|
|
|
PROGRAMS
& SERVICES:
STUDENT SUPPORT:
INTERAGENCY COORDINATION
(Updated 6/10/09)
|
| |
|
OVERVIEW
 |
| |
|
| |
One of three special education workgroups supporting schools in the provision of services for students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal mandates, the interagency workgroup helps to coordinate services for students who are served by multiple agencies and collaborates with schools and human services agencies. Use the links below for more information about:
Residential Review
The department's residential review process was created by statute in order to ensure that teams who are considering residential services for a student understand the full range of educational options available as early in the process as possible.
State-placed Students
Students who are placed outside of their school district by a state agency or a licensed child placement agency, or who are residing in a program for pregnant and parenting women, or are placed in a residential treatment facility by a state agency are considered “state-placed”. Sometimes children need additional supports and services beyond those provided by a school. Act 264 ensures coordination of services for students with an emotional disability who are receiving services from more than one agency.
Surrogate Parent Program
The IDEIA and Vermont's special education rules and regulations ensure that the educational right of infants, toddlers and students are represented in the special education process. Parental involvement in planning a child's special education program is required by both federal and state statute. Surrogate parent volunteers fill the parental role in the special education process and represent students who are in state custody, whose parents are not know or cannot be located, or unaccompanied homeless youth.
Building Effective Strategies for Teaching Students with Behavioral Challenges (BEST) Project
The BEST Project is designed to help schools develop effective strategies to respond to challenging student behaviors. The department and its interagency partners provide training and technical assistance to increase schools’ capacities to implement strategies to benefit entire school communities. View reports and a link to the Web site.
|
| |
|
LINKS
TO CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION (Updated 6/10/09)
|
| |
|
| |
Report Card for Special Education Students in DCF Custody (Added 6/10/09)
The department needs assistance in support of Vermont DCF Family Services Policy 151 (Educational Issues for Children in Custody) which states: "To assist in ensuring the stability of educational services for children in DCF custody, DCF workers are now required to obtain report cards and attendance information for all children in DCF custody." The Department of Education requests that schools provide copies of the final report card for each student in custody who is either in special education or being evaluated for special education as soon as possible after the current school year. For information or questions, contact Mike Mulcahy. |
| |
|
| |
Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS)
Positive Behavioral Supports also known as PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), can best be described as a systems approach to academic achievement and social competence for all children. PBS is not a model, but a compilation of research based practices, interventions and systems integrated to improve the educational experience of all students, including those with disabilities. |
| |
|
| |
Vermont 2009: Success Beyond Six Minimum Standards for Behavioral Interventionists (PDF)
These standards are a collaboration between the Departments of Education and Mental Health with widespread input from both schools and community mental health centers. The Department of Mental Health has developed a self assessment and documentation system for the community mental health centers to determine if they meet minimum standards. They will provide technical assistance and support to those community mental health centers that do not meet the minimum standards to develop and implement a plan to meet the standards before July 1, 2009. For more information contact deb.quackenbush@state.vt.us. |
| |
|
| |
BEST/Act 230 Grant Applications for FY 2009-2010
Act 230 (reauthorized as Act 157) requires that every local school district have an educational support system for children who require additional assistance in order to succeed in the general education environment. Based on the initial successes of the Vermont Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS) effort, the Commissioner has designated PBS as the priority area for use of these funds. All BEST/Act 230 Grant Applications must be submitted electronically and electronically signed by the Superintendent of Schools. Applications must be submitted and approved before funds are expended. Applications may be submitted immediately but no later than September 15, 2009. |
| |
|
| |
Interagency Agreement between the Department of Education and Agency of Human Services (June 2005)
This agreement clarifies how these state agencies will work together to ensure that all necessary services for an eligible child to receive a free appropriate public education are provided. Services might include specialized instruction in school, transition support, counseling and mental health support as well as other forms of assistance. The agreement outlines several activities, including creation of transition task forces and cross training for agency staff and educators. It also calls for regular meetings between the education commissioner and Agency of Human Services secretary and annual reports to the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth.
-
Interagency Agreement Users Guide (April 2006)
This document provides background information about the enactment of the original Act 264 legislation in 1988 and a brief summary of the law. It also describes key components of the DOE/AHS Interagency Agreement as it relates to Act 264, including the purpose, mission and principles of the agreement; a definition of who is eligible for coordination of services; and guidelines for how the Local Interagency Teams (LITS) and the State Interagency Team (SIT) assure coordination of services and oversight of the Vermont system of care.
-
Interagency Agreement Strengths, Challenges & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Interagency Agreement Support Committee document of May 1, 2006
|
| |
|
| |
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) & Appendix Regarding Educational Placement and Alternative Educational Plans for Children in DFC Custody (December 17, 2007)
This updated version of the MOU between DOE and DCF, signed in December 2007 by Commissioners Richard Cate and Steve Dale, has one change in procedure that is of importance to schools. The document has been changed to be more closely aligned with state placed student statute. Instead of the Family Services caseworker making a request directly to the Department of Education, the school district that has agreed to educate the student and is seeking reimbursement will send the letter of request to the Commissioner of Education. This will ensure that school districts that have requested an alternative plan for the education of a student receive the appropriate commissioner approval for reimbursement. For questions about this process, contact Deb Quackenbush.
