The Center for Developmental Disabilities 853 School

Robert Williams School is a Nassau BOCES middle school program providing an academic setting with a multidisciplinary team for students with learning, behavioral, emotional, and developmental disabilities. Instruction is aligned to New York State standards and includes opportunities toward a Regents diploma or other state-approved diplomas, along with CDOS-aligned work-based learning where appropriate. School-wide PBIS and explicit pro-social skill instruction are integrated to support social-emotional growth and independence. Key programs include academics aligned to New York State standards tailored to students' cognitive levels and learning styles. The school offers pathways toward a NYS Regents diploma or other approved diplomas with CDOS-related instructional and work-based learning opportunities. The Therapeutic Learning Collaborative (TLC) provides two specialized programs: the Intensive Support Program (ISP) offering counseling partnership with North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center for individual, group, family counseling and psychiatric care; and the Transitional Support Program (TSP) supporting transition to less restrictive settings with counseling from BOCES psychologists, social workers, and guidance counselors. Guidance services include transitional planning beginning at age 14 and assistance with working papers. Placement is through the home district's Committee on Special Education (CSE) as part of the student's IEP process.