WPC0 <፧qp#@Tv+a"#-oP$-;1~a1 F2 gs2!"7۔YWIǾR] IC3ġ-*t氮|lG l ڳT;+lۛ nv0~fA+2ATLIѣhŘ'C-@bIwlX`k@2ë ]+ww]Y3! uo_ ے{\ ܑqpr4ÞV]?ߵz7VcܓLڅi?P:E) GbݕЦG)gp*Mȫ‰pq~ϦF6FKtT-hJP!h^)4*;.74w{k<٪X2+L^GqS9C[+5~%p%/ĸb{4|$_]|bnF79;mEMU\> 0A 0I 0 0 U0 0r 0r` 0r 0rD 0r 0<( 0d 0ty 0 0t 0v 0: 0:3 0m 0}U6 0k: 0k 0k 0k{! 0k" 0SQ$ 0t% 0S' 0Sk( 0o) 0o-+ 0/, 0n-r9.F0 03 D +~4 C44 05 0(6 AM>6oR6@VT^ 0?QW B D3Ŏ 1[ BS D3p 1W 0r #!|U N %N^ w4 m\  `&Times New Roman8w6Heading 1   XXXS\  `&Times New RomanS     S\  `&Times New RomanSXXX86Heading 2 ;1X` hp x (#;XXXS\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanSXXX8na6Heading 3   S\  `&Times New RomanS     S\  `&Times New RomanS86Heading 4 ;1X` hp x (#;XXXE2 `CG TimesE       8.` hp x (#8XXXS\  `&Times New RomanS    2 `CG Times86Heading 5 ;1X` hp x (#;S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8 S\  `&Times New RomanS86Heading 6 ;1X` hp x (#;S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanS86Heading 7 ;1X` hp x (#;S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanS86Heading 8 ;1X` hp x (#;S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanS86Heading 9 ;1X` hp x (#;S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanS<:Default Para<ll:Endnote TextXXXS\  `&Times New RomanSS\  `&Times New RomanSXXX<:Endnote Refe<ll:Footnote TexXXXS\  `&Times New RomanSS\  `&Times New RomanSXXX<:Footnote Ref<:Body Text In  8.rr` hp x (#8 > S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS2p0Footer  (#S\  `&Times New RomanSD:X` hp x (#DS\  `&Times New RomanS2p0Header  (#S\  `&Times New RomanSD:X` hp x (#DS\  `&Times New RomanS<oo:footnote refS\  `&Times New RomanSXXXS\  `&Times New RomanS<:footnote tex  ;1X` hp x (#;K<6X9`(Courier NewK  8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanS<6X9`(Courier New0.TOC 1 X X     S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 2  X  ` `    S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 3  X       S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 4 ` X     S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 5  X  hh   S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 6 X  (#  S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 7 X 5+ ` hp x (#5  S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 8 X  (#  S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 9 X  (#  S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS42Index 1  X  ` `   P S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS42Index 2  X  ` `    S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS<g:TOA Heading  (#S\  `&Times New RomanS8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanS<:Page Number '    0 .    < ''  =XXX=XXXX=X    XXXX    e  U-  -/)n^Z~l99 `$$@Xxx<< dd@E3X99xxIIXe9-  NITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFEDUCATIONe Ԍ X Ќ  XXXX  ' (#X'XXXX  5    sXXX OFFICEOFSPECIALEDUCATIONANDREHABILITATIVESERVICESXXsX (e2$ ;!  =XXX=XXXX=X  'dxddd Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5(e2$ ;!  =XXX=XXXX=X  ($*+,(A<< cWPC;;;; rR}8    ????? ??????8     ?   ? ? ?? ???? ??? ~  | ?  ??  `?  ?0? ? < ?? >  ? ? #? ??? ??       ?~ ? 8?  ?   c ? ? ?    ?? ???????~?~?|?0??? ? ? ??? ?????????????? ~?0    ???p  ??{?~ ??? ?1??8?s?*|| ;+;`?/o+3W??+?p??1s<_X߃?p)H~?`?1@?`+?7><?+???^`F> y2~1p~N}?>y{2+p~|y2 `{~A2 O zv|& z-gwy?20 !{~?6??0 ?g??6?/??/??37y?3|?߀?&  ? `?  &?zpA_ 6??A_q~!?  ~>?? >? ? |?@3 ߀~O|?+xGO~?+?O?G{~'@Go?'@ p ?'` ?|'???$bD p?1??τ??1G?1?~?~#~?~&??9 x<?_?pq }=po A  (_1~|@7נ_~<  7śE<?? @?|@??~0?/X`'1? ?9<fO ?|?; <8~~?ߌ  ?~?Q  ~?=|??8`H  <>,? A<+~? > F`8~x?>㇀`@????˃`@ ????ˁ#o???d g Cw??  g?!hAsR}h?1>4u??p}@}A>"y@|OG>~?͟~?"  ?~>" OOc|?-@ 8}|0?#A`? ?~=|?- ~߀?$ !߀G??,~-{ A@~&;W?Aÿ|~&x~?;/|xA|,~~ ^93$_`|7  g ? ,?2?z C ?++?x ߃ 6|?  +6x? 9=@p|?9?|1?|9<9O?9?9?2<@ ǀ9 &  ?=?9 A?@ ?~|?``}&` @~# ~O}C? i0KX p~ P8??8>  < | ~> x?~?> ?0SAs~>x ?? ~> '!~~ ?13'  w~~ `#@'>@~~?~> P '~~~`1~??87} ??<+|?~? ~~7?||?Ϗ `}|? { ?@{N 8 >@w8'y?>`?`08?x/0x$?8?xb~ ?8;- x08~!/! }p- @?~!? c4p &`~~??%`p>  |~o&`? ?>~~y ?~8D|~ ??ux  8>~ ?  8~  #  # ?@ AH/Ͽ#`@ ǃ|/@ "|/ a1 aC~F CC~ 0~ ?~ ~ }?~@@#~8~?䀏@~" 8?x> |!,/{~ Cp??y @ @?OO p@`?8 @8a?08 aܟ? 8p08 Dvhx'?q,x0p4|0 -8 ?x  0?r|_0 ??1?v|&w  t?1  _8???  ???   ??o%?@ >P ?铂oO~/ O g/_ 7^ 翯 <?h >   k  ? ~ = LJ ?O3? G<g  O~3 '<  ?. g<? A'} g<  g<?   g<?  C G~?a A O~?? _! >4 ? ! > ? ?0@~o ? ?8 !/ ?_?(xĀ?? ?>x??? >_|? |" :??h< ?? ?8 / p?   #N? #>H?? L<A~Z? (@xz? )/@? ? ?<   ? ρp c ?#IA  ?0  ?q>  ? <\ ?~ ~ 8D?? ?p  `Ȃ      ? ? ???  ??~ h ! `  p  ?? p ??? ?  ??   ?     ??    `     ?  ?  ?  0?? ?0 8 x? ><        ??q   | ?? ? ?     ? ?  ?  |     ? ~ ? |? { <?  p0 ? 8 ?  ? ?? ?  ? `?   ~?A <??? ?? ??? ?  ?  ??>? ~| x ? s ?s ?q??p?pp?      ?    89. J 1)  =XXX=XXXX=X  h  E1X` hp x (#XE 600INDEPENDENCEAVE.,S.W.,WASHINGTON,DC20202 X ' (#XX'XXXX     hsXXXOurmissionistoensureequalaccesstoeducationandtopromoteeducationalexcellencethroughouttheNationXXsX (e2$ ;!  =XXX=XXXX=X   3 G ''  =XXX=XXXX=X  Q5(XQ (#X HonorableMaryO.Elder ! !E(#Page$X    2  $'XX   X A( +1!AB.` hp x (#(#B  d4444'dxd$35?CGKOSW1(1.)1111111 d7777'dxd$35;?CGKOS21.1111111#|x(J$  =X[XX=XX[XX=X[0&d9 Z6Times New Roman Regular=Xs'{s':i+00U ;!  =XXX=XXXX=X        XX&0  XXXXXXXX      _NOVEMBER25,19972A )Ԍ  Ќ  XXXXXXXX  E1X` hp x (#XEXXXXXXXX  l  E1X` hp x (#XXEHonorableMaryO.Elderl݌  ЌXXXXXXXX  ExecutiveDirector  TexasInteragencyCouncilonEarlyChildhoodIntervention4900NorthLamarBoulevardAustin,Texas78751-2399DearMs.Elder:B.` hp x (#XXBDuringtheweekofSeptember16,1996,theOfficeofSpecialEducationPrograms(OSEP),UnitedStatesDepartmentofEducation,conductedanon-sitereviewoftheTexasInteragencyCouncilonEarlyChildhoodIntervention's(ECI)implementationofPartHoftheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA).ThepurposeofthereviewwastodeterminewhetherECIismeetingitsresponsibilitytoensurethatservicesforinfantsandtoddlerswithdisabilitiesareadministeredinamannerconsistentwiththerequirementsofPartH.Duringthatweek,OSEPalsoreviewedtheTexasEducationAgency's(TEA)implementationofPartBoftheIDEA,todeterminethestatusofTEA'scompliancewiththeFederalrequirementsrelatedtotheprovisionofspecialeducationandrelatedservicesforchildrenandyouthwithdisabilitiesinTexas.OSEP'sfindingsconcerningPartBhavebeenaddressedinaseparatelettertoTEA,datedSeptember16,1997.ForPartH,OSEPfoundnoviolationsofthelaworregulations,andthushasnotrequestedformalcorrectiveactions.ThisletterpresentsfindingsregardingcommendableStateinitiatives,aswellasareasofconcernrelatedtosystemwideimplementation,withspecificrecommendationsforimprovement.E1X` hp