SECTION 4: TRANSITION TIME LINE FROM EARLY INTERVENTION TO PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION

In the following section, we have attempted to outline the milestones of the transition process based on your child's age. Although your service coordinator and early intervention provider(s) will work closely with you throughout this process, it is your decision about who should be in the lead. Some families choose to lead the process themselves. Other families choose among their resources (listed on page 4) and pick who they want to be the lead. After this person is chosen, he or she will initiate the activities at each milestone.

TIME LINE	ACTIVITIES	PERSON RESPONSIBLE
Between 24-30	During a transition information meeting Months your service coordinator will review with you a transition at age three information packet.  Information will include: options for community transitions or school district placements, notice informing your local school district that your child may be eligible for special education and a review of your child's records.  At this meeting, you will discuss a transition planning  conference with your service coordinator to occur when your child is between 30 and 32 months old, if you so  desire. At this time you will decide whom you would like to invite. You can invite family members, early  intervention providers, and other people important to  you and your child during this transition. A child study  team (CST) member from your local school district  shall be at your child's transition planning conference.  With your consent, notice informing your district that your child will shortly reach the age for preschool  special education and an invitation for a CST member  to attend your child's transition planning conference will be sent to your district.	Service Coordinator Parent(s) Early Intervention Provider
At 30-32	At your transition planning conference** a review  months of your child's present early intervention services will occur. Options for community transitions will be discussed. Your service coordinator will provide information about Special Child and Adult Health Care Services (SCAHS). A Child Study Team member will provide you with information on the process of identification, evaluation, eligibility determination and  development of the Individualized Education Program  (IEP)The CST member will provide you with district residency requirements and district registration requirements. You may need to show proof of residency and complete registration forms to obtain services from your school district.	Parent(s)Service CoordinatorEarly Intervention Provider(s)Child Study Team Member
At least 120 days prior to age three	During your transition planning conference, with your consent, you will be assisted in completing (32 months of age) a request for an eligibility evaluation and a release of records to your CST. Your service coordinator and/or Early Intervention Provider will help you complete your written request for eligibility form letter and will send your child's records to your CST, with a copy to you (see appendix B for sample request for evaluation).	Parent(s)
Within 20 Days after the receipt of the referral	The school will hold an identification/ evaluation plan  meeting**, having provided you notice before hand.  participants of the meeting include the child study team, a general education teacher and you. The purpose of the meeting is to determine if an evaluation is warranted. If an evaluation is warranted, the nature and the scope of the evaluation will be determined. You will receive written notice of the determination made by you and the team. You will need to sign a consent to initiate the evaluation. The school district will provide a consent form for you to sign.	Parent(s)  The Child Study Team  Teacher
Between 32-35 months  (90 days prior to age three)	When the assessments have been completed you will be invited to an eligibility meeting** with the other members of the team. This team includes you, a general education teacher who is knowledgeable about your child or the district's preschool programs, a CST member, the case manager and other appropriate individuals. You will receive prior written notification of the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to review the assessments to determine eligibility for preschool special education. If eligible, an Individualized Education Program meeting will be scheduled to develop your child's written Individualized Education Program and determine the least restrictive educational placement. Each child with a disability to the maximum extent appropriate will be educated with children who are not disabled. If you agree, and if a general and special education teacher are present, your IEP can be completed at the eligibility meeting. If this can not occur, another meeting needs to be scheduled to develop the IEP and determine placement.	Parent(s)  Child Study Team
By 36 months	After you sign the consent required to implement the individualized education program, your child will begin to receive services when he/she turns three, unless your child turns three over the summer and your IEP does not call for extended school year services.	Parent(s)

** All meetings must be scheduled at times and places that are mutually agreeable to all participants.
*** Preschoolers with disabilities shall have their IEPs implemented no later than age three. To assure that preschoolers with disabilities have their IEPs implemented no later than age three, a written request for initial evaluation shall be forwarded to the district at least 120 days prior to the preschooler attaining age three. (NJ DOE Administrative Code)