Part C (Birth to Age 3) Recovery Services

Before any decisions regarding what types of recovery services will be offered and when, where, how, and by whom those services will be offered, children/family's needs must be identified.

Starting in September and early October, IFSP teams should start reviewing child and family data, making sure to get input from related service providers. Though not required, teams are encouraged to use the Part C COVID-19 SpEd Recovery Services Considerations Chart (linked above in Go-To Tools) to review their caseloads and identify which children/families are likely in need of recovery services.

There is no set timeline by which data reviews need to be completed, however, teams should consider the following:

• Completing the majority of data reviews in September and October will position teams to determine what recovery services might be needed in a timely manner, which will assist with planning.

• A lot of the data needed is likely available for most children/families, but there may be some who need more data to be collected before determinations can be made. These children/families may not have data reviewed until later in the fall, after they have had the opportunity to recoup services.

• Data needs to be comprehensively reviewed before parents are invited to IFSP meetings and recovery services determinations are made.

As needs emerge, building teams should identify themes and work with their building administrator and special services supervisor (SSS) to decide what recovery services may be needed and when, how, and by whom those services will best be delivered (i.e., ECFE classes, additional home visits, etc.).

This will allow districts to begin determining what resources need to be allocated to special education recovery services and equipping IFSP teams with options for parents to consider.

Please note, while a district may determine a general structure in which to provide recovery services, it may not limit individualized determinations that may be appropriate and necessary based on a child and family's unique needs.

All parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities must be invited to a meeting, however not all invitations will result in a meeting. Based on the needs of the child/family and the input from the family, any of the following might result:

1. The district and the parent(s) agree that a meeting is not necessary and determine, via phone that no recovery services are needed.

2. The district and the parent(s) agree that a meeting is not necessary and determine, via phone that the IFSP will be updated to reflect needed recovery services.

3. The district and the parent(s) determine that a meeting is necessary and the full IFSP team is convened.

There are two scenarios that may occur following contact with parents regarding the invitation to an IFSP meeting to determine the need for recovery services:

1. The parents and district agree that no meeting is needed

2. The parents and the district agree that the IFSP team will be convened at a meeting

Note: if a parent wants to meet, then the team needs to meet, even if the district doesn't believe that a full meeting is necessary.

If the parents and district agree that no IFSP meeting is needed, then proceed to Step 4 for guidance regarding proper documentation

If the parent would like a full IFSP team meeting, or if the district determines a meeting is necessary, then the consideration of recovery services needs to be clearly indicated in the Notice of Team Meeting (NTM).

All of the required IFSP team members must be in attendance, including related service provides, for the duration of the meeting.

There is a drop-down option in SpEd Forms specific to Recovery Services that users may select (last drop-down option).

Regardless of whether or not a formal IFSP team meeting occurs, service coordinators and IFSP teams need to consider whether or not recovery services are needed. Teams need to determine if impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic caused any of the following (NOTE — The Part C Recovery Services Considerations Charts are optional resources that can help teams make this determination):

1. Lack of progress toward meeting IFSP child and family outcomes

2. Lack or loss of progress on the ongoing child and family assessment

If the answer to any of those questions is "yes", then the team needs to determine what, if any, special education recovery services are needed (see below). Examples of recovery services include, but are not limited to:

1. academic supports

2. behavioral supports

3. mental health supports

4. related services; and,

5. other services and supports.

When deciding when and how to provide recovery services, the IFSP team must take into account the timing and delivery method most appropriate for the child and family, such as the time of day, day of the week, or time of year, and the availability of other services accessible to the child/family to address learning loss. Some options for when recovery services may be provided include:

1. At additional home visits

2. During an ECFE class

3. Before or after contract day hours

Note: Each building and district is working on their own menu of recovery services. While these menus of services are a good place to start and will likely meet most child and family recovery services needs, they are not an exhaustive list of options. Individual considerations must be made when determining the type of recovery services to provide. Work with your building administrator regarding specifics for your program options.

Important: The law states that the IFSP team may determine that providers in addition to school district or charter school staff are most appropriate to provide the special education recovery services and supports. If the team believes this is the case, or if a parent requests services from outside agencies be provided, contact your SSS to assist in decision making.

This IFSP meeting agenda template was designed to help facilitate considerations of recovery services at IFSP meetings or over the phone with parents, if the IFSP meeting invitation is declined.

It can either be used on its own or attached to another IFSP meeting agenda, if the recovery services consideration is being embedded within an annual IFSP meeting.

Please reach out to your SSS if the IFSP team determined that a child/family would benefit from recovery services in an environment outside the home and will need special transportation to access those recovery services.

PWNs documenting recovery services consideration will need to be completed for all infants and toddlers with disabilities in the district, regardless of whether or not the child/family needs recovery services. In order to assist with this task, there are several drop-down options within the Early Intervention Prior Written Notice to Start or Revise an IFSP in SpEd Forms. Please note - There is no passive consent in Part C. You will NEED to obtain a signature from the family.

CONTENT COMING SOON!