Region 10 COVID19 - Special Pops
Updated 5.18.20
TEA Updated Guidance 5.18.20
Updates 5.18.20
Summer Instruction Guidance
https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid19-summer_program_operational_considerations.pdf
Update 5.14.20
Compensatory Services and ESY Guidance Document 5.14.20
Residential Program and High Cost Fund Guidance (PDF) May 13 2020
Updated TEA Sped FAQ: 5.7.20
- COVID19 Special Education Q&A (PDF) May 7 2020 [General Guidance Card]
- Updated #12-15
- Guidance for Students Experiencing Homelessness (PDF) May 7 2020
- Federal Funding and Grants FAQ (PDF) May 7 2020
TEA Website Update:
Be advised that the entire TEA COVID-19 support and guidance page has been reorganized. There is now a card on the landing page specific to special education, among several other topics. Click on that card to access previously posted resources in addition to a significant number of new resources that resulted from the work of the COVID-19 SpEd Task Force.
-------
TEA Updates 4.30.20
Updated SHARS and MAC Program FAQ
https://www.tasb.org/services/special-education-solutions/covid-19-faq/
--------
Federal Funding FAQ w/ new MOE Q&A:
Please see Federal Funding & Grants FAQ document, and in particular #6 under “Flexibility and Waivers” on page 4.
“6. Any discussion on whether IDEA MOE will be addressed with the potential extra expenditures during and following the pandemic? NEW April 21, 2020
TEA has asked USDE for flexibility and guidance; however, IDEA-B LEA MOE compliance is measured against the prior year’s expenditures. The MOE compliance that might potentially be impacted will be calculated in Spring 2021. We expect USDE will say that decisions will be made later after we learn more of the full impact the pandemic has on LEAs. For now, focus on doing what is best for students.”
---
New Guidance Posted 4.21.20
TEA SPED Newsletter 4.21.20 (Review and Support, High Cost Funds, etc)
SHARS Billable Teletherapy/Telemedicine Guidance Document
New Guidance Posted 4.16.20
COVID19 Special Education Q&A (PDF) April 16 2020
Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) Guidance (PDF) April 16 2020
Speech Language Therapy Services Guidance (PDF) April 16 2020
Resources for Remote Learning and SLP Telepractice Strategies: TEA Speech Language Therapy Webinar (April 16 @ 2pm)
New Guidance Posted 4.14.20
Pregnancy Related Services (PDF) April 14 2020
G/T (PDF) April 14 2020
Remote Counseling and Student Support Services (PDF) April 14 2020
NEW English Learner Guidance (PDF) April 14 2020
Guidance for Students Experiencing Homelessness (PDF) April 14 2020
Progress Monitoring (PDF) April 14 2020
Managing Challenging Behaviors for Parents (PDF) April 14 2020
Managing Challenging Behaviors for LEAs (PDF) April 14 2020
Providing Counseling as a Related Service (PDF) April 14 2020
New Guidance Posted 4.9.20
COVID19 Special Education Q&A (PDF) April 9 2020
Supporting Students with Complex Needs Guidance (PDF) April 9 2020
Residential School Program Guidance (PDF) April 9 2020
TDLR Website Update 4.9.20
SLP interns:
SLP interns may now provide services to clients remotely using telehealth (suspension of 16 TAC §111.210(5)).
SLP Assistants:
SLP assistants may now provide services through telehealth, as directed by their supervisor, according to the SLP assistant practice and duties under 16 TAC §111.52 (suspension of §111.210(5)).
Audiologists and Audiology Interns:
Audiologists and audiology interns who fit and dispense hearing instruments through telehealth are no longer required to conduct an initial professional contact in person at the same physical location (suspension of 16 TAC §111.232(j)).
Dyslexia:
To help combat the spread of Coronavirus, TDLR requested and received authority from Governor Greg Abbott to suspend certain regulatory requirements, to the extent necessary, to allow licensees of the Dyslexia Practitioners and Dyslexia Therapists program to provide more services to clients through telehealth and to ease other licensing restrictions.
These suspensions are in effect until terminated by the Office of the Governor or until the March 13, 2020 disaster declaration is lifted or expires. In accordance with Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, the Office of the Governor has granted TDLR’s request to suspend the following provisions:
- Texas Occupations Code §403.151, to the extent necessary to allow a licensed dyslexia practitioner to practice and provide services outside of an educational setting. Licensed dyslexia therapists continue to be allowed to practice outside of an educational setting.
- 16 TAC §120.90(b)(18), to allow dyslexia services to be provided by dyslexia therapists or dyslexia practitioners solely through smart phone or any audio-visual, real-time, or two-way interactive communication system that can be used to provide telehealth services. Under the suspension, an initial in-person meeting with a client is not required for either a dyslexia therapist or a dyslexia practitioner.
Licensees who need additional information on billing policies relating to the provision of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic should contact Texas Health and Human Services Medicaid or managed care organizations (MCO), as policies are changing rapidly. It is critical to check with your payer before initiating a new type of service or service delivery model, such as telehealth.
