Hi, I'm Connie Griffith, the current Executive Director of the Special Services Unit in Madison, Indiana.  On October 5, 2001 I had the pleasure of hosting the SSU's celebration of thirty-three years of service to students with disabilities.  Our celebration was an outstanding success, so I would like to share with you a brief background on the Special Services Unit and some pictures of the many dedicated people who attended our joyous celebration.

    The Special Services Unit, a special education cooperative in four southern Indiana counties, evolved from a Title III grant awarded to Madison Consolidated Schools in February, 1968.  At the time of approval, because of the close relationship with the Indiana Department of Mental Health, this program was the only one in Indiana and thought to be the only one in the United States.

The Joint Service and Supply  and later the Interlocal Agreement participants are:

with the parochial schools beneficiary of all services.

    The cooperative provides services that are not available to school corporations because of limited resources, need or expense; but also has a recognized role as an agent of change, bringing new methods and attitudes to the member corporations.

    Starting with one employee, SSU presently has grown to 192 employees serving over 2900 students, and includes projects for large print books and assistive technology.

    Today, SSU maintains the same pioneering spirit that brought about its creation.  This spirit takes form in a desire on the part of the Unit to be recognized as a pacesetter, a quality standard, and above all, a viable and positive force in education.

    I hope that you enjoy your visit with us on our Web site and that you will come back often for all of the news on the exciting events taking place at the SSU.  Thanks again for sharing in our celebration of thirty-three years of service to students with disabilities.

   Now, as promised, if you click on our celebration sign below,  you will see a few pictures of some of the many people who have, and continue to make, the Special Services Unit a melding of dedicated individuals who never lose sight of their primary focus ... What's best for the kids?  Special thanks go to Walt Murray for being our photographer. 

    Be sure to come back to read more articles about the SSU  that we have archived.  And don't miss visiting with our students!  You can read all of their news by clicking on the Kids Chronicle Button on the navigation bar!

Archived Articles about the SSU