My child is going to be 3 years old, what do I do?
In NH, infants and toddlers with disabilities or at risk for a developmental disability and their families, receive services through 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.
As part of the transition planning process you will discuss various options, including preschool special education. If you are considering referring for special education, your Service Coordinator will talk with you about scheduling a Transition Conference. The purpose of this conference is to talk with the school district about program options for your child, create a plan for the transition process with the school, and update the Transition Plan in the IFSP. You will talk about whether you would like to refer to the school district and when this will occur. With your written permission, 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.
Step 1 – Referral
With your written permission your ESS Service Coordinator will send the local school district a referral for special education. This is a request that the school district consider your child for special education eligibility.
Step 2 – 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.
Step 3 - 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 any 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.
Step 4 – Determining 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.
Step 5 – Developing the IEP
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.
Step 6 - Placement
After the IEP has been signed by you & 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 variety of settings. Placement, however, must be in the child’s Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
Return to Developing the IFSP
