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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEI-109 Early Intervention Transition Procedure1 FRANKLIN/FULTON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH/INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES/EARLY INTERVENTION 425 Franklin Farm Lane Chambersburg, PA 17202 (717) 264-5387 MH/IDD/EI PROCEDURE STATEMENT PROCEDURE SUBJECT: Early Intervention Transition Procedure PROCEDURE NUMBER: EI-109 Effective Date: April 11, 2012 Date Revised: June 20, 2018 References: - IDEA 34 CFR §303.209 and §303.344 - Title 55 PA Code §4226.77 - Title 22 PA Code §14.154 - Announcement: EI-13 #01 Transition of Toddlers to Preschool or Other Community Services POLICY: Transition from Infant/Toddler to Preschool Program The Infant/Toddler Early Intervention (EI) program has procedures in place for transition that includes the following: The Preschool Early Intervention program is notified when a toddler reaches the age of eligibility for Preschool not fewer than 90 days before their third birthday. To assist with this notification process, prior to April 2, of each year, and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports (BEISFS) notifies the Preschool Early Intervention programs of the following information on toddlers who will turn three (3) during the upcoming year (July 1-June 30) and who may be eligible for the Preschool Early Intervention program per 34 CFR §303.401(d):  Name  Date of birth  Parent contact information (including parents’ names, addresses, and telephone number) 2 The Early Intervention Program notifies the Preschool Early Intervention program as soon as possible when a toddler has been determined eligible for infant/toddler Early Intervention services between 45 days and 90 days before the toddler’s 3rd birthday. The Early Intervention Program with parental consent makes a referral to the Early Intervention Preschool program for a toddler who is referred to the Early Intervention Infant/Toddler Program fewer than 45 days before the toddler’s 3rd birthday. Transition meetings include, at a minimum:  the family  representative of the Infant/Toddler Early Intervention program  representative of the Preschool Early Intervention program The Franklin/Fulton Early Intervention Program ensures that transition meetings for a child who may be eligible for Preschool Early Intervention services, with the approval of the family of the toddler, be scheduled at least 90 days, (and at the discretion of all parties, not more than 9 months) before the child is eligible for Preschool Early Intervention services (Attachment). Transition meetings for a child who may not be eligible for Preschool Early Intervention services; with the approval of the toddler’s family ensure discussions/suggestions about other life experiences that will enhance the child’s development and/or community services or supports that may be available to the toddler. The Franklin/Fulton Early Intervention Program ensures that Transition meetings need to be scheduled at a mutually convenient location and that all required participants are at the transition meeting. The letters of invitation for transition meetings are sent to the Preschool Early Intervention program or to other community services and include the components of the invitation letters that are provided by the BEISFS , no later than 30 days before the scheduled transition meeting date, unless the parties all agree to meet within shorter timelines. All aspects of the toddler's current Early Intervention services are reviewed at the transition meeting. The Early Intervention Program develops a transition plan for each toddler with the family, using the transition page of the Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP). If the transition meeting occurs six (6) or more months prior to the toddler’s 3rd birthday, the transition plan will be updated at least quarterly from the time of the transition meeting. Transition plans are updated on the plan to ensure that documentation of the progress toward implementing transition activities is being captured. The Preschool Early Intervention program is invited to any meeting related to updating the transition plan and is provided a copy of the updated plan. 3 Other Transitions for Infants and Toddlers The Franklin/Fulton Early Intervention Program has procedures in place for children who are no longer eligible for Early Intervention and are transitioning out of the program or to other community services: When an infant/toddler is determined to be no longer eligible for Early Intervention services, the Service Coordinator arranges a planning meeting with the team, including the family. Franklin/Fulton Early Intervention Program schedules this meeting to be held when the eligibility determination is made, but if this is not possible, the meeting will be no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the determination has been made that the infant/toddler is no longer eligible for Early Intervention services. The planning meeting will include the concerns and issues the family may have related to the child’s development and include discussion about linking the child and family to other community supports. Discussion from the planning meeting, follow-up activities, and dates for completion of such activities will be documented by the Service Coordinator. The transition plan page of documentation included in the IFSP/IEP, that identifies outcomes and activities to support transition will also be used. If a parent disagrees with the eligibility determination, all appropriate procedural safeguards shall be reviewed and discussed with the family and made available to the family upon request. Staff new to the Franklin /Fulton Early Intervention Program will receive training regarding Transition from Infant/Toddler to Preschool Program as well as other types of Transition procedures. All policy and procedure statements will be reviewed annually or sooner when changes or updates are released. Trainings will occur for all staff including administrative, service coordination and fiscal staff as needed. Any change or update to any policy or procedure statement will be sent immediately upon receipt to the provider agencies and all changes will be reviewed at the next scheduled Early Intervention provider meetings for further review and discussion. ATTACHMENT: Invitation to Participate in a Transition Meeting 4