Transition and Least Restrictive Environment Workgroup
Report for Full Preschool Special Education Task Force Meeting (July 17)

Category 1 – Transition

Priority Issues to be Addressed

• Specific dates/points of transition (EI to preschool AND preschool to school)
• Continuity of services

Vision

• No negative impact of transition on child or family
• A birth-to-school entry age system based on developmental milestones including measures of educational attainment vs. age (based on set of standards birth-5)
• Preschool System that is not based on school year
• Consistency statewide in implementation
• Ability to continue with same provider (remove financial & regulatory disincentives) – (Identified as a cross-over issue Rate Group)
• Continuity of service coordination for families (as needed)
• Maintain family involvement as partners

Category 2 – LRE

Priority Issues to be Addressed

• Availability of early childhood program options to allow for choice based on what is best for the child and family
• Qualified supports in various settings so that children can be successful in the setting of choice

Vision:

• Program Placement for children based on children’s needs & parents’ preference
• Accessible UPK for 3 & 4-year-olds with the supportive services they need
• Universally accessible early childhood programs including Headstart, Childcare & Nursery School Programs
• Partnerships between 4410 service providers and Early Childhood service providers to ensure integration & qualified support for children & families
• All childcare providers required to have CDA coursework that includes working with and supporting children with disabilities
• Coordination of standards imposed /state regulators – remove disincentives for integrated programs (4410, OCFS, EI)
• Streamlined approval process for new/modified 4410 programs (SED/VESID)

Resources

                        Topic                                                                    Assigned to

Transition data – EI to Preschool                                                  Brad
Birth-to-school age position papers                                              Brad
Updates on Chapter 57 Pre-K Standards Work                             Cindy
Data on 12 month vs. 10 month Preschool (including costs)         Sandy
4410 Programs that also provide EI                                              Sandy & Brad
EI Rates (Reimbursement)                                                Brad
Average Costs Preschool Special Ed                                            Cindy
 (including related services)
Universal Pre-K (LRE)                                                                 Cindy
Longitudinal Study Preschool Special Ed                                     At Task Force
CDA Curriculum                                                                           Kim
Copy of Standards/Briefing                                                           Kim
Early Childhood Policy Paper                                                      Cindy