1. Special Education department updates
SEPTA Meeting
January 31, 2018

2. Program Initiatives
Complex Learner Cohort: Social-Emotional (CLC – S) - Riverfield Elementary School
Complex Learner Cohort (CLC) – Tomlinson Middle School
Intensive High School Support Program
Special Education Independent Review
School Based Health Care Program (Medicaid)

3. CLC-S - Riverfield
Elementary Complex Learner Cohort designed to provide more intensive social and emotional supports to elementary students within the Fairfield Public Schools
CLC-S is projected to have an approximate maximum enrollment of eight students
Additional social and emotional supports will be provided to students, families and general education staff to promote student success within the public school setting

4. CLC – Tomlinson Middle School
This CLC will allow students with disabilities who require this level of programming from Burr, McKinley and Stratfield Elementary Schools to attend their home school for middle school
Currently Tomlinson Middle School is the only middle school without a CLC program

5. Intensive High School Student Support Program
This program will replace our current ESS program
Components of this new program include:
Hiring two full-time mental health service providers at FWHS and FLHS and one full-time mental health service provider at WFC
Ongoing psychological consultation and training with Yale Child Study Center staff regarding development and implementation of school avoidant protocol
Ongoing psychiatric consultation with Yale Child Study Center regarding students’ mental health concerns
Executive functioning coaching consultation and training by Dr. Peg Dawson from The Center for Learning and Attention Disorders in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

6. Intensive High School Student Support Program continued
Parent and family meetings to promote student and family growth
Monthly newsletter to support students and families in promoting social, emotional and academic growth
Additionally consultation from Cognitive & Behavioral Consultants from Westchester and Manhattan will continue DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) consultation with high school staff during the school year

7. Independent Special Education Review
The Fairfield Public Schools has contracted with an organization to review and analyze all aspects of special education programming including our:
Continuum of Services
Delivery of Related Services (speech, OT, PT, counseling, etc.)
Out of District Placements
Utilization of support staff
Organizational structure and District coordination of programs and services
District policies and procedures relative to SRBI, and Section 504 processes

8. Independent Special Education Review continued
Review of a representative sample of IEPs
Review of District staffing models
Analysis of caseloads and workloads
Consultants will be in Fairfield on February 5, 6 and 7 to begin gathering feedback from Board of Education Members, Parents and Related Services staff
Parents will have an additional opportunity to meet with consultants to provide feedback regarding special education programming in Fairfield
Consultants will be back in district in March to conduct site visits and to meet with special education teachers and building administration

9. School Based Child Health Program (Medicaid)
Effective December 1, 2017 all Connecticut public school districts are mandated to participate in the Medicaid School Based Child Health (SBCH) Program
This program allows school districts to receive reimbursement for eligible services listed on a student’s IEP or Section 504 plan
Eligible services for reimbursement include speech and language services, OT, PT, counseling, personal care assistance, nursing services, BCBA services, evaluations, etc.
Reimbursement for School Based Services DOES NOT affect or impact any other benefits the child may be eligible for outside of school

10. School Based Child Health Program (Medicaid) continued
Written Parental consent is mandatory in order for the school district to receive reimbursement for eligible services under this program
Districts are eligible for reimbursement for services listed on a student’s IEP or Section 504 plan ONLY IF the student qualifies for Medicaid (Husky) benefits AND Written Parental Consent has been provided
Parental Consent may be withdrawn at any time