At Age 3, Things Change! Start Getting Ready Now! It’s Time To Transition What YOU Need to DO Change is never easy, however, the transition from the early intervention system into your local school district can be a smooth one if you start early and are prepared. Begin talking to your service coordinator when your child turns 2. Here is where you can begin. Ask your service coordinator about transition. Ask what it means. Ask what happens. Make a request to start the transition process at least 9 months BEFORE your child’s 3rd birthday. Ask what preschool programs are in your district. Talk to other families! Know or learn your rights. Don’t be afraid to seek help and resources. What Will Be Changing... Once your child leaves early intervention you will no longer have a service coordinator. The law that protects your rights changes from IDEA Part C (Early Intervention) to IDEA Part B (Special Education). An Individualized Education Program (IEP) will take the place of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). You are an important member of the IEP team that will decide the services your child needs to help him/her learn. Take Time To Think About YOUR Vision for Your Child You are the expert on your child. Know that you have a voice creating your child’s educational program. Share your hopes and dreams for your child with the IEP team; this vision should be a large part of the program the IEP team creates for your child. When thinking about what your child’s program should include, focus on your child’s individual needs. Take your time and use your vision to help you create specific goals you would like to see your child work toward. Think about high quality early childhood settings that serve all children. Contact Kent and Sussex Counties Child Development Watch 18 N. Walnut Street Milford DE 19963 Phone (302) 424-7300 (800) 752-9393 FAX (302) 422-1363 (800)752-9393 New Castle County Child Development Watch 2055 Limestone Road, Suite 201 Wilmington DE 19808 Phone (302) 995-8617 FAX (302) 995-8363 In addition to your Child Development Watch Service Coordinator, there are many resources available to you to help you along the way: Delaware Department of Education Exceptional Children and Early Childhood 302-735-4210 Your Local School District Child Find Coordinator Parent Information Center of Delaware www.picofdel.org 888-547-4412 Wrights Law — IDEA 2004, NCLB, Special Education and Disability Law Information www.wrightslaw.com The Family & Workplace Connection www.familyandworkplace.com 800-660-6602 National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities http://www.nichcy.org/ (800) 695-0285 The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) http://www.nectac.org/ (919) 962-2001 Other Families Start early to prepare yourself for the next step in your journey Create a system for storing and organizing your child’s records. Write YOUR Vision. Take notes during meetings. Write down the questions you want to ask. Try to stay organized. Don’t be afraid to seek help and resources. NOTES: What is my vision for my child? What are my goals for my child? What strengths and interests does my child have? What else do I need to prepare myself and my child for transition? Other questions and notes: