South Dakota

Hi everybody. We sent our son to pre-school at the local school last school year. This summer they did not offer services for him, but, since we mutually agreed that he needs sevices year 'round at this point, they offered to send him to a place called CCHS (Children's Care Hospital and School) that has an awesome unit that deals w/ special needs kids/autistic kids. To make a long story short, we and he loved it and are convinced it's the best place for him at this crucial point in his life. They have so many more programs, better teacher to kid ratio, more students and even bring in normal achieving students to model proper behavior. So today we had a meeting w/ our school about placement. They tried to offer the same services that CCHS has. It is obvious that the district does not want to send...oops, I mean PAY for him to go to CCHS. We have another meeting in 4 days. If we can't agree on anything in that meeting there will be a mediator called in. Oddly enough the mediator works for the state, who would foot the bill for him to go to CCHS. Real fair. Anyway, ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. We feel so strongly about CCHS that we are willing to pay for it out of our own pockets. Does anyone know if there are aby orginizations that would help us? We have already contacted an advocate and are awaiting her call. Thanks.