Writing an Interagency Agreement on Transition

Appendix F1

Sample Interagency Agreements

LIC of Will & Grundy Counties Draft of Transition Agreement

(Reprinted by permission of Local Interagency Council of Will & Grundy Counties, Joliet, Illinois.)

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Time period covered by this agreement: 8/1/1995 -- 7/31/1996
This agreement will begin on August 1, 1995 and will be reviewed and renewed annually.

Agencies:

I. Purpose:

To facilitate the transition between early intervention services and services available to 3 year old children with special needs and their families.

We recognize that the transition between early intervention to early childhood services can often be a difficult and confusing period of change for children and their families. We believe that this transition process should be centered around the child's best interests. We further believe that the families with their needs and aspirations play an integral role in transition planning.

To expedite this transition we recognize the central role of communication and collaboration between referring and receiving agencies. Communication and collaboration are essential to avoid duplications and gaps in services.

II. Procedures:

Transmission of Information:

  1. The Early Intervention Provider will obtain a written referral and consent to release information by the age of 24 months.
  2. The Early Intervention Provider will forward a list including birthdays and residences of potentially eligible children (those turning 3 during the upcoming school year). This list will be forwarded to the Local Education Agency (LEA) by February 1 and updated on June 1.
  3. The Early Intervention Provider will forward all current evaluation reports/assessments and Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) at the time of the referral (30 months of age) to the LEA. Subsequent reports will be forwarded. Once the child reaches 30 months of age, the Early Intervention Provider will send notices of staffings, to appropriate early childhood personnel. LEA personnel are encouraged to send a representative to these staffings.
  4. The Early Intervention Provider will forward a discharge report to the LEA, subsequent to the child's discharge from services.

III. Transition Process:

  1. At least once yearly the LIC of Will & Grundy Counties will provide a workshop for families and agencies on the transition process.
  2. a. The Early Intervention Provider will acquaint the family with procedures, issues, and legal rights at each IFSP meeting.
    b. A transition plan will be completed at the staffing nearest to the child's second birthday.
    c. At the 30 month meeting the Early Intervention Provider will review the procedures, issues, and legal rights with the family. This meeting will help families: identify the roles they wish to play, identify issues that are important to them, update transition plans on the IFSP, help families become familiar with the range of programs for which the child may be eligible.

IV. Determination of Eligibility

  1. Parental consent is required to initiate the case study evaluation process. The LEA has the responsibility for determining eligibility in accordance with the school code.
  2. Multidisciplinary Conference (MDC) Notification:
    a. The process of the MDC will be discussed with the parents at the IFSP meeting held six months before the child turns age 3.
    b. At least ten days prior to the MDC, the LEA will send notice in writing of the conference meeting date, time, and location, and a list of those who are invited.
    c. Parents will be informed that they may invite whomever they wish to the MDC.
    d. The sending agency will also be invited in writing.
  3. In accordance with Multidisciplinary Conference/Individual Education Plan (MDC/IEP) procedures, each participant will be given opportunity to give input to the discussion and to the team decision regarding the child's eligibility, services and/or placement.
  4. If the child is ineligible for special education services, the LEA and releasing program will provide information to the family regarding other options available in the community. The family will receive dates of future child screenings from the LEA so that their child's development may be assessed again at a later time.

V. Selection of Program Placements for Eligible Children

Ensure Continuity of Services

  1. The LEA is responsible fiscally and programmatically for ensuring that eligible children receive special education services, following their third birthday.
  2. The transition of children who turn age 3 during the fall or spring of a given school year has proven to be problematic. When feasible, children who turn age 3 during September may begin the school year prior to their birthday. If a child turns 3 in the spring, the Early Intervention Provider and the LEA will collaborate to provide continuity of services.
  3. Functional skills important for participation in the new settings will be addressed in the transition plan of the IFSP.
  4. A natural transition time may be the first day of the summer term or the fall term, depending on the child's needs as determined by the IEP. Determination of which funds will be used to support these services will be worked out between the LEA and Early Intervention provider.

Collaborative Relationships

The continuum of program options for families should reflect collaborative relationships with community based programs (e.g., Head Start, community day care/preschools, Park Districts, YMCA's, etc.) as outlined in the transition plan provisions of the IFSP.

VI. Preparing Children for Their Transitions

  1. The referring agency will include (as appropriate) on the IFSP, functional goals that may assist the child in a smooth transition to the receiving agency. These goals may include visiting schools and/or program sites, creating play group experiences, anticipating scheduled changes, or other suggestions to assist parents in preparing children for the change. The transition committee of the LIC will assist in the development of materials that may help parents and staff in providing a smooth transition for the child.
  2. With parent permission, staff providing direct services in the Early Intervention program may share information with preschool service staff about the child's needs and adjustment prior to and following the transition.

VII. Mechanism for Monitoring the Agreement

  1. A transition committee, consisting of at least one parent and representatives of participating agencies, will be formed as a standing committee of the LIC of Will and Grundy Counties to discuss and monitor the agreement.
  2. A committee will meet at least once per year. Members of the committee, through the LIC, will collect data from participating programs and from families who have experienced the transition regarding their satisfaction with the process. At any time, pertinent information may be brought to members regarding this agreement.
  3. The transition committee will report to the LIC the results of data collected and/or problems brought to their attention. Members of the committee may propose changes in the agreement and explain their rationale for these changes.