Van Buren Intermediate School District

DID YOU KNOW?
VBISD’s Special Education Department supports students, schools and educators across Van Buren County by helping ensure every student has the support they need to learn and grow.
During the 2025-2026 school year, 2,576 students with disabilities were served across Van Buren County.

But special education is more than specialized programs and services. Behind the scenes, VBISD staff serve as consultants, therapists, teachers, supervisors, problem-solvers and advocates, working alongside local schools to determine the right supports for individual students.

One important distinction: special education is a service, not a place. Students receive special education services based on their individual needs and are supported in a variety of educational settings.

At VBISD, we believe all students are capable of learning, thinking and understanding when they are given the opportunity and the right supports.

At the heart of it all: students first.

At Bert Goens Learning Center, students with disabilities receive center-based services designed to support their individual needs, growth and independence.

One thing people may not realize is that students can receive services through age 26, with an important focus on building life skills that support them both in and beyond the classroom.

At BGLC, every student is welcomed, supported and celebrated for their progress. Because student success takes everyone: students, families and schools working together!

VBISD Human Resources supports much more than hiring and employee paperwork. A lot happens behind the scenes to support the people who make our organization and local schools possible.

Each school year, Human Resources completes well over 500 fingerprinting appointments for VBISD employees and employees of Van Buren County school districts!

HR also supports the overall well-being of our employees through the Employee Wellness Program, which focuses on physical, social, environmental, financial, and mental health. From wellness resources to access to the VBISD employee fitness center, the goal is to help employees feel supported both at work and beyond!

The Superintendent’s Office does more than oversee educational matters. The team works with 11 local school districts, county officials, community leaders, law enforcement, economic development organizations, and other partners to support schools and advocate for the needs of students, families, and communities.

A big part of the work is also helping address non-instructional issues so educators and staff can stay focused on serving students.

And one number that may surprise you: VBISD’s estimated budget for 2026–27 is $108,379,094.

Your voice can help shape special education services across Van Buren County!

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) brings parents, caregivers, educators, and district staff together to share ideas, provide input, and help improve special education programs and services for students with disabilities and their families.

Why join PAC?
Share your experiences, ideas, and perspective.
Learn about special education resources and services.
Connect with other families and district staff.
Help influence and improve services for students.

Meetings are virtual and begin at 6 p.m. With only 8 meetings throughout the year, you can attend all of them or join when your schedule allows.

Interested in getting involved? Contact Renee Moses, PAC Coordinator, for more information or to join. (rmoses@vbisd.org)
Learn more about PAC: https://www.vbisd.org/o/se/page/parent-advisory-committee

Van Buren County residents of all ages are invited to participate in the county’s first-ever Mental Health Walk on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in recognition of World Mental Health Awareness Day.

Hosted by the Van Buren Intermediate School District’s Youth Collaborative, the free community event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Van Buren Tech, 250 South St., Lawrence, MI 49064. Participants should follow event signage to the walking path located north of the Van Buren Tech Center.

The Mental Health Walk is designed as a welcoming, low-pressure, open-house-style event where community members can learn about local mental health resources, build resilience, and explore practical wellness tools. Rather than a structured race or 5K, the less-than-half-mile walk allows participants to move through the event at their own pace between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Throughout the event, participants will have the opportunity to visit interactive stations featuring skills from the Community Resilience Model (CRM), an evidence-based framework that helps individuals understand the nervous system and develop practical skills for building resilience. All stations and activities are optional.

The event will also feature opportunities to connect with local agencies and providers, a touch-a-truck experience, and a free book giveaway for the first 100 toddlers who attend. Free sack lunches will be available to the first 100 participants.

The event is hosted by the VBISD Youth Collaborative in collaboration with Bronson, Van Buren Community Mental Health, Van Buren County Youth Court, VBISD Great Start, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the Lions Club.

“We’re excited to host the Van Buren Youth Collaborative’s first annual Mental Health Awareness Walk on October 10, World Mental Health Awareness Day. This free, family-friendly event is an opportunity for people of all ages to connect with local mental health resources, learn simple resilience strategies, and enjoy a short walk together. We hope the community will come as they are, rain or shine, and join us in creating greater awareness and support for positive mental health,” said Paula Kana’an.

The walking route includes both paved and grassy areas on the VBISD campus and Van Buren Tech Center grounds. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and terrain.

