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Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)
Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation Services

STATE OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

Corning Tower The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Albany, New York 12237 

Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H.                                                                  Dennis P. Whalen
Commissioner                                                                                                      Executive Deputy Commissioner

February, 2005

Dear Colleague:

        We are pleased to provide you with the enclosed guidance document, “Transition of Children at Age Three from the New York State Department of Health Early Intervention Program to the State Education Department Preschool Special Education Program or Other Early Childhood Services”.  The guidance document is the result of a collaborative effort among staff of the Department of Health and State Education Department and the Transition Task Force of the New York State Early Intervention Coordinating Council (EICC).  This document will soon be available on both Department websites (www.health.state.ny.us and www.nysed.gov).

        The document provides comprehensive policies and procedures to assist Early Intervention Officials (EIOs), school districts, families, and service providers in ensuring the timely and effective transition of children from the Early Intervention Program (EIP) to preschool special education programs and services or other early childhood services.  The guidance document also provides clear direction on implementation of statutory provisions enacted in the 2003 Legislative Session, which require children in the EIP who are potentially eligible for preschool special education programs and services to receive an eligibility determination from committees on preschool special education (CPSEs) by their third birthdays to continue to receive services beyond their third birthday.  Parents of children in the EIP who are found eligible for preschool special education services can choose to either transition their children to preschool special education programs and services; or, to have their children remain in the EIP until they are no longer age-eligible for the EIP.

        All steps in the transition from the EIP to preschool special education programs and services process are discussed, including the notification and referral process, the transition conference, and procedures for development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for children found eligible for preschool special education programs and services.  The document includes policies for helping families make informed decisions about when to transition their children from the EIP to preschool special education programs and services, and due process rights and procedures under Federal and State laws for families in the transition process. 

        We appreciate the ongoing efforts of public officials, professionals, and families across New York State to improve the transition process for young children and their families.  We hope this guidance document will prove a valuable resource to all those involved in helping families experience a successful transition.

Sincerely,

Dennis P. Whalen                                              Rebecca H. Cort, Ed.D.

Executive Deputy Commissioner                       Deputy Commissioner for Vocational

Department of Health                                         Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities

                                                                           State Education Department

The Transition of Children from The New York State Department of Health
Early Intervention Program to The State Education Department Preschool
Special Education Program or Other Early Childhood Services

 February 2005

Available in PDF Format for Printing