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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP Here.

Thank you all so much - I am glad I asked here, what valuable insights.

More on me:  We live in Boise, ID. It is a wonderful, family-oriented environment, and though the state as a whole is uneducated and conservative, I live in a very liberal and educated part of town which makes me very comfortable staying here. It is an unbelievably EASY place to live, kids go to great Montessori preschool 2 blocks away, older daughter was admitted to wonderful K-12 International Baccalaureate charter school, tons of supportive friends, HOH daughter attends language intensive preschool every morning for FREE. We've got a good gig. And I do not feel I have exhausted all job options here.

I've got a PhD and work in natural resources. The job offer is with FERC. Yesterday I talked with potential new boss and gave him the news that I am a single mom and so my decision to accept the offer depends on my figuring out how to make it work financially and logistically. He was very open and friendly, and referred me to a realtor to speak with.  After a month or two, I could telework for 2 days per week. The work is very appealing to me, boss sounds great, and I've worked for feds before and understand the amazing security and benefits a permanent position would bring.

I'm trying to find out if my hard-of-hearing daughter might qualify for free preschool services in MD or VA. She is doing great with her hearing aids and tests within normal range for language, and so is not eligible for public preschool here in Idaho (though her wonderful speech therapist gave her the scholarship spot in her private preschool just because she knows she'll benefit from it... things like that happen here!).  I learned of an elementary school in Rockville that has a  deaf/HOH program for both elementary and preschool.  If both kids could attend the same school, perhaps I just get a nanny to send them off to school the 3 days per week I commute, go to work grossly early, and am home for them by 4 or 5 pm.  In Rockville it seemed there were some more affordable options for a little house or townhouse. I've put in calls to Childfind and the schools looking for more info and don't get calls back, so that already is a red flag!

Life here in Boise is grand.   My 3 br/1ba modest but absolutely lovely home in desirable part of town has a huge, gorgeous backyard (playset for kids, garage, etc) and we can bike anywhere we want to go. And... it costs me $1050 per month in mortgage!(on a 15 year loan!) If we move to DC I'd most certainly rent just to have an easy exit strategy if it's not working well.

So with that additional info, any more insights.  I truly thank you for your time and experiences![/quote]

If her scores are in the average range then I highly doubt she would qualify for services.  In order to qualify for "free preschool" (special needs based preschool program) your child would have to have significant needs in one or more areas (which doesn't sound like your child).  I'm assuming your child already has an IFSP/IEP.  Child Find is for children who don't yet have an IEP.  I would call the department of special education to get more information.  I believe they would have you send a copy of the IEP to central office and a meeting would be held there to determine if services were warranted.  Or they may do updated testing.   Some of the local schools have what is called PEP Pilot and that is an inclusive model for kids with mild needs and typical kids from the community.  That meets two days a week for about 2 and 1/2 hours.  If your child doesn't qualify for services you may be able to attend as a typical peer.  You can call the closest local school hat has the program.  Here is a link to the Pilot programs: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/pep/locations.shtm  You could also look into the Child Development lab - it's a program that helps high school students learn about teaching - but it is taught by a teacher.  It is low cost -about 600 for the school year (not summers) and is roughly 4 days a week for 3-4 hours.  This attachment is more geared for students but it does list locations:   https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/watkinsmillhs/departments/childdevelopment/brochure.pdf

Your money will definitely go further in Rockville than DC.[/quote]

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