This notice is to refine the information provided in the previous notice on this subject.

With respect to a child who is in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services (a state ward) and who is subsequently reunited with his/her family, MUSER IV.4.D(2) provides that the child remains a state agency client for six months from when the child returns to his family. When, on the other hand, a child is removed from his/her family home by the Department of Health and Human Services and becomes a state agency client but remains in the custody of a parent or family member, and is subsequently returned to live in the family home, the child will lose state agency client status on the date that the child resumes residence in the family home.

Continue reading “State agency clients returning to their parental home, part II” →

Maine is seeking input on its application for the Part C (birth to age three) early intervention program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, known as IDEA. The Part C budget included in the application is for State Fiscal Year 2017.

Continue reading “Maine seeks feedback on IDEA Part C application” →

A child who is placed by the Department of Health and Human Services outside the family home in a foster home or in a children’s residential care facility through the Intensive Temporary Residential Treatment process becomes a “state agency client” under Maine statute and Department of Education regulations, resulting in a shift of administrative and fiscal responsibility for the education of that child. Sometimes, such a child is later returned to the family home from which s/he was removed.

Continue reading “State agency clients returning to their parental home” →

The reporting period for the EF-S-05 Part 2 (Special Education Personnel) is from Jan 21 – Feb 29, 2016.

This is the last year that reporting for the EF-S-05 Part 2 will be completed in MEDMS. Please read the detailed instructions that can be found by going to the Maine DOE Reporting Calendar at www.maine.gov/doe/reporting/calendar.shtml and, under Reporting Item, selecting “Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part II (EF-S-05).”

Continue reading “Reporting for Special Education EF-S-05 Part II now open” →

A recent dispatch from Maine DOE’s Office of Special Services on parental consent for evaluation informs school administrative units of the rules when a parent does not consent to an initial evaluation of a student. In these cases, the SAU may, but is not required to, request a due process hearing in an effort to obtain the authorization for the evaluation from a hearing officer, but otherwise may not proceed with the evaluation. (Note: an initial evaluation encompasses all types of evaluations that may be administered at the point where a student is being considered for eligibility).

Continue reading “Parental consent for evaluation, Part II” →