MCLIC - McLean County Local Interagency Council

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2011-12

MCLEAN COUNTY LOCAL INTERAGENCY COUNCIL

AGREEMENT FOR TRANSITION

I. Purpose Statement

The purpose of this agreement is to provide a guide to promote seamless transition of services for eligible children and families enrolled in the Early Intervention (birth – 3 year) Part C Program to Early Childhood (3 – 5 year) Part B programs and services. The intent is to assure that a family-focused and systematic process is in place for residents of McLean County. Other non-Part C and B Service Providers (ages 0-5) are encouraged to adhere to and participate in this agreement whenever possible. Federal and state law supersedes any and all parts of this agreement.

II. Child Find/Screening

It is the local school district’s legal responsibility to provide developmental screening for all children aged birth to 5 who reside in their district. (ISBE mandate) Local school districts and Early Intervention providers will work with the Local Interagency Council (MCLIC) to plan and coordinate outreach screenings at least annually.

III. Agency Identification

The primary referral agency for the transition process is Child and Family Connections #16. The CFC provides Service Coordination for families. They coordinate with Early Intervention (birth to 3) providers, agencies enrolled by the Department of Human Services Part C, local school districts, and other appropriate community services/ programs for 3-5 year olds. All other birth to 3 providers are strongly encouraged to inform families of their Child Find rights and available options as a child approaches age three.

Current enrolled Early Intervention (birth to 3+) providers and agencies, schools , and other community programs include the following:

A. Enrolled Early Intervention (birth to 3) Providers and Agencies who also serve children age 3 and older but are non-Part B providers

1. Easter Seals

The mission of Easter Seals is to help provide exceptional services to ensure that people with disabilities and their families have equal opportunity to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. Easter Seals provides Occupational, Physical, Speech/Language/Feeding, and Developmental Therapy services for children 0-18 years of age. Additional services include: The P.L.A.Y. Project (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters), Autism Diagnostic Center, orthotics, assistive technology, aquatic therapy, sensory integration therapy, counseling, social skills group, family support services, and free developmental screenings. Easter Seals works collaboratively with community agencies, schools, and physicians to ensure comprehensive, quality care for children.

2. Speech and Language Rehabilitation Services, Ltd

Speech and Language Rehabilitation Serviced, Ltd. is a staff of speech pathologists who are dedicated to serving clients age birth to 21with communication disorders. Using the highest quality professional training and resources available, SLRS, Ltd. provides diagnostic evaluations; therapeutic treatment; consultations; and support for children of all ages. SLRS, Ltd. believes that a team approach involving the child, parents, therapists, physicians, and other professionals is critical to the success of treatment. Our specialty areas include speech/language disorders; auditory processing; hearing impairment; and feeding disorders.

3. SPICE

Services for Parent Infant and Child Education (SPICE), a program of Marcfirst, provides Early Intervention Services for families with children from birth through 12 years, who have developmental disabilities or delays, or who are at risk for delay due to environmental or medical concerns. The services promote the optimal growth and development of infants, toddlers, and young children. At SPICE, all therapists hold state credentials in addition to specific licensure requirements for their unique discipline. Therapists have significant experience in working with the very young child. We are proud to provide intervention services of the highest quality possible to meet the needs of children and families. Therapists provide parent training so that new skills are learned and practiced within the child’s real life environment.

4. Heartland Head Start

The mission of Heartland Head Start is to continue our tradition of enhancing the lives of income eligible families in McLean and Livingston Counties in Central Illinois. Heartland Head Start provides an inclusive preschool program for 3-5 year olds designed to improve each child’s quality of life and learning while empowering the family as a whole. Heartland Head Start utilizes staff, parents, and community resources to provide services in the areas of education, mental and physical health, disabilities, nutrition, and social behaviors for our children and families.

B. School Districts and Special Education Cooperatives (mandated providers)

1. District 87 Bloomington Public School

Bloomington District #87 provides comprehensive child find screenings and evaluations to locate and identify students with potential developmental delays. The district serves children from ages 3-5 with identified Special Education needs through the Early Childhood Education program. Other services are provided as identified for students through the evaluation process. District #87 also serves children from ages 3-5 who have been identified as being potentially at-risk for future school failure in the Pre-K program of Illinois’ Preschool for All. Both ECE and Pre-K classrooms are half-day classes housed in a center-based program for children ages 3-5 at Sarah Raymond School in Bloomington. The mission of Raymond School is to maximize each child’s potential to be a self-directed, lifelong learner.

2. Mackinaw Valley Special Education Association

Mackinaw Valley works with the El Paso-Gridley and McLean County Unit #5 schools to assure that students from birth to 3 are screened, evaluated and identified for services. Both districts offer educational and related services and instruction to 3-5 year olds through early childhood classes for students with disabilities and those who are at-risk. Other services are provided as identified for students through the evaluation process. It is our intent that through the provision of early learning we can influence the developmental years of the children and instill a concept of lifelong learning.

