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PLESD Special Education Services Department Update. 2/16/12 Marilyn Bertolucci Coordinator of Special Education Services. Disability Categories.
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PLESD Special Education Services Department Update 2/16/12 Marilyn Bertolucci Coordinator of Special Education Services
Disability Categories IDEA lists 13 different disability categories under which 3- through 21-year-olds may be eligible for services. The disability categories listed in IDEA are: • autism • deaf-blindness • deafness • emotional disturbance • hearing impairment • intellectual disability • multiple disabilities • orthopedic impairment • other health impairment • specific learning disability • speech or language impairment • traumatic brain injury • visual impairment (including blindness)
Rio Del Oro • Learning Center, serving 21 students (3 assessments are in progress) and providing intervention/enrichment. • 1 Education Specialist • 2 Paraprofessionals, Learning Center • 2 Paraprofessionals, 1:1 student support • Special Day Class, serving 9 students • 1 Education Specialist • 2 Paraprofessionals, SDC
Cobblestone • Learning Center, serving 10 students (5 pending assessment) and providing intervention/enrichment • 1 Education Specialist • 2 Paraprofessionals, Learning Center
Riverside Meadows • Learning Center, serving 29 students and providing intervention instruction in Math and ELA • 1 Education Specialist • 4 Paraprofessionals, Learning Center
Any questions? Now on to the Mental Health……
In the past….. AB 3632
The Past: California Assembly Bill 3632 • A child who qualifies for special education services and who requires psychiatric services may receive services at no cost. AB 3632 requires the coordination of these psychiatric services to be between the School District and County Mental Health. • Also known as Government Code Chapter 26.5
The former Governor’s the short version • October 8, 2010, former Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the $133 million dollars that was supposed to reimburse county mental health facilities • He also suspended AB 3632/26.5 • On February 25, 2011, the California Court of Appeal issued an opinion which upheld Governor Schwarzenegger’s action as constitutional.
And now to the present…. California Assembly Bill 114
AB 114 • On June 30, 2011, Assembly Bill 114, Chapter 43, Statutes of 2011 (AB 114) was signed into law. • several sections of Chapter 26.5 were amended or “rendered inoperative” ending the state mandate on county mental health agencies to provide mental health services to students with disabilities. • Sutter Yuba Mental Health stopped providing services to our students 10/8/10
AB 114 • We must • rely on the IDEA for requirements regarding the provision of related services and must comply with applicable federal law and implementing regulations. • ensure that students continue to receive all services delineated in their IEPs without interruption and in compliance with all applicable federal timelines.
Related services under IDEA are defined in Section 300.34 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 34 CFR 300.34(a) • developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from their education: • transportation, speech-language pathology ,audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes. • Related services also include school health services and school nurse services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training.
Current Funding • Some additional funding but…. • Resource 6512 $21,264.90 • Resource 3327 $6,843.65 Total $28,108.55
The Catch….. • The funding cannot be used to build our services ie. hiring staff, providing intervention services, building a program. • A small portion of the money can be used for planning, training and administration costs. • Most of the money must go to providing services to students with mental health related services as part of their IEP.
The Catch • If we do not use the money by the end of the fiscal year we will return it to the SELPA for redistribution. • If this happens it’s a good thing. • Currently (2/14/12) we have no students requiring mental health services or residential placement as per their IEP.
The FUTRUE……… Every student. Everyday. Whatever it takes!
Discussion & Planning • As a SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) we are considering an array of options to provide services to students. • contract with county mental health agencies • contract with organizations or professionals in the community • hire qualified personnel as district staff or a combination of approaches
District Level Planning • Board Policy of intervention, referral and identification (RIT and assessment for special education services in the area of Behavior) • Build a team of professionals who can help support students with mental health needs. • Licensed Education Psychologist • Licensed School Counselor • Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
School Site Level Planning • An adopted system of positive behavior supports that is written as policy. • Additional professional development for administrators, teachers and support staff focusing on positive behavior techniques and more challenging behaviors. • Positive Staff Culture- we have to be the role models and be open to offering support to students All three sites are already implementing and refining positive behavior systems as well as providing professional development.
Next Steps….. • Present to the Board for approval final a Mental Health Services Plan by the end of this school year. • Continue to develop and refine positive school site culture and supports. • Investigate hiring a full time Educational Psychologist • Ponder the addition of a School Counselor • Celebrate and be thankful that we are PLESD!
Finally….. Every student. Everyday. Whatever it takes. Questions?