The Scoop
Special Services Update - October 9, 2023
Communication, The Scoop & You!
Hello TISD #StarsofSpecialServices!! We have the roles of a lifetime to make a difference in so many lives...it's exciting to see your stories play out and and to see you #shine in your roles!
The Scoop is a place for you to make sure you are in the know and have all the information you need. You are responsible for the information in the SCOOP. If you need clarification, please reach out to your Student Support Specialist or me.
~Keri
Recap of the last SCOOP - See last SCOOP for full details...
- Unified Champions Department Goal Met - working towards 100% of campuses now.
- For students suspected of being Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH), please follow the guidelines listed in the Operating Guidelines posted on our website HERE.
- TEA's FAQ's for HB 3928 can be found HERE
- See our website HERE for our parent information meeting video.
Tomball Education Foundation Grant Application Open!!!
Tomball Education Foundation (TEF) is excited to support innovative classrooms through funding grant opportunities. Last year, TEF funded over $100,000 in resources to enhance classrooms. Special Services received two grants in addition to many special education teachers obtaining grants as well! In addition to reading applications and selecting grants, the Programs Committee is available to answer any questions regarding the completion of the application. You may contact them at https://tomballedfoundation.com/grants/
To locate the grant application, go to https://tomball.schoolobjects.com/forms/ and click on 2024 Innovative Grant Application.
Let's get some grants!!!
Kathy Bonds & Tricia Baldwin
#STARSOFSPECIALSERVICES
EEA Team
Free Trainings through the Autism Grant! Please share with campuses and sign up!!!
Title: Building a Lens for NeuroEquity in the Schools - This program has been approved for 3 clock hours of continuing education credit by the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA)
Presenter: V. Tisi, CCC-SLP
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 12-3pm CST
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/VuVY32JizjUAtx6A7
Title: Advocacy for Caregivers and Families (including Mental Health Support)
Presenter: Dr. Amanda Jelinek & Phuong Lien Palafox, CCC-SLP
When: Friday, November 3rd 9-11am CST
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/kmVjAFAT9U4kYPRu6
Title: Autism, Neurodiversity & Social Support
Presenter: Phuong Lien Palafox, CCC-SLP
When: Thursday, November 16th 9-11am CST
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/p4SDXBW5rSpm5r526
Thank You Tammy Morrow for Your Amazing Presentation!
Thank you, Amanda Roman, Coordinator of CTE
Thank you, Karla Sandoval, Director of CTE
Quick Tip from LRP - Address truancy to avoid implementation failure.
Students' attendance problems can affect their ability to receive required special education and related services. And failing to take steps to address a student's consistent and excessive absences could amount to an IEP implementation failure. A district should be prepared to show that it made efforts to provide the student's services on the days she attended, and that it was willing and able to do so on the days the student was truant.
See also:
· Joaquin v. Friendship Pub. Charter Sch., 66 IDELR 64 (D.D.C. 2015)
· Factors to consider when student is truant
· Absence Intervention Plan for Students With Disabilities
October 2, 2023
Copyright 2023© LRP Publications
CASE FILE: District needn't fund residential therapy, 'wilderness' programs for mental health
Case name: N.N. v. Mountain View-Los Altos Union High Sch. Dist., 123 LRP 11361 (N.D. Cal. 03/31/23).
Ruling: The mother of a high schooler with depression and substance abuse issues was not entitled to recover the costs of the teen's two private residential programs. The U.S. District Court, Northern District of California denied the mother's request for tuition reimbursement under the IDEA.
What it means: While a residential placement may sometimes be necessary for a student to make educational progress, some residential programs may only address a student's medical or mental health needs. In those circumstances, a district may not necessarily be responsible for the costs of the residential program. Here, the district highlighted that the two private residential programs the student attended only provided "wilderness opportunities," group therapy, and individual therapy to address her mental health. By demonstrating that neither program provided individualized educational services, the district proved that the programs were unnecessary for the student to make educational progress.
Summary: Because two private residential programs did not offer educational services to a high schooler with mental health issues, a parent was not entitled to recover the costs of those unilateral placements. Finding that the residential programs were not necessary for the teen's educational progress, the court declined to award the mother tuition reimbursement. Under the IDEA, the court explained, the parent of a student with a disability is entitled to reimbursement only if: 1) the district's proposed public placement violated the IDEA; and 2) the private school placement is necessary for educational purposes. The court opined that the parent failed to establish the second element -- that the student's two private, unilateral placements were appropriate. It acknowledged that the district denied the teen FAPE by delaying her special education evaluation during SY 2017-18. However, the court highlighted that neither private residential placement offered the student individualized educational services. Rather, the evidence showed that the focus of both programs was to address the student's mental health issues. In the first program, the court noted, the student received "experiential opportunities of a wilderness setting with a clinically focused intervention." In the second program, the student attended weekly two-hour group therapy sessions and individual therapy sessions that included family therapy and therapeutic phone calls with the parents. These therapy sessions primarily attempted to resolve the student's depression, anger, failed relationships with peers and family, and self-advocacy skills. Although the student earned several school credits while at the first program and attended study hall while at the second program, the court found no evidence that she received individualized educational services from special education teachers at either program. Because neither residential program included an "educational component," the court held that they did not qualify as appropriate placements eligible for reimbursement.
April 19, 2023
Copyright 2023© LRP Publications
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Dates:
- October 10 - 16 is National Braille Week
- October 15 - 21 is Safe Schools Week
- October 16 - 20 is National School Bus Safety Week
- October 23 -27 is Red Ribbon Week
- Snapshot is Friday, October 27, 2023.
- Eric Paddy Memorial Disc Golf Course Grand Opening - October 14, 2023
- Check HERE for the rest of the year meetings for Special Services
Congratulations Dani on your BCBA!!!
Congratulations Team Infinity for Being This Month's Special Services ALL STARS!
Social Media: Twitter
More Information
Be sure and check out and read the other Smore Newsletters being produced by Student Support Staff
The LIP Ledger - New
The Specialized Support Snippits - New
PASSionate about Kids - New
Behavior Bulletin - New
PLEASE remember to contact your student support specialist for all questions, concerns, or needs. Thank you in advance.
Student Support Personnel by Campus
Our Student Support Personnel are listed by campus on the link above. This will help ensure you know your student support specialist as well as other campus contacts.