Catalyst is a collaborative effort between CSEC and Carver County agencies to provide transition, mental health services and academic support to students, 16-21 years old, in need of unique and individualized programming.

Hearing Impaired Services, both direct and indirect, are provided for students with hearing impairments by a teacher specializing in this area. When needed, a sign language interpreter is also provided for the student(s).

The Motor Team provides physical therapy, occupational therapy and educational services for students receiving special education programming, who also have disabilities in the areas of fine and gross motor needs, and physical and other health impairments. The team is comprised of occupational therapists, physical therapists and a PH-OHI teacher, and serves students within Carver county school districts. Some services are provided through an agreement with Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.

Passage I serves 9th and 10th graders with emotional and/or behavioral disorders who require a self-contained environment. Passage I provides senior high credit for work in academics, while focusing on behavioral/emotional issues. A strong focus on interpersonal skills as related to school, peers, family and the community is the core of this program. Passage I offers small class sizes, a level system, and mental health support, all designed to help students learn to be successful in school, as well as in the community. The goal of the program is to move students toward a less restrictive environment, and Passage I students are encouraged to participate in the career and technical programs offered by CSEC.

Passage II serves 11th and 12th grade students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders who need a self-contained environment that has a very strong transitional focus. The students generally take required academic class in the morning, then work or perform community service in the afternoon. The program is not run with a level system. Instead, there are high behavioral and academic expectations placed on the students. If they encounter difficulties meeting these expectations, then each student creates an individual plan on how to deal with their issues. The goal is for students to leave the program with a career/post-secondary plan and the skills to carry out that plan successfully. Passage II encourages students to take advantage of the career and technical courses offered by CSEC, and this program also has a strong mental health component.

In both programs, involvement with other non-special education students may occur through physical education, work experience, service-learning, vocational classes, mainstream classes and field trips. The students in both Passage programs continually work on building vocational skills, learning self-control, becoming a positive influence in the community, and honing their transitional skills.

Psychologists are available through special education to help determine each individual student’s eligibility for special education services and appropriate programming. In addition, school psychologists participate in pre-referral interventions by offering suggestions to address learning difficulties within the classroom. Services are available through referral to the special education Child Study Teams within each building and/or district.

Stepping Stones is an elementary program, located at East Creek Family Center in Chaska, for students grades 1-5 with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. Stepping Stones employs a token economy in concert with mental health support in an effort to help the student experience success in a school setting. Emphasis is placed on helping the students see themselves as valuable members of their communities, families, and the school.

Youth Vocational Services provides career exploration, vocational assessment and training, career planning, and job placement for students with special needs, ages 14-18, within a high school setting. Students develop a career plan through these experiences for future job training and placement. Programs are offered in Shakopee schools, Waconia and Watertown schools.

Transition Services consists of the Transition Programs for students with special needs, ages 18-22. These programs, located at Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative, develop and implement individual transition plans, providing services in community awareness, life-skills training, vocational training and placement, and social recreation. Students also receive services through various community agencies to begin their transition from school services to adult services.