Reimbursement for Private Pre-School

[Guest guest]

Hi:

My nearly 3 year old apraxic son just had his IEP on Friday. Prior

to this, the public special needs pre-school has consistently stated

that they can only provide Adam with 1 hour of individual ST per

week, despite the fact that he has been getting 2 hours of private ST

for the last few months and continues to need this much time. They

had also told me that they would only provide the hour of ST if we

attended their public special needs pre-school at least 2 days per

week. In the meantime, a school board member got wind of this and

long story short, we were offered the 2 hours of ST and they did not

insist we attend their pre-school at the IEP meeting.

I have tried to explain on a number of occasions why their program is

not appropriate for Adam, and they insist their special needs program

is appropriate for all disabled children-they accomodate all children

that are referred. So, we were given one public pre-school program

to choose from...a program of about 10 kids, (2-3 typical children at

most, all others appearing to have either behavioral/emotional

disorders, severe physical disabilities, or other learning

disabilities. The majority of children also had some level of speech

disorder, so it was hard for me to see who would be the " speech role-

models " for Adam). They call it a language-based program, but it

seems very behaviorally focused due to the needs of the children in

the class. Also, to make matters worse, they are down numerous SLP

positions, so all individual ST is contracted out off site, including

ours. So, here is my question...does the public school have any

obligation to offer some other type of program to us, including a

private pre-school with typical children where Adam's speech therapy

goals can be carried out in the classroom? Adam currently attends a

private pre-school and has made great progress as they are

incorporating his ST goals in the class. This is clearly the least

restrictive environment, but I am not sure how LRE applies to pre-

schools. At the IEP meeting we were told in no uncertain terms that

they would not reimburse us for the private school; we had only one

choice for a free education and that was there public pre-school

disabled program. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on this

issue. I don't want to pursue this funding issue if it is just not

worthwhile.

Thanks!

Holly

Mother to Adam, nearly 3 years old, apraxic

[Guest guest]

Holly

Two questions for you-- what state are you in, and does it offer state paid

pre-k. Secondly, did they not offer community based slp to you. This is where

you bring the student in just for the speech and you go somewhere else for pre-k

(at your expense if need be) .

I do not believe that they have any obligation to pay for a private school

until you have shown that his needs were not met in the pre-k that they were

offering, as I understand the law.

www.wrightslaw.com can give you good , free legal advice. Also you can order

free publications from the federal Doe on nclb and Idea etc, so that you can

educate yourself on these topics.

Hope that helps. I am not an advocate or a lawyer, just a parent. You might

seek out an advocate for professional advice.

sharon

hlnoone <hlnoone@...> wrote:

Hi:

My nearly 3 year old apraxic son just had his IEP on Friday. Prior

to this, the public special needs pre-school has consistently stated

that they can only provide Adam with 1 hour of individual ST per

week, despite the fact that he has been getting 2 hours of private ST

for the last few months and continues to need this much time. They

had also told me that they would only provide the hour of ST if we

attended their public special needs pre-school at least 2 days per

week. In the meantime, a school board member got wind of this and

long story short, we were offered the 2 hours of ST and they did not

insist we attend their pre-school at the IEP meeting.

I have tried to explain on a number of occasions why their program is

not appropriate for Adam, and they insist their special needs program

is appropriate for all disabled children-they accomodate all children

that are referred. So, we were given one public pre-school program

to choose from...a program of about 10 kids, (2-3 typical children at

most, all others appearing to have either behavioral/emotional

disorders, severe physical disabilities, or other learning

disabilities. The majority of children also had some level of speech

disorder, so it was hard for me to see who would be the " speech role-

models " for Adam). They call it a language-based program, but it

seems very behaviorally focused due to the needs of the children in

the class. Also, to make matters worse, they are down numerous SLP

positions, so all individual ST is contracted out off site, including

ours. So, here is my question...does the public school have any

obligation to offer some other type of program to us, including a

private pre-school with typical children where Adam's speech therapy

goals can be carried out in the classroom? Adam currently attends a

private pre-school and has made great progress as they are

incorporating his ST goals in the class. This is clearly the least

restrictive environment, but I am not sure how LRE applies to pre-

schools. At the IEP meeting we were told in no uncertain terms that

they would not reimburse us for the private school; we had only one

choice for a free education and that was there public pre-school

disabled program. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on this

issue. I don't want to pursue this funding issue if it is just not

worthwhile.

Thanks!

