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Post by Jessie on Mar 29, 2005 21:12:29 GMT -5
We just got the word from Jason's school that they are not being funded for a summer program - only for the multiple disabled . . . something like that. Anyway, the program that is closest to us and makes the most sense to send Jason to will cost almost $1000 for a 7-week program.
Are there any programs that cover these kinds of things? Laura - you may be familiar with this, particularly what is available in Michigan.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jessie
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Post by momofrussell on Mar 29, 2005 21:30:14 GMT -5
Is this summer program considered an "Extended School Year" program? If it is an ESY program it should have been in the IEP. Russell is eligible for ESY every summer and it's in his IEP. If it is in Jason's IEP then they would have to help find and fund a ESY program for Jason, no matter where it would be. If it's not a ESY program or not in his IEP, then maybe there is some local agency that might help out with a program and costs. And.. if it is a ESY program you are talking about and it's NOT In his current IEP, make sure they put it in for next year! Good luck!!! A.
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Post by christie on Mar 29, 2005 21:31:20 GMT -5
JESSIE, ? for you Dose JASON have "Extended School Year" in his IEP?? If so and the place you want to send him is approved as Extended School Year then your District has to pay for it. We have it in Christopher's IEP and they pay for 6 week full time program bussed door to door in the summer. We have places here in Jersey that will also help with this type of thing BUT not sure bout your area Sorry. Just a suggestion girl BUT if you don't have extended school year in the IEP you may want to get it in there CC ~
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Post by momofrussell on Mar 29, 2005 21:49:07 GMT -5
Gee, CC, guess you and are were "one" when we posted both of our posts LOLOL. A.
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Post by Becky on Mar 29, 2005 21:54:34 GMT -5
Justin had ESY last year and will get it this summer also, his teacher during the school year will also teach him this summer, she will teach him the 1st month (June) then in July he will have a differnt teacher due to his having her baby in July. It is written in his IEP that he gets it and the bus does come and get him and brings him home. Becky
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Post by Valerie on Mar 29, 2005 21:54:57 GMT -5
Nicholas will just be 2 in a couple weeks, so obviously we're not ready for school, yet. But I'm just wondering, how did you find out about the things that needs to be in the IEP's, like the ESY you were talking about? Do they discuss all the options with you when you're making up the IEP, or do you need to go in knowing what's available and what you want?
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Post by Jessie on Mar 29, 2005 22:08:23 GMT -5
Grrrrrrrrrr, I didn't know that. To answer your question, Valerie, no, his teacher did not mention that during his IEP. She told us at that meeting that there was a possibility that the summer program was not going to be funded . . . but we were too stupid to think to put it in his IEP . . . and she didn't offer.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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Post by Jodi on Mar 29, 2005 23:09:37 GMT -5
I don't know your exact situation, but maybe you can request a team meeting to discuss this issue, and maybe amend the IEP to include a summer program.
My reasoning for ESY services was to maintain and/or improve upon skill levels achieved during academic year, and to also avoid any regression in all areas of development (speech, and ot included!).
I know how frustrating it is not getting information up front.
Good luck.
Jodi
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Post by Debi on Mar 29, 2005 23:24:00 GMT -5
Best way to find out about ESY programs?? Come to a parenting board cause in personal experience and listening to lots of other parents throughout the states many schools are not very forthcoming about ESY. They do NOT like to fund them; Gabe's school will not even entertain the notion (yup I know it's illegal).
Here's a real problem tho.. ESY programs are often only offered through elementary school At the middle school level they sharply taper off; so I am sorry and hope you have a different experience but getting ESY for Jason through school may not realisiticaly be in the cards. You might check your local ARC/Easter Seals/ support group for some funding ideas. Please also begin to think about getting Jason on the MR waiver program. Gabe gets supported community living through this program and it is more valuable (and more flexible ) than ESY.
