The Certificate of Achievement for Special Needs Teaching fulfills the state requirements of coursework to work with children who have been identified with special needs in a Title 22 licensed early care and education program. In addition to these classroom opportunities, completers may also find employment in public health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, school districts, and other agencies that support children with special needs and their families.  The Certificate of achievement also consists of transfer classes and is part of stackable certificates and degrees at Ventura College.

Upon successful completion of this certificate of achievement, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a progressive understanding of child development.

2. Identify strategies to support children with a variety of disabilities and their families.

3. Discuss legal obligations when working with children with disabilities and their families.

4. Gain hands-on experience working in environments who serve children with special needs.

 Internship requirements include proof of current negative TB test or chest x-ray and proof of immunity to measles and pertussis.  Influenza vaccinations, COVID vaccinations and booster are highly recommended. Live Scan may be required based on placement.

There is a high need for individuals to work in a variety of settings with children with special needs and their families.  Conservative estimates of completers of this COA are 20 per year.

The Certificate of Achievement for Special Needs Teaching fulfills the state requirements of coursework to work with children who have been identified with special needs in a Title 22 licensed early care and education program. The certificate of achievement also consists of transfer classes and is part of stackable certificates and degrees at Ventura College. Rising rates of children identified with special needs, especially in the early years, requires a larger workforce. In addition, teachers often find themselves working with children and families who have not had a diagnosis. Teachers are required by law to follow Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) and Individualized Education Plans (IEP).

Occupational Competencies

Upon successful completion of this COA, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a progressive understanding of child development.

2. Identify strategies to support children with a variety of disabilities and their families.

3. Discuss legal obligations when working with children with disabilities and their families.

4. Gain hands-on experience working in environments who serve children with special needs.

Potential Occupations

The following are possible occupations for completers of the Special Needs Teaching, COA.

• Special needs childcare worker

• Teacher aide working with special needs children in local school districts

• Teacher assistant working with special needs children in licensed early childhood facilities

Ventura College

Special Needs Teaching

Certificate of Achievement

Item 1. ProgramGoals and Objectives

The Certificate of Achievement for Special Needs Teaching fulfills thestate requirements of coursework to work with children who have been identifiedwith special needs in a Title 22 licensed early care and education program. Thecertificate of achievement also consists of transfer classes and is part ofstackable certificates and degrees at Ventura College. Rising rates of childrenidentified with special needs, especially in the early years, requires a largerworkforce.  In addition, teachers oftenfind themselves working with children and families who have not had adiagnosis.  Teachers are required by lawto follow Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) and IndividualizedEducation Plans (IEP).

OccupationalCompetencies

Uponsuccessful completion of this COA, students will be able to:

1. Demonstratea progressive understanding of child development.

2. Identify strategies to support children with a variety of disabilitiesand their families.

3.  Discuss legal obligationswhen working with children with disabilities and their families.

4. Gain hands-on experience working in environments who serve children withspecial needs.

Potential Occupations

The followingare possible occupations for completers of the Special Needs Teaching, COA.

·   Special needs childcareworker

·   Teacher aide working with specialneeds children in local school districts

·  Teacher assistant workingwith special needs children in licensed early childhood facilities

Program Student Learning Outcomes

1.      Begin to apply general knowledge of development in the physical,cognitive, and psychosocial domains from conception through early childhood,including knowledge about typical and atypical development.

2.      Begin to discuss and apply skills needed in intentional teachingconsistent with developmentally appropriate practices.

3.      Begin to understand and apply legal requirements when working withchildren and families with special needs.

4.      Apply professional and ethical standards of behavior in the collegeclassroom and workplace with children, families, colleagues, and coworkers.

Item 2. Catalog Description

TheCertificate of Achievement for Special Needs Teaching fulfills the staterequirements of coursework to work with children who have been identified withspecial needs in a Title 22 licensed early care and education program. Inaddition to these classroom opportunities, completers may also find employmentin public health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, school districts, andother agencies that support children with special needs and theirfamilies.  The Certificate of achievement also consists of transferclasses and is part of stackable certificates and degrees at Ventura College.

Uponsuccessful completion of this certificate of achievement, students will be ableto:

1. Demonstrate a progressive understanding of child development.

2. Identify strategies to support children with a variety ofdisabilities and their families.

3. Discuss legal obligations when working with children withdisabilities and their families.

4.Gain hands-on experience working in environments who serve children withspecial needs.

 Internshiprequirements include proof of current negative TB test or chest x-ray and proofof immunity to measles and pertussis.  Influenza vaccinations, COVIDvaccinations and booster are highly recommended. Live Scan may be requiredbased on placement.

Item 3. ProgramRequirements

CourseList

Planof Study

Item 4. MasterPlanning

This certificate of achievementprovides a path for those entering the field or furthering their currenteducation and experience. 

Item 5. Enrollment and Completer Projections

Thereis a high need for individuals to work in a variety of settings with childrenwith special needs and their families.  Conservative estimates ofcompleters of this COA are 20 per year.

Enrollment Data

Item 6. Place of Program in Curriculum/Similar Programs

Thisprogram will augment the current Child Development/Early Childhood Education ASand COA programs.

The courses in the program – CDV02, CD V10, and CD V20 – can be used as part of one or more of thecertificates of achievement and degrees offered at Ventura College. ThisCertificate of Achievement (COA) consists of courses applicable to other COAsand degrees, including Associate Teacher, Certificate of Achievement; ChildDevelopment, Certificate of Achievement; Child Development, Associate Degree;and Early Childhood Education, Associate Degree for Transfer.

CD V95 (Child DevelopmentInternship I) may be used for required supervised hours to apply forstate-issued child development permits.

a.      Do any activeinventory records need to be made inactiveor changed in connection with the approval of the proposed program?

                      No

b.      Does the program replace any existing program(s) on the college’sinventory? Provide relevant

details if this program is related to thetermination or scaling down of another program(s).

      No

c.       What related programs areoffered by the college?

                   Associate Teacher, COA

                   Child Development, AS

                   Child Development, COA

                   Early Childhood Education,AS-T

Item 7. SimilarPrograms at OtherColleges in ServiceArea

Cuesta College, a college in the South CentralCoast Regional Consortium (SCCRC), provides an Inclusion and Special Needs,COA.   Registered Behavior Techniciantraining modules are offered through Moorpark College, but there is no PA orCOA associated with th