Assistive Technology Procedures

Dear Family Service Coordinators & Providers,

Assistive Technology (AT) is a service that some children and their families may benefit from while enrolled with Missouri First Steps. As with all First Steps services, we must insure that the AT is something that is appropriate and functional for the child and family in terms of their outcomes as well as their routines. DESE has provided guidance that is available on their website that includes questions and steps that IFSP Teams should remember when considering pursuing AT through First Steps.


These questions should be addressed at some point prior to the decision is made to pursue any particular AT item(s).

ACTIONS AT THE IFSP MEETING

An IFSP team member may suggest a discussion about assistive technology. At that

time, the IFSP team should consider the following:

          Child’s age
         Questions to consider:

• Is the child near transition age?
• Will the child have the opportunity to use the item and make progress with it while in First Steps?
  

 

Child’s current skills and abilities

Questions to consider:

 

• Is the child making progress currently, without a device?
• Why is child unable to participate in the family’s routines and activities?
• Can this device be easily integrated into the routines?
• Will the child have time to make progress while in First Steps?

What are the family’s concerns and priorities?

Questions to consider:

• What are the current IFSP outcomes?
• Has the IFSP team tried other strategies or activities to assist the child’s progress?
• What strategies worked to assist the child’s development?
• What strategies did not work in assisting the child’s development?

         Other questions the IFSP team considers:

• How specialized must the device be to meet the need? Low-tech or high-tech?
• How long may it take to obtain the assistive technology device?
• Is the item available in the natural environment?
• Can the item be made?
• Can the item be borrowed or obtained through a loan program?

Also, Early Intervention Teams can be very instrumental in discussing low-tech AT options or brainstorming ideas. Whereas the decision to provide the service cannot be made by the EIT, consultation about AT can and should happen.

DESE guidance regarding AT can be found at the following link: http://dese.mo.gov/se/fs/AssistTech.htm

Extension of the Comment Period for Proposed Changes to State Plan for Part C

Subject: Extension of the Comment Period for Proposed Changes to State Plan for Part C

Source: Pam Schroeder, Assistant Director, Part C Compliance

Intended Audience: System Points of Entry (SPOE) directors, Service Coordinators, Service Providers, State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) members, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teachers and administrators, Special Education directors

Date: October 31, 2012

The Office of Special Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, has decided to extend the deadline for commenting on proposed changes to the state regulations implementing Part C (birth to three years) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) until 4:30 p.m. on November 30, 2012. These are the regulations that govern the First Steps Early Intervention Program. These regulations also include requirements for transition from Part C (First Steps) to Part B (Early Childhood Special Education), including Local Educational Agency (LEA) notification, timelines for the conference with the LEA, and required actions for late referrals to First Steps.

The proposed changes are available for inspection until November 30, 2012, in the Office of Special Education, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 205 Jefferson Street, Jefferson City, MO 65102 during regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The proposed changes are also available on the Office of Special Education website at: http://dese.mo.gov/se/stateplan/index.html. Numerous changes to content, abbreviations, and formatting were made throughout the document. A chart identifying the content changes is also available at the above link.

Before adopting any proposed changes necessary to comply with Part C of the Act, the state must hold hearings for public review and comment on the proposed changes to regulations. Two public hearings on these proposed changes were held by webinar during October 2012. Links to the recorded webinar are listed below:

Proposed State Plan Changes for Part C - 1st Public Hearing; Wednesday October 10, 2012, 1:00-3:00 p.m. -- http://dese.mo.gov/webinar/Webinar10-10-12-SE.htm

Proposed State Plan Changes for Part C - 2nd Public Hearing; Tuesday October 16, 2012, 1:00-3:00 p.m. -- http://dese.mo.gov/webinar/Webinar10-16-12-SE.htm

Written public comments on the proposed changes in state regulations may be submitted through the following methods until 4:30 p.m. on November 30, 2012.

Mail: Office of Special Education, Attn: Pam Schroeder P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480

Email: Idea.Comments@dese.mo.gov, Attn: Pam Schroeder, Part C State Plan Comments

Fax: Attn: Pam Schroeder, (573) 526-4404

Judy Goans | Administrative Assistant | Office of Special Education | 573-522-8762 |dese.mo.gov