ED-P Program Definition and Compliance Statement

The FUSD ED-P (Emotional Disabilities-Private day school) Program has been established in compliance with all programmatic guidelines set by the Arizona Department of Education.  The ADE affords public schools the ability to develop “schools” within their districts for students with severe emotional disabilities that would be otherwise sent to  private day schools. 

  ED-P Program Mission

The ED-P Program’s mission is to provide structured, creative, and engaging academic, behavior management, and social skills instruction to children with intensive behavioral health needs. Students will be empowered with the necessary skills to live with dignity and successfully transition into their communities and a less restrictive educational environment.

Population of Students Served

Students receiving academic instruction in the ED-P Program are identified as having an Emotional Disability. There may be an indication of mental illness with the need for mental health services. The students are enrolled in the K-12 Program because they exhibit behaviors with intensity and duration that exceeds those of students served in a self-contained setting. Intense needs of students require a structure that provides additional supervision and safety. There is also a therapeutic component that is not mandated in the traditional self-contained ED classroom. FUSD has identified 25 students that are eligible for enrollment.

Special education programs and supports are based on a continuum of services that identify the least restrictive environment in which a student’s needs can be met. Students attending the ED-P Program are identified as needing an alternative educational setting and therapeutic intervention to meet their intensive behavioral needs. Once students have achieved mastery of skills required, they are transitioned to a less restrictive environment.