Services
The Specialized Child Study Teams for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing have been established to provide diagnostic educational evaluations to New Jersey’s children and youth who have a confirmed hearing loss and are age appropriate to receive school services. Services are also available to hearing children of Deaf adults, or for students who use, or are being considered for using sign language as their primary mode of communication.

Evaluations are contracted and paid for by school districts, however, parents can request the services of the SCST at an IEP meeting, or a meeting held to develop an evaluation plan.

Technical Assistance
A one time technical assistance follow-up is also included in the package price to provide additional information regarding adjustment of programming, information to medical/school staff, to assist in establishing criteria for behavior modification, etc., through written information or personal consultation.

SCST professionals are available to provide technical assistance on a fee for service basis for students who have been evaluated by the teams. Following an evaluation, team members may be contracted to provide workshops in  instructional techniques for students who are deaf/hard of hearing in a mainstreamed or included environment, behavior modification, and suicide prevention. Other topics by request.

Funding Base
The Specialized Child Study Teams have been established through the cooperative efforts of the Office of Special Education, the Office of Direct Services and the Katzenbach School for the Deaf, all within the New Jersey Department of Education. The teams are supported by a combination of fees for services and funds from the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, Part-B.