-9- RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE SCHOOLS

School Resources for Children with Special Health Care Needs Evaluation Special Education – I.E.P. 504 Special Accommodations Plan Child Health Plan Special Services / O.T./P.T./Speech/etc. Self Contained / Resource / Mainstream Homebound School

The Individualized Educational Plan – IEP What the law states: The law mandates a free appropriate public education for all children with special education needs, from 3 to 21 years of age. The IEP is the specific vehicle for the child’s free appropriate education in the least restrictive setting.

IEP Process Referral – May be formal or informal and come from parents or others. Appropriate evaluation – The gathering of accurate information to determine eligibility and identify strengths and educational needs. Least restrictive environment – The setting where student can receive appropriate educational success and still be with non-disabled peers to maximum extent appropriate. Decision making – both parents and student participate in identification, evaluation, and educational placement. Due process – Safeguards are designed to protect the rights of parents and their child and give families and schools a mechanism for resolving disputes.

What the IEP Should Include 1. What the child’s current educational performance level is. 2. Specific Special Educational services to be provided. 3. Specific support services to be provided and time frames for delivery, i.e., OT/PT, Speech, Recreation Therapist, Psychologist, etc. 4. To the extent possible, participation on the regular education program of the school. 5. Possible participation in summer programs. 6. Appropriate evaluation procedures to determine if instructional objectives have been achieved.

504 Civil Rights Process No disability can be excluded from any educational program receiving Federal funding. Services need to be accessible and useable and may require special accommodations. Disability can include mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities i.e., walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, learning, eating, working. Usually involves a regular education accommodation i.e., modify assignments and tests, extra text books and study guides, organizing tools, teaching organization skills, tutor help, counseling, etc.

School-Parent Partnerships Strengthening Parent’s Voice I.E.P. Process School/Home Contracting Mentors Parent Volunteering in School Parent/School Communication Systems PTA

-10- Health Provider Involvement in School/Family Systems

Physician/Parent/Teacher Partnerships

Child School Health Plan What it is? Health care team (administrator, school nurse, health care professional) meet to determine special needs for educational setting in relation to student medical condition and needs. Contains: Special health care procedures: i.e., trach care, medications, diabetes and respiratory management, transportation, emergency care, (summary of medical conditions as it relates to learning is in the written plan).

The Health Care Plan can be independent of other services or in combination with them.

Schools – Physician Links Physician Contacts: –Principal –Teachers –School Nurse (District) –Counselor –Psychologist –Social Workers –District Consultant

Physician School Options Request Academic or Aptitude Testing Request Speech and Language/ Hearing Assessment Request OT/PT Assessment Ask for Social/Emotional/Behavio ral Rating Scales Request Performance Data – Report Card, Grades, Attendance

Medical Home’s Special Ed./ Regular Ed. Linkages

Medicaid Linkage General Information 1. Federal/State funded comprehensive medical insurance. 2. Based on medical need, household income and size, and family assets. 3. Children have no co-pays. 4. CHEC offers screening, preventive medical and dental care, and wellness evaluations. Eligibility 1. Families without parental support. 2. Pregnant women. 3. Refugees 4. Children Qualifies in income. 6. Disabled or blind adults

Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) 1. Federal/State funded insurance plan Co-pays for medical services dependent on income level. 3. Premiums due quarterly. 4. Eligibility dependent on income and number of children in family. 5. No available employer insurance plan less than 5% of household income. 6. Limited two week open enrollment per year.

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