Before providing telehealth services, licensees should verify the applicability of other requirements and obligations, such as HIPAA and medical and personal privacy requirements.
--
Posted 4.7.20
TEA COVID 19 WebsiteNew Guidance Posted April 7th, 2020
English Learner FAQ (PDF) April 7 2020
TELPAS and LPAC Guidance (PDF) April 7 2020
COVID19 Special Education Q&A (PDF) April 7 2020 same FAQ just added more Q&As
Residential School Program Guidance (PDF) April 7 2020
At-Home Learning Resources for Students with Disabilities (PDF) April 7 2020
SB 139 Adjusted Timeline for Assurances to be completed in Legal Framework - October 1, 2020 - information must be disseminated during THIS school year - see Q&A for additional information.
New Guidance Posted 4.2.20
- TELPAS and LPAC Guidance (PDF) April 2 2020
- Guidance for Students Experiencing Homelessness (PDF) March 26 2020
- Guidance for Military Connected Students (PDF) April 2 2020
- Guidance for Foster Care Students (PDF) April 2 2020
- English Learner FAQ (PDF) April 2 2020
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Guidance (PDF) April 2 2020
- Special Education Privacy and FERPA considerations for virtual instruction (PDF) April 2 2020
- ARD Committee Considerations During COVID-19 (PDF) April 2 2020
- Evaluation Considerations During COVID-19 (PDF) April 2 2020
Updated 4.9.20 TEA Updated FAQ
Be advised, the updated COVID 19
COVID19 Special Education Q&A (PDF) April 9 2020
SHARS Services Update - 4.14.20
New - TEA State of the State 3.25.20 - This event has passed but I have uploaded the recorded link
Subject: TEA & LEA SpEd Director Webinar
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 2:00 PM-3:00 PM (UTC-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada).
Where: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/508711565
TEA will host a GoToWebinar Wednesday at 2PM with LEA SpEd directors to review recent guidance relevant to special education and the COVID-19 pandemic response. The webinar will be recorded and a link posted to www.tea.texas.gov/texassped to view at a later time if you are not able to attend the live webinar. Please limit the number of duplicate live participants from any given LEA as we are limited to 1000 live participants. Questions regarding existing guidance, or questions not yet addressed in TEA guidance should continue to be sent to disasterinfo@tea.texas.gov.
TEA & LEA SPED Director Webinar
Wed, Mar 25, 2020 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (CDT)
Recorded Link:
The sped directors COVID 19 updates webinar is available to view at this link. The link is also posted to the webinar section of www.tea.texas.gov/texassped.
New - TEA COVID 10 Special Education Dispute Resolution Notices
Texas Education Agency
In Spanish
TEA Guidance
Q&A from TEA - this same document will be updated by agency periodically - I will notify you when there are updates.
https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid19_special_education_qa_updated_march_20.pdfNew COVID 19 Residential Program Guidance Posted 3.22.20
The Department of Review and Support attempted to share the Residential School Program Guidance with residential facilities (RF) staff; however, the contact information for many RF staff within ASKTED are inaccurate. We are hoping to partner with ESC staff to provide updated contact information with RFs within your respective areas to ensure they receive the most updated information regarding Residential School Program Guidance.
Please assist us in reminding LEAs and RFs to update their ASKTED information.
Ramonda Olaloye, M.Ed.
Director, Department of Review and Support
Office of Special Populations and Monitoring
Texas Education Agency
*: ramonda.olaloye@tea.texas.gov
(: 512-936-6112 | (: 512-638-6958
TEA Finance FAQ 3.19.20
https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/School%20Finance%20FAQ%20March%2019%202020.pdf
STAAR & Accountability Updates
Governor Abbott Waives STAAR Requirements
-
STAAR and Accountability FAQ put together by R10 team based on information from TEA.Updated Information - Cyclical Monitoring Updates
Review and Support Monitoring Updates:
· Special Education Newsletter Monitoring Updates
· Cyclical Monitoring Schedule
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Anna.Griffiths@region10.org and Evan.Heckmann@region10.org
ECI COVID 19 Guidance
USDE Guidance
*New Posted 3.21.29 USDE Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/qa-covid-19-03-12-2020.pdfPress Release
Department of Ed OCR Fact Sheet
OCR and Online Education and Website Accessibility Video
OCR & Department of Health and Human Services Joint Guidance
Updated - 4.1.20 FERPA /COVID 19 Guidace March 2020
FERPA and COVID 19 Presentation March 30, 2020
https://files.constantcontact.com/f1fc1a43201/a327f088-8970-46de-a402-153872684235.pdf
FAQ March 2020
https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/FERPA%20and%20Coronavirus%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions_0.pdfR10 Resources & Information
The Special Pops team has worked with the Teaching and Learning Team to build a resource for instruction for virtual instruction. We are building more specific self-contained and related service type support and will share that ASAP but wanted to share with you what was shared with your superintendents and your curriculum directors this week. There is a Special Pops tab with curated resources on that page along with a request for supports for teachers to request virtual coaching/PD/technical assistance (both linked below).
