Transition Planning

Planning for Transitions

Each IFSP must address the steps (page 9-B) to be taken to prepare for successful change or "transition. The transition from Part C to Part B services is required by Nebraska's Rule 51. The transition conference must be convened at least 90 days before a child's third birthday or at least 90 days before completion of the early intervention program, whichever comes first. (see chart which outlines comparisons between the IFSP and the IEP).

a) hospital to home,
b) individual to group services,
c) weekly to daily or daily to less frequent services and
d) home-based to center-based (preschool)
e) biological home to foster care and back
f) moving to a new community (within- or out-of-state)
g) transitioning from an IFSP to an IEP (see comparison of IFSP/IEP)

Click here for more information about the requirements of the transition between Part B and Part C Special Education services and other related resources.

The Transition Plans should be outlined in the IFSP as soon as an anticipated change in services is considered; there is no need to wait until the next scheduled IFSP meeting. Having no plan or waiting six months to outline a plan could result in stressful and potentially unsuccessful transitions for the child, parents and providers.

Rationale for Transition Plans

Continuity of services is essential to a successful transition. Following are some of the issues which may arise in planning for transitions.

Parents' anxiety about:

• limited information regarding future locations or providers
• opportunity for appropriate type and frequency of services
• parents' inclusion in the decision-making process regarding the transition specifics
• separation from child when going from home to hospital or school
• clarifying parental involvement and role in child's next setting/program
• identifying a key person to contact and with whom to coordinate efforts
  
  

  Traditional Problems in Early Intervention Transitions:

• incompatible schedules
• conflicting philosophies
• overlapping/duplicate forms
• lack of trust/respect for existing assessment information
• differing eligibility criteria
• unclear expectations/assumptions
• different cultures associated with different agencies/staffs
• loss of funding (i.e., waivers, insurance)
  
  

Transition Plans should:

• Ensure continuity of services.
• Minimize disruption of the family system.
• Promote child functioning in the natural environment or least restrictive environment.
• Clarify services coordination before and after.
• Involve planning, preparation, implementation, and evaluation within and between programs and the family.

Time Frames for Successful Transitions:

If the transition is because the child is eligible for preschool services (transitioning from an IFSP to an IEP) a conference is covened at least 90 days prior to the transition. This occurs with the approval of the family and includes team members and the local school district. It may be held up to six months before the child is eligible for preschool services.
If the child may not be eligible for preschool services, efforts should be made to hold a conference for the purpose of discussing other services that might be available.

Year Round Services for Young Children with Disabilities

School districts are required to work with staff and community agencies to coordinate a calendar of year-round services in order to minimize the number of transitions a family and child need to make, and encourage cohesive, continuous services for young children and families, Part-time "summer-school" schedules and "extended-year" contracts are not acceptable in birth-to-3 services. Only the child's needs and the family preferences should dictate a reduction in services.

Click here to view an informative IFSP Training Video.