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Post by christie on Mar 30, 2005 0:39:48 GMT -5
JESSIE girl, I agree wth DEBI, that the "Supported Community Living" thru the MR waiver is a GREAT Program and if you can get it I say YAY. We have been haveing trouble gettting the funds for Chris here in Jersey for that, but NOT giving up ;D I just wanted to add that Chris has never ever gotten ESY till he was 11 years old, BUT even at 11 we got it ;D Once you get it and its officaially in the IEP you can, if you want, have it in there till the child is 21. My g/f who's son is now 23 had the best of the best life skills program they sent their son to till he was 21 due the ESY in IEP. YES Districts don't like it cause as anythign else comes down to money BUT if I am correct JASON is in a school just for special needs, RIGHT?? That alone should make it easier to get ESY, just my opinion. Just wanted to add to anyone reading this NOOOOOOO district is gonna truly offer all that is available to our kids, again, sad to say, but it all comes down to the money AND Not for nothing, money can not be the issue, is the LAW ;-) CC ~
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Post by momofrussell on Mar 30, 2005 11:11:27 GMT -5
We have always discussed ESY at the BEGINNING of the school year at Russell's annual IEP. I have never had an IEP where they did NOT bring it up so I guess I have been lucky in ALL States we've lived in. So Russell has always had ESY on his IEP since the first IEP back right before his 3rd bday. So Valerie.. take notes girl! This should be brought up in your transition IEP into Early Childhood. Even if YOU have to bring it up. There is a place on IEPS for ESY! One thing I HAVE learned from the districts and other parents is that some districts don't offer ESY UNLESS your child is exhibiting "retention" issues. So, they sometimes like to play the wait and see game. Like... Well, if "johnny" is retaining while not having ESY, then he doesn't need it.... my arguement for ANYONE that would have tried that with me would be... I don't want to SEE that he did NOT retain! I also am in a school district now that is pretty big and pretty up on things spec ed wise.. so they KNOW not to say they don't "fund" things or don't offer it to kids that really need it. I also am in a bit of a different boat because Russell IS truly delayed, across the board, by FAR... so I have really never had to ask for things like this or for increased minutes, ect... they look at Russell and know he what he needs. So, even though I do NOT like Russell being far more delayed then most kids at 7 w/DS... it has worked in my favor for services. I can't complain about that. Jessie, I would talk to the teacher now and amend the IEP if possible. The teacher shoud NOT have ever said that it may not be funded. (She oops'd if you ask me.) IF, by IDEA laws and through your IEP, Jason qualifies, funding or lack of it is NOT an issue and is illegal to say they can't because of lack of funds. By law, they would have to find Jason a program if his school district didn't offer one. A.
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Post by Jessie on Mar 30, 2005 14:19:20 GMT -5
While I am still angry about the whole IEP thing, something did just come up today. I found out the guest speaker at our Capital Area Down Syndrome Association meeting this coming Monday will be from Community Mental Health services. Her topics will include information about summer programs! Our income is probably too high to qualify, but we'll see.
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Post by steffipoo on Mar 31, 2005 5:12:56 GMT -5
K... Jessie... sorry the teacher is a butthead and didn't give you the info at IEP regarding ESY!!! Now you know that you need to amend the IEP adding ESY for retention,consistency,etc etc etc... BUT do it. Olivia qualifies for summer school here in Cali but our funds have been severely cut. Since Olivia is on a different curriculum and is labeled mr and has retention consistency problems she qualifies but most of the kids that usta go don't qualify anymore. They cut summer school from 6 to 4 weeks. BUT we have always had Olivia in her old EI's and her afterschool programs summer camp. Olivia receives this service from the regional center. So she goes to summer school 4 weeks from 8-12:30 and then the whole summer she goes to camp or can go to camp Mon to Fri 12-5. She loves camp and they love her. They're working on their website right now but once its done you gotta go check it out.I'll send the link soon. steff
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Post by Jessie on Apr 6, 2005 9:39:22 GMT -5
I think it's time we scheduled another IEP. I'm so mad at myself for not knowing certain things - like we should have waited to sign the IEP until we knew about the summer program - or had a contingency plan in place in case they decided not to have one.
Between the summer program, his behavior issues (having to be with adults all the time) and the bus situation, we need to get some things straightened out. Not looking forward to it, but I guess that's what we are going to have to do.
We did find out from Community Mental Health that the respite care money that we would be eligible for can go towards the summer program. That still only covers about half the cost of the program but I'm not even sure they will take him with his behavior issues lately.
Oh and we found out that we are pretty much only eligible for respite care, nothing else due to income. Funny, I can't make an appointment with CMH and certain other agencies because I'm not his legal guardian, yet they have to take my income into account for anything he may or may not be eligible for. Sounds like a double-standard to me!
Jessie
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Post by Chris on Apr 6, 2005 18:31:36 GMT -5
Jessie, I am so glad you brought up this topic. I just asked my daughter's teacher about adding an ESY to her IEP in May. She has taught in the same Early Childhood Deveopmentally Delayed classroom for 15 years and said no one had ever requested an ESY before. I was really surprised. Of course, she said our school district doesn't have any summer programs. I told her that I would snoop around to see what I could find and she is going to talk to her boss. Sarah gets ST and OT through the DD (developmentally disabled) program through Community Mental Health. I really don't know much about the program but I do know it is not based on income. I live in Wayne County, Michigan. I don't know about the Lansing area but we have a managed care system in Wayne County. We can choose to be a part of one of three different systems. Sarah belongs to Synergy. I got lucky because when Sarah was born, the hospital social worker put in a referral to Community Mental Health and we were assigned to an agency. The social worker at that agency became our service coordinator. She then referred us to Early On. She was really wonderful. Unfortunately, she quit her job and we have been trying to figure everything out ourselves. We don't have a Ds support group in our area. I hope this helps. Chris
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