Early Childhood Special Education

Early Childhood Special Education is a state and federally mandated program for children aged 3–5 who meet state eligibility criteria because they are experiencing developmental delays. School districts and other public agencies are responsible for locating, identifying, and evaluating eligible children and for offering a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Eligible children are entitled to a FAPE at no cost to the family with programming designed to help children meet challenging objectives alongside their typically developing peers. When a delay is suspected, or children are not meeting milestones, local school districts offer Child Find services, providing screening, and if needed, evaluation services to determine eligibility. ARS §15.771 is the section of the state regulations that defines preschool programs for children with disabilities. 

 

The Early Childhood Special Education unit offers technical assistance and professional development to early childhood administrators and practitioners across the state to support these efforts. Please access contact list below to connect with your Specialist. 

Visit our Early Childhood Special Education Events page for upcoming events and professional development opportunities. 

General Resources for:

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• Parents

• Educators

• Administrators

 

Best Practices:

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• Child Find

• Kindergarten Transition

• ECSE Unit Professional Development 

 

Preschool Indicators:

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• Preschool Environments—Indicator 6

• Child Outcomes—Indicator 7

• Preschool Transition—Indicator 12

 

 

 

Contact us if you have questions or needs regarding special education programs and services for preschool-aged children, use the following list to find your Early Childhood Program Specialist, or contact your Specialist from the list below. 

Early Childhood Special Education Staff

Name	Position	Phone	Email	Office Hours
Erika Argueta	Program Specialist	602-542-3160	[email protected]	Wed. 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Elizabeth Hamilton	Program Specialist	602-364-1948	[email protected]	Mon. & Wed. 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Tami Philips	Program Specialist	602-542-3183	[email protected]	Wed. 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Lenka Studnicka	Program Specialist	602-542-1137	[email protected]	Tues. & Thurs. 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Suzanne Perry	Director AZ 619 Coordinator	602-542-1113	[email protected]	Contact for General Preschool Programming Questions
Camille Verdugo	Project Specialist	602-542-8747	[email protected] [email protected]	Contact for Preschool Transition CtoBInbox Questions

 

 

Page revised 4/4/22