x (#XEQ5(MjQXX OSEP'sMONITORINGMETHODOLOGY    Mj A( 1!AXX     Pre-siteDocumentReview:   AsinallStates,OSEPusedamultifacetedprocesstoreviewtheimplementationofPartHinTexas.In   additiontoon-sitevisits,thisprocessincluded:reviewandapprovaloftheState'sPartHapplicationwhichsetsouttheState'sstatutesandregulations,policiesandprocedures,andinteragencyagreementsthatimpacttheprovisionofservicestoInfantsandtoddlerswithdisabilitiesandtheirfamilies;reviewoftheState'sPartHself-assessment,othercorrespondence,andtelephonecallsthatOSEPreceivedregardingtheState'simplementation.PriortoitsvisittoTexas,OSEPalsorequestedandreviewedadditionaldocumentationregardingtheState'scompliancewithrequirementsregardingdueprocesshearings,complaintresolution,andmonitoring,aswellasthechildcount. InvolvementofParentsandAdvocates: )$%  DuringtheweekofApril22,1996,OSEPheldsixpublicmeetingsinAustin,Dallas,ElPaso, *%& Harlingen,Houston,andLubbock.Alsoduringthatweek,Dr.Stettner-Eaton(OSEP'sPartHcontact forTexas),Dr.GregoryCorr(OSEP'sTeamLeader)andMs.DebraSturdivant(OSEP'sPartB ,'( 2 23& 2  contactforTexas),metwithrepresentativesfromadvocacygroupsintwooutreachmeetings.Dr.Stettner-EatonalsointerviewedanumberofECIstaff,andreviewedECIdocuments.  8.` hp x (#8Thepurposeofthepublicandoutreachmeetingswastosolicitcommentsfromparents,advocacygroups,serviceproviders,administratorsandotherinterestedcitizensregardingtheirperceptionsoftheimplementationoftheIDEA,bothPartsHandB,inTexas.Inthelettersinvitinginterestedpartiestothepublicmeetings,OSEPalsoinvitedthemtoprovidewrittencommentsandtelephoneinputregardingtheirperceptions.    Duringtheon-sitevisit,OSEPconductedsmallgroupparentinterviewsinthreeofthepublicagenciesitvisitedinordertohearparentsimpressionsofearlyinterventionservicesprovidedtotheirchildren.ThesemeetingsprovidedOSEPstaffwithparentsviewsoftheeffectivenessoftheearlyinterventionservicesprovidedbyECItoinfants,toddlersandtheirfamilies,aswellasthechallengesfaced.OSEPwasalsointerestedindeterminingtheextenttowhichfamily-orientedandculturallycompetentserviceswerebeingdelivered.Inaddition,OSEPstaffconductedateleconferencewithrepresentativesoftheexecutivecommitteeoftheAdvisoryCommittee(theStatesInteragencyCoordinatingCouncil),andmetwithECIdirectorsattendingtheDirectorsForumtoobtainperceptionsfrombothgroupsastothechallengesfacingTexasintheimplementationofPartH. SelectionofMonitoringIssuesandAgenciestoVisit: OSEPfocusesitscompliancereviewinallStatesonthosecorerequirementsthatarecloselyrelatedtochildandfamilyresults:theStatesystemforidentifyingandensuringthecorrectionofdeficienciesindeliveryofservicesthroughmonitoring;ensuringthatalleligiblechildrenwithdisabilitiesreceiveappropriateearlyinterventionservicesasdeterminedthroughthedevelopmentandimplementationofanindividualizedfamilyserviceplan;theprovisionoftransitionplanning;andensuringthatparentsareappropriatelyincludedinallaspectsofthedecision-makingprocess.TheinformationthatOSEPobtainedfromitspre-sitepublicmeetingsandoutreachmeetings,interviewswithStateofficials,resultsofthePartHself-assessmentandotherStatedocumentationassistedOSEPin:    