Special Services

The DeSoto Parish School System provides a continuum of direct, related and support services to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities. Educational opportunities are provided for students ages 3-21 at schools throughout the district. Services include, but are not limited to, gifted, talented, speech, OT, PT, health care, and counseling as well as a rigorous classroom placement to help all students improve and reach their potential.

DeSoto Parish Schools assures that a free appropriate public education (FAPE) is available to all children with disabilities residing within the jurisdiction of DeSoto Parish between the ages of 3 and 21.

D.O.V.E 2.0

PICTURE OF STUDENT

D.O.V.E. is the Desoto Occupational and Vocational Education program. It is a transition program run by DeSoto Parish Schools that teaches qualifying students job skills to help them transition to adulthood.

EXAMPLE PROJECT

The D.O.V.E. program has started a business building and selling wood duck boxes. These boxes are built by our students which teaches skills such as drilling, sanding ,routing, sawing, and cutting. They are also learning to use all of the tools and equipment involved in the building process.

Click here to learn more.

FREE UPCOMING PARENT WEBINARS

INFOGRAPHIC

Top Tips for Effective IEP Meetings:

May 6

Registration: 10 AM or 2 PM

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Navigating the IEP: Part 1:

Tuesday, May 11

Registration: 11AM

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Navigating the IEP: Part 2:

Thursday, May 20

Registration: 10AM or 2PM

CAMP TIGER

Camp Tiger is a free, three-day camp for children ages 5 to 18 years old living with physical and cognitive challenges such as cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, and more. Camp Tiger provides these children the opportunity to participate in activities that may not normally be available to them, such as trips to Sci-Port, Gators and Friends, bowling, and much more.

For more information and registration details, click here.

PARENT RESOURCES

  • Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) assists persons with disabilities in their desire to obtain or maintain employment and/or achieve independence in their communities by providing rehabilitation services and working cooperatively with business and other community resources.

  • Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) serves as the Single Point of Entry (SPOE) into the developmental disabilities services system and oversees public and private residential services and other services for people with developmental disabilities.

  • OCDD Fact Sheet provides information on developmental disabilities.

  • Northwest Louisiana Human Services District provides services for persons with developmental disabilities, such as residential placement, flexible family funds, individual and family support, etc. (DD Flyer)

  • Supportive Decision Making: A New Alternative to Interdiction (presentation): Supported decision-making (SDM) allows individuals with disabilities to make choices about their own lives with support from a team of people they choose. Individuals with disabilities choose people they know and trust to be part of a support network to help with decision-making. Supported decision-making is an alternative to tutorship and interdiction.

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