Region 10 has set up our support for At-home Instruction. Additionally, we have also set up training to support teachers as they learn to instruct on-line.
NEW AT-HOME INSTRUCTION – Region 10 is committed to supporting your transition to remote learning. In order to accomplish this goal we have set up this page. bit.ly/R10remote
NEW TRAINING (VIRTUAL) FOR EDUCATORS – Region 10 is online with support for educators to help learn the art of instructing online and virtually. Scheduled virtual training is available with some of our best digital learning team members. Additionally, our team has scheduled Live Chats/Office Hours for educators to chat with them about individual issues, ask specific questions, and get the best support.
**Get the schedules and links here: Region 10 Remote Learning Opportunities
**To request content specific support please complete this form and R10 staff will respond: Region 10 Content Support Request Form
-
Online Resources (includes supports for Autism)
--
Region 10 General Guidance on FIEs and Evaluations during COVID-19 Outbreak
R10 General Guidance on FIEs and Evaluations during COVID-19
Progress Monitoring/ Virtual Time Tracking
TEA has updated the language on the documents and removed the parent requirement to track at home so follow your LEA guidance on documentation. For special education specific progress monitoring, I have linked some resources below:
Region 10 Progress Monitoring Resources
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Esq45YESqtXplXmzG4A_sgbKeSfn_mfB?usp=sharing
Professional Organization Guidance
LSSP Guidance
Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology
Message from TSBEP
Dear Subscriber:
The Governor has created a process to request temporary waiver of rules and statutes related to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. To this end, the Board has requested suspension of portions of its temporary license rule and is in the process of assessing whether additional waivers or rule changes will be beneficial in assisting with the coordinated efforts to combat COVID-19. By way of example, a discussion topic regarding internship requirements for psychologist and LSSP applicants impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak has been placed on the agenda for the May meeting. As waivers are granted and time permits, this site will be updated with that information and email updates will be sent out.
The Board would also take this opportunity to remind licensees that they may practice teletherapy without any special certification, training, or notice to the board, as long as they adhere to the same practice standards applicable to traditional or in-person settings. Simply put, the Board does not have any additional or special restrictions or requirements on a licensee wishing to provide teletherapy services. The Board has published a set of guidelines for the practice of telepsychology that we encourage our licensees to read and follow, but these guidelines are not rules.
With that being said, there are three points of caution that licensees should be keenly aware of when practicing teletherapy:
- Make sure you are familiar with the technology being used.
- Make sure the patient or client understands the limitations of teletherapy as part of the informed consent process.
- Make sure you use a HIPAA compliant method when providing teletherapy services. Teletherapy services by telephone do not carry the same HIPAA concerns as some smartphone apps or web based services, but may not be as useful for obvious reasons.
In short, licensees who are comfortable with these three basic steps are free to provide teletherapy services in Texas so long as they think it appropriate for a particular patient or situation.
Lastly, while agency staff are currently experiencing high email and call volume, we will endeavor to respond to any questions or concerns about teletherapy as quickly as possible. The Board simply asks for your patience in this regard. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the state's coordinated response efforts to COVID-19, you may access the latest information through the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) coronavirus webpage.
Thank you for your dedication to the citizens of Texas.
-
APTA (OT/PT) Guidance (Not necessarily school based only guidance)
http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2020/03/17/CoronavirusUpdateMarch17/
LPC Guidance
DSHS Guidelines for Home Visits
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has released guidance for public health workers and other home visitors. That guidance, titled COVID-19: Guidance for Public Health Home Service Providers, is on the DSHS COVID-19 website.
Please note that, in the context of this document, CSHCN Services Program clinical services may fall within the definition of critical services, so the information on personal protective equipment is applicable.Other PD/Virtual Platforms & Resources
EMC Brain Teletherapy Platform
For the remainder of the school year, Enable My Child is waiving the base fee to our teletherapy platform, the EMC Brain. We are also waiving bandwidth therapist fees to eligible schools and giving one month free to non-qualifying schools. Region X Education Service Center can utilize its own therapists so that students have continuity of services while keeping everyone safe. No strings attached. Really.
The lite version of the EMC Brain will enable you to manage your students and providers. They will be able to hold sessions and meetings in real-time, message, and share documents. It is HIPAA-compliant and has many automated features (scheduling, reminders, etc.) and analytics. To get a quick view of the platform, watch the tutorials for therapists and parents.
If you want to use the EMC Brain, please complete the school interest form. We sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that, but should you suffer a staffing shortage, we have licensed providers in most states.
Virtual Instruction Resources
Teaching Remotely in Time of Need:
RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ONLINE DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURES
https://www.theedublogger.com/teaching-online-school-closures/
Special Needs for Special Kidds:
https://www.specialneedsforspecialkids.net/
Get Started with Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/resources/teacher-essentials
Scholastic At Home Learning
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html