This document provides information about Head Start requirements for coordinating with local agencies responsible for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It discusses the referral, evaluation, eligibility, and review processes for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs). The document also offers tips for effective advocacy during IEP and IFSP meetings, such as asking questions, making suggestions, understanding the child's disability, promoting research-based ideas, and negotiating respectfully. Contact information is provided for the presenter to address any additional questions.

1. Head Start
Navigating the IEP,IFSP, and
Advocacy
Professional Development
November 27, 2016
Patti Shane, Disabilities Manager
Head Start

2. The History • Special Education: spedhistory_clip
• Head Start: hshistory_clip
• TV: SS_clip

3. New HS
Performance
Standards
• §1302.63 Coordination and collaboration with the local
agency responsible for implementing IDEA.
• c) A program must participate in the development of the
IFSP or IEP if requested by the child’s parents, and the
implementation of the IFSP or IEP. At a minimum, the
program must offer:
• To provide relevant information from screenings,
assessments, and observations to the team; and
• To participate in meetings with the local agency
responsible for implementing IDEA to develop or
review an IEP or IFSP for a child being considered for
Head Start enrollment, a currently enrolled child, or
a child transitioning from a program.

4. The Referral • Ages & Stages (ASQ) scores
• Parental concerns
• Your concerns

5. The Plans, Summarized, and Side-by-Side
Referral: Children’s Integrated Services; 2 days
Evaluation: CIS must contact family within
two working days; parental consent
required; evaluation must be completed
w/in 45 days.
Eligibility: deemed eligible or ineligible as
per Vermont State Board of Education Rule
2360.5.5
Services: must start no later than 30 days
after parental consent received.
Reviews: at least every six months and
annually
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Individual Family Service Plan
(IFSP)/VT One Plan
Referral: Local Education Agency; 15 days
Evaluation: within 60 days after consent rec’d
Eligibility: deemed eligible or ineligible as per
Vermont State Board of Education Rule
2360.5.10
Services: must start no later than 30 days after
parental consent received.
Reviews: at least annually

6. The Process • Parent’s perspective NewDXAU
• CIS: a current initiative cdc_clip
• Navigating the school district/LEA DirectParent_clip

7. The Meetings
• IEP interactive guide: Wright'sPopUp
• IFSP Information guide: Wright'sIFSP
o Effective advocacy involves:
o Asking questions and making suggestions
o Knowing the child and understanding the disability
DisDescr_ParentCenterHub
o Promoting research-based ideas
o Reducing barriers
o Explaining to families that negotiation is normal to the process
o Listening
o When necessary, paraphrasing for understanding
o Role modeling for family

8. “You catch
more flies
with honey
than you
do with
vinegar.”
o Negotiating is a strength, not a weakness:
o Brice Palmer, noted advocate from Vermont, says it
best: “Good advocates learn to develop a language
of persuasion. . . .” "
o Effective advocates understand that:
o school policies may unintentionally overlook needs
o professional respect is a key
o no one likes surprises
o knowing the law is different from quoting the law
o Pacer Center (Minnesota) parent advocacy resources
found here.

9. Questions? You can reach me by email,
pshane@capstonevt.org, or phone,
477-5146.
Thank you for all that
you do for children and
families!