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Glenwood outlines residential and specialized schools for students with autism and severe behavioral needs
Summary
Representatives from Glenwood described two campus schools — Allan Cott School for students with autism and Clayview School for boys with severe emotional and behavioral needs — and outlined therapeutic and educational supports. Department staff confirmed catastrophic assistance reimbursement programs funded by federal IDEA and a state fund.
Glenwood representatives described the nonprofit’s residential and educational services to the Alabama State Board of Education, including programs for students with autism and for boys with severe emotional and behavioral needs.
Glenwood said it operates two schools on its campus. Allan Cott School provides residential education for students with autism and serves day students from local districts, while Clayview School serves boys ages approximately 6 to 14 in a program referenced as Daniel House. Glenwood told the board Allan Cott students may receive services through age 21 and that, when appropriate and desired by families and if bed availability allows, the organization can provide adult residential services.
Presenters listed specialized staffing and services available at Allan Cott, including special education teachers, paraprofessionals, behavioral support therapists, occupational therapy, speech therapy, a sensory room and classroom adaptations tailored to individual IEP goals. Glenwood said it has recently opened two new homes for children whose needs include borderline intellectual disability combined with mental‑health needs and that those students often lack placements in typical local public schools.
Board members and staff discussed how many students are served and funding. Department staff confirmed the state continues to operate a catastrophic assistance program paid from federal IDEA funds and that the legislature also created a state fund to supplement catastrophic assistance. Staff said districts are typically reimbursed by the state for placements like those provided by Glenwood and that both day and residential placements can be reimbursed under the catastrophic assistance framework.
Glenwood thanked the board for recognition and described its multi‑decade history and growth, noting the organization began serving a small number of students about 50 years ago and now serves thousands nationally and across the state.
Next steps: No formal action was taken. Department staff said grant and reimbursement programs for catastrophic needs remain available and that districts should contact the department for application or billing procedures.
