day School Program is a behavioral program that supports students through therapeutic, social, and emotional components offered as a continuum of services that support individualized behavioral and academic success.
- University Park

Functional Life Skills (FLS): Kindergarten through age 21

FLS services are provided for students who have significant cognitive, adaptive, and functional needs.
- Elementary - Cottonwood, Crest Hill, Fort Caspar Academy, Pineview
- Middle School - Casper Classical Academy, Centennial, Dean Morgan
- High School - Kelly Walsh, Natrona County

Adult Based Learning Environment (ABLE): grade 12+ through age 21

ABLE is a community-based program designed to meet the needs of adult students with disabilities who are transitioning from the school environment after completing their high school experience, as determined by the IEP team. All students enrolled in the ABLE program are dual-enrolled in one of the high schools in Natrona County.
- University Park

Intensive Life Skills (ILS): Kindergarten through age 21

ILS services support students with significant medical conditions that impact safe and consistent access to instruction and daily school routines.
- Elementary - Manor Heights
- Middle School - Centennial
- High School - Roosevelt

Special Education and Related Services

Services in a student’s IEP are selected based on the student’s individual needs as identified by evaluations and assessments. These supports may include:

Adaptive Physical Education
Assistive Technology
Audiology
Behavior Interventions
Educational Interpreting
Executive Functioning
Functional Life Skills
Hearing Instruction
Math
Mental Health
Occupational Therapy
Orientation and Mobility
Parent Counseling and Training
Physical Therapy
Post-Secondary Transitions
Psychological Services
Reading
Recreation
School Health
School Nursing
School Social Work
Science
Social Skills
Speech and Language
Transportation
Vision Instruction
Vocational Education
Written Expression

Policies and Compliance

Procedural Safeguards

Notice of Procedural Safeguards for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Division of Special Populations and Student Support

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law concerning the education of students with disabilities, requires schools to provide parents/guardian of a child with a disability with a notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards available under the IDEA, U.S. Department of Education regulations, and Wyoming Department of Education Chapter 7 Rules. This procedural safeguards notice includes a full explanation of all of the procedural safeguards available under § 300.148 (unilateral placement at private school at public expense), §§ 300.151 through 300.153 (state complaint procedures), § 300.300 (consent), §§ 300.502 through 300.503, §§ 300.505 through 300.518, and §§ 300.530 through 300.536 (procedural safeguards in Subpart E of the Part B regulations), and §§ 300.610 through 300.625 (confidentiality of information provisions in Subpart F).

Wyoming Procedural Safeguards (English)
Wyoming Procedural Safeguards (Spanish)/Aviso de Garantías Procesales

SESC LEADERSHIP TEAM

(307) 253-5480

Katie Ostlund– Director of Special Services

Valerie Brus – Director of Differentiation and Early Childhood

Heather Myers - Assistant Director of Special Services

Mike Thompson – Assistant Director of Special Services

Casey Cloninger - Assistant Director of Special Services

HELPFUL LINKS FOR FAMILIES

Parents Helping Parents of Wyoming

Developmental Disability Waiver

WDE Procedural Safeguards (English)

Wyoming Procedural Safeguards (Spanish)/Aviso de Garantías Procesales