A Program of Schools for Children

For Caregivers

At Dearborn STEP, we understand that if you are considering our school, your student’s educational path may not have been a smooth one up to this point. We aim to make the transition process as stress-free as possible, whether your student has been referred to Dearborn STEP from the school district, or you are considering a private-pay option. 

 

Is Dearborn the Right Fit for Your Child?

Almost all of our referrals come via public schools. This means that the student’s IEP team has agreed that the district will pay for a 45-day evaluation, through a school or program like Deaborn STEP. Once the student has a signed IEP for placement, the district representative sends a referral packet to our Director for consideration. 

 

Each Dearborn STEP student’s success starts with the referral process and determining if this is the right setting for them:  

 

  • Can we meet the student’s academic, social, and emotional needs?

  • Do caregivers and/or the district have questions about what barriers are impacting the student?

  • Can the student thrive here?

  • Are we a good fit? 

 

In order to answer these questions, we review the following referral documents, provided by the district with caregiver consent:

 

  • IEP and recent progress reports

  • Evaluations, including but not limited to:

    • Psychological, neuropsychological, academic, speech and language, occupational, transitional, etc.

  • Transcripts and report cards

  • MCAS scores

  • Hospital discharge summaries, when relevant

  • Any other documentation deemed relevant to share in order to provide our team with information to help us determine fit.

 

Our Director reviews referral packets within 48 hours and informs the district representative that either:

 

  1. We would like to invite the student for a tour and interview.

  2. We are not able to meet the student’s needs.

  3. We have one or more questions that we need answered prior to making a decision about whether to proceed with the referral. 

 

Tour and Interview

When we have determined that we may be a good fit for the student, we offer and schedule a tour and interview with caregiver(s) and the student. After the tour and interview, if the student, caregivers and our team feels that Dearborn STEP could be a good fit, the STEP Director offers placement to the district.

 

The district then communicates with you on if you would like to accept placement. If the answer is ‘yes,’ STEP is informed and we begin the paperwork process to begin.

 

After You’re Accepted

Once a student has been accepted, our Director will coordinate with the district and with you to complete the necessary paperwork, arrange for transportation, and ensure a smooth transition. The district is responsible for setting up the transportation but STEP plays a role in this process to ensure a smooth transition. 

 

The student’s clinician will communicate with caregivers to:

 

  • Introduce themselves 

  • Provide the lunch menu

  • Answer any questions you or your student has 

Referral Form