Special Education: At the beginning and at the end

My teaching background is in special education. Being a special

educator, children came to me already identified with having a need. I
might suggest other assessments to receive occupational or physical
therapy but parents were already connected to the Committee on
Special Education (CSE) or Committee of Preschool Special Education
(CPSE). I wanted to learn about the beginning process and the ending
process. During my internship at The Childrens League I was able to
participate in the referral process: assessment, coordinating needed
state reports and attending meetings where parents would receive a
booklet explaining their rights as a parent of a child with disabilities.
When a child has been placed at The Childrens League enrollment
happens. That is when the Family Resource Workers (FRW) truly
explains and helps a parent navigate this new world of special
education. While at Eden Jr./Sr. High School I was able to learn about
the exit process, either being declassified or aging out of public
education.
There are different ways parents can receive assistance as part
of the Early Intervention Program or as a preschooler with a disability.
During the family assessment phase parents are specifically asked if
they need assistance with finances, health insurance, food stamps,
support groups or referrals for Medicaid waivers. At this point parents
are the ones who need to learn to be advocates for their child. They

need to attend meetings and make appointments. The FRWs at The

Childrens League support families with connections to the appropriate
agencies: United Way, Crisis Services, Parent to Parent of NYS,
Suburban Adult Services (who help parents with the process of
applying for a Medicaid Waiver) and New York State Office for People
with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). A Medicaid Waiver provides
services and supports to children and their families. To qualify a child
must be under 18, have a developmental disability among other
qualifiers. The primary concern is a persons independence and
inclusion in the community. The waiver helps with respite for families,
adaptive devices, environmental modifications and family education
and training.
Once a child enters the public school system the Committee on
Special Education (CSE) provides the educational services a student
needs. As I learned at Eden if a student continues to receive services
as they enter grade seven the committee encourages that student to
participate in the planning for his/her education. The student would
attend the CSE annual review meeting and begin planning for a
transition out of school and into life beyond school. The teachers and
counselors help set up appropriate classes for the student to receive a
high school diploma. There are a few different options for receiving a
diploma: Regents diploma, local diploma, local diploma for students
with learning disabilities, or skills and achievement credential. Some

students attend Career and Technical Education centers, a vocational

school. While there, students could receive a Career Development and
Occupational Studies (CDOS) Certificate. The discussion now centers
on helping the student advocate for him/herself. Unless the parent
needs to be named legal guardian of a student due to the severity of
the disability, the parent will no longer be in control. Some students
leave public school and attend college. The student could continue to
receive help while attending college. If a student chooses to enter the
work force the Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education
Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) can help. This agency
can help people with disabilities find and keep suitable employment in
the competitive work force, self-owned businesses, in the home, or in
supported employment in the community. The goal is to help people
with disabilities become independent through education, training and
employment. The OPWDD is also available for people with disabilities
if they qualify. They can help with various levels of supported housing
and care. They can also provide help for families caring for a relative
with disabilities.
As an administrator it is important to me to know about the
outside agencies that are available to help families when a child is
diagnosed with a disability. It is important to be a reference for
families to help them make decisions to help their child. Through both
of my internships I was able to learn about the various agencies that

are available as children enter the special education process and exit
after a public school education.