Ever since it was founded in 1971, the Berks County Intermediate Unit has been providing special education programs and services to school-age children in Berks County. In partnership with the county’s public and non-public schools, BCIU works to help students with special needs succeed in school and in adult life after graduation.
BCIU’s involvement in school-age special education is extensive and varied; it responds to the community’s need to care for a population of students who face a wide range of challenges. Classroom programs provide educational programming, such as life skills support and preparation for independent living. BCIU’s special education professionals travel throughout the county to provide many related services, including audiological, psychological, sign language interpreting, and more.
School districts must make referrals for services by downloading and submitting a School-Age Service Request Form to the BCIU.
Classroom Programs
Preparation for Adult Life
This program, located in the Berks Career and Technology Center – East Campus with access to community settings, serves students with special needs from all school districts.
Project SEARCH
Located at Penn State Health St. Joseph’s downtown location, this program serves eligible students from all school districts.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program (DHHP) classrooms use what is called “total communication,” combining sign language, speech, speech reading, and use of residual hearing to meet the unique needs of each student.
Transition House
The BCIU’s Transition House Program in Birdsboro assists high school seniors with mild-to-moderate disabilities transition from the familiar environment of high school to employment and independent living.
Special Education Services
BrainSTEPS
BrainSTEPS is a “Brain Injury School Re-Entry” model that is being established across Pennsylvania.
The Extended School Year (ESY) program serves students who demonstrate regression and limited ability to recoup academic information during planned school breaks.