Purpose
The purpose of this Announcement is to provide updated guidance, at the request of Early Intervention personnel, on funding policies for the evaluation and provision of Early Intervention services for children eligible to attend kindergarten previously issued in Announcement EI 09 #7. (The highlighted section on page 1 is the change in the Announcement).
Background
In accordance with Act 212-1990 the Early Intervention Services System Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004, and Chapter 14 regulations, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) assures the provision of appropriate Early Intervention services for preschool children. There are several options for families as their child approaches kindergarten age, for example: public school kindergarten, private kindergarten, home education or having their child remain in Early Intervention for another year. Preschool Early Intervention programs have requested direction on funding and programmatic responsibilities for children who are kindergarten age.
Discussion
Under Act 212-1990, Early Intervention services are available until a child reaches the minimum age established by their local school district for admission into first grade. The funding responsibilities for Early Intervention services are defined in Act 212-1990 and Act 30-1997. Depending on the age of the child, the responsibilities for funding Early Intervention services may be with the Preschool Early Intervention program or the local school district. When a child reaches the earliest admission age to a school district’s kindergarten program, but does not enter and instead, remains in Early Intervention, the funding for any Early Intervention services becomes the responsibility of a local school district. For a child who is enrolled in Early Intervention and enrolled in a school district K – 4 program, Early Intervention services remains the responsibility of the Preschool Early Intervention program and the K – 4 program is the responsibility of the local school district.
OCDEL encourages families to register their child during the local school district’s kindergarten registration timeframe if their child will be kindergarten age for the following school year. At the foundation of Early Intervention is the principle that children with disabilities should have access to the same opportunities and experiences as their typically developing peers. In most cases, it is beneficial for a child with a disability to receive instruction with their same age peers. By moving forward in school with these peers, the connections made by the child and his/her peers as well as those established between their respective family will continue.
Children who are newly referred to Early Intervention and have turned five years of age during the school year and do not meet the minimum age requirement for entrance into kindergarten should be referred to the local Preschool Early Intervention program. Local Preschool Early Intervention programs should continue to provide screening, evaluation and Preschool Early Intervention services for a child until the child enters a kindergarten program.
The grid below was developed to assist in determining which agency, the local Preschool Early Intervention program or the local school district, is responsible for funding the program of a child who is of kindergarten age.
Status of Child | Kindergarten Year Placement | Referral/Evaluation Responsibility | Financial Responsibility | Service/Program Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1.) Enrolled in Early Intervention | Remaining in Early Intervention | Preschool Early Intervention Program | Local School District | Preschool Early Intervention |
2.) Enrolled in Early Intervention | Kindergarten | Local School District | Local School District | Local School District |
3.) Enrolled in Early Intervention | Charter School | Charter School | Charter School | Charter School |
4.) Enrolled in Early Intervention | Home Education* | Local School District | Not Applicable | Not Applicable Child does not have a right to services |
5.) Enrolled in Early Intervention | Private School Kindergarten | For non-public school services** Intermediate Units | Intermediate Units | Intermediate Unit |
| Nonprofit, Elementary Licensed Private Academic School | Equitable Participation Intermediate Units | Intermediate Units | Parent Choice – Intermediate Unit or Local School District |
6.) Not Enrolled in Early Intervention | None. Parent is requesting an evaluation | Preschool Early Intervention Program | Local School District | Preschool Early Intervention Program (if eligible) |
7.) Not Enrolled in Early Intervention | Kindergarten | Local School District | Local School District | Local School District |
8.) Not Enrolled in Early Intervention | Home Education* | Local School District | Not Applicable | Not Applicable Child does not have a right to services |
9.) Not Enrolled in Early Intervention | Private School Kindergarten | For non-public school services** | Intermediate Units | Intermediate Unit |
| Nonprofit, Elementary Licensed Private Academic School | Equitable Participation | Intermediate Units | Parent Choice – Intermediate Unit or Local School District |
* Home Education is defined as a program conducted in compliance with Act 169, 24PS 13-1327, by the parent or guardian or such person having legal custody of the child or children
** There is no entitlement to nonpublic school services. Children will only receive those services that are offered.
Next Steps
Preschool Early Intervention programs should review their current practices and revise any local procedures to ensure the guidance in this announcement is implemented. The effective date of this announcement is applicable to all guidance within, with the exception of children who have already completed their transition planning for the upcoming 2009-2010 year and the family has elected a K-4 school district program or a private kindergarten. The planning that occurred during the February 2009 transition meetings should be fullfilled for the child and family as agreed upon. However, when transition planning commences for children during the 2009-2010 year, all applicable guidance in this announcement must be followed with full implementation occurring in the 2010-2011 school year.
Comments and Questions regarding this Announcement should be directed to the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Bureau of Early Intervention Services at ra-ocdintervention@pa.gov.