Students With Disabilities Residential Placements OCM BOCES April

Students With Disabilities Residential Placements OCM BOCES April 13, 2017 1

Presentation Objectives �Review: �CSE responsibilities and timelines �Continuum of Services �Responsibilities prior to a residential placement �Transition services and expectations �Referring to in-State programs �The tuition reimbursement application process �Common Errors �Popular reasons for denial of tuition reimbursement �Timelines for applications/reapps and responses 2

CSE Responsibilities �A referral is made and received by the CSE Chairperson or administration �The CSE has 10 days to request parent consent to initiate the evaluation (section 200. 4(a)(2)(iv)(1)), once consent is received: �Section 200. 4(e)(1): Within 60 school days of the receipt of consent to evaluate for a student not previously identified as having a disability, or within 60 school days of the referral for review of the student with a disability, the board of education shall arrange for appropriate special programs and services, 3

CSE Responsibilities �Except that if such recommendation is for placement in an approved in-State or out-of-State private school, the board shall arrange for such programs and services within 30 school days of the board’s receipt of the recommendation of the committee. 4

Continuum of Services �Services offered in district �BOCES or approved private day v With wrap-a-round OPWDD services if appropriate v If the CSE believes a residential placement may be recommended, other State agencies need to be invited to CSE meeting to determine if appropriate services can be offered in the home. (Chapter 600 of the Laws of 1994) If Residential Services are recommended: �The CSE has 30 additional school days to place the student in an approved residential program in or out-of-State. (section 200. 4(e)(1)) 5

Student at risk of residential placement �Interagency Services for Students at Risk for Placement or Placed in a Residential School. �State law and regulations require the school district to identify needed support services that may help families maintain children in their own homes and communities and avoid placement in residential care. �Parent or student, if 18 + years old, consent to request OPWDD or OMH staff attend CSE meeting. (link can be found at the end of the power point or in the January 2016 field memo) 6

Transition Services and Adult Service Planning �With consent of the parent or student is over 18, invite appropriate community or State agency representative to the CSE meeting �Provide written notice to the parents: �Of the date the student will no longer be entitled to receive a tuition free education and describe the procedure for obtaining adult service �Seek parental/student consent and share records with the adult service agency from which the student may be eligible 7

New York State Approved in-State Programs �Approved Residential Programs �In-State: Ø Ø New York State approved private programs (853 schools) CRP (Children’s Residential Project) programs § A joint initiative between OPWDD and SED to bring students currently placed out-of-State back in-State or § Prevent students who are “at risk” of going out-of-State from going out-of-State. § A CRP Request for Information needs to be completed and sent to OOSAPP@nysed. gov with STAC-1 s for approval. 8

NYS Approved In-State CRP programs continued: § Rejection letters from NYS approved private programs (853 schools). § Justification as to the extenuating circumstances for why the student is at risk of going out-of-State. � 853 schools: Anderson, Center for Developmental Disabilities, Devereux Red Hook, Ferncliff, Maryhaven, SCO Tyree, Springbrook � CRP Programs: Birch, Brookville, Center for Discovery, DDI, Devereux Red Hook, Easter Seals, Heartshare, Maryhaven, SCO-The Christopher School, UCPs-Suffolk, Ulster and Tradewinds 9

Application for Tuition Reimbursement for an Out -of-State Placement Ø CSEs have the ability to make placement recommendations to programs approved by NYSED, but if tuition reimbursement is sought, pursuant to section 200. 6(j)(1 -3), the CSE must: § Provide documentation that there are no appropriate public or private facilities for instruction available within this State § Rejection letters have been supplied with the application § Submit initial applications to NYSED within 6 days of the student’s start date § Submit reapplications by June 1 § Enter DCERTs on the STAC system within 6 days of the CSE meeting making the recommendation for placement. 10

Students who are OPWDD eligible �When a student who is OPWDD eligible goes into a residential placement, it is the responsibility of the CSE to ensure transition planning into adult services �If a student who you believe could be eligible for OPWDD services goes into residential placement, please immediately start the process with the family 11

Common Errors �If a mistake is made, either re-do the page or cross out and initial, no white out-especially on STAC-1 forms. �Be specific in the cover letter; everything sent to State Ed should have a cover letter explaining what is being sent and why; STAC-1’s which have changes…what is the change? �Do not alter a document sent to you by a program in any way. �Include all acceptance or rejection letters from programs to which you have applied. Include in the list all programs even those who have not yet responded. 12

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Eligibility Referral: With consent of parent, has the CSE made a referral for eligibility to the: Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)? Yes No N/A Office of Mental Health (OMH)? Yes No N/A Is the student OPWDD eligible? Yes No N/A 14

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Reasons for Initial Denial Letters �Submitted application uses the incorrect form. �Applications were not made to all (or any) approved residential schools in-State that are likely to be able to serve the student based on such factors as age and disability category. �Missing rejection letters or not current rejection letters. �Insufficient justification of the reason for rejections of in-State schools which have accepted the student or would like to screen the student. 18

Timelines for Applications/Reapps and Responses �Within 6 days of the student start date at the NYS approved out-of-State placement, an application must be sent to NYSED or June 1 of the preceding year for reapplications. �NYSED has 15 days to respond to the reapplication or application in writing. �If the response is an initial denial letter, the district has 20 days to cure the deficiencies and reply to the initial denial letter. �NYSED then has 10 days to respond to the resubmission in writing. 19

Timelines continued �If NYSED’s response is a final denial, the district has 40 days from the initial denial letter to request an administrative review. 20

�Did you: �Learn things you did not know about the residential process or application for tuition reimbursement? �Do you have questions regarding graduation requirements and states who issue diplomas to NYS Students? ? �Ask all the questions you had regarding the process? �Get answers for all of your questions? �Find this helpful? 21

Resources � References: � http: //www. p 12. nysed. gov/specialed/lawsregs/part 200. htm � http: //www. p 12. nysed. gov/specialed/applications/outofstate/Placeme nts-Out-of-State-Residential-Schools. html � http: //www. p 12. nysed. gov/specialed/publications/policy/chap 600. pdf � http: //www. p 12. nysed. gov/specialed/publications/Educ. Respons. School Age. Residence. pdf � Links to OPWDD, OCFS and OMH � http: //www. opwdd. ny. gov/opwdd_services_supports/children/transiti on-students-developmental-disabilities � http: //www. opwdd. ny. gov/opwdd_services_supports/children/opwddfront-door � http: //ocfs. ny. gov/main/ � https: //www. omh. ny. gov/ � Beth Karalak – beth. karalak@nysed. gov or 914 -940 -2900 22