CHIME Institute

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What is CHIME? CHIME was started as a model demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Originally, it was known as the Children's Center Handicapped Integration Model Educational (CCHIME) Project and its goal was to develop an effective model for providing special educational services at an existing child development program. The CCHIME Project was housed at the Associated Students/Children's Center at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), and funded for a three-year period from October 1987 through September 1990. The CHIME Institute was established by Claire Cavallaro and Michele Haney, professors of in the Special Education Program at the CSUN College of Education, as a private nonprofit corporation in August 1990 to continue the work of the CCHIME Project using local funds. Its Preschool Inclusion Program was started at that time serving children from 3 to 6 years of age at the campus of California State University, Northridge. The CHIME Infant and Toddler Program established in 1991, serves children from birth through age 3 and their families. The CHIME Charter Elementary School was established in fall 2001 and serves children from kindergarten through 5th grade. The CHIME Charter Middle School opened fall 2003 serving students in 6th to 8th grade in fall 2004. The CHIME Institute is overseen by a Board of Directors comprised of CSUN faculty, parents, and community members. What is the Need for CHIME Educational Programs? Demonstration sites where best educational practices in early intervention and inclusive learning communities of students, with some students in each class receiving special education services alongside their typically developing and gifted peers, are needed for further research and training. What is unique about the CHIME Infant and Toddler Programs? The program is unique in its provision of transdisciplinary; developmentally appropriate early intervention programs in community and home settings. A team of professional staff including credentialed early intervention specialists (special education teachers), speech and language pathologist and physical therapist provide multidisciplinary assessment, program planning, and evaluation. What is unique about the CHIME Preschool Inclusion Program? The CHIME Preschool and Kindergarten Inclusion Program is unique in its provision of a transdisciplinary, developmentally appropriate program, special education services and support for inclusion in a general education setting. The program operates at the CSUN Child and Family Studies Center, a demonstration and research site. What is unique about the CHIME Charter Schools? The CHIME Charter Schools are multi-cultural schools dedicated to meeting and exceeding California content standards by emphasizing each students ’ strengths and accommodating different learning needs. We are an inclusive community with fully credentialed teachers and a collaborative approach which teams parents, teachers, CSUN faculty and CSUN students to best meet the needs of all students in the general education environment.

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