It has been almost 30 days since Dr. Robin McWilliam presented research based information to our department regarding home based services. I have compiled the information regarding the top priorities that you were willing to implement.
Tammy Berger invited Wendy Barnard to join her for 2 home visits last Wednesday. The Routine Based Interview was conducted and several family based outcomes resulted. Thank you Tammy for being a leader!
More information coming at our Nov. zone meeting, but do feel free to "jump in" and try some new things when you are comfortable. Wendy can be reached by email wbarnard12@gmail.com
Monday, October 26, 2009
Caseloads due Nov. 6!
The end of the first quarter is quickly approaching. This week your priority is to complete IFSP and IEPs by Friday, the count date. After you've completed that important task, please take the time to update your caseload and email me a copy by Nov 6.
Remember, your caseload is a "snapshot" of what is currently on your plate. At any given time it may be low or high. This information helps me to know if there are folks out there that are "drowning" and if so, how we might be able to rescue them.
I'm not sure how the new general education problem solving process has affected your workload. You are no longer expected to submit the Intake/Referral form to me for 3-5 referrals. However, it is your responsibility to add those children that you are involved with onto your caseload. Remember, if you need to be gone for a length of time, I want to be able to look at your caseload and know how to "reassign" children that are on IFSP, IEPs, problem solving, or in the evaluation process.
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Remember, your caseload is a "snapshot" of what is currently on your plate. At any given time it may be low or high. This information helps me to know if there are folks out there that are "drowning" and if so, how we might be able to rescue them.
I'm not sure how the new general education problem solving process has affected your workload. You are no longer expected to submit the Intake/Referral form to me for 3-5 referrals. However, it is your responsibility to add those children that you are involved with onto your caseload. Remember, if you need to be gone for a length of time, I want to be able to look at your caseload and know how to "reassign" children that are on IFSP, IEPs, problem solving, or in the evaluation process.
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Monday, October 19, 2009
You've got van mail!
Each office should be receiving van mail that includes the following documents from the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD):
- Disability Resource Library brochure (University of Iowa Health Care)
- Referral Guide to the Center for Disabilities and Development Services
- Centerlines Front and Center with Useful News for Familiies Newsletter
- All Services Flyer for Center for Disabilities and Development
The newsletter is the Summer 2009 issue. The newsletter is published four times a year and is available to subscribers at no cost. There is a postage paid postcard with each newsletter. Anyone interested in being added to the mailing list to receive the newsletter can submit their request by returning the postcard.
There are limited copies for each office, so please SHARE!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Dr. Robin McWilliam
Gale, Wendy Barnard, and I had a conference call this week with Dr. Robin McWilliam. We have ordered the Routine Based Interview video so that we can view an example of how the interview process works. Plans are being arranged for viewing the video during our zone meeting scheduled for Nov. 13.
If you are ready to try the RBI, feel free to do so. You may interview alone, or ask Wendy to accompany you and take notes for you. Either way is ok. You don't have to wait to see the video, if you are ready to start. If you are hesitant, it certainly is ok to wait and try the interview after viewing the video.
He did suggest that you plan to spend a minimum of one hour interviewing. If the interview doesn't last an hour, you probably haven't went deep enough and won't be able to write functional outcomes. At least 6 outcomes should be evident from the interview; and then you can help the family prioritize them.
If you are ready to try the RBI, feel free to do so. You may interview alone, or ask Wendy to accompany you and take notes for you. Either way is ok. You don't have to wait to see the video, if you are ready to start. If you are hesitant, it certainly is ok to wait and try the interview after viewing the video.
He did suggest that you plan to spend a minimum of one hour interviewing. If the interview doesn't last an hour, you probably haven't went deep enough and won't be able to write functional outcomes. At least 6 outcomes should be evident from the interview; and then you can help the family prioritize them.
Race/Ethnicity Letters
Remember, are required to collect the signed letter for any newly identified children ages 0-5. The letter can be found at http://www.aea8.k12.ia.us/en/programs_and_services/early_childhood/ifsp_templates/ and is labeled "Re-identification letter".
Once the letter is filled out and signed then you should turn in a copy of the letter to Tonia or Lisa.
You are not required to get this letter on any previously identified children that were already in the IMS system unless you have been contacted by Tonia or Lisa letting you know who they are still in need of.
There were 447 letters sent out for the already identified children and out of those there are only approximately 150 to collect yet. This number changes on a daily basis because everyone has been GREAT about following up with families.
If you have specific questions please feel free to contact Lisa Lohman
Once the letter is filled out and signed then you should turn in a copy of the letter to Tonia or Lisa.
You are not required to get this letter on any previously identified children that were already in the IMS system unless you have been contacted by Tonia or Lisa letting you know who they are still in need of.
There were 447 letters sent out for the already identified children and out of those there are only approximately 150 to collect yet. This number changes on a daily basis because everyone has been GREAT about following up with families.
If you have specific questions please feel free to contact Lisa Lohman
Sunday, October 11, 2009
AEPSi -interactive
Many of you are familiar with the AEPS - Assessment, Evaluation, Programming System. Now there is an AEPSi - interactive version. The new online version generates child progress reports, raw scores, elgibility cut off scores in each curricula area, OSEP reports, group assessment, etc.
Some of the AEAs are considering purchasing the AEPSi together to receive a special coop rate.
