Shanaria Walker -Program Specialist
Early-In Special Education Preschool Program
Educational Resource Center
396 Elementary Dr
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Office: 910-484-6761
Fax: 910-484-6956

Cumberland County Schools is the lead agency for special education and related services to eligible preschool children with disabilities who reside in Cumberland County.  Licensed teachers and therapists provide these services to qualifying 3, 4 and 5 year-olds who are not eligible to attend kindergarten.  Eligibility is determined by results of screening, observation and/or evaluations completed by the multidisciplinary Early-In team, along with parent input. Services may be provided in a variety of settings dependent upon each child’s determined needs.

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), “children with disabilities” includes all children who, because of permanent or temporary cognitive, communication, social/emotional, adaptive or physical disabilities, are unable to have all of their developmental needs met in a natural environment without special education and related services.