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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
26 IDELR 179 • What information can be provided regarding the provision of a FAPE to a preschool child? Digest of Response Text of Inquiry Omitted Text of Response The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes two State-administered grant programs: The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and Their Families (Part H) for infants and toddlers with disabilities from birth to three years and the Grants to States Program (Part B) for children with disabilities beginning at age three. Under Part H of IDEA, infants and toddlers with disabilities below age three are eligible to receive early intervention services in accordance with an individualized family service plan (IFSP). Since [ ] is now [ ] years old, if [ ] is eligible for services under IDEA, it would be under the Part B program. A copy of the regulations governing Part B of IDEA and referenced throughout this letter is enclosed for your constituent's information. Children who have been receiving services under Part H are not automatically eligible at age three for a preschool special education program in the local school district. A State is not required to have the same definition of "disabilities" or the same eligibility criteria for Part H and Part B. Under Part B, children with specified disabilities, as determined according to Federal law and State standards, are eligible to receive a free appropriate public education upon reaching their third birthday. The term "children with disabilities" means those children evaluated in accordance with the evaluation requirements of Part B as having mental retardation, hearing impairments including deafness, speech or language impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, deaf-blindness, or multiple disabilities, and who because of those impairments need special education and related services. The regulations provide further definitions of the disabilities. See 34 CFR § 300.7 The term "related services" means transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education and includes speech pathology and audiology, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, early identification and assessment, counseling services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluative purposes. The term also includes school health services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training. See 34 CFR § 300.16 The process for determining eligibility for special education, and the subsequent decision regarding placement and types of special education and related services to be provided a child, are determined on an individual basis at the local school district level. The special education and related services a child needs are contained in an individualized education program (IEP) which must be developed by a team that includes the parent. See 34 CFR §§ 300.340-300.346. School districts are responsible for providing the special education and related services in accordance with a child's IEP at no cost to parents. The term "free appropriate public education" means special education and related services that are provided at public expense under public supervision and without charge; meet the standards of the State educational agency, include preschool, elementary school, or secondary school; and are provided in conformity with an IEP that meets the requirements of Part B. See 34 CFR § 300.8. The Department interprets the requirements that a free appropriate public education be provided "without charge" or "without cost" to mean that local school districts may not compel parents to file claims with the parents' private insurance company if filing the claim would pose a realistic threat that the parents would suffer a financial loss. Financial loss would occur if: (1) Parents would realize a decrease in available lifetime coverage or any other
benefit under an insurance policy; A school district may not deny services that are identified on a child's IEP because a
family's insurance does not pay for the service or because a family does not consent to
filing of insurance where it would result in some financial loss to the family. Under Part
B a parent may request an impartial due process hearing on the identification, evaluation
or educational placement of their child, or the provision of a free appropriate public
education to their child. See 34 CFR §§ 300.500-300.515. Parents may also file a written
complaint with the State educational agency if they believe the local school district has
violated a requirement under Part B. See 34 CFR § 300.662. In Florida, written complaints
should be submitted to: [ ] may also contact Florida's coordinator of preschool special education programs: The Office of Special Education Programs funds a Parent Training and Information Center
in each State. In Florida, the Wades may contact the Family Network on Disability, 5510
Gray Street, Suite 220, Tampa, Florida 33609; telephone (813) 289-1122 or FAX (813)
286-8614.
400 MARYLAND AVE., S.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202 26 IDELR 179 Requests for a copy of the original letter, or questions
regarding the letter, may be directed to OSEP. |
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