 Executive
Summary/Overview
The New York State Education Department
(SED) and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) continued to
implement their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that focuses on
activities that will result in a smooth transition from Part C to
Part B services for children beginning at age three. This MOU is
updated annually as part of the revision of the joint workplan. In
2002-2003, the MOU increasingly focused on collaborative efforts on
transition. The State Education Department collects and analyzes
data on the number and placement of preschool children with
disabilities receiving preschool special education services. The
Department of Health collects similar data for infants and toddlers.
However, there is a need for data from both systems to be
coordinated to ensure that all children who are currently in Early
Intervention and who are eligible for preschool special education
transition in a timely manner so services are not disrupted.
The Department of Health designates a representative to the State
Education Department’s Commissioner’s Advisory Panel and a
representative of the Department participates as a member of the
Early Intervention Coordinating Council (EICC). In addition, the
Department of Health EICC requested that the Department
representative chair the EICC Task Force on Transition. This task
force is charged with reviewing and providing comments on the
Transition Guidance document (a joint document for both agencies), developing recommendations for joint
training by DOH and SED for all stakeholders to ensure the smooth
transition for children leaving Part C and entering Part B programs,
developing recommendations for materials to assist parents in the
transition process and developing recommendations on specific issues
raised by the federal Office of Special Education Programs in their
verification visit with the Department of Health in the fall of
2003. The EICC Task Force on Transition will complete its work by
March 2004.
The vast majority of children who are eligible for Part B services
and who are transitioning from EI to preschool special education are
receiving services by their third birthday in New York State.
However, there are a small number of children in New York City from
Early Intervention (EI) and other referral sources who are not
receiving all of their required services. The majority of these preschool
students are awaiting related services only. The State Education
Department and the New York City Department of Education (DOE) are
working to resolve these issues and ensure that all services are
provided. |