If you want to look at the website for more information, you can check it out at http://www.aepsinteractive.com/
There will be a chance to attend a webinar in November to learn more about the capabilities of the new program. If you are interested in attending a webinar, please let me know and I will inform you of the date and time of the informational session. As you may know, you are able to join a webinar at your own computer, in your own office space. Joining the webinar does NOT commit us to being part of the system, it simply will give us more information to determine if this is a time saver tool that will help meet our assessment needs.
Some of the AEAs are considering purchasing the AEPSi together to receive a special coop rate.
If you want to look at the website for more information, you can check it out at http://www.aepsinteractive.com/
There will be a chance to attend a webinar in November to learn more about the capabilities of the new program. If you are interested in attending a webinar, please let me know and I will inform you of the date and time of the informational session. As you may know, you are able to join a webinar at your own computer, in your own office space. Joining the webinar does NOT commit us to being part of the system, it simply will give us more information to determine if this is a time saver tool that will help meet our assessment needs.
Zone District Meetings Scheduled
Jerry Stremel has scheduled Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education Preschool meetings in each zone. The zone coordinator and I will be joining Jerry to discuss:
What's changing? What's the role of the district? What's the role of the AEA? What are the quality indicators for preschool programs? (Information will be shared with you at a later date.)
WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 1:00-4:00 WHERE: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1229 Kathy Lane, Webster City
WHEN: Monday, October 19, 9:00-12:00 WHERE: Pocahontas AEA Office
WHEN: Wednesday, November 11, 9:00-12:00 WHERE: Storm Lake AEA Office, Drive
WHEN: Wednesday November 11, 1:00-4:00 WHERE: Spencer Library, 21 East Third Street
WHEN: Tuesday, November 24, 9:00-12:00 WHERE: Algona AEA Office
What's changing? What's the role of the district? What's the role of the AEA? What are the quality indicators for preschool programs? (Information will be shared with you at a later date.)
You are welcome to attend, but certainly not required -!!!
WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 9:00-12:00 WHERE: Fort Dodge AEA Office WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 1:00-4:00 WHERE: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1229 Kathy Lane, Webster City
WHEN: Monday, October 19, 9:00-12:00 WHERE: Pocahontas AEA Office
WHEN: Wednesday, November 11, 9:00-12:00 WHERE: Storm Lake AEA Office, Drive
WHEN: Wednesday November 11, 1:00-4:00 WHERE: Spencer Library, 21 East Third Street
WHEN: Tuesday, November 24, 9:00-12:00 WHERE: Algona AEA Office
Certified enrollment count and SPED count
Not sure if this makes sense or if you'll ever need this information, but Jerry Stremel asked me to pass it on to you, guess in case a district has questions???
Age for inclusion on the Certified Enrollment (Oct 1st) is that the youngster must be 3 by Sept 15th. The child needs to be 3 by that Sept date to be included in that certified enrollment.
Inclusion on the Weighted count for special education fund generation (last Friday in October) is having and IEP and of course the IEP prescribes special education services that would require assigning a weighting of 1.72 2.21 or 3.74.
A youngster not yet 3 on Sept 15th would not be included in the Oct 1st count, but could be included on the last Friday in October count for special education. No different than a child requiring a special education instructional (weighted) service moving in on October 21st.
Age for inclusion on the Certified Enrollment (Oct 1st) is that the youngster must be 3 by Sept 15th. The child needs to be 3 by that Sept date to be included in that certified enrollment.
Inclusion on the Weighted count for special education fund generation (last Friday in October) is having and IEP and of course the IEP prescribes special education services that would require assigning a weighting of 1.72 2.21 or 3.74.
A youngster not yet 3 on Sept 15th would not be included in the Oct 1st count, but could be included on the last Friday in October count for special education. No different than a child requiring a special education instructional (weighted) service moving in on October 21st.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
New Child Find Procedures
By now we all should have had the opportunity to attend training on the new Child Find Procedures. For those of us that have been in the field for a number of years, it may have felt like a pendulum swing. The message sounded familiar to the "old way of doing business." If we suspect a disability we get consent for a full and individual evaluation. There are still unanswered questions and more training to come...
Since many of us also work in Early ACCESS, we are familiar with "looking at the whole child"and evaluating all areas of development. Now for IEP children, we need to consider all domains, but we do not need to evaluate all domains.
Change occurs over time. Hang in there!
Since many of us also work in Early ACCESS, we are familiar with "looking at the whole child"and evaluating all areas of development. Now for IEP children, we need to consider all domains, but we do not need to evaluate all domains.
Change occurs over time. Hang in there!
Who Moved My Cheese?
Have you ever read the book, Who Moved My Cheese?
It's a book that talks about how each person reacts differently to change - some embrace change and move forward easily, others don't. That's sorda how I felt after the Friday workshop with Dr. Robin Mc William.
I would like to acknowledge the quality relationships and the child focused strategies that have been occurring at each and every home visit. As we continue to explore the research and new practices and perspectives, remember, Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. For example, you wouldn't want to stop bringing a toy bag to a home that you've used your toy bag with for the last 6 months. As you get a new referral, be thinking about what new research based strategies you would like to apply. We will continue to refine our skills throughout the year.
It's a book that talks about how each person reacts differently to change - some embrace change and move forward easily, others don't. That's sorda how I felt after the Friday workshop with Dr. Robin Mc William.
I would like to acknowledge the quality relationships and the child focused strategies that have been occurring at each and every home visit. As we continue to explore the research and new practices and perspectives, remember, Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. For example, you wouldn't want to stop bringing a toy bag to a home that you've used your toy bag with for the last 6 months. As you get a new referral, be thinking about what new research based strategies you would like to apply. We will continue to refine our skills throughout the year.
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