3. Tri-County Special Education Association

Tri-County Special Education Association, through its member districts, serves children ages 3-5 with special education eligibility. These children are served by each individual district’s Early Childhood Programs and services. Many districts have both Early Childhood Special Education and Pre-Kindergarten at-risk programs (Illinois’ Preschool For All) to serve children ages 3-5. In addition, districts provide Speech-Language services to eligible students of preschool age. McLean County districts include Olympia, Lexington, LeRoy, Tri-Valley, Heyworth, and Ridgeview. In addition, part of the Blue Ridge school district includes students who reside in McLean County.

IV. Effective and Renewal Dates Covered by This Agreement

This agreement will become effective August 1st of each year, and will be reviewed annually by the MCLIC Transition Committee by April 1st of each school year. An updated version will be created and signed annually. The MCLIC Council will vote for

approval of the agreement at the May MCLIC meeting. Any concerns by participating agencies should be directed to the MCLIC Transition Committee.

V. Transition Procedures

Child and Family Connections Service Coordinators review transition plans with families throughout their Early Intervention experience. Child and Family Connections and other referring agencies and service providers will be responsible for the following events, listed below, which will be initiated as a child reaches 2 years 6 months of age:

a. Provide families with current transition information and options, including.

When I’m 3 Where Will I Be and A Parent’s Guide; Transition From Early Intervention, revised by the Transition Committee in 2007.

b. Inform all families of any available transition workshops and classes.

c. Obtain parent/ guardian signature on a provider specific Consent for Release of Information form (with Illinois Privacy Act and HIPAA laws disclaimer at the bottom) indicating the parents agree to the exchange of the MCLIC Transition Packet. Included in this packet will be a Consent for Release of Information Form; the MCLIC Transition Referral Form; the current IFSP or Service Plan, all current therapy reports, Ages & Stages screenings, any available birth and medical history information, the Early Intervention to Early Childhood Tracking form, and all current prescriptions for evaluation and/or therapy, as are applicable and agreed upon by the parent/guardian.

d. CFC will submit to local school districts a transition planning report/ or CFC transition form identifying the child’s birth month & year, diagnosis (if applicable), areas to develop, and Service Coordinator/Provider to the appropriate Social Worker or Psychologist in the school district where the family resides.

e. IFSP team meets with families to amend the IFSP or Service Plan to reflect transition goals and outcomes.

The following events will be initiated between 2 years 6 months and 2 years 8 months of age:

a. Child and Family Connections and/or Private Service Providers will submit the MCLIC Transition Packet (with all documents listed above in V. c.) to the resident school district, to the attention of the School Social Worker or Psychologist (If a child

reaches 3 years of age during July, August or early September, the Transition packet will be submitted to the school district in April, whenever possible).

b. The Child and Family Connections Service Coordinator will set up an Exit IFSP/Transition Meeting, which may include a Domain Meeting with the resident school district. The CFC Service Coordinator will send out a written invitation of this meeting to parents, LEA representatives, appropriate 0-3 Service Provider(s), and any

other potential 3-5 service providers requested by the family. If a Domain Meeting is scheduled at the same time, the district will send out Parent/Guardian Notification of Conference, as required by law.

c. The CFC Service Coordinator or Service Provider(s) will encourage families, as appropriate, to attend MCLIC sponsored biannual McLean County Transition Nights and to make site visits to potential settings on a case-by-case basis.

The following events will take place by 2 years 10 months of age:

a. A Domain Meeting will be held at the school district to review current information and determine the appropriateness of further evaluation. If further evaluation is recommended, appropriate components of the evaluation will be determined using the Identification of Needed Assessments domain form, and school district personnel will review the Explanation of Procedural Safeguards and offer a copy to the parent, and will ask the parents to sign the Parent/Guardian Consent for Evaluation form.

b. If deemed appropriate by the school district, a collaborative evaluation date and Eligibility Conference/IEP date will be scheduled at this meeting, if not previously set.

The following events will take place between 2 years 10 months and prior to age 3:

a. If deemed appropriate, a collaborative evaluation will be completed. At that time the Eligibility Conference/IEP date will be scheduled, if not previously set.

b. Child and family visits to potential placement settings will again be encouraged,

if not already done.

c. The school district will send the Parent/Guardian Notification of Conference

form to all participants.

d. The Eligibility Conference/IEP will be convened. If the child is determined eligible, the IEP will be written by the IEP team, including the parent(s) as team members. Parents will be asked to give written consent to begin special education services.

e. Upon determining eligibility, recommended services will commence upon the child’s 3^rd birthday. However, if a child turns 3 years old during the summer, the child’s Domain Review, any further evaluation and the Eligibility Conference/IEP will take place by the child’s 3^rd birthday.

Within 20 days of the child’s 3^rd birthday, the Early Intervention to Early Childhood Tracking Form will be completed by school district staff and forwarded to the local CFC office.

VI. Signatures of Authorized Agency Representatives

A signature of an authorized agency representative indicates the organization’s good faith attempt to follow this agreement.