[tri-mosaic] IEP Time

This came through an e-zine I subscribe to and I thought given the time of year 
for our US members this may be timely - The E-zine is Ideal Lives
Problem:  How do I get the IEP team to follow through on what they say 
they will do?

Solution:
Step 1:  Make sure any "promise" or committment your IEP team makes to 
your child is a written one.

Verbal reassurances are nice to receive, but you can only hold the 
school accountable for services actually written in to the IEP.  
Services listed in the IEP should start immediately or if delays are 
necessary (to hire staff or obtain supplies) then the IEP should specify 
who is responsible and when the services should begin.  If services 
don't start by the date listed, simply call another meeting of the IEP 
team.  This way you aren't the only one asking, "Why isn't this service 
started?", it's the whole team holding the listed person accountable.

Step 2:  Use the chain of command.

If working with your team isn't "working" then use the chain of command 
and exercise your parental rights -- in others words, start complaining. 
 Write a calm, objective letter stating when your child's need was 
documented; when the committment to provide services was made (and by 
whom); and the current status (that services have still not been 
started).  End your letter with a specific request (i.e. what you expect 
to happen and by when).  Be sure to start local (your child's building 
principal, the district special education director, the local board of 
education) and then move to filing a formal complaint with the State 
Board of Education if you don't receive an appropriate response from 
your local officials.

You can read a sample complaint letter regarding an IEP violation here:
http://www.listen-up.org/rights/samp-letr-1.htm

If you need to reach your State Board of Education, you can find contact 
information here:
http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/seas.htm

To read more great tips, check out the rest of today's Ideal Lives 
Express at:
http://www.ideallives.com/articles.php?a=read&aid=264
                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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