Welcome to Unit 2
Phase 4: Transitions

The “Transition” phase refers to movement or change. Transitions in early intervention are just the beginning of many changes a child and family will go through. In Birth to 3, transition is generally referred to movement out of the early intervention program, but keep in mind that change and movement can also occur as the family moves into the program and while they are within the program. Some examples of transitions might be a family moving from one county Birth to 3 Program to another, a child transitioning from the hospital to home or to a new child care setting, a child who graduates out of the program before turning three, or a family planning to move from early intervention to a public school program.

Informing and Supporting Families Before and During Transition
Writing Transition Plans into the IFSP
Holding a Transition Meeting

Informing and Supporting Families Before and During Transition

Transitions can be particularly stressful for families. They are often leaving services and providers they are comfortable with and are sometimes moving to a very unfamiliar system. Transition planning – well in advance of the event – is often the key to making this an easier process. In fact, transition planning can begin as soon as a family is settled into the routine of early intervention. This is a good time to discuss with families about the options for a child after he or she turns three.

Service coordinators need to provide information to the family, allow the family time to make decisions, and assist the family in developing the skills necessary to participate in transition activities. Transition planning is a key time to encourage and support family involvement since families will need to assume responsibility for much of service planning after leaving the early intervention program.

The Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care offers a parent-authored handbook, NICU Babies in the Community: A Continuum of Care , which guides families through the process of transitioning out of a hospital setting. (You can contact the association directly to order a copy by calling 1-608-267-6060.) The core principles defined throughout this document are also important to remember in helping families make other types of transitions:

Core Principles:

·        Children and families are treated with respect and dignity.

·        Families are given complete information in family friendly language.

·        Families are encouraged to participate in decision-making and care planning.*

*Excerpted from the document: Care in the NICU/Weeks Prior to Discharge

Exit data reported by county Birth to 3 Programs shows that an increasing number of children leave the Birth to 3 Program prior to age three because they have met their IFSP outcomes and are no longer in need of services. This type of transition often requires a plan to connect families with appropriate community resources and, according to a family’s wishes, a timeline for future screenings or check-ins.

During any transition, the Birth to 3 Service Coordinator should help parents consider the following questions:*

§        What are my hopes for my child?

§        What does my child need now to grow and develop?

§        Where do I/we want our child to learn and play?

§        Where would our child be if he or she didn’t have a developmental disability?

Many families have found it helpful to create a transition portfolio. The purpose of the portfolio is to compile information about the child and family in preparation for transition from Birth to 3 to other services or supports within the community. The portfolio is meant to provide a receiving program with an overview of the child from the child and family's perspective and may include information about the child’s favorite activities and foods, family pets, medications, strengths and challenges as well as other details. It may also include photos and drawings – anything a family chooses.

Here are some examples of portfolios.

Because many children in Birth to 3 remain eligible for special education services, it can be important to share with families a Preschool Transition Timeline - (HTML version) to walk through the various steps of transition out of the Birth to 3 Program at the child’s third birthday. Professionals may find it helpful to follow a Transition Checklist. - (HTML version)

The Service Coordinator can support families during transition by:

·        Providing information in family-friendly language

·        Explaining differences between Birth to 3 and other programs

·        Helping families to decide if, when, and where to make referrals

·        Inviting appropriate agencies to the transition conference*

In recent years, Wisconsin has developed a concept of Preschool Options which allows families to consider a range of options in Least Restrictive Environments (LRE – Federal IDEA law) for children ages 3-5 who are served by early childhood special education. Many districts have or are continuing to develop a variety of programs within local schools and communities where children with disabilities can receive special education services while learning with typically developing peers. As a service coordinator, it is important to understand what types of options your community may offer beyond traditional early childhood placements and present those options to families in an unbiased manner.

Wisconsin’s Ready, Set, Go … training curriculum is a helpful presentation for families who would like to explore preschool possibilities. If you'd like a "Ready, Set, Go..." training in your community, please contact: Rene Forsythe at forsyther@cesa5.k12.wi.us or (608) 742-8814 ext. 409.

There are many Resources Available for families on the topic of transition out of the Birth to 3 Program. Become familiar with the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Training and Technical Assistance web site Transition page. Where?

