(a) When Head Start provides for the
evaluation, the multidisciplinary evaluation team makes the determination
whether the child meets the Head Start eligibility criteria. The
multidisciplinary evaluation team must assure that the evaluation findings and
recommendations, as well as information from developmental assessment,
observations and parent reports, are considered in making the determination
whether the child meets Head Start eligibility criteria.
(b) Every child receiving services in Head Start who has been evaluated and
found to have a disability and in need of special education must have an IEP
before special education and related services are provided to ensure that
comprehensive information is used to develop the child's program.
(c) When the LEA develops the IEP, a representative from Head Start must
attempt to participate in the IEP meeting and placement decision for any child
meeting Head Start eligibility requirements.
(d) If Head Start develops the IEP, the IEP must take into account the
child's unique needs, strengths, developmental potential and the family
strengths and circumstances as well as the child's disabilities.
(e) The IEP must include:
(1) A statement of the child's present level of functioning in the
social-emotional, motor, communication, self-help, and cognitive areas of
development, and the identification of needs in those areas requiring specific
programming.
(2) A statement of annual goals, including short term
objectives for meeting these goals.
(3) A statement of services to be
provided by each Head Start component that are in addition to those services
provided for all Head Start children, including transition
services.
(4) A statement of the specific special education services to
be provided to the child and those related services necessary for the child to
participate in a Head Start program. This includes services provided by Head
Start and services provided by other agencies and non-Head Start
professionals.
(5) The identification of the personnel responsible for
the planning and supervision of services and for the delivery of
services.
(6) The projected dates for initiation of services and the
anticipated duration of services.
(7) A statement of objective criteria
and evaluation procedures for determining at least annually whether the
short-term objectives are being achieved or need to be revised.
(8)
Family goals and objectives related to the child's disabilities when they are
essential to the child's progress.
(f) When Head Start develops the IEP, the team must include:
(1) The Head Start disabilities coordinator or a representative who is
qualified to provide or supervise the provision of special education
services;
(2) The child's teacher or home visitor;
(3) One or
both of the child's parents or guardians; and
(4) At least one of the
professional members of the multidisciplinary team which evaluated the
child.
(g) An LEA representative must be invited in writing if Head Start is
initiating the request for a meeting.
(h) The grantee may also invite other individuals at the request of the
parents and other individuals at the discretion of the Head Start program,
including those component staff particularly involved due to the nature of the
child's disability.
(i) A meeting must be held at a time convenient for the parents and staff to
develop the IEP within 30 calendar days of a determination that the child needs
special education and related services. Services must begin as soon as possible
after the development of the IEP.
(j) Grantees and their delegates must make vigorous efforts to involve
parents in the IEP process. The grantee must:
(1) Notify parents in writing and, if necessary, also verbally or by other
appropriate means of the purpose, attendees, time and location of the IEP
meeting far enough in advance so that there is opportunity for them to
participate;
(2) Make every effort to assure that the parents
understand the purpose and proceedings and that they are encouraged to provide
information about their child and their desires for the child's
program;
(3) Provide interpreters, if needed, and offer the parents a
copy of the IEP in the parents' language of understanding after it has been
signed;
(4) Hold the meeting without the parents only if neither parent
can attend, after repeated attempts to establish a date or facilitate their
participation. In that case, document its efforts to secure the parents'
participation, through records of phone calls, letters in the parents' native
language or visits to parents' homes or places of work, along with any
responses or results; and arrange an opportunity to meet with the parents to
review the results of the meeting and secure their input and
signature.
(k) Grantees must initiate the implementation of the IEP as soon as possible
after the IEP meeting by modifying the child's program in accordance with the
IEP and arranging for the provision of related services. If a child enters Head
Start with an IEP completed within two months prior to entry, services must
begin within the first two weeks of program attendance.