Transition Preparing to Move from Part C (EI) to Part B (ECSE) ECSE 672 Fall 2014

Transition 1.Think of a time in your life when a change was necessary. 2.What did you have to let go of? 3.Now think through what happened as you let those things go. (What did you do, think about? How did you feel?) 4.Think about how long it was before you felt comfortable or things felt okay in the new situation.

Transition Transition is the difficult process of letting go of an old situation, suffering the confusing nowhere of in-betweeness and launching forth again in a new situation…an ending followed by a period of confusion and even distress leading to a new beginning. Bridges, 1991, p. 4 Case study -

Transition  Identify who is losing what  Accept the reality and importance of the subjective loss  Do not be surprised by overreactions  Acknowledge losses openly and sympathetically  Define what is truly over  Give people information an repeat if often

Transition  Expect and accept the signs of grieving (anger, sadness, anxiety, disorientation, bargaining, depression, etc.)  Mark the endings  Treat the past with respect  Take a piece of the old away with you  Show how the ending ensures continuity of what is truly important

Transition Why does a family leave EI? Moving Discontinuing services Progress toward goals Death

Transition IDEA transition requirements Transition conference to discuss services Notification to the SEA and LEA Transition Plan IFSP requirements for transition

Transition Age requirements Federal gov’t – smooth transition with little or no interruption of services once the child has turned 3. States – Beginning of school year when child is expected to turn 3 Once the child turns 3 (even in the middle of the year)

Transition Time frame Federal regulation require a transition conference and a written plan Written plan for any child leaving EI No fewer than 90 days before the child’s 3 rd birthday No more than 9 months before the child’s 3 rd birthday

The Transition Plan Plan early and often! 1.What is happening now? 2.What needs to happen for the child to be successful in new setting and parents to prepare for change 3.Anticipate challenges and implement strategies to minimize struggles

The Transition Plan Question: What do you think are some concerns for parents of toddlers who are transitioning to ECSE?

The Transition Plan State Education agency and Local Education Agency: Child’s name, date of birth, parents’ contact information LEA – there is a child who is about to turn 3 and who may be eligible for ECSE Parents may opt out and decline to give permission to share the information with SEA and LEA.

The Transition Conference Who Family Anyone the family wants to participate Service coordinator Primary provider Representative from the LEA

The Transition Conference What: Supports and services a child may need to adjust to the preschool setting Resources the family may need Differences between Parts C and B Eligibility requirements for Part B Preschool options in the area

The Transition Plan You must develop a written transition plan if the child is transitioning to Part B You may develop a transition plan (and should) if the family has chosen other options Plan should include the steps the family needs to take to ensure a timely and smooth transition Plan should include activities to address parents’ concerns

IDEA Parts C & B Part C of IDEA concerns itself with addressing the developmental needs of infants and toddlers with disabilities, typically up to their third birthday. Part C of IDEA is sometimes called early intervention, because it is through Part C that early intervention services are made available to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities.

IDEA Parts C & B Part B of IDEA takes over where Part C leaves off—namely, Part B is focused on addressing the educational and other needs of school- aged children with disabilities, including preschoolers. It is through Part B of IDEA that special education and related services are made available to eligible children with disabilities, primarily through the public school system.

IDEA Parts C & B Together, Parts C and B are part of a national policy to “maximize the potential for individuals with disabilities to live independently in society.”

Part C and Part B Similarities and Differences Hand-out

Transition Part B Eligibility Determined by the LEA Includes LEA reps, family, anyone the family wants to attend including early intervention staff

Transition IEP must be written by the child’s 3 rd birthday LEA may use early intervention information to prepare IEP EI personnel help families develop relationship with new service team