·        Left tool bar: Click on Birth to 3 Basics

·        Click on Transitions

o       What's on this site that is good for families?

§        Under the "Big Picture" is a link to the article Making Transition Work for You

§        Under Additional Resources and Tools, check out the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Transition Resources. This leads to the Wisconsin Collaborates for Transition web site.

§        The publication, Step Ahead at Age 3, A Guide for Families in Wisconsin (1999 Revised Edition), is available at each county Birth to 3 Program. Also parents may relate to Claire’s Transition Story. - (HTML version)

o       What's on this site that is good for service coordinators?

§        Check out the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Transition Resources which leads to the Wisconsin Collaborates for Transition web site. Here you will find information on Wisconsin policies and procedures, links to Department of Public Instruction bulletins (Transition from Birth to 3 Programs to Special Education and Expanding Service to Preschoolers with Disabilities: DPI Update), and additional resources for planning transitions.

§        Check out the Preschool Options Project web site and talk with families about what they may want in special education services. Be sure to look under the tools section for forms that may be useful to you.

Writing Transition Plans into the IFSP

In most programs, the service coordinator is typically responsible for coordinating the transition plan and ensuring that all the timelines and requirements specified in the law are met. The process of transition can be broken down into seven steps:

·        Developing an awareness of the changes to be made

·        Identifying the available options

·        Collecting more information on each option

·        Looking at the impact of each option

·        Deciding on the best option

·        Planning the actual transition

·        Letting go of the old and embracing the new

The resources outlined above, within Informing and Supporting Families Before and During Transition, will help you to complete these steps. In addition, it is helpful to be familiar with the federal and state laws regarding transition that require a written transition plan. Wisconsin Administrative Code HFS 90 and Federal IDEA Law specify that a plan for transition must be included in the IFSP. Take the time to review the law on the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Training and Technical Assistance web site. Where?

·        Left tool bar: Click on Birth to 3 Basics

·        Click on Transitions (Be sure to look under "The Law")

A written transition plan should (according to HFS 90) document:

1.      Discussions regarding a prospective transition in advance with the parents and giving them information about the new setting and other matters related to the child's transition including the role of the family;

2. Procedures taken to prepare the child for changes in service delivery, including helping with adjustment to and functioning in the new setting;
3. With parental consent, forwarding of information about the child to the local educational agency or other service agency to assure continuity of services; and
4. In the case of a child who may be eligible for special education services  (under subch. V of ch. 115, Stats.) information to verify convening, with the approval of the family, a conference involving the family, the county administrative agency and the local educational agency responsible for special education preschool programs at least 90 days before the child reaches the age of 3.

In this case the written plan must also:
a. Reflect decisions made at the conference and the roles of sending and receiving agencies; and
b. Contain a review of the child's program options for the period from the child's third birthday through the remainder of the school year.
 

5. In the case of a child who may not be eligible for special education services, the plan should document making reasonable efforts to convene, with the approval of the family, a conference involving the family, the county administrative agency and other agencies providing services for children who not eligible for special education preschool programs. 
   
   

In this case, the written plan must also:
a.  Reflect discussions regarding the appropriate services the child may receive; and
b.  Reflect decisions made at the conference and the role of sending and receiving agencies.

Examples of two county transition plans may give you ideas of what to include. example 1 - (HTML version), example 2 - (HTML version).

When families leave Birth to 3 they often lose service coordination, therefore successful transition planning should also involve making sure all families are adequately connected with supportive community resources. Even if you have discussed these resources previously, because families often lead hectic lives, it is important to consider mentioning some programs a second time. Before a family exits your program, make sure you have linked a family (if appropriate) to the following key supports or services (click here for a printable version - (HTML version) of this list):

·        The Family Support Program - The Family Support Program is offered in each Wisconsin county and provides individual services and supports to families that include a child with severe disabilities. If there is a waiting list for services, a family may wish to add their name for future assistance.

·       The Children with Special Health Care Needs Regional Center – Find your local program by calling -1-800-642-7837. the CSHCN Program works to support children with special health care needs and their families. They can offer some of the functions of service coordination after a family leaves Birth to 3.

For families who will continue to receive special education services, you might consider informing the family about:

·        Wisconsin FACETS: 1-877-374-4677 - Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training & Support, Inc. (WI FACETS) is a nonprofit organization serving Wisconsin children and adults with disabilities, their families and those who support them.

