Section 500.100  Transition to Part B or Other Appropriate Services at Age Three

Children receiving services under this Part shall receive a smooth and effective transition to appropriate preschool programs under Part B of IDEA or to other appropriate services for 3-5 year olds, by their third birthday.  The service coordinator shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure the continuity and coordination of services.

a)         Six months prior to the child's third birthday, the service coordinator shall begin to communicate with the child's local educational agency, appropriate community programs and the family about transition.  The service coordinator shall:

1)         Inform the child's local educational agency that the child will shortly reach the age of eligibility for preschool services under Part B;

2)         Inform the parent in writing of educational rights of students with disabilities under Part B;

3)         Complete referral information as requested by the local educational agency (the school district).

b)         The service coordinator shall convene a conference (upon the parent's approval), consisting of at least the family, the local educational agency and the service coordinator, to discuss services for the child.  The conference shall also include a review of the child's program options for the period from the child's third birthday through the remainder of the school year.  The meeting shall be held at least 90 days before the child is eligible for preschool services.  If the child is not eligible for preschool services under Part B, the coordinator shall make reasonable efforts to convene a conference (upon the parent's approval) among the coordinator, the family and providers of other appropriate services.

c)         The service coordinator shall convene an IFSP team meeting no more than 120 days prior to the child's third birthday, if an annual IFSP meeting is not otherwise due, to discuss and document progress toward child outcomes and functional goals.  If the IFSP team is able to participate in the transition conference described in Section 500.100(b) and progress measures can be measured at that time, it is not necessary to convene a separate IFSP team meeting.

d)         The service coordinator shall establish a written transition plan based on the conferences and communications described in subsections (a) and (b).  The transition plan shall provide for discussion with and training of the family, as well as for the transition of the child.

e)         This plan will document all referrals to other services and all refusals of services by the parents.

f)          The local educational agency has an obligation under the law to participate in transition planning conferences.

g)         On the child's third birthday, the service coordinator shall close the case pursuant to Section 500.105.

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 2161, effective January 23, 2008)