Special Education Family Resources

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Beyond Access Series

The Beyond Access Series is a part of the New York City Department of Education's Division of Specialized Instruction and Student Support. The series supports families of students with disabilities by providing sessions on topics around special education.

Special Education Compensatory Services

DOE students have benefitted greatly from the return to in-person learning and academic recovery efforts (including Special Education Recovery Services) provided during the 2021-22 school year. However, some students still have gaps caused by periods of blended and remote learning. During the 2023-24 school year, IEP teams will make individualized decisions as to whether each student with an IEP requires “compensatory” specialized instruction or related services to address gaps in progress or skill regression caused by an inability to benefit from remote instruction or missed services due to the pandemic.

Your child’s IEP will include a new page that indicates whether the IEP team (of which you are a member) determined that compensatory services are required, the reason(s) for the recommendation, and a list of recommended services, if any. If your child is recommended for compensatory services, their school will work with you to ensure services are provided.

Compensatory Services Frequently Asked Questions

What are Compensatory Services?

Compensatory services are specialized instruction and related services in addition to a student’s regular IEP recommendation. As determined by the IEP team, compensatory services may be recommended to students with IEPs to help close gaps brought on by missed services and/or an inability to benefit from blended and remote learning during the pandemic. When needed, compensatory services will help ensure that any remaining gaps due to the pandemic are addressed and that students are set up for success in their current academic programs.

Is my child eligible for compensatory services?

All students with IEPs will be considered for compensatory services. Whether your child requires compensatory services is a decision that will be made at the IEP meeting and will be based on whether your child has any remaining skill regression or gaps in expected progress towards IEP goals due to the learning disruption caused by the pandemic.

Do I need to request compensatory services for my child?

Families do not need to take any action for compensatory services to be considered. All IEP meetings will include a conversation about whether compensatory services are required and, if so, how they will be provided. You may request an IEP meeting at any time if you believe that your child requires compensatory services or a change in their regular program or related service recommendations. 

What if my child’s IEP meeting is not due to be held until later in the year?

If you believe your child may require compensatory services to address gaps in progress or skill regression as a result of the pandemic and their IEP meeting is not scheduled to be held until later in the year, you can request an earlier IEP meeting. This may result in your child’s annual review being held on an earlier date than otherwise anticipated.

When will services be provided?

Whenever possible, compensatory services will be provided during the school day. In some instances (and with family agreement), services may be provided outside of the school day, including as part of the DOE’s Sensory Education, Exploration and Discovery Program (SEED), see next section on this page for more information on the SEED program. 

Who do I contact if I need support? 

Your first point of contact should always be your child’s school. If you need additional support, please email sers@schools.nyc.gov or call 311. As with other decisions made by the IEP team, you have the right to dispute compensatory services determinations. For more information, including a copy of the Procedural Safeguards Notice, visit Your Rights. 

This page will be updated with additional information.

Sensory Exploration, Education & Discovery (SEED)

Sensory Exploration, Education & Discovery (SEED) is a unique enrichment-based sensory movement program offered Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays to support students who display intensive sensory needs that significantly impact their school functioning and participation. Under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist and/or Physical Therapist, students participating in the SEED program will have the opportunity to utilize specialized sensory equipment (e.g., swing, trampoline, therapy ball, climbing wall, scooter board, etc.) in an intentionally designed SEED space.

The goal of the SEED program is to provide children with sensory experiences that prepare the body and brain for learning through a sensory-based, social-emotional curriculum, including a variety of calming and/or alerting activities. The sensory strategies shared can be used throughout the day to improve self-regulation (the ability to control one’s thoughts, emotional responses, actions, and attention levels). Time is provided at the end of each session for family engagement to support the home-school connection and core belief of "families as partners".

SEED eligible students must be enrolled in a NYC DOE public school/preschool program (Pre-K - HS) and have a current IEP (Individualized Education Plan) recommending occupational therapy services. School community collaborates to identify students who would most benefit from SEED participation with a priority given to students exhibiting intensive sensory needs, students living in temporary housing, and students who had an extensive gap in service delivery. Students will be offered the chance to participate in SEED in one of two twelve-week cycles this school year. In situations where a student cannot participate in SEED due to limited capacity, students will be included in a SEED waiting list for participation in an upcoming cycle.

