The Phoenix Center Admissions Process

• The Phoenix Center accepts referrals from Local Education Agencies (School Districts). Phoenix currently serves students from sixty-four towns in eight New Jersey counties.  Click here to learn more.
• LEAs send student records (IEP, CST reports and other pertinent medical and social history.)

• The Phoenix Center Intake Team reviews records with a focus on student's IEP to ensure that the Phoenix Center can provide for the student’s program needs. If yes, the Phoenix Center Intake coordinator notifies the sending district and schedules an intake visit for the student, parents and CST Case manager. If no, the Intake coordinator contacts the district and returns files.
• Prior to the student's intake visit, one or two potential classrooms are selected for student observation and goodness of fit.
• During the visit, the student is observed in the classroom by teachers and members of the behavior team and intake team, and a related service provider if necessary.
• After the visit, the intake team meets, shares impressions, and decides if the Phoenix Center can provide an appropriate education. If so, the CST Case Manager is notified by phone. If the parents agree to place their child at Phoenix, a letter of acceptance with a contract is forwarded to the district. The student begins as soon as possible or is placed in a waiting list. If the Center is not able to provide an appropriate program, the CST is contacted and the reasons are given, and the district's files are returned.
• Students may not begin the Phoenix Center Program without a current IEP.

Please note that the Phoenix Center does not permit parents to visit without prior consent of the sending district CST.