Holly

Mother to Adam, nearly 3 years old, apraxic

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which

it is addressed and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged

material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking

of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other

than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you receive this in error, please

contact the sender and delete the material from all computers.

Sharon Lang

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Hi Holly

this link might help you as well. It is from a professional advocate

regarding private placement. I know that state laws differ , so you might want

to do a search for a local advocate.

As I mentioned before , I am not a professional, so my advice is not intended

to be used as professional advice. I hope one of these sites can send you in

the right direction. I think that the burden of proof has changed, so that is

one of the first questions you will wnat to ask a professional, who has the

burden of proof the parents or the school.

http://www.iepadvocate4you.com/tips/private_placement.html

Best of luck.

sharon

http://www.iepadvocate4you.com/tips/private_placement.html

sharon lang <flipperlang@...> wrote:

Holly

Two questions for you-- what state are you in, and does it offer state paid

pre-k. Secondly, did they not offer community based slp to you. This is where

you bring the student in just for the speech and you go somewhere else for pre-k

(at your expense if need be) .

I do not believe that they have any obligation to pay for a private school until

you have shown that his needs were not met in the pre-k that they were offering,

as I understand the law.

www.wrightslaw.com can give you good , free legal advice. Also you can order

free publications from the federal Doe on nclb and Idea etc, so that you can

educate yourself on these topics.

Hope that helps. I am not an advocate or a lawyer, just a parent. You might seek

out an advocate for professional advice.

sharon

hlnoone <hlnoone@...> wrote:

Hi:

My nearly 3 year old apraxic son just had his IEP on Friday. Prior

to this, the public special needs pre-school has consistently stated

that they can only provide Adam with 1 hour of individual ST per

week, despite the fact that he has been getting 2 hours of private ST

for the last few months and continues to need this much time. They

had also told me that they would only provide the hour of ST if we

attended their public special needs pre-school at least 2 days per

week. In the meantime, a school board member got wind of this and

long story short, we were offered the 2 hours of ST and they did not

insist we attend their pre-school at the IEP meeting.

I have tried to explain on a number of occasions why their program is

not appropriate for Adam, and they insist their special needs program

is appropriate for all disabled children-they accomodate all children

that are referred. So, we were given one public pre-school program

to choose from...a program of about 10 kids, (2-3 typical children at

most, all others appearing to have either behavioral/emotional

disorders, severe physical disabilities, or other learning

disabilities. The majority of children also had some level of speech

disorder, so it was hard for me to see who would be the " speech role-

models " for Adam). They call it a language-based program, but it

seems very behaviorally focused due to the needs of the children in

the class. Also, to make matters worse, they are down numerous SLP

positions, so all individual ST is contracted out off site, including

ours. So, here is my question...does the public school have any

obligation to offer some other type of program to us, including a

private pre-school with typical children where Adam's speech therapy

goals can be carried out in the classroom? Adam currently attends a

private pre-school and has made great progress as they are

incorporating his ST goals in the class. This is clearly the least

restrictive environment, but I am not sure how LRE applies to pre-

schools. At the IEP meeting we were told in no uncertain terms that

they would not reimburse us for the private school; we had only one

choice for a free education and that was there public pre-school

disabled program. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on this

issue. I don't want to pursue this funding issue if it is just not

worthwhile.

Thanks!

Holly

Mother to Adam, nearly 3 years old, apraxic

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which

it is addressed and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged

material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking

of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other

than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you receive this in error, please

contact the sender and delete the material from all computers.

Sharon Lang

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

The only way that the public schools will pay for private placement is if

the placement has been made by the IEP team. Even then you may have a

fight. My son was placed in a private setting by the team, not by parental

choice, and the SPED blocked it. We sought legal help, but decided not to

pursue due process because it wasn't worth it. The tuition was low and they

did reimburse for five months of private therapy while we waited for them to

implement any part of the IEP. The public school's program sounds just

about the same as in your situation!

Miche

On Jan 13, 2008 4:18 PM, hlnoone <hlnoone@...> wrote:

> Hi:

> My nearly 3 year old apraxic son just had his IEP on Friday. Prior

> to this, the public special needs pre-school has consistently stated

> that they can only provide Adam with 1 hour of individual ST per

> week, despite the fact that he has been getting 2 hours of private ST

> for the last few months and continues to need this much time. They

> had also told me that they would only provide the hour of ST if we

> attended their public special needs pre-school at least 2 days per

> week. In the meantime, a school board member got wind of this and

> long story short, we were offered the 2 hours of ST and they did not

> insist we attend their pre-school at the IEP meeting.