8.rr` hp x (#8 >   ( 6 $( X 8.r` hp x (#8  23  ..identifyingtheissuesfacedbyparentsandothersinterestedintheprovisionofearlyinterventionservicesinTexas;      8.rr` hp x (#8 >    ;1r` hp x (#;   X 8.r` hp x (#8  23  ..selectingadditionalmonitoringissuesforreviewwhileon-site;and   ;1r` hp x (#; X 8.r` hp x (#8  23  ..selectingthesitestobevisited.   ;1X` hp x (#; On-siteDataCollectionandFindings: Dr.Stettner-EatoninterviewedStateleadagencyandexecutivestaff,Self-assessmentteam,andinteragencycollaborators,includingMs.JillGrayoftheTEA,andreviewedrelevantECIdocumentation.Dr.Stettner-EatonandMs.MaryannMcDermott(OSEPstaffvisitedandcollectedimplementationdatafromECIprogramsoperatedbyavarietyofadministrativeentities(i.e.,publicschooldistrict,privatenon-profitagency,andStateMentalHealth/MentalRetardationagency).Whereappropriate,OSEPhasincludedinConcernsandRecommendedActiondatathatitcollectedfromthoseagenciesandindividualsthatsupportorclarifyourconcernsregardingtheeffectivenessofECI'ssystemofearlyinterventionservices,consistentwiththerequirementsofPartH.=5(=S\  `&Times New RomanS COMMENDABLESTATEINITIATIVES -( -XXXS\  `&Times New RomanSWefoundthattheTexasInteragencyCouncilonEarlyChildhoodInterventionhastakenanumberofnoteworthyinitiativestoimproveservicestoinfantsandtoddlerswithdisabilitiesandtheirfamilies,includingcomprehensiveprogramevaluation,datacollectionandanalysis;rigorousmonitoringthatiscloselytiedtotechnicalassistance;policiesandprocedurestoensurethatservicesareprovidedinnaturalenvironments;effectiveStatecomplaintprocedures,andorientationfornewECIprogramdirectors.ECIhasdevotedconsiderableresourcestotheseinitiativesand,basedonourvisit,theresulthasbeenpositiveforeligiblechildrenandtheirfamilies.ECI'sin-houseabilitytoanalyzesignificantdemographicandprogrammaticdata,andpresenttheminacogent,visuallyappealingmanner,hasenabledtheprogramtoprovideobjective,high-qualityinformationabouttheservicesystem,andprovidespecificinformationanddatarequestedbytheGovernor,theStateLegislature,andotherpolicy-makersaboutthestatewidesystem.Guidedbyahighlycompetentevaluationstaff,thecollectionofbroad-baseddatarelatedtoallaspectsofservicedeliveryforinfantsandtoddlerwithdisabilities,andtheirfamilies,promotesinformeddecision-makingandenhancesECI'splanningandforecastingabilities.ECI-fundedprogramsreceiveanon-sitemonitoringvisitbyECIannuallyforthefirsttwoyearsoffundingandatleastonceeverythreeyearsthereafter.Basedontheresultsofthemonitoringvisit,aprogrammayreceiveadditionalmonitoringvisits.Monitoringvisitstypicallyinvolveathree-personteamtoexaminetheentirescopeoftheprogram,includingreviewofchildrecords,compliancewithrelevantFederalandStatestatutesandregulations,fiscalaccountingandauditreports,healthstandards,andpersonnelstandards.Attheexitconferenceofeachvisit,aprogramisnotifiedofitsstatusonECI'sthree-pointmonitoringclassificationscale,acorrectiveactionplan(CAP)isdeveloped,andtechnicalassistancedesignedtomeettheneedsidentifiedintheCAPisprovided.Atthetimeofouron-sitevisit,weobservedtheprocessbywhichtheECIstaffrecommendedthataprogramthathadreceivedaLevel-3monitoringrating(i.e.,systemicandsubstantialviolationsofStateandFederalrequirements)bede-funded.Thisprocesswasextremelytime-consumingforboththeECIstaffandmembersoftheAdvisoryCommittee,andwasconductedinahighlyprofessionalmanner.TheECIstaffhasdevelopedpoliciesandproceduresthatpromotetheprinciplesofprovidingservicesinnaturalenvironments.OnMarch21,1996,ECIdisseminatedarevisiontoitsECIPoliciesandProceduresManual,whichreflectedchangestotheprovisionofservicesinthenaturalenvironment.Thedocumentintegratedthedescriptionofservicedeliveryinthenaturalenvironmentthroughout,ratherthanprovidingtheinformationinaseparatesection.ECIcontractorswereinformedthat asofSeptember1,1996,allprogramsweretohaveanapprovednaturalenvironmentplanwhichdescribedthestepsandtimelinesthatwouldbetakentoensurethatallservicesweredeliveredinnaturalenvironmentsbySeptember1,1998.ECIstaffandcontractorsreportedthatsignificanttrainingopportunitiesandtechnicalassistancefosteredadramaticchangeinthelocationofearlyinterventionservicesfromseparate,center-basedmodelstoservicesinnaturalenvironmentsoveran18-monthperiod.AreviewoftheStatecomplaintsystemoverthepasttwoyearsrevealedthatECIroutinelycompletedtheprocesswithinthe60-daytimeline.Ineachofthe10casesthatOSEPreviewed,ECIfolloweduptheletteroffindingswithdirectcontactwiththecontractorandrequiredstafftrainingbythe Stateteam,subsequentfollow-upmonitoring,ordictatedtheneedforconveninganewindividualizedfamilyserviceplan(IFSP)meetingtorectifyincorrectprocedures.ItappearsthattheECIstafftakesseriouslytheirresponsibilityforsupervisionandmonitoring.Finally,ECIhasdevelopedacomprehensiveorientationprogramfornewprogramdirectorsthatincludestwotothreedaysofintensivetrainingonallaspectsofadministrationofearlyinterventionservicesinTexas.ThetrainingincludesunderstandingofECIphilosophy,workingeffectivelywithparents,reviewofFederalandStateregulationsrelatedtoPartH,fiscalandbudgetingresponsibilities,monitoringandtechnicalassistance,andperformanceexpectations.ECIdirectorsspokeveryhighlyofthistraining.=8(=8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanS AREASOFCONCERNANDRECOMMENDEDACTION -( -XXXS\  `&Times New RomanSOSEP'smonitoringplacesastrongemphasisonthoserequirementsmostcloselyassociatedwithpositiveresultsforchildrenwithdisabilitiesandtheirfamilies.Therefore,OSEPrecommendsattentiontothefollowingthreeissuestofurtherimproveearlyinterventionservicesinTexas:=5(= md >`dS\  `&Times New RomanS ( 9 $( , 8.` hp x (#8  23  ..ChildFind:    -( -;1` hp x (#;XXXS\  `&Times New RomanS Childfindactivitiesareattheheartofimplementingthisprogram.WhileTexasreportedserving10,078childrenontheDecember1,1996,childcountorapproximately1%ofthebirth-through-two-year-olds,theneedtoimprovechildfindwasidentifiedinapre-sitepublicmeeting,thePartHSelf-Assessment,andintheinterviewwithmembersoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheAdvisoryCommittee.Themajorareasofconcernrelatedtochildfindweretheneedtotargetspecificactivitiestomembersofthechildcarecommunity,medicalprofessionals,andethnically-diversepopulations.8.