Program Description and Guidelines

Special Kids is a program designed to assist those young people who are frequently absent or are having significant difficulties in the classroom because of chronic illness or other special needs. Through an application process, families can apply for computer equipment at a reduced rate; generally $50.00 for a desktop computer or $100.00 for a laptop computer.  The remaining cost of the equipment is covered by grant funds or special donations. Printers will be provided, if available at time of purchase.  Families will be responsible for obtaining their own internet service provider, as well as software.  We do not have adaptive equipment available.  (Resource for adaptive equipment:  the STAR Program, www.starprogam.mn.us).

The minimum specifications for the equipment are:

Pentium 4 desktop system:  1.9 GHz processor, 1 GB memory, 40 GB hard drive, CD-ROM drive, Windows XP Operating system, one-year warranty.

or

Pentium 4 laptop:  1.4 GHz processor, 512 Mg memory, 20 GB hard drive, CD-ROM drive, Windows XP Operating system, one-year warranty-excluding battery.

Please make sure that the software that you plan on having your child use will work on the equipment described above.

Application Process

• The student’s parents/guardian should complete the application.
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  •   The application must include a description of the need and anticipated benefit to the child.
  • The medical referral should include a statement from the medical professional working with the child, that because of the child’s diagnosis, the child is struggling academically or misses a significant amount of school.
• Identify a school contact person and have that person complete the school contact form. (See section School contact responsibility below or call if any questions).
• The family application, medical referral and the school contact form should be sent to Minnesota Computers for Schools by mail or fax. (mailing address and fax number are on the application form).
• The Executive Director reviews and approves the application.  Factors to be considered will include the need and letters of support, equipment availability and availability of financial aid funds.
• Upon approval, the applicant’s family will be notified and asked to send a check to Minnesota Computers for Schools to cover their portion of the equipment cost. A complete description of the computer will be provided to the family to ensure that the computer equipment will be adequate for the child’s needs.
• The laptop/computer will be shipped to the student’s school.  Instructions on how to use the laptop/computer and basic technical support will come from the school.  Technical support and warranty issues will also come through the school to MCFS. 

School’s Responsibility

MCFS requires that the child’s school be involved in this program.  We have found that through a partnership with MCFS, the family and a contact at the child’s school, the chance of a child’s success with using a computer at home will increase.  The school contact person can be any staff person at the child’s school who is willing to take on the following responsibility:

1. Receive the equipment at the school.
2. Instruct the family on how to use the computer.  Example, how to set up a desktop system, how to start the computer, how to install software.
3. If the family is having difficulty with the computer at home, they will discuss the issue with the school contact.  If the school contact determines that it is a hardware issue, the school contact person will call tech support at Minnesota Computers for Schools to  get the problem resolved.

**Because of the school’s involvement, applications will only be accepted from September through April**.

 Due to the large number of requests and limited grant funds available, we are not able to fill each request for a computer.  Consideration is given to each application received based on the student’s needs.