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DOCUMENT RESUME EC 304 117 ED 385 084 Pitts, Raymond J., Jr.; Marchitell, Carolyn K. AUTHOR Project Return: A Parent's Guidebook. Revised TITLE Edition. 94 PUB DATE NOTE 30p. Communication Arts, 3 Dayleview Rd., Berwyn, PA AVAILABLE FROM 19312-1293. Non Classroom Use (055) Guides PUB TYPE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. EDRS PRICE Community Services; Compliance (Legal); DESCRIPTORS *Disabilities; Elementary Secondary Education; *Individualized Education Programs; *Parent School Relationship; State Legislation; *Student Placement; Transitional Programs Individualized Service Plans; *Maryland; *Senate Bill IDENTIFIERS 588 (Maryland) ABSTRACT This guidebook is intended to assist parents of children with disabilities who will be returning to the state of Maryland because of Senate Bill 588, which strongly discourages out-ofstate placements of individuals with disabilities or other special needs. Tha first section is on "getting ready" and provides a the summary of Senate Bill 588, an interpretation focusing on timeline for returning children to in-state care, answers to commonly asked parental questions, and a form for logging relevant information during the process. The second section discusses setting up the child's program. It includes information on the individualized education program (IEP) or individualized service plan, a student profile, considerations for the IEP, the concept of "wrap around care," forms for tracking contacts, and a sample letter for obtaining final section names and telephone numbers of support personnel. The focuses on keeping the child's program going. It provides information and suggestions on successful transition, managing change, key contacts, and a conference log form. Also included are a glossary of terms associated with Senate Bill 588 and a list of agency abbreviations. (DB) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCviTiON Office a EduceOnal R *Winn and Irnotovement EOUCATONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERla e Ms document hes IWO reprOduCed AS received trom the person or organization originating it Minor changes have been made to Improve reproduction ousinV P dots de view or doinionS Slated in this dom., ment oo not necessaray represent official OEM position or policy RETURN: PROJECT A Parent's Guidebook 'PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE MATERIAL THIS HAS BEEN GRANTED BY .1Ylarx_ill 4-e TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)" Ph. D. Carolyn K. Marchitell, Raymond J. Pitts, Jr., Ph. D. ---. AV BEST COPY 9 Pitts, R. 1, Jr., and Marchitell, C. K.: Family 11994] Rays of Hope The Special Child and the Pius, R. J., Jr.: Retarded [1992] for the Severely and Profoundly Success Factors in Group Home Programs Marchitell, C. K.: of Control [1993] Effect of Institutional Change on Perception "Learning to Lead" [1991] Performance Evaluation" [1987] "Evaluating the Performance of the [1986] To Be or Not To Be Hunterized" with Alice A. Campbell, M. A. [1984] "Culture, Commitment, and the Computer" Classroom [1982] Misunderstood Monster. Research Paper in the 1903 Flest stddllste copyright Revised 1914 Communication Arts 3 IDavieview Road 1994 E...rwytt, PA 193124293 All debts reserved Stem a monk% Wm**M IM to 3 Welcome to Project Return of children who This guidebook is for parents Maryland because of will be returning to the state of Senate Legislation 588. have already re- As parents of children who overwhelmed by manag- turned, we sometimes feel Yet, as the only ing all the aspects of the project. chidren's care and permanent administrators of our the wraparound education, we must be certain that 588 really do wrap aspects of Senate Legislation their needs. around our children and meet smoothing the 90 - There is no set pattern for out-of-state care back to day transition period from priorities of each Maryland. The uniqueness and impossibility. How- child make such a pattern an the steps and approaches we ever, we can tell you Senate during our journey through found useful We think you can avoid many Legislation 588. hope this guidebook delays and frustrations. We comprehensive pro- will help you put together a successful transition. gram and assure a 4 CONTENTS READY Section One: GETTING 1 Senate Bill 588 3 Mean? What Does All of This 5 Information Log UP YOUR PROGRAM Section Two: SETTING 6 Around Care The IEP: Key to Wrap 7 Student Profile 9 Considerations for the IEP 10 Wrap Around Care 13 Letter of Understanding GOING YOUR PROGRAM Section Three: KEEPING 14 Successful Transition 15 Managing Change 16 Key Contacts 17 Conference Log 18 Bill 588 Associated with Senate Glossary of Terms 19 Agency Abbreviations place- Applies specifically to the SECTION 19.1. that it Is special needs and declares ment of children with provide for and State of Maryland to the policy of the of quality development of a continuum encourage the for the chil- and residential services education, treatment available. This the extent that funds are dren of the state to least In their homes or in the includes serving children needs appropriate to their individual restrictive setting individual needs has determined that the unless the State through additional child cannot be met of the special needs foster home, nonresidential school, home, support of the home. The State may not alternative living unit or group restrictive setting of a child in a more fund the placement out-of-state place- the unnecessary and it must prevent needs. children with special ment of Recreational / Leisure Activities , Education Family Related Services SUPPORT SERVICES r. Mb. Foster Care World of Work Dental Services Mental Health Mefical COMMUNITY BASED LIVING WRAP AROUND CARE: PARENT PARTICIPATION IN AGENCIES, AND PROGRAMS MANAGING A VARIETY OF SERVICES, 6 SECTION ONE: GETTING READY SENATE BILL 588: of Maryland's project What follows is an executive summary needs, as disabilities and other special to return individuals with out-of-state placements. well as to avoid future Senate Bill 588 addresses: entities will how local and state planning of services develop the range and quality needed; and rate setting; required changes in licenses for flexible funding strategies and resources of services; the development of a broad range of funds necessary to the amount and sources accomplish the whole project. project. and divisions within the There are several elements affected by special needs children One includes the definition of Senate Bill 588 as those who are: currently in out-of-state placement funded by the local or state agency; Coordinating referred to the Local Council (or the State Coordinating for imminent out-of-state Council ) placement. 1 Also included in the project are: Maryland's comprehensive a description of service system continuum; facilities and service identification of existing gaps; development recommendations for resource and fiscal strategies; strategies and training local implememtation needs; implementation and detailed schedules of from timelines for return of children out-of-state placement; oversight committee the appointment of an for implementation. Questions and Notes: 2 9 MEAN? ALL OF THIS WHAT DOES require- to meet the care must set up a system The State of Maryland of their altering the quality needs children without ments of our special and personnel, change in location short, despite the individual programs. In all. fact that comforts us in the quality of carea there will be no change in-state care depends on returning the chidren to The timeline for with special number of children primary one is the total several factors. The school system. jurisdiction of the particular needs living within the Each system must: Planning Entity (LPE); establish its own Local + family; service plan for each develop an individualized locate appropriate resources; approval and plan to the state for submit the jurisdiction's disbursement of funds. of inter- for development Entities are responsible Local Planning allocation of resources. plans, goal setting, and agency service dates, and some have established start-up Not all school systems months after yet. Within several Local Planning Entities systems do not have trigger and children. To find out the must move the the trigger date, systems Board of Education. jurisdiction, call your local implementation dates for your 3 0