Transition from Part C to Part B
| Michelle Tressel | 11/6/07 | (From the data entry personnel meeting) 1. What is the earliest age an IEP may be written for a child who is being served in Early ACCESS? 2. What is the earliest age an IEP may be written for a child who is being referred to Early ACCESS? |
| Shelley Ackermann | 2/7/08 | 1. What is the earliest age an IEP may be written for a child who is being served in Early ACCESS? All transition procedures must be completed and documented prior to a child exiting Early ACCESS services at age 3. By a child's third birthday, an IEP Team must determine whether the child is an Eligible Individual for Part B and an IEP must be in effect in accordance with Iowa Administrative Rules of Special Education [281-IAC 41.60]. The earliest age an IEP may be developed for a child who is being served in Early ACCESS is 2 years 9 months. However, if in the rare and unusual circumstance that an IEP was being considered for a child younger than 2 years 9 months, the IFSP team would need to contact the AEA Director of Special Education to seek prior approval. Per instructions provided in the state documents titled, “Implementation Guidance to Grantees: Transition from Part C at Age 3” and “State Transition Procedures: Transition from Part C to Part B”, dated 11/30/06: The Department of Education, as the lead agency for Early ACCESS (Part C) is required by the Federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to report data for indicators related to transition for children from Part C. Effective transition from Part C is measured by the percent of all children exiting Part C who received timely transition planning to support the child's transition to preschool or other appropriate community services by their third birthday. Service Coordinators must initiate a transition planning meeting at least 90 days and up to 9 months prior to the child's third birthday with the consent of the parents in accordance with the Iowa Administrative Rules for Early ACCESS. The IFSP teams are required to discuss transition issues and make plans that assist the child and family in making smooth transitions regarding appropriate future services by the child's third birthday. The implementation of an effective transition process is a compliance indicator in Iowa's State Performance Plan for Part C and Part B (C8 and B12) and must be completed by a child's third birthday. The transition planning process describes the process, steps and timelines important for transition. It is important to establish a reasonable timeline that is sufficient for the IFSP and IEP teams to complete the required processes and steps prior to a child's third birthday. Timelines need to accommodate scheduling challenges when a child's third birthday occurs during the summer or a vacation period. 2. What is the earliest age an IEP may be written for a child who is being referred to Early ACCESS? NOTE: This procedure is specifically for children initially referred to Early ACCESS services at or after age 2 years 9 months. Therefore, if a child is younger at the time of the initial referral, the IFSP teams are required to comply with the procedures in accordance with the Iowa Administrative Rules for Early ACCESS. Per instructions provided in the state document titled, “State Transition Procedures: Transition from Part C to Part B”, dated 11/30/06: Children initially referred to Early ACCESS services at or after age 2 years 9 months, who may be eligible for special education services under the Iowa Administrative Rules of Special Education, are referred to the AEA for Part B eligibility determination. A full and individual evaluation is conducted by an IEP team in accordance with the Iowa Administrative Rules of Special Education. Part C transition plan requirements are not applicable. A child referred to the AEA for Part B eligibility determination is not assigned an Early ACCESS Service Coordinator. A Service Coordinator is not required but may be designated as the first contact with the family to determine whether the child is potentially eligible for Part B. |