>

> I have tried to explain on a number of occasions why their program is

> not appropriate for Adam, and they insist their special needs program

> is appropriate for all disabled children-they accomodate all children

> that are referred. So, we were given one public pre-school program

> to choose from...a program of about 10 kids, (2-3 typical children at

> most, all others appearing to have either behavioral/emotional

> disorders, severe physical disabilities, or other learning

> disabilities. The majority of children also had some level of speech

> disorder, so it was hard for me to see who would be the " speech role-

> models " for Adam). They call it a language-based program, but it

> seems very behaviorally focused due to the needs of the children in

> the class. Also, to make matters worse, they are down numerous SLP

> positions, so all individual ST is contracted out off site, including

> ours. So, here is my question...does the public school have any

> obligation to offer some other type of program to us, including a

> private pre-school with typical children where Adam's speech therapy

> goals can be carried out in the classroom? Adam currently attends a

> private pre-school and has made great progress as they are

> incorporating his ST goals in the class. This is clearly the least

> restrictive environment, but I am not sure how LRE applies to pre-

> schools. At the IEP meeting we were told in no uncertain terms that

> they would not reimburse us for the private school; we had only one

> choice for a free education and that was there public pre-school

> disabled program. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on this

> issue. I don't want to pursue this funding issue if it is just not

> worthwhile.

> Thanks!

> Holly

> Mother to Adam, nearly 3 years old, apraxic

>

[Guest guest]

Ok I can help a little, what we did when my son was 2 and half we

were told the same thing and they put him in with children that were

autistic and he began to mimic them which is what apraxic kids do.

What was needed was an environment of chidren with similar and

differnt issues. The school said it could not help I found that

unacceptable, I forwarded the rediculous IEP they wrote to the State

Board of Eduaction of education as well as my evaluations from my

private speech therapist my development person at children and from

the pedictrican. i indicated that the system was failing my child

and no recommendation that was acceptable was being made. What I

found out was that if the school district cannot provide proper

learning for your child they must pay even an outside area to do so

due to your tax dollar and your rights in general. The school was

audit and found to not only be in the wrong but had fail many a

child and was not properly staffed with the personnel needed for

special needs children in general. What finally took place was that

they had to pay for a special school for my son as well as

transportation. All I can say is network and know your rights, you

would be amazed how much you would learn. Right now his school is

in terror each time I show up for an IEP or even for a class trip.

Fear is an educated Parent is their worst nightmare. Be their worst

nightmare and be your child advocate!

>

> Hi:

> My nearly 3 year old apraxic son just had his IEP on Friday.

Prior

> to this, the public special needs pre-school has consistently

stated

> that they can only provide Adam with 1 hour of individual ST per

> week, despite the fact that he has been getting 2 hours of private

ST

> for the last few months and continues to need this much time.

They

> had also told me that they would only provide the hour of ST if we

> attended their public special needs pre-school at least 2 days per

> week. In the meantime, a school board member got wind of this and

> long story short, we were offered the 2 hours of ST and they did

not

> insist we attend their pre-school at the IEP meeting.

>

> I have tried to explain on a number of occasions why their program

is

> not appropriate for Adam, and they insist their special needs

program

> is appropriate for all disabled children-they accomodate all

children

> that are referred. So, we were given one public pre-school

program

> to choose from...a program of about 10 kids, (2-3 typical children

at

> most, all others appearing to have either behavioral/emotional

> disorders, severe physical disabilities, or other learning

> disabilities. The majority of children also had some level of

speech

> disorder, so it was hard for me to see who would be the " speech

role-

> models " for Adam). They call it a language-based program, but it

> seems very behaviorally focused due to the needs of the children

in

> the class. Also, to make matters worse, they are down numerous

SLP

> positions, so all individual ST is contracted out off site,

including

> ours. So, here is my question...does the public school have any

> obligation to offer some other type of program to us, including a

> private pre-school with typical children where Adam's speech

therapy

> goals can be carried out in the classroom? Adam currently attends

a

> private pre-school and has made great progress as they are

> incorporating his ST goals in the class. This is clearly the least

> restrictive environment, but I am not sure how LRE applies to pre-

> schools. At the IEP meeting we were told in no uncertain terms

that

> they would not reimburse us for the private school; we had only

one

> choice for a free education and that was there public pre-school

> disabled program. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on

this

> issue. I don't want to pursue this funding issue if it is just

not

> worthwhile.

> Thanks!

> Holly

> Mother to Adam, nearly 3 years old, apraxic

>