SEED Program Information 

  • SEED sessions will last approximately 45 minutes long and be conducted once a week on weekdays Monday through Thursday (scheduled between 3:00PM –5:00PM) OR Saturdays (scheduled between 8:30 am – 2:30 pm), for a total of 12 sessions.
  • SEED sessions will be conducted in small groups of no more than four children.
  • Family engagement is an integral part of the SEED program and is strongly encouraged. *Please note, school visitors must comply with the DoE (Department of Education) Vaccine Mandate policy; show proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination to enter a DOE school building.
    • The adult who brings the child to the SEED session is expected to remain on-site for the session duration.
    • At the end of each session, the SEED provider will discuss the session and activities for carryover with the child's caregiver.
  • MetroCard's will be available upon request for every SEED session attended.
  • Participation in the SEED program will be in addition to a child's mandated OT/PT sessions.
  • Students may participate in both compensatory services during the week and the SEED program if appropriate.
  • The SEED site will be expanded this Fall to include 35 additional sites throughout the city.
  • If you have additional questions about the SEED program, please email SEEDPROGRAMORS@schools.nyc.gov.
  • Expanding to 8 times the capacity of SY22 (additional 70 sites) across all five boroughs​
  • First launch (beginning in November) of ~35 schools in November and second launch of ~35 schools in February

Central SEED Site Locations

BoroughDBNSite Address
Bronx10X3402751 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468
Bronx12X4631180 Tinton Avenue, Bronx, NY 10456
Brooklyn16K0261014 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221
Brooklyn75K00476 Dinsmore Place, Brooklyn, NY 11208
Manhattan01M134293 East Broadway, Manhattan, NY 10002
Manhattan04M007160 East 120 Street, Manhattan, NY 10035
Queens28Q040109-20 Union Hall Street, Queens, NY 11433
Queens30Q09299-01 34 Avenue, Queens, NY 11368
Staten Island31R057140 Palma Drive, Staten Island, NY 10304
Staten Island75R03715 Fairfield Street, Staten Island, NY 10308

Expansion SEED Site Locations

Below is a list of all SEED expansion sites slated to be starting their next cycle March 4, 2023. This list is pending final review.

DistrictDBNSite Address
District 175M75175 Morton Street, Manhattan NY, 10014
District 375M811

466 West End, Manhattan NY 10024

District 575M07955 East 120 Street, Manhattan NY 10035
District 575M8112581 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd, Manhattan NY, 10001
District 575M138144 East 128th Street Manhattan NY 10035
District 606M1892580 Amsterdam Avenue Manhattan NY 10040
District 675M138@09021 Jumel Place, Manhattan NY 10032
District 707X179468 East 140 Street, Bronx NY 10454
District 775X017778 Forest Avenue, Bronx NY 10456
District 775X469577 East 139th Street Bronx NY 10454
District 808X0722951 Dewey Avenue, Bronx NY 10465
District 875X012@562X1111 Pugsley Avenue, Bronx NY 10472
District 975X010@199X1449 Shakespeare Ave, Bronx NY 10452
District 1075X1683050 Webster Avenue, Bronx NY 10467
District 1075X18640 West Tremont Avenue, Bronx NY 10453
District 10Rose Hill Pre-K Center2512 Marion Avenue, Bronx NY 10458
District 1075X188770 Grote Street, Bronx NY 10423
District 1111X0962385 Olinville Avenue, Bronx NY 10467
District 1111X0684011 Monticello Avenue, Bronx New York 10466
District 1175X176800 Baychester Avenue, Bronx NY 10475
District 1275X186750 Jennings Street Bronx, NY 10459
District 1313K282180 6 Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11217
District 1414K157850 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11205
District 1515K024427 38th Street, Brooklyn NY 11232
District 1515K958839-841 5 Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11232
District 1919K3461400 Pennsylvania Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11239
District 2020K1644211 14th Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11219
District 2020K768369 93rd Street, Brooklyn NY11209
District 2020K2001940 Benson Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11214
District 2222K1091001 East 45th Street Brooklyn NY 11203
District 2222K1932515 Avenue L, Brooklyn New York 11210
District 2222K0142424 Batchelder Street, Brooklyn NY 11235
District 2222K8531340 East 29th Street, Brooklyn NY 11210
District 2222K2772529 Gerritsen Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11229
District 2375K396110 Chester Street, Brooklyn NY 11212
District 24Mosiac PreK Center46-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368
District 3232K145100 Noll Street, Brooklyn NY 11206
District 3232K151763 Knickerbocker Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11207
District 3232K1621390 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11237
District 2475Q277111-10 Astoria Boulevard, Queens NY 11369
District 2475Q72157-12 94 Street, Queens NY 11373
District 2525Q16918-25 212th Street, Bayside NY 11360
District 2525Q107167-02 45th Avenue Flushing, NY 11358
District 2525Q021147-36 26th Avenue, Flushing NY 11354
District 2675Q81161-25 Marathon Parkway, Queens NY 11362
District 2727Q223125-20 Sutphin Boulevard, Queens NY, 11434
District 2875Q27789-11 43 Avenue, Queens NY 11373
District 2875Q811@140166-01 116 Avenue, Queens NY 11434
District 2929Q036187-01 Foch Boulevard, Saint Albans NY 11412
District 2929Q037179-37 137th Avenue, Springfield Gardens NY 11434
District 2929Q387100-5 Springfield Boulevard Queens Village NY 11429
District 2929Q132132-15 218th Street, Springfield Gardens NY 11413
District 2929Q03590-11 191 Street, Hollis, NY 11423
District 3030Q17114-14 29th Avenue, Long Island City NY 11102
District 3131R0291581 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314
District 3131R036255 Ionia Avenue, Staten Island NY 10312
District 3131R002333 Midland Ave, Staten Island NY 10306
District 3175R0256581 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island New York 10309 - Building 24

What Happens During the SEED Session? 

