SUBJECT: Head Start Internal IEP

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE:   To Develop a Head Start Individualized Education Program (IEP) for children with special needs that were not determined to be disabled by the LEA, but meet the Head Start eligibility criteria for disabilities.

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES:

A.        If a child is determined, by the LEA, to not have a disability under the legal definitions, Head Start may develop an Internal IEP based on the Head Start eligibility criteria.

1.         For children who Head Start Multidisciplinary Team (which includes the parent) determines the need for special education services but were denied services by special education, the Eligibility and Disabilities Coordinator will coordinate a multidisciplinary team evaluation. With parent consent, the team will make the determination as to whether or not the child meets the Head Start eligibility criteria for disabilities.

2.         The multidisciplinary team will be made up of a group of person's including a teacher or specialist with knowledge in the area of suspected disability.

3.         This evaluation will begin upon parent consent, as documented in the child's file, and will conclude with a Head Start IEP meeting. The meeting will take place within 30 days from the determination that the child needs special education and related services.

4.         The Eligibility and Disabilities Coordinator will coordinate the IEP meeting.

5.         The IEP team members will include the Eligibility and Disabilities Coordinator, the Head Start teacher, one or both parents, at      least one professional member of the multidisciplinary team which evaluated the child, an LEA representative and any other program staff, including the component staff particularly involved due to the nature of the child's disability.

6.         The Eligibility and Disabilities Coordinator will conduct the meeting using the Head Start Internal IEP form. The IEP will then be distributed to the parent and Eligibility and Disabilities Coordinator, with a copy being placed in the child's file.

7.         Head Start staff will implement the Head Start IEP as soon as possible after the IEP meeting. The child's program will be modified in accordance with the IEP and arrangements will be made for the provision of services.

8.         The IEP will be reviewed at least annually, and as objectives and goals change.

 Edited 03/14/2008