CROS FAQ

Parents and Educators

Q: We have a student who is Orthopedic Impairment (OI) eligible, but he is not CROS eligible. Why?

A: Columbia Regional Orthopedic Services is designed to provide support to Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) for orthopedically-impaired children who have extraordinary needs, as determined by the state. CROS-eligible students meet these requirements but they also meet the conditions of severe OI, as determined by the state rules and procedures on orthopedic impairment eligibility.

Q: What is the benefit of making a student CROS eligible?

A: CROS has specialists and resources not available to most students and families, including:

Additional consultation from staff whose areas of expertise are particular to a specific content area, for example, assistive technology (AT) or augmentative communication (AC)
Access to the CROS Equipment Loan Bank.
Teacher and staff inservice trainings specific to the unique needs of severe OI students.

Q: Can parents request CROS services directly?

A: No. CROS eligibility is part of the LEA special education system, and the studentís IFSP/IEP team determines eligibility.

Q: What is AT? What is AC? What is MPEA?

A: AT is Assistive Technology. AT services include:

Collaboration to assess the technology needs.
Identification of assistive technology equipment and amterials for trial.
Education of district staff on AT techniques and devices, including software, hardware, and low and high tech peripherals.
Development of AT systems.
Access to the equipment loan bank.

AC is Augmentative Communication. AC services are available for individuals who are unable to use speech to communicate or whose speech is difficult to understand. AC services include:

Assistance in the assessment of communication abilities and needs.
Identification of communication equipment and materials for trial.
Development of communication systems to provide effective interactions across a variety of communication settings.
Education of district staff regarding augmentative techniques and strategies.

MPEA stands for Mobility, Positioning for Educational Access and it can provide:

Evaluative, consultative and direct services (determined by LEA/ CROS agreement) Mobility and positioning equipment.

Q: Can equipment be taken home?

A: That decision will be made by the student’s IEP/IFSP team. Contact the CROS consultant for further information.

Q: How long can we keep the loaned equipment?

A: Equipment can be used for the length of time determined by the IEP/IFSP team, based on the needs of the student. Contact the CROS consultant for further information.

Q: We’re moving, will the CROS equipment follow us?

A: If the student is moving within Columbia Regional Program four-county region, the equipment can move with the child, provided the receiving IEP team deems it necessary. Contact your CROS specialist with specific questions.

Q: Can we have duplicate pieces of equipment?

A: A duplicate piece of equipment may be provided by the local district or school; CROS does not provide duplicate equipment. Some setups require duplicate equipment (i.e. two switches for two-step scanning.) Cases like this are not considered duplication and are included in the CROS loan.

Educators

Q: I have CROS toys checked out to me for use with a CROS-eligible child. May I use them with other children?

A: The toys are for use with CROS-eligible children and should be kept in the childís home or classroom. However, we encourage the participation of peers in play, so peers in the home or classroom can share the toys.

Q: Why are toys only checked out for 3 months or less?

A: Novelty is important to keep students motivated. Repetition with moderate differences is a key to students learning. By turning in and checking out new toys, students can generalize their skills to new activities.

Q: Besides equipment, what other services does CROS offer?

A: Please see the CROS services page.

Q: Whom do I contact to get the intake process started?

A: Please contact a member of the student’s IEP team: the classroom teacher, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, or physical therapist.

Q: How do I know who my CROS specialist is?

A: Check with your child’s/student’s case manager. If you still have questions, contact CROS.