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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 16 Volume VI, Issue XI September 15, 2002 Top Tips for IEPs and Section 504 Plans (CHADD) Mary Etta Tubbs, F.L.E., The Disability Forum Listed below are the 15 top tips for Writing IEPs (Individual Education Plan) and Section 504 Plans (American with Disabilities Act) for use by parents or guardians of students or others with disabilities. Do your homework: Before attending and IEP or Section 504 Plan meeting, learn as much as you can about how your child is functioning, and what their needs are. Make sure you understand the evaluations and recommendations. This will avoid confusion and surprises. Be prepared: Come to the meeting with a clear understanding of why the meeting has been called, who is going to be there, and what is to take place. You are entitled to receive a written advance notice of the meeting, who has been invited, and the purpose. Bring your wish list: Don’t just react to the school’s proposals. Come with ideas of your own, based on your knowledge of your child and of the school. determine the cause of the behavior. You may need to request a functional assessment to get a better understanding of your child’s behavior. Do more homework: Before the first IEP or Section 504 Plan meeting, make sure you understand the difference between IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) eligibility and Section 504 (American with Disabilities Act) eligibility. Do even more homework: Learn what you can about the accommodations and services that your child needs and what is available— before you attend the meeting. You can be a more effective advocate if you know what to advocate for. Goals and objectives for an IEP need to be relevant, realistic, and measurable. Make sure all promises are documented in the plan: All services, accommodations, and modifications should be documented in the plan. If they aren’t written down, they can’t be enforced! Bring your spouse, relative, or friend: It is always helpful to have someone with you to: 1) provide moral support; 2) be a good second listener; 3) take extensive notes, so you can participate without having to worry about taking notes. It is good to let the school know you will be bringing someone. Bring your own independent expert: It is often helpful to have the private doctor or therapist participate in the meetings. This must be discussed with the doctor or therapist and determined on a case by case basis. Often they can help “brainstorm” since they are outside of the school system. Again, it is good to let the school know who will attend the meting. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions: You have a right to participate fully in the meeting, and to have anything you don’t understand explained to you. If you run out of time, you can request that the meeting be reconvened to allow for further discussion. The Devil is in the Details: Make sure the plan identifies who will be responsible for implementing each aspect of the plan, when it will be implemented, and how it will be monitored and evaluated. Build in an information feedback loop so you are informed on a periodic basis how the plan is working. Manage Behavior Problems: If your child is having behavior problems, make sure the plan includes a Behavior Supports Plan. This should focus on positive reinforce ment and functional assessments to Taking Care of Yourself for the Long Term You may be healthy now, but that might not be the case forever. What if you or your spouse should ever need extensive long-term care? A long-term care insurance policy could help cover the cost. OHI (Other Health Impaired) is an option: Many schools will only consider students with AD/HD for Section 504 eligibility. Eligibility for special education under Other Health Impaired category is an option, depending upon the needs of the child. What it is? Long-term care insurance provides various benefits when you can no longer perform a certain number of activities associated with daily living, such as bathing, dressing, or eating. Depending on the policy, these benefits may include nursing home care, a stay in an assisted-living facility, or at-home services. Get/Keep Records: Make sure you get a copy of the report of the meeting and IEP or Section 504 Plan. Keep all report cards, meeting reports, correspondence, and behavior or discipline records. Where Possible, Wage Peace: Everyone loses in adversarial proceedings. Work collaboratively with school staff as much as possible. Give the school staff recognition for their positive efforts. Avoid making disagreements personal. If disputes arise, mediate where you can. This is where having someone else in the meeting can help you. If Needed, Get Help. If a problem arises, and you are having difficulty resolving it, seek help from an advocacy organization. Tri-County Independent Living Center of Utah provides programs and services to “enhance independence in all people with disabilities.” For more information, call 612-3215, or visit at 705-40th. St., Ogden, Utah. Note: This information was taken from CHADD. (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder) What to look for. Look for a policy that has inflation protection. Be sure your policy has a guaranteed renewable clause so you can’t be singled out for rate increases or cancellation. Most policies have a waiting period before benefits become active. Choosing the longest waiting period you can afford will lower your premiums. Make sure the issuer is financially stable. Finally, remember that the cost of your premiums will rise over time. Financial benefits. Nursing homes cost a lot of money. At today’s prices, it would not take long to wipe out most people’s life savings. A longterm care policy lets you maintain control of your own assets. Note: This information should not be used as a basis for legal and/or tax advice. In any specific case, the parties involved should seek the guidance and advice of their own legal and tax counsel. Submitted by Chris Wright, a Financial Planner with Heritage Financial Group, 745-1025, cmcwright@earthlink.net CAROL FALLON ASID, CKD Kitchen & Bath Design s n g i C Des J 388-3962 Interior Design New Home Construction & Remodeling or 745-9298 THINK OF THE FUTURE The Ogden Valley Land Trust a non-profit organization For more information call (801) 745-2048 |