08105 Transition Planning for Three Year Olds Under Part C

Link to TCADD Policy 8101

SCOPE:

This procedure applies to Services and Supports staff of Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC).  A transition plan must be developed for all eligible children in Early Start before the age of three.

PROCEDURE:

The Regional Center Service Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the transition     meeting and ensuring planning is completed sufficiently in advance to ensure that there is no gap in services at the age of three years.

1. Scheduling the Transition Meeting:

1. Between the age of 2 years and 3 months and 2 years and 9 months, the service coordinator will inform family about the transition process from Part C and schedule a transition meeting.  For children found eligible for Early Start after 2 years 9 months the service coordinator will follow the same transition protocol and conduct the transition meeting as soon as possible. 
2. The minimum transition planning meeting participants include the parent(s) and the Regional Center Service Coordinator.
3. When scheduling the meeting the service coordinator will:
4. Explain to the family the purpose and importance of the transition meeting.
5. Inform parents that eligibility for special education and regional center will be discussed at the meeting.
6. Advise the family that with their consent a representative from Part B Local Education Agency (LEA) will be invited to attend the meeting.
7. Advise the family that they may invite any person of their choice for support.
8. Remind the family that the Early Start program ends at age three and that all services funded by the Regional Center will terminate on the day of the child’s third birthday.
9. After speaking with the family and obtaining their consent for LEA representation at the meeting, the service coordinator:    
10. Schedules the transition meeting at a time convenient to the child’s family.
11. Invites the school district Part B LEA representative to participate in the meeting.
12. Sends written notice to invitees with the meeting date, time, location, and attendees, as soon as possible but no later than two days prior to the meeting.
13. If the family declines to have a school district Part B LEA representative at the transition meeting, the service coordinator is still required to meet with family to develop a transition plan.
14. Schedules the transition meeting at a time convenient to the child’s family.
15. Sends written notice to invitees with the meeting date, time, location, and attendees, as soon as possible but no later than two days prior to the meeting.
16. If the service coordinator is unable to reach the family by phone, a letter is sent to the family to describe the transition process and ask them to contact the service coordinator.

• Transition Meeting:  

1. The Service Coordinator ensures that:
2. The Transition Individualized Family Service Plan (Attachment A) is written by the regional center service coordinator and includes:
3. Parental concerns regarding their child’s development. 
4. Steps to support the transition of the child to pre-school services under the Federal Part B program and to other services that are available and appropriate;
5. Identification of needed assessments to determine eligibility for regional center and special education services and to determine the agency responsible and the timelines for completion of the specified assessments;
6. Steps to prepare the child for changes in service delivery including steps to help the child adjust to a new setting;
7. Steps which ensure that there is no lag in service as the child turns three years of age if special education and related services are required.
8. A mutually agreed upon date for referral to Part B that is no later than 91 days prior to the child’s 3^rd birthdate.
9. A projected date for conducting a final IFSP review

2. Various service options are shared with the family for their consideration, such as Head Start programs, area pre-school programs, other services, and public-school programs.
3. A copy of the transition plan is given to the family and Part B LEA representative as soon as possible.
4. The date of the transition meeting is entered on the Early Start Report as soon as possible after the meeting has taken place.

• Referral to Part B:
• As part of transition planning the service coordinator will refer all children enrolled in the Early Start Program to Part B no later than 91 days before the child’s third birthday.
• With parental consent, the referral packet to the LEA will include evaluation and assessment information, and copies of the IFSP’s.
• If parent has declined to share information with the LEA as part of the referral to Part B, identifying information only (LEA Referral form: SLO CO.  SB CO.  Ventura Co.) will be sent to the LEA.
• For children who are found eligible for Early Start services 91 days or less prior to the child’s third birthday the service coordinator will:
• With parental consent invite the Part B LEA representative to the initial IFSP meeting.
• Develop the transition plan with parents at the initial IFSP meeting.
• Make either a standard referral or notification referral to the school district at the initial IFSP meeting.

• Referral to Regional Center for Eligibility Consideration under Lanterman & Provisional:
  • As part of transition planning the service coordinator will explain the eligibility criteria for Lanterman and Provisional Eligibility.
  • The family will be asked if they want consideration for Regional Center Eligibility at age three.
  • If the family indicates that they want their child to be considered for Lanterman or Provisional Services after age three, service coordinator will bring evidence to clinical core staffing, a meeting that will include service coordinator, Manager, and TCRC Clinician to discuss the case and what level of assessment is indicated.
  • At core staffing meeting the family concerns and current assessments will be discussed and reviewed.
  • If further assessment is needed in conjunction with the family a plan will be developed that identifies the assessment (chart review, psychological evaluation, and/or clinical appointment) and timeline to assure that eligibility determination.
  • Should TCRC not agree with moving forward with assessment for eligibility the family will be provided a Notice of Action (NOA) explaining why.

Revision Date: May 2025