Event Details
What: Van Buren County Mental Health Walk

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Van Buren Tech, 250 South St., Lawrence, MI 49064

Cost: Free

Who: Community members of all ages

Weather: Rain or shine

Walk: Less than ½ mile, unstructured and self-paced

Contact: pkanaan@vbisd.org

This year, Project NOMAD expanded opportunities for inclusion through a new Peer-to-Peer program that connected high school volunteers with students across grade levels to provide academic support, encouragement, and friendship.
Through this program, peer helpers supported students in reading, math, STEM, PE, and social skills while building meaningful connections with their peer buddies. The experience created opportunities for students to grow in confidence, strengthen skills, and feel supported by a community that believes in them, while giving high school volunteers the chance to learn the value of service, compassion, and helping others succeed.

The first five years of life lay the foundation for a child’s future, and VBISD’s Early Childhood Department is here to help every child build a strong start. From birth through kindergarten, the department partners with families to support children’s learning, development, and well-being through high-quality preschool, special education, home visiting, developmental services, and family support.
Early Childhood is about so much more than preschool. Through collaboration among programs like GSRP, ECSE, ECIT, Build Up, GSC, Early On, and Parents as Teachers (Family Links), VBISD teams work together to create stronger connections, smoother transitions, and a more supportive experience for children and families. Because when families have the right support early, children have the opportunity to thrive for a lifetime!

VBISD’s Multilingual & Migrant services support students as they build English language skills, navigate the U.S. school system, achieve academic success, and develop the confidence to advocate for themselves. Through language instruction, family support, translation and interpretation services, and coaching for educators, the program ensures multilingual students have the resources and support needed to thrive.

This year brought exciting milestones, including the program’s first multilingual student field trip and continued professional growth through advanced training designed to strengthen support for students and educators. However, the greatest successes come through the moments that cannot always be measured, like seeing a student gain the confidence to speak up, advocate for herself, and create new opportunities for her academic future!

The VBISD Early Childhood Special Education team provides specialized services and supports for children from birth through age 5, helping our youngest learners build a strong foundation before kindergarten. By partnering with GSRP and Flowers/Head Start classrooms across Van Buren County, we work to ensure children receive the support they need in inclusive learning environments.
Last year, more than 65% of preschool students with IEPs learned in general education classrooms, and our team provided IEP services and supports to 160+ students while completing 105 special education evaluations.
One unforgettable success story came from a young student who used his AAC device to connect with classmates and teachers, proving that with the right support, every child has a voice and the ability to thrive!
At VBISD, we believe our youngest learners and their families deserve the very best we can offer.

Every child deserves a strong start, and the Project NOMAD Preschool Program is helping make that possible! Serving eligible migrant families with children ages 3-5, the program provides engaging, bilingual (English and Spanish) early learning experiences that build the foundation for lifelong success. Through the HighScope Curriculum, certified preschool teachers help children develop essential school-readiness skills, including language and literacy, early math concepts, color recognition, and social-emotional development.
At VBISD, we believe every child deserves to be seen, valued, and supported in reaching their full potential. By creating a nurturing environment where young learners can grow with confidence, the Project NOMAD preschool program helps prepare children for success in kindergarten and for the opportunities that lie ahead.

Through VBISD’s Multilingual & Migrant Services and Project NOMAD, students whose education has been interrupted by frequent moves receive the support they need to close learning gaps, build confidence, and succeed. Serving students and families connected to migratory agricultural work, our team provides educational support, advocacy, and resources to ensure students have access to the opportunities they deserve. Through Project NOMAD’s summer learning program, students strengthen skills in reading and math while also exploring STEM, nutrition, and physical education in a welcoming environment where they feel valued and supported.
The impact of this work goes beyond academics. Dedicated educators build lasting relationships with students, meet families where they are, and help remove barriers that stand between students and their goals. Whether it’s helping a student gain confidence in reading or advocating for a student to overcome obstacles and earn their diploma, every success story is a reminder of the power of support and opportunity.
At VBISD, we believe investing in all children creates a better future for all. Every student deserves the chance to grow, achieve, and discover what is possible!

The VBISD Early Childhood Department helps children and families build a strong foundation for lifelong success, from birth through kindergarten and beyond. Through high-quality preschool, special education, home visiting, developmental services, and family support, the department ensures every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
The department’s work begins at birth- not just in preschool. Whether families have questions, need resources, or are looking for support, the Early Childhood team connects them with the right services because there is truly no wrong door.
This year, the GSRP, ECSE, ECIT, Build Up, GSC, Early On, and Parents as Teachers (Family Links) teams strengthened collaboration across programs to create smoother transitions and a more connected experience for children and families.
Early childhood is about more than preschool, it’s about providing the support children need during the most critical years of development. VBISD believes every child deserves a strong start and every family deserves a partner along the way!

