About us

Coastal Academy/GNETS Services is part of the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Supports (GNETS) and is comprised of 24 programs that support the local school districts’ continuum of services for students with disabilities, ages 5-21. We work with the local school systems to provide comprehensive educational and therapeutic support services to students who might otherwise require residential or other more restrictive placements due to the severity of one or more of the characteristics associated with a disability exhibiting emotional and behavioral weaknesses and autism. 

Students receiving services through a GNETS service are referred by their local school system through the Individual Education Program (IEP) process. An IEP team may consider in-class services by GNETS services for a child with an emotional and behavioral disorder based upon documentation of the severity of the duration, frequency, and intensity of one or more of the characteristics of the disability category of emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). This documentation must include a prior extension of less restrictive services and data that indicate such services have not enabled the child to benefit educationally. For children receiving in-class services, local schools are actively involved, and exit criteria are developed upon entry into the GNETS service.