(Reprinted by permission of McLean County Local Interagency Council, Bloomington, Illinois.)
I. Purpose Statement
The intent of this agreement is to assure that a family-focused and systematic process is designed and operationalized for McLean County. The purpose of this system will assist families in their transition from early intervention (birth-to-three) services to other early childhood (three to five) services. This agreement will be based on:
a. The participation and support of families in the transition process.
b. Individual family decisions.
c. Collaboration through communication and the efficient use of resources.
d. Commitment to explore and/or expand services in natural settings appropriate for each child.
e. Quality and timely services.
f. Meeting eligibility requirements of participating agencies.
It is intended that this agreement be reviewed and revised annually in order to meet the needs of children/families in McLean County.
II. Effective and Renewal Dates Covered by This Agreement
This agreement will begin effective May, 1995 and will be reviewed annually thereafter.
III. Transition Procedures
The sending agencies will be responsible for the following events which will take place at 2 years 6 months of age:
a. Acquaint families with the MCLIC Family Transition Folder and alert families of the currently available transition workshops and classes. (Appendix A to follow when complete.)
b. Provide families the opportunity to view available videotapes of various public school early childhood classrooms, private preschools, Head Start, day cares, and public programs, e.g., YWCA, library, etc. . . . .
c. Obtain parent/guardian signature on the "MCLIC Authorization to Exchange Information" form, and retain this form.
d. Submit child's initials, birthdates, strengths, and areas to develop on the "MCLIC Birth to Five Referral" form to the potential receiving agencies.
e. Assist families, as appropriate, in actual site visits to potential settings on a case by case basis.
f. Have the IFSP amended with families to reflect transition goals and objectives.
The following events will take place at 2 years 9 months of age:
a. Families have indicated which 3-5 receiving agencies and settings they believe to be potentially appropriate for their child.
b. Sending agencies submit the MCLIC Transition Packet to the identified potential receiving agencies at the monthly MCLIC Student Exchange Meeting. Included in this packet will be the MCLIC Authorization to Exchange Information; Transition Referral form; current IFSP; and ISBE Initial Case Study Evaluation Consent. However, if a child reaches 3 years of age during July, August or early September, the Transition Packet will be submitted at the April MCLIC Student Exchange Meeting.
c. Sending and receiving agencies will coordinate (schedule date, place and staff to be present) a collaborative evaluation. This collaborative evaluation will serve as the exit evaluation of the sending agencies as well as the initial case study evaluation of the potential receiving agencies.
The following events will take place between 2 years 10 months and prior to age 3:
a. The sending agencies will submit the MCLIC Social Development Study and narrative report to the receiving agencies.
b. The sending/receiving agencies will complete a collaborative evaluation which will include an exit evaluation of the sending agencies as well as the initial case study evaluation of the potential receiving agency.
c. The sending and receiving agencies will encourage child visits to potential settings.
d. The receiving agencies will send families the "Parent Guardian Notification of Conference" form indicating the purpose of convening.
e. The exit IFSP; initial MDC, determining eligibility and initial IEP meeting(s) will be convened collaboratively. The exit IFSP, the initial MDC and initial IEP documents will be completed based on the collaborative evaluation.
f. The receiving agencies will commence services upon the child's 3rd birthday. However, if a child turns 3 during a school vacation, services will commence when school resumes.
It is understood that these are recommended timelines for events to occur to ensure that legal obligations are met. Should there be a need to alter these timelines, agreement will be reached between the individual family, sending/referring agency and school district involved.
IV. Mechanisms for Evaluating This Transition Process
The following events will take place 3 months after the child's transition into the receiving agency. The Transition Committee will:
a. Use the MCLIC Birth-Five Referral Form to identify children/families who have enrolled in 3-5 settings.
b. Survey families/service provider(s) utilizing the MCLIC Family/Service Provider(s) Transition Survey tools.
c. Review the MCLIC Birth to Five Referral Form to assure all procedures have been completed for an effective transition for children/families.
d. Gather on a semiannual basis, the report of findings from the above documents. Results will be analyzed yearly, and proposed changes will be implemented if needed.