All Morris County School Districts offer educational programs and services for students ages 3 to 21 who are in need of special education services.  Parents or other appropriate persons may refer children who are experiencing significant difficulties to their local school district.

Beginning at age 3, children experiencing physical, sensory, emotional, communication, cognitive, or social difficulties may be eligible for special education and related services.  Parents should contact their local district’s Child Study Team office for further information if they have concerns about their child’s development.  Children from birth to age 3, who are thought to have a developmental delay, may receive assistance from the Early Intervention Program.  To access this service, parents should contact Early Intervention at 1-888-653-4463 or Project Child Find at 1-800-322-8174.

If parents are concerned about their school-age child’s progress, they should discuss such issues with their child’s teacher, guidance counselor or principal.  Parents have the option of making a referral to the school’s Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) Committee or to the Child Study Team (CST). The I&RS offers intervention procedures that are provided within the general education school program.  At times, however, more extensive interventions than can be provided in the general education setting are necessary to assist the student. If a child is determined to be eligible for special education and related services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed, which includes a rationale for the student’s educational placement and the basis for the program implementation.

For further assistance, please contact Dr. Richard Celebre, Director of Student Services. 

Early Intervention

Early Intervention Services for Chester Residents (Birth to Age 3)

The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), under the Division of Family Health Services, implements New Jersey's statewide system of services for infants and toddlers, birth to age three, with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. The Department of Health is appointed by the Governor as the state lead agency for the Early Intervention System.

If you feel your child needs early intervention services or you suspect delays of any kind, please contact: 

Morris County Early Intervention Service Coordination Unit 
66 Ford Road
Suite 121
Denville, NJ 07834

Jane Cannon, NJEIS Coordinator
Morris County Early Intervention Service Coordination Unit
(Dawn Center for Independent Living)
Phone: (973) 625-1940 ext. 308
Email: JCannon@dawncil.org