Transcript Resources for Special Needs Kids Kathy Bohanon, MD CASA Advocate, Pediatrician Its sooooo confusing!

Resources for Special
Needs Kids
Kathy Bohanon, MD
CASA Advocate, Pediatrician
Its sooooo confusing!
First Things First
The Law
• IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act – Federal Law
– Part B: age 3 to 21 years
• Accessed through the school systems
– Part C: age birth to 36 months
• Accessed through Early Childhood
Connections
Child Find
• The process to identify infants and
children who have disabilities
• Can be referred by “anyone” who suspects
developmental delay
• Infant or child’s age determines where
they are referred
• Multidisciplinary evaluation to determine
needs and qualification for Part B or C
Early Childhood
Connections
For Infants, Toddlers & Families
• Colorado’s name for the program for
birth to 36 months
– Sometimes called Early Intervention
– Sometimes called Part C
• If not already evaluated or diagnosed,
provides evaluation at no cost
• Determines if the infant/toddler is
eligible for the public early intervention
system (ie, Part C of IDEA)
Early Childhood
Connections
• Severe developmental delays
• Specific medical diagnoses that are
associated with severe developmental
delay
• Sensory impairment
• Low birth weight (very preemie)
• Attachment and regulatory disorders that
interfere with development
Early Childhood
Connections
• Mandates a Service Coordinator
• Coordinates obtaining the evaluation
and services (PT, OT, Speech,
developmental services, etc)
• Provided “in the child’s environment”
(at home, at the babysitter, etc)
• IFSP: Individual Family Services Plan
Early Childhood
Connections
• Insurance, Medicaid pay for the
therapy
• Part C funds are the “payer of last
resort”
– Will pay for developmental services that
are needed but not otherwise paid by
insurance
Early Childhood
Connections
• Required to transition children to
“Part B”, usually starts 9 months
before 3rd birthday
• May not meet qualifications for Part
B, then transitioned to “community
resources”
Early Childhood
Connections
• Referrals for El Paso and Teller
counties
– The Resource Exchange
• Now combined with Resources for Young
Children and Families
– 577-9190
Early Childhood
Connections
• What if they don’t qualify for Part C
but still with delays, at risk, etc?
– Early Head Start (birth thru age 36
months) through the Community
Partnership for Child Development
– Child Development Center or Memorial
Hospital Pediatric Rehab – paid for by
insurance, but center-based, not in the
home
Preschool age
3-4 years
• Transitioned from Part C
or
• New referral made to the
appropriate school district
• Also will do multidisciplinary
evaluation, at no cost, if not already
done
– “Supposed” to be available year-round
Preschool age
3-4 years
• If qualifies for public special education
(Part B), mandated to receive services
through the school
– Each school district determines how
• May contract with Head Start
• May enroll in Colorado Preschool Program
• May provide services with own personnel
– Not only educational services, but PT, OT,
Speech, whatever is identified
– IEP (Individual Education Plan)
Preschool age
3-4 years
• What if they don’t qualify for Part B
(the public special education)?
– Head Start
– Colorado Preschool Program
– Private services via medical insurance
(generally limited to PT, OT, occasionally
Speech Therapy, maybe mental health)
Community Partnership
for Child Development
• One centralized source for birth to
age 5 yrs if infant/child does not
qualify for Part C or Part B
– Early Head Start, Head Start, Colorado
Preschool Program, Even Start
• Phone 635-1536
Community Partnership
for Child Development
• Early Head Start
– Age 0-3 who are at risk or have special needs,
especially if they do not qualify for Part C
– Focused on low-income, special needs
• One or two half-days per week, plus home visits
• Can also provide PT, OT, Speech
• Has an Early Head Start with Child Care Option
– Assists enrolled families that need full-time child care
– Special needs infants and toddlers are welcome
– Sliding scale for the child care portion of the program,
accepts CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program)
Community Partnership
for Child Development
• Head Start (3-4 year olds)
– In some school districts, for Part B kids
– Other spots open for “at risk” kids
• Reside in low-income families
• Special needs children
• Usually a waiting list for kids who are not in
Part B
• Also has Head Start with Child Care option
Community Partnership
for Child Development
• Colorado Preschool Program (3-4 yrs)
– “For kids who can benefit from a
comprehensive early childhood development
and family program”
– Many of same services as Head Start
– Available for families exceeding the income
limits for Head Start
– Only specific number of slots available, set by
the state
Community Partnership
for Child Development
• Even Start (Family Literacy)
– Recognized parents as the child’s “first
and best teacher”
• English language acquisition
• GED preparation
• Literacy program
– For parents of kids in Head Start who
need these services
Community Partnership
for Child Development
• Fantastic resource document: “2005
Community Assessment”
– Comprehensive report on availability of
health, mental health, child care, early
education, etc, etc for El Paso County
• From website:
www.cpcdheadstart.org
School-Age Children
5-21 years
• Those who qualify under Part B
receive services through the schools
via an IEP (“public special education”)
• Those who do not may be eligible for
a 504 Plan
Examples from CASA
kids
Any Questions?