The occupational and/or physical therapist working with your child during SEED sessions will use structured movement and social-emotional activities to help your child develop sensory regulation, social-emotional, and gross/fine motor skills. Students will participate in ‘just right activities’ that challenge them and provide opportunities for them to feel a sense of success and accomplishment. Some of these activities may include:

  • Sensory-movement enrichment activities
    • e.g., Using sensory-based equipment such as a swing, tunnel, trampoline, etc.
  • Social-emotional and self-regulation activities
    • e.g., Exploring social interactions through structured group activities with peers; improving self-awareness and self-management of emotions
  • Movement and mindfulness activities
    • e.g., Engaging in warm-up and closing activities such as belly breathing, deep pressure, and relaxation
  • Family engagement, education, and carryover
    • e.g., Creating sensory tools such as a break box and fidgets which students can take home; modeling of sensory activities/strategies for the family at the end of the session.

Sample SEED Session

CategorySession StructureDescription/Activities
GroupOpening Activity & Social 
Emotional (SEL) Check-in		Mindfulness Yoga Activity and SEL Program
Sensory
Enrichment/Experience
Stations		Obstacle course, swing, sensory pathway, rock-climbing wall, sensory exploration and creation stationsSensory-motor activities and structured sensory play
GroupClosing activity & SEL Check-outSong with movement, breathing activities, SEL program
Closing ActivitiesFamily Engagement and/or student self-advocacyWind-down, session review. Modeling of sensory based support for family. 
Handwashing

Saturday Academy

The Department of Education (DoE) is offering Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech-Language Therapy (SP) services at Saturday Academy sites for preschool and school-age students whose current IEPs recommend OT/PT/SP and those services have not yet been arranged. Additionally, students will be able to receive small group instruction from a special education teacher to support the student’s achievement of IEP goals, and for those students whose IEPs recommend assistive technology (AT), receive onsite training from a member of the DoE AT Team.

Schools will also work with families to enroll students for whom compensatory OT/PT/SP services have been recommended and have not been arranged at school, or for families who prefer services provided on Saturdays and the family is interested in bringing their child to a Saturday site. The Office of Related Services Team will contact those families to confirm site preference and schedule services. 

This program will launch in January 2024.

For more information, please contact your child’s school or email relatedservices@schools.nyc.gov

Saturday Academy Sites

BoroughDBNSite Address
Bronx10X3402751 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468
Bronx12X4631180 Tinton Avenue, Bronx, NY 10456
Brooklyn16K0261014 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221
Brooklyn75K00476 Dinsmore Place, Brooklyn, NY 11208
Manhattan01M134293 East Broadway, Manhattan, NY 10002
Manhattan04M007160 East 120 Street, Manhattan, NY 10035
Queens28Q040109-20 Union Hall Street, Queens, NY 11433
Queens30Q09299-01 34 Avenue, Queens, NY 11368
Staten Island31R057140 Palma Drive, Staten Island, NY 10304
Staten Island75R03715 Fairfield Street, Staten Island, NY 10308

 

Supporting Students Age 21 and Older

If a student turned 21 or older during the 2020-2021 school year and has not yet completed the requirements for a diploma or exit credential, they may be eligible to return to school for the 2021-2022 school year. If you have not been contacted but think your student may be eligible to return to school, reach out to the principal at your student’s last attended school. Families of students with IEPs in charter schools and 853s should email NPSdocreview@schools.nyc.gov.

Students with IEPs who need to be connected with adult/postsecondary services or instruction but have otherwise completed school can access individualized services to meet their needs, depending on their post-school goals. This can include assistance with:

  • Intakes at adult services agencies
  • Intakes at vocational programs
  • College applications and supporting documents
  • Any other connections or referrals that need to be made in order to ensure that the student will be engaged in the appropriate adult programs and services

Most transition consultancy services can be provided through online platforms or telephone conferences. However, in-person transition support consultancy services can be provided upon request. For additional information or to request transition support consultancy services reach out to your borough Transition and College Access Center (TCAC) or the District 75 Transition Office at:

Other Resources

Family Guides and Resources

Hardcopies of the Family Guide to Transition Planning are available at the TCACs or by making a request to nyctcacs@schools.nyc.gov.