·        Great Lakes Intertribal Council – Native American Family Empowerment Center : 1-800-472-7207: The Center provides an opportunity for Native American parents to gain updated knowledge and the confidence and empowerment they need to become effective advocates for their children.

·        Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative: 1-877-844-4925 - The Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) is a service for parents, educators, and others interested in parent-educator partnerships for children with disabilities.

For families who will continue to have complex health concerns about their child, you might consider introducing the family to:

·        Medical Assistance – Katie Beckett - The Katie Beckett Program (Medicaid Recipient Services 1-800-362-3002) is a special eligibility process that allows certain children with long-term disabilities or complex medical needs, living at home with their families, to obtain a Wisconsin Medicaid card.

·        ABC for Health – 1-800-585-4222 -Advocacy and Benefits Counseling for Health is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to ensuring health care access for children and families, particularly those with special needs or who are at risk.

·        Family Voices of Wisconsin – 1-608-233-3726: Family Voices of Wisconsin provides information and training to families on accessing health and community supports and services.

Holding a Transition Meeting

As mentioned above, the Birth to 3 Program is required to convene a Transition Planning Conference for a child at least 90 days before his/her third birthday.  The purpose of the conference is to give families an idea of the options that are available once their child makes the transition from Birth to 3 to the next step of experiences and services. With the parent’s consent, the Birth to 3 service coordinator can invite people from various programs to describe their services and answer any questions.  Families are also encouraged to share information about their child.  The meeting is not intended to involve determination of eligibility.

The document Transition Planning Conference:  What can I expect? - (HTML version) may help parents better understand the meeting format. The DPI Bulletin 99.09 Transition from Birth to 3 Programs from Special Education - (local HTML version) also outlines the legal requirements and potential agenda for a transition meeting.

Planning for this meeting may start with sending meeting invitations - (HTML version)(sample from State of Arizona), upon parent permission, to participating agencies or the local school district. The service coordinator also plays a role in helping families to prepare any information they would like to present at the meeting. This may include a transition portfolio (mentioned above), a list of questions, or other information on a family’s hopes and dreams for their child. The most important role of the service coordinator during transition planning is to be a good listener. Make sure you understand a family’s priorities for their child and are able to help parents articulate their ideas during the meeting.

At the transition planning conference, the participants may discuss:

·        the appropriateness of a referral and, if uncertain, consider a developmental review,

·        special education eligibility criteria and program options,

·        the IEP team process, including evaluation, IEP development and placement,

·        parental rights and procedural safeguards, and

·        other services/programs available at age three.

During the meeting, you may act as facilitator. It might be good to review the following: Tips for Planning and Running a Meeting; Ways to Move a Meeting Along; and Techniques for Encouraging Participation in Meetings.

At the end of the transition meeting, the family may decide whether or not to proceed with a referral to special education, if they need more information or more time. The Transition Evaluation Worksheet - (HTML version) is a good tool to use with a family after transition, but may also be used to help you identify areas in which your own transition planning can improve.

Application Station: The Transition Process
Complete an interview to learn about the transition experiences from the perspective of the family and from the perspective of a provider, or read a story about a family that prepared for a transition meeting but was still overwhelmed. See this Application Station: The Transition Process

*Ready, Set, Go… Training Materials, Collaborating Partners website

These modules were developed from a combination of materials, including:

1)      Pathways Service Coordination Project, Waisman Center-University of Wisconsin-Madison, funded by a number of grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. These materials were developed and field tested for several years within Wisconsin and several other states throughout the nation, leading to these publications: Pathways Trail Mix: A Collection of Ideas and Training Activities in Early Intervention Service Coordination (1999); Pathways in Early Intervention Service Coordination: A Video & Companion Guide (1996); and Pathways: A Training and Resource Guide for Enhancing Skills in Early Intervention Service Coordination (1996)

2)      Wisconsin Personnel Development Project/Birth to 3 RESource Training materials posted on the Birth to 3 Training and Technical Assistance Website

3)      Portage Project, CESA 5 Training Materials

4)      Materials and forms created by Wisconsin County Birth to 3 Programs

5)      Resources available on the Internet that have been developed by other programs throughout the country.