-
MOU Appendix (August 12, 2008)
This updated MOU appendix is the newest version of DCF-Family Services procedures for caseworkers to follow and has been expanded to help workers better understand the process they are required to follow. This work was done in collaboration with Department of Education staff, local and state Family Services staff, and a school district assistant superintendent and special education director. For questions about this process or needed guidance with a specific situation regarding a student in state custody, contact Deb Quackenbush.
-
Guidance for Implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The MOU outlines and formalizes a process for obtaining educational continuity. This process has existed in statute but has been generally unknown and infrequently accessed. This document explains the process with examples, funding provisions and responsibility, a sample of questions to consider, and a one page quick reference sheet for your convenience. For questions or assistance, contact Deb Quackenbush.
|
| |
|
| |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Coordination Services Planning, Act 264 and the DOE/AHS Interagency Agreement
Informational handout about coordinated services planning for children and adolescents with disabilities and their families. |
| |
|
| |
Vermont 2008: Success Beyond Six Final Report (PDF)
View the joint report from the Vermont Department of Education and the Division of Mental Health Services to the Vermont Legislature dated January 15, 2008.
|
| |
|
| |
Vermont Interagency Coordinated Services Plan (CSP) & Referral Forms
As defined by Act 264, a coordinated services plan is a written addendum to each service plan developed by an individual agency for a child or adolescent with severe emotional disturbance which shall be developed when the eligible child has needs that require services from more than one agency. It shall be designed to meet the needs of the child within his or her family or in an out-of-home placement, and in the school and the community. NOTE: Use one of the links below to download and complete the CSP with a word-processing application:
|
| |
|
| |
Coordinated Service Plan (CSP) Survey
The Vermont Department of Education and Agency of Human Services want to improve CSPs for youth and families. To do this, it is incredibly important to hear from team members like you. If you have been a member of a team that developed a Coordinated Services Plan (CSP) for a youth in Vermont between July 1, 2007 and May 1, 2008, you are invited to complete a short survey (less than 10 minutes) to share your thoughts about how well this process has worked using the link below. For questions about this survey, contact Jesse Suter at (802) 656-1130 or e-mail jesse.suter@uvm.edu.
- Take the CSP Survey
Use this link to take the survey. If this link does not work, copy and paste the following address into your Web browser: http://vtcsp.blogspot.com.
|
| |
|
| |
Report to the Legislature to Address Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (January 2008)
This report to the Legislature is a collaboration of the Agency of Human Services and the Department of Education. It is the direct result of Act 35 signed by the Governor in May 2007. The report includes findings and recommendations divided into: Best Practices; Identification and Diagnosis; Early Intervention; Coordination of Services; Access to Information; Training and Workforce Development; Technical Assistance and Consultation; Education Services, Adult Services; and Funding.
- Vermont Interagency White Paper on Autism Spectrum Disorders: Report to the Act 264 Board (March 2006)
This joint publication was completed by Vermont Department of Education and Agency of Human Services staff at the request of the Act 264 Board. The document includes information regarding the number of individuals identified state-wide; evidence-based practice; current and projected needs; roles of parents, schools, and community agencies; and service gaps.
|
| |
|
| |
Vermont State I-Team
The Vermont State Interdisciplinary Team (I-Team) is a state-funded team of professionals and parents who provide consultative services to educators and families of students with severe multiple disabilities and dual sensory impairments. The mission of the I-Team is to assist local teams of families, educators, and other service providers in the delivery of quality educational services to students with intensive educational needs through technical assistance, professional development, and family support. Use the link above to view directions on how to make an I-Team referral and to download a referral form. For questions or information, contact Deborah Quackenbush at (802) 828-5877 or deb.quackenbush@state.vt.us. |
| |
|
| |
Student Support Newsletter: May 2009
This newsletter provides an opportunity for the student support division* to share some of the great work going on in schools around the state and serves as a resource of new information and materials available to educators.
* NOTE: The division includes teams responsible for the educational support system (ESS), interagency coordination, data, BEST, monitoring & special education.
|
| |
|
| |
Special Education Information
Use this link for additional resources related to special education, including links to parent resources, forms, laws and regulations, policies and various special education-related documents and publications. |
| |
|
CONTACT
INFORMATION
|
| |
|
| |
Interagency Team
Deborah Quackenbush, Coordinator, Interagency Workgroup
(802) 828-5877 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
deb.quackenbush@state.vt.us
Pat Donahue, Administrative Assistant
(802) 828-5123
(802) 828-0573 (F)
pat.donahue@state.vt.us
Autism
Claire Bruno
(802) 828-5116 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
claire.bruno@state.vt.us
BEST Project
Richard Boltax, Education Consultant
(802) 828-5125 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
richard.boltax@state.vt.us
Residential Review
John Spinney, Residential Review & Secondary Transition Consultant
(802) 828-5127 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
john.spinney@state.vt.us
State-placed Students
Donna Trucksess, State Programs Administrator
(802) 828-5931 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
donna.trucksess@state.vt.us
Surrogate Parent Program
Mike Mulcahy, State Coordinator
(802) 828-5108 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
mike.mulcahy@state.vt.us
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Student Support:
Education Support System (ESS) | Federal Compliance Monitoring
Interagency Coordination | Special Education
*PDF
files require the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
To download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the icon below.
View
Acrobat tips and information.
|
 |
 |