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FOCUS Program

Program for students with extensive support needs

Program for students with extensive support needs

VISION

The FOCUS Program provides intensive instruction and services to students with extensive support needs ages 5-22. Curriculum and instruction emphasize skill acquisition in functional academics, vocational skills, community based skills, self help skills, social skills, and behavior. Classrooms are staffed with a credentialed teacher and instructional  paraprofessionals.
Who we are

Who we are

  • Education Specialist/Case Manager
  • Classroom Support Staff/ Instructional Assistants
  • School Psychologist
  • Behavior Specialist
  • Program Administrator
  • IEP Related Service providers, as appropriate
who we serve

who we serve

The FOCUS Program is a regional special education placement run by BCOE Special Education Services  on behalf of the schools and districts in Butte County. The FOCUS program serves students who have significant cognitive delays, academic delays,  behavioral needs, communication deficits, and whose needs cannot be met in their current placement. 
what we offer

what we offer

  • Low student-to-staff ratio
  • Evidence-based practices
  • Structured classroom behavior
  • Management systems based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Visual supports across school environments
  • Functional communication systems based on individual student needs
  • Specialized curriculum to develop academic skills
  • Individual and small group instruction
  • Supported mainstreaming opportunities
  • Facilitated social-skills opportunities
  • Explicitly taught self help skills
  • Ongoing communication and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Steps for Focus Referral

  1. Consult with FOCUS program manager
  2. Schedule transition IEP meeting and invite FOCUS team members
  3. Complete BCOE referral form and email to referral@bcoe.org

Campus Locations

  • Elementary Programs:
    • Helen M Wilcox Preschool (Oroville, CA)
    • Manzanita Elementary School (Gridley, CA)
  • Middle School Programs:
    • Durham Intermediate School (Durham, CA)
  • High School
    • Durham High School (Durham, CA)

KEY STAFF

Butte County Special Education logo

Tony Salindong

Transition Specialist

tsalindong@bcoe.org | 530-532-5846

Butte County Special Education logo

Laura Marciniak

Behavior Specialist

lmarciniak@bcoe.org | 530-532-5932

Butte County Special Education logo

Liz Sluis

Education Specialist

lsluis@bcoe.org

Butte County Special Education logo

Bryan Hynes

Education Specialist

bhynes@bcoe.org

Butte County Special Education logo

Katie Qualls

Education Specialist

kqualls@bcoe.org

Butte County Special Education logo

Estela Valencia

Education Specialist

evalencia@bcoe.org

Students and a staff member smiling
Students playing with a parachute tent
Students in a classroom
Maryanne Taylor Profile Picture

Maryanne Taylor

Senior Director, Student Educational Services

mtaylor@bcoe.org | 530-712-2230

Elizabeth Olsen - Special Education Principal

Liz Olsen

Principal BCOE Special Education

eolsen@bcoe.org | 530-712-2251

Sue Bryan Compton

Program Specialist/FOCUS Program Manager

scompton@bcoe.org | 530-712-2254