JAMP Special Education Services, located in the heartland of beautiful Southern Illinois, is a rural special education cooperative that serves the counties of Johnson, Alexander, Massac and Pulaski. It includes eleven school districts with a total population of 4,555 students, providing special education and diagnostic services for the benefit of children with disabilities within the four county area.
The JAMP cooperative resides within the Shawnee Community College District. Continuing education is also available through Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Illinois, Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Southern Illinois offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the midwest. Rivers, rugged stone cliffs, caves, rare vegetation and unique wildlife are in abundance. Cultural activities are close by, with a variety of outdoor recreational activities available, including some of the nation’s best hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. Several large shopping malls and medical facilities – in Carbondale, IL, Cape Girardeau, MO and Paducah, KY – are within 40 miles of the district.
JAMP’s Mission
JAMP Special Education Services, in active partnership with member school districts, families, and community agencies, shall empower students to become responsible learners who are confident and capable of meaningful participation as citizens in a changing society. The educational needs of all students are identified and are addressed by providing a broad range of high quality services by JAMP staff and member districts.
It is the goal of JAMP Special Education Services the member districts to provide individualized education plans for students in our eleven member districts in the least restrictive environment, which preferably is the student’s home district. JAMP Special Education Services has developed an alternative program to serve the educational needs of students who have not been successful in traditional school programs because of chronic emotional, behavioral, or social choice making difficulties. The school utilizes staff training and practices that are consistent with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Best Practices. The program is located at the Grand Chain Learning Center.