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