` hp x (#8TheneedtoincreasepublicawarenessandprofessionalawarenessofECIwasalsoidentifiedthroughtheself-assessmentprocess.MembersoftheStateselfassessmentteamrecommendedtheneedfor moredirectcontactandeffortwithteachinginstitutions,professionalassociations,andkeystaffinmedicalsettings.Also,strongerlinkswithchild-careprofessionalsatthelocalandStatelevelareneeded. Recommendedaction:  Throughtheself-assessmentprocess,ECIidentifiedchildfindasoneofthefiveareastotargetforimprovementoverthenextyear.WerecommendthatECIplanactivitiesspecificallydesignedstatewidetoaddresstheissuesrelatedtochildfind,particularlyintheareasidentifiedbytheState'sself-assessment. =5(= md >`dS\  `&Times New RomanS , 8.` hp x (#8  23  ..Servicestoauditorilyand/orvisually-impairedchildren:    -( -8.` hp x (#8XXXS\  `&Times New RomanS AtthetimeofOSEP'svisit,theMemorandumofAgreementbetweenTEAandECIrelatingtotheprovisionofservicestochildrenwithauditoryand/orvisualimpairmentshadjustbeenimplemented.ThisMemorandumofAgreementprovidedacollaborativeframeworkbywhichearlyinterventionserviceswouldbeprovidedtotheseeligibleinfantsandtoddlers.PriortotheimplementationofPartH,infantsandtoddlersinneedofauditoryand/orvisualservicesreceivedthemasapartofafreeappropriatepubliceducationthroughTEA.ThispracticecontinueduntiltheMemorandumofAgreementwasimplementedinNovemberof1995,whichdelineatedtheresponsibilitiesofeachagency:TEAwastoprovidethespecificallytrainedqualifiedpersonnelandECIwastodevelopandimplementtheremainderoftheIFSP.CollaborationbetweenECIandTEApersonnelwascritical.Theneedforimprovedcoordinationofauditoryand/orvisualservicesforinfantsandtoddlersfirstsurfacedduringthepre-sitepublicmeetingswhereoneindividualquestionedwhichagency(ECIorTEA)wasresponsiblefortransitionfromPartHtoPartBservices,giventhatbothagencieswereequallyinvolvedinserviceprovision.BasedoninformationprovidedduringinterviewswiththeAdvisoryCommittee,TEA,andDirectorsForum,theprovisionofservicestochildrenwhoareauditorilyand/orvisually-impairedisunevenacrosstheState.SeveralECIdirectorsreportedthattheautonomyofthelocaleducationagenciesintheirareasmadeitdifficultforthemtorelinquishresponsibilityforthoseservices,andthatthecurrentimplementationwasinconsistentandsometimesnotwellcoordinated.Itwasalsoreportedthatstaffsfrombothagencieshavevoicedfrustrationwiththe sharedresponsibilityarrangement,particularlyasitrelatestosupervisionandaccountability. Recommendedaction: OSEPrecommendsthatECIandTEAjointlysurveytheauditory/visualservicestoassessthelevelofexistingcoordinationintheimplementationofservicestothosechildren,withparticularattentiontotheadministrativeaspects.ThisactivitycouldbeincorporatedintoECI'sregularlyscheduledmonitoringactivities,andperhapsincludinginterviewswithparentsaswellasTEAandECIserviceproviders.=5(= md  md  md >`dS\  `&Times New RomanS  , 8.` hp x (#8  23  ..Provisionofrespitecare:    -( -8.` hp x (#8XXXS\  `&Times New RomanS OSEPfoundevidencethattheprovisionandavailabilityofrespitecaremaynotbeuniformacrosstheState.Whilerespitecareisnotspecificallyidentifiