Supporting Early Childhood Transition

1. Supporting Early Childhood Transition Helping Families and Children at a Critical Time

2. What is meant by “transition” and why is it important to children, families and practitioners?

4. Key Elements for Transition Planning • Overview of Transition Planning • Notification to LEA - Level 1 and Level 2 • Development of IFSP Transition Plan • Transition Conference • Referral to Part B Preschool Special Education Services • Evaluation and Eligibility for Part B • IEP Development • Provision of Services

5. Meet the Jones Family

6. Early Intervention Services

7. Early Intervention Services • Home and Community settings • Primary Provider supported by a multidisciplinary team • “Coaching style” of interaction • Service Coordination • Flexible scheduling to accommodate family/child’s needs

8. 2nd Birthday Planning

9. 2nd Birthday - Planning • Begin conversation about leaving Infant Toddler services at age 3 • Explore family’s ideas, hopes, and concerns for post Infant Toddler Program • Explore potential community options/ resources • Discuss new skills, activities, etc. to support or prepare child/family for changes

10. 2nd Birthday IFSP Meeting

11. 2nd Birthday IFSP Meeting • IFSP includes plan to support transition to preschool or other community options • Share steps and required timelines with parents • Plan for activities to prepare child/family for new setting • If appropriate, obtain consent to share information

12. Notifications to LEA

13. Notifications to LEA • Two Different Notifications • Notification #1 = ALL Children served over 2.6 • Part C shares: • Child and Parent’s Name and Contact Information • Child’s DOB • Optional • S.C.’s name and contact info. • Family’s primary language

14. Notifications to LEA

15. Notifications to LEA • Notification #2 = “Potentially Eligible Children” over 2.6 years • Notification 2 = Initial Referral to LEA for Part B eligibility determination • Following Notification 2, LEA will: • Make contact with the family • Provide notice of procedural safeguards • Provide written information about Part B • Complete appropriate referral and evaluation responsibilities

16. Potentially Eligible - Definition • Children Over age 2.6 with an IFSP • Children eligible for Part C under • Developmental Delay Category • Established Condition (EC) Category (with exceptions re: prematurity or medically fragile condition) • NOT Potentially Eligible • EC due to prematurity or medically fragile condition • “Informed Clinical Opinion” Category • Exceptions allowed with individual review

17. Transition Conference

18. Transition Conference • Timeline –Typically held between 2.6 -2.9 years • ITP sends written invitation to parent, LEA, and others as requested by parents • Child’s information shared with LEA prior to conference (with consent) • LEA required to attend conference • ITP must hold timely conference even if LEA doesn’t attend

19. Transition Conference • The following must occur at the conference • Review information reflective of child’s development and performance • Share info. about LEA services, other community resources, timelines, eligibility criteria, and process to evaluate or determine eligibility • Review options from B-day to end of school year • Decide if “Referral for Special Education Evaluation” is appropriate • Other activities may occur…

20. Referral to Part B Preschool Services

21. Referral to Part B Preschool Services • ITP will share the following (with parental consent) • Copy of signed “consent to release information” • Existing ITP evaluations/assessments, including specific test/cut off scores when available • Current IFSP

22. Referral to Part B Preschool Services • The LEA will • Complete a Referral to Consider a Special Education Evaluation form • Give and explain Procedural Safeguards Notice • Get parent’s input about need for and scope of initial evaluation • Review all available information and records • Decide what additional information, if any, is needed

23. Summer Birthdays

24. Summer Birthdays • LEA not required to provide services when not in session for over 5 days. • When possible, transition conference and activities are completed before summer break • Summer birthday does not change LEA’s requirements for evaluation, eligibility determination, and IEP development prior to age 3.

25. Late Referrals

26. Late Referrals • Late Referral to Infant Toddler Program • Age 30-33 mo. ( 2yrs 6 mo. to 2yrs 9 mo.) • Age 33-34.5 mo. (2yrs 9 mo. to 2yrs 10.5 mo.) • Age 34.5 mo. to 36 mo. (2 yrs 10.5 mo. to 3 yrs) • Late Referral to District from Infant Toddler Program

27. Evaluation and Eligibility

28. Evaluation and Eligibility • Evaluation • Assessment • Evaluation Team • Written Notice • Initial evaluation is comprehensive • Part B eligibility transitional meeting • Eligibility is determined and report given to parent

29. IEP Development

30. IEP Development • Development can occur at the transition meeting (not encouraged) • Must have parent, district administrator, special education teacher, general education teacher, and others family invites • The IFSP can serve as an IEP with additional components, (or visa versa) • Must be developed and implemented within 30 days of eligibility determination

31. Provision of Services

33. The Jones Family

34. On-Site Trainings • Region 1: CDA March 1, 2011 • Region 2: Lewiston March 2, 2011 • Region 3: Nampa April 12, 2011 • Region 4: Boise March 24, 2011 • Region 5: Twin Falls March 9, 2011 • Region 6: Pocatello March 10, 2011 • Region 7: Idaho Falls March 11 , 2011

35. Questions?

36. Thank-you!