The Transition Planning Conference

From Early Intervention to Preschool Programming

Norwood Office of Special Services

177 Summit Avenue

Norwood, NJ 07648

The Transition Planning Conference

NJ Early Intervention System’s program ends when a child turns three. Time and planning is needed to prepare children and families for changes in systems and services. During this time the Early Intervention Providers will provide information and assist families in the transition process.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children who qualify may receive special education services. From Birth up to age three, services are provided by the New Jersey Early Intervention System. Early intervention services and goal planning for your child and family are defined in an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Leaving and entering a program requires formal planning and preparation. A transition planning conference can be held as early as age 2 years and 3 months, but no later than 2 years and 9 months. A Service Coordinator and IFSP team will work closely with families to make sure they are as prepared as possible to support their child's transition to an early childhood setting(s). If a child is eligible for preschool special education services, important decisions about the child's future educational needs will be discussed.

With your approval, your service coordinator will schedule a Transition Planning Conference (TPC) with the local school district personnel. Parents can help by being prepared to discuss their child’s strengths and needs. You may want to also share important Early Intervention records with the district personnel.

Norwood's Referral Process

At least 90 days before a child's third birthday, the Service Coordinator will send the child's name, date of birth, and contact information to the local school district unless the family chooses not to do so (opt out). The Part B preschool program focuses on your child’s educational needs. Children ages three through five years old are provided educational support to enable them to participate in daily activities and have access to the general curriculum.

Parents/Guardians must begin the registration process before the evaluations proceed.

Registration: Norwood Public Schools

Once the referral is received, a representative from Norwood’s Special Services Department will invite you to participate in an Identification/Evaluation Planning Meeting to discuss if your child will need evaluations to determine eligibility and if so, what types of evaluations might be needed.

If evaluations are warranted, the CST will determine the scope of the evaluations, as a variety of assessment tools and strategies are used to gather information about a child, including information shared by the family. The team may also determine that an evaluation is not warranted and, if so, determine other appropriate actions to support your preschooler.

When the evaluation is completed, eligibility is determined collaboratively at a meeting.

If a child is found eligible for preschool special education, the family will participate in a meeting to develop their child's Individual Education Program (IEP). Families are part of the IEP team.

The Norwood Public Schools provide a full continuum of preschool programming for children with disabilities, ranging from general education inclusion settings to self-contained preschool programs. The IEP team, including parents, determines programs after comprehensive evaluations are completed.

Norwood's Child Study Team

The Child Study Team involves a multidisciplinary team of professionals responsible for locating, identifying, and evaluating students to determine eligibility for Special Education and related services and, where necessary, develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students suspected of having educational disabilities.

The Norwood Child Study Team comprises a Learning-Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC), a School Psychologist, and a School Social Worker. For preschoolers, a speech-language specialist shall participate as an additional member of the CST in the meeting to determine whether to evaluate and the nature and scope of the evaluation.

Norwood Preschool Contact Information:

Bonnie Malora, LDT-C

Preschool Case Manager

malora@wearenorwood.com

201-768-6363 x60124

Linda Weissenborn

Child Study Team Secretary

weissenbornl@wearenorwood.com

201-768-6363 x60122

Nicole Kuhrt

Supervisor of Special Services

kuhrtn@wearenorwood.com