Van Buren Middle College helps students bridge the gap between high school and college by earning up to a full associate degree tuition-free while still in high school- saving families both time and money. More importantly, students receive personalized, wrap-around support every step of the way, including a dedicated 1-on-1 mentor for every student.
Serving all 11 school districts in Van Buren County, Middle College is about more than free college credits, it's about helping students succeed. While the average U.S. community college graduation rate is around 30%, Van Buren Middle College students graduate at a rate of over 90%, thanks to the holistic support system built around each learner.
At VBISD, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to dream big and work toward their goals. We're excited to continue that mission with a new team and new initiatives in the coming school year.

The Maple Creek Education Center (MCEC) is a centralized, self-contained special education program that serves students whose social-emotional and behavioral needs have significantly impacted their learning. Working closely with local districts and families, MCEC provides individualized support to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
One thing many people are surprised to learn is that MCEC is a very quiet building- a reflection of the calm, structured, and supportive environment created for students. This past year, two students successfully returned to their home districts full time, while three additional students began transitioning back through mainstream opportunities, with even more time in their local schools planned for the upcoming year!

One word that describes MCEC is Resilience.

Every day, dedicated staff work alongside incredible students to celebrate growth, overcome challenges, and prepare for future success.

A common misconception is that social-emotional and behavioral skills are different from academic skills. In reality, they are learned the same way- through instruction, practice, reinforcement, and encouragement.

VBISD Emergency Management partners with local districts to strengthen school safety by helping schools prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Through training, planning, and ongoing support, the department helps create safe and secure learning environments for students and staff.

One thing many people may not realize is the extensive training provided each year. During the 2025-2026 school year, VBISD Emergency Management delivered 125 trainings to more than 3,000 participants across Van Buren County!
One memorable highlight was teaching hands-only CPR to 4th-grade students, equipping young learners with lifesaving skills they can carry for years to come.

One word that describes Emergency Management: Preparedness.

At VBISD, we believe school safety starts with every one of us. Creating safe schools is a community effort, and everyone has a role to play.

A New Look for VBISD: Many Parts, One Identity.

Over the years, VBISD has grown to include an extensive range of departments, programs, services, educators, and partnerships. While each brings its own expertise and purpose, they all share one thing: they are part of VBISD. Our refreshed identity brings those pieces together under one unified brand, making it easier for our students, families, staff, and communities to recognize how everything connects back to VBISD. We’ve kept the colors from our previous logo as a nod to VBISD's history and tradition, while introducing a complementary color to bring a fresh, modern element that represents growth and innovation. This is more than simply a new logo. It’s a complete visual identity designed to create recognition, consistency, and connection across the organization. And while our look is changing, we’re not leaving our history behind. We’re honoring our past while responsibly preparing for our future.

One organization. One identity. One shared mission. Together, we are VBISD!

As you begin to see the new identity across VBISD’s digital platforms and communications, you’ll notice that our departments and programs will now be represented by the new VBISD logo paired with their specific names, creating a consistent visual connection across the organization while still highlighting the unique services each provides. We’re proud to be an educational organization committed to Providing Educational Services for a Better Tomorrow, supporting students, educators, families, and communities across Van Buren County!

Every student can succeed with the right support! VBISD's Migrant Education math program helps students build confidence and strengthen their math skills by providing assessments, targeted interventions, one-on-one support, and resources for teachers. Beyond the numbers, it's about meeting students where they are and giving them the time and opportunity to grow.
One thing that often surprises people is the students' eagerness to learn. They actively seek extra help, embrace new challenges, and create a positive learning environment where growth can flourish.

This past year, students made impressive gains in both math and reading, while families continued to receive the support they needed. One especially memorable success was working with a student who arrived speaking no English but eagerly practiced both math and conversational English each day. Watching his confidence grow was a powerful reminder that learning is about relationships as much as academics.

As we look ahead to the new school year, we're excited to welcome back familiar faces, meet new students, and continue living our belief that every child can learn when given the time, support, and opportunity to succeed.

Welcoming the Next Generation of Educators!
VBISD's Instructional Services team welcomed new and early-career educators to New Teacher Academy, a three-day experience focused on building confidence, strengthening instructional practices, and connecting educators with the tools and support they need to thrive. From classroom management and trauma-informed practices to instructional strategies, MTSS, family engagement, and more, teachers gained practical ideas they can take directly into their classrooms.
A highlight of the academy was the Teacher Panel, featuring outstanding educators from districts and grade levels across Van Buren County. New teachers had the opportunity to hear authentic experiences, practical advice, and lessons learned directly from educators who are doing the work every day. We’re grateful to all of the presenters, facilitators, and teacher panelists who shared their expertise and helped welcome our newest educators to the profession!