TRANSITION BEST PRACTICE AGREEMENT

FROM EARLY SUPPORTS AND SERVICES TO PRESCHOOL SPECIAL ED

 

Community Partners of the Monadnock Region:

 

SAU 1-ConVal School District

Easter Seals NH Early Supports and Services- Keene

SAU 60- Fall Mountain Regional School District

SAU 47- Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District

SAU 29- Keene School District & the Towns

SAU 63- Mascenic School District

Monadnock Developmental Services ESS

SAU 38- Monadnock, Winchester, Hinsdale

Rise... for baby and family

SAU 24- Stoddard

 

June 1, 2007-May 31, 2008

 

 

In order to assist families in making a smooth transition from family centered early supports and services to preschool special education, we voluntarily agree to comply with the following guidelines:

 

 

  1. Provide support and training to appropriate staff using the Transition from Early Supports and Services to School Districts Matrix and Transition from Family-Centered Early Supports and Services Guide for Families and Staff.  Provide general supervision in their implementation.

 

  1. Early Supports and Services (ESS) will request parental permission for the exchange of information on children 24 months and over, with the School District to include the transition activities.  ESS will educate parents on how this information will be used and how it will be helpful to their child/family.

 

  1. Children turning three in the months of June-September present a special challenge.  ESS and the District staff will work together to help families complete eligibility determination and placement decisions in the spring assuring availability of preschool services/enrollment.

 

  1. For children referred for early supports and services later than 24 months of age, it is expected that the timelines will be somewhat delayed.  ESS will seek parental permission for the transition activities, balancing the timelines with parents’ readiness.  The goal is to have the IEP in place by the child’s third birthday.

 

 

  1. A transition training event for parents will be provided annually coordinated by the area agency (Monadnock Developmental Services) in collaboration with the Parent Information Center.

 

  1. School District will include, with parent permission, ESS Service Coordinators (and other critical participants) on the list of invited participants for Evaluation, IEP, and Placement meetings

 

  1. School District will provide copies of minutes of Evaluation, IEP, and Placement meeting(s) and prior written notice to the ESS Service Coordinator and area agency, if appropriate.

 

  1. ESS will send a composite list (excluding names to comply with HIPPA) to School District in September and March.

 

  1. School District may contract a transition evaluation and extension of services on an as-needed and availability basis.

 

  1. Preparation of children for transition is an important shared responsibility between parents, ESS, and preschool. This may include visiting programs, meeting new care givers, using visual supports, and saying good-bye to ESS.

 

  1. This Transition Best Practice Agreement will be reviewed by the transition committee in the spring, and signed annually.

 

  1. All school districts, early supports and services providers, and the area agency will be invited to send a representative to the transition committee and will receive the minutes of these meetings.

 

 

We hereby acknowledge that these guidelines are set forth to meet state requirements, best practices, and most importantly, to assist families in a smooth transition.  We recognize that multiple factors affect this process including the age at which a child is first referred for services, families’ preferences, and our own human fallibility.  Good communication among all parties is encouraged as the best remedy for overcoming the inevitable irregularities.

 

 

 

Vicki Leandri, Preschool Coordinator                                                                      Date

SAU 1-ConVal School District                                             

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________

Tracy Wagoner, Program Director                                                                           Date

Easter Seals NH Early Supports and Services- Ke

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janice Dialessi                                                                                                           Date

SAU 24- Stoddard                                                                 

 

 

 

Tammy Vittum, Preschool Coordinator                                                                    Date

SAU 60- Fall Mountain Regional School District               

 

 

 

Nancy Sterling, Special Ed Coordinator                                                                   Date

SAU 47- Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District        

 

 

 

Joanne Mulligan, Preschool Coordinator                                                                 Date

SAU 29- Keene School District & the Towns                     

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________

Barbara Carpenter, Preschool Coordinator                                                 Date

SAU 63- Mascenic School District                                                                          

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________

Anna Lake, Early Supports and Services Coordinator                                            Date

Monadnock Developmental Services

                                   

 

______________________________________________________________________________

Judith Bischoff, Director of Special Education                                                        Date

SAU 38- Monadnock, Winchester, Hinsdale                      

 

 

 

Toni Ellsworth, Executive Director                                                                           Date

Rise... for baby and family