As most of you are aware, L.D. 1715, “An Act to Reorganize the Provision of Services for Children with Disabilities from Birth to 5 Years of Age” has been carried over to the next Legislative session. This bill proposes the transition of responsibility for special education services for preschool-age children from Child Development Services to the public schools.
The Department recognizes that there are many questions and issues involved with the proposed transition, and that they may vary significantly by region. Because of this, and in preparation for the Committee for Education and Cultural Affairs’ continued consideration of L.D. 1715, the Department of Education feels that it is critical to receive input from regional stakeholders. We have established regional stakeholder meetings, based on the established Superintendent Regions.
Each of these regional stakeholder meetings will include all Superintendents and Directors of Special Education who are available to attend, and the department will be inviting representatives who meet the following criteria:
- A designee of the Commissioner of Education
- A representative of a Special Purpose Preschool who is contracted with CDS to provide services
- An individual who, as a sole proprietor, is contacted with CDS to provide services
- A representative of a Head Start agency or program
- An early childhood teacher from a public 4-year old program that includes eligible children
- A principal of a public elementary school that includes eligible children in its public 4-year-old program
- A representative of a statewide association of speech, language and hearing therapists
- A representative of a statewide association of occupational therapists
- A representative of a statewide association of physical therapists
- A parent of a child with a disability between 3 and 5 years of age who is currently receiving services from CDS
- A representative of a childcare program
Due to the limited space available, additional representatives from the above list may be accommodated depending on the response received from Superintendents and Directors of Special Education.
Regional Stakeholder meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations. All meetings will be from 10:00 to 3:00:
Midcoast
September 16th at the Senator Inn, Augusta
Western
September 16th at the Senator Inn, Augusta
Kennebec
September 17th at the Senator Inn, Augusta
Washington and Hancock
September 17th at the Black Bear Lodge, Orono
Penquis
September 18th at Jeff’s Catering, Brewer
Aroostook
September 18th at Caribou Inn and Convention Center, Caribou
Cumberland and York
September 19th at the Westbrook Armory, Westbrook
Please respond to Jonathan.Madden@maine.gov with your availability to attend as soon as possible.
Thank you and we look forward to hearing your valuable input.