Special Education

Services & Programming

All Unit 5 schools offer a continuum of services for students with disabilities.  These services include, but are not limited to:

·      Academic and behavioral

·      Adapted Physical Education

·      Nursing

·      Occupational Therapy

·      Physical Therapy

·      Social Work

·      Speech and Language

For students who require specialized academic and behavioral support, additional programs are available in designated locations.  For information about the district’s specialized programs, contact the Special Education Department at (309) 557-4439.

Consent for Medicaid School-Based Services

The Medicaid School-Based Services Program in Illinois:

• Provides partial reimbursement to school districts for services such as Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychological Services, Social Work, Transportation, Nursing, Personal Care and Medical Screenings.

• Does NOT affect a family’s Medicaid insurance benefits and there is NO cost to the family, now or in the future.

• Helps school districts to offset some of the costs of health care provided to children.

• Is voluntary and requires a parent or guardian to provide written consent to release information about their child to the Illinois Medicaid agency and its affiliates to obtain reimbursement. This may include name, and date of birth, Medicaid ID, disability if relevant, dates and services delivered.

If your child receives any Medicaid School-Based services and qualifies for Medicaid benefits at any time during the school year, we request your permission to release information to enable your school district to access School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement. You have the right to withdraw this consent at any time. If you do not provide consent, the district will still provide the services. 

• ABLE Brochure (Spanish)
• Child Find - Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires states to have a comprehensive system to locate, identify, and refer as early as possible all children with disabilities, aged birth to 21, for early intervention or special education services.
  • Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth through age 2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C.
  • Children and youth (ages 3–21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
• HILIA Information and Facilitators 
• ISBE Resources
• Medicaid Information for Parents (Spanish)
• Parent Guide to Special Education
• Parent rights (English/Spanish)
• Understanding PUNS (Spanish)
• Records request
  • Records Destroyed statement 
    • Notice is hereby given that Mclean County CUSD #5 intends to destroy the temporary records of all students, including special education records, five years after the graduation or exit from McLean County CUSD #5. 
      In accordance with federal and state laws, special education records are maintained for a minimum of five years after the student exits the special education program. A permanent record of the student’s name, address, phone number, grades, attendance record, and year completed is maintained in perpetuity. 
      The purpose of the destruction of records is to protect the student from improper and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information contained within the file. Please note that certain records may be needed by the student, parent or guardian for social security benefits or other purposes. 
      Any parent/guardian of a student under the age of 18, or former student who has reached 18 years of age, may review and/or receive these records by contacting McLean County CUSD #5 Special Education Department in 1809 W. Hovey Ave, Normal, IL 61761.  An official Release of Records form will need to be completed, as well as a copy of a photo identification.
      Upon receipt of the Records Request, a copy of any information contained in the record will be provided to the parent/guardian or eligible student.
      • If you do not understand this notice or are in need of interpretation, please contact the district at 309-557-4439 and request the Special Education Department.