What happens when a child in Family Centered Early Supports and Services (ESS) turns 3? In NH, infants and toddlers with disabilities or at risk for a developmental disability and their families, receive services through Family-Centered Early Supports and Services (ESS). When children turn 3, they and their families are no longer eligible for ESS but may be eligible for other community services or preschool special education through their local school district. It is important to know that not all children who receive services through ESS will qualify for preschool special education. All children, regardless of whether they qualify for preschool special education, will be linked to community resources that can assist families supporting their children’s development. The transition from ESS to preschool special education and/or other community program is called the early childhood transition process.
What is a transition plan? Planning for transition begins when your child turns 2, or earlier if your child is found no longer eligible for ESS, or as soon as possible if your child enters ESS after 24 months of age. At this time, a written transition plan is developed and becomes part of your child's IFSP. The transition plan lays out the steps and a timeline for what will happen over the next year.
What are the steps in the early childhood transition process? Transition Conference - While the transition planning process starts with the creation of a transition plan, the formal process starts with the Transition Conference. At least 90 days, but no more than 9 months, before your child turns 3, your ESS Service Coordinator will schedule and facilitate a Transition Conference. The purpose of this conference is to talk with the school district about whether your child is potentially eligible for special education and about making a referral. You will also talk about the program options for your child, create a plan for the transition process with the school, and update the Transition Pan in the IFSP. Referral - With your written permission your ESS Service Coordinator will send the local school district a referral for special education immediately following the Transition Conference. This is a request that the school district consider your child for special education eligibility. Disposition of Referral - After the school receives a referral, they must hold a meeting with you and other members of the Individual Education Program (IEP) team, within 15 calendar days. The parent is a member of the IEP team. This meeting is to discuss all available information about your child and to see if the IEP team needs more information to determine if your child is eligible for special education. Evaluation - The IEP team may decide that they need more information about your child to determine if your child will qualify for special education and that they want to conduct an evaluation. Your written permission for an evaluation is required. The school has 45 calendar days from the date you sign permission to complete the testing and hold an IEP team meeting to determine if your child is eligible for special education. Eligibility - Based on the information provided by ESS and you, along with any evaluations the school may have done, the IEP team determines if your child is eligible for special education and determines a disability classification, also known as a code. To be eligible the child's disability must negatively impact their educational performance. Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development - Within 30 days after your child is found eligible for special education, the IEP team meets to begin develop the IEP. Sometimes this happens at the same meeting where eligibility is determined. You have 14 calendar days to sign the IEP and you may choose to agree, agree with exceptions, disagree or request another meeting. The IEP must be agreed upon and signed by both you and the school district by your child's third birthday. Placement - After the IEP has been signed by you and the school district representative, the IEP team determines your child's educational placement to implement the IEP. Placement is decided on an individual basis and options may include a variet of settings. Placement, however, must be in the child's Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
What happens if my child does not qualify for preschool special education? As part of the transition planning, ESS will discuss all community program options and help families those that may be available to support the child and family. ESS can assist families in accessing other services and programs such as early head start, family support services through your local Area Agency, YMCA, and private preschool and child care programs.
What types of services are available from the school district? In special education the type and amount of services are determined by the individual needs of a child, not by the disability diagnosis or delay. Services can include (but are not limited to) speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and specialized instruction.
If my child is eligible for preschool special education, where will my child get services? Most times, the first question families have is where their child is going to receive their services when they turn 3. It is important to know that supports and services in preschool special education, as well as the setting where your child will be educated (called placement), are determined based on the needs of your child. Once the Individualized Education Program (IEP) has been developed, the IEP Team determines your child's placement in the least restrictive environment. In other words, where is the most appropriate place to deliver the supports and services listed in the IEP? The least restrictive environment includes a continuum of setting that include: early childhood program (community based or through the school district), preschool special education program, service provider location, home, or program specializing in service for children with disabilities. Click here to download a tip card for parents on Least Restrictive Environment
If my child qualifies for preschool special education will they automatically go to the school district's preschool? Not neccessarily. Placement, or where a child receives services, is based on the least restrictive environment that can provide the services and supports listed in the IEP. The least restrictive environment includes a continuum of setting that include: early childhood program (community based or school district) preschool special education program, service provider location, home, or program specializing in service for children with disabilities. Click here to download a tip card for parents on Least Restrictive Environment
What happens if my child turns 3 during the summer? Timelines in special education are year round. Regardless of when a child turns 3, if they qualify for special education, the law requires that a signed IEP in place by the child's 3rd birthday. What may happen, is that services may not start until the school year begins. The start date for services is determined by the IEP team developing the child's IEP. Services over the summer are called Extended School Year services (ESY). There are multiple factors IEP teams must consider when determining if a child requires ESY services to receive a free appropriate public education. These include:
What are parents' rights in special education? Parent(s) are a required member of the IEP team and have a right to participate in any and all meetings about their child's education. They also always have the right to ask questions and raise concerns if they feel their child's needs are not being met. Parents have the right to:
What if I have more questions? There are many resources to support families before, during and after the transition process. If your child qualifies, your local Area Agency may provide services to your child and family through the Family Support program after your child turns 3. You can visit the Parent Information Center on Special Education here if you have more questions about the special education process. |
SSECT
P.O. Box 2405 Concord, NH 03302-2405
(603) 224-7005 V/TDD
(800) 947-7005 (N.H. only)
(603) 224-4365 (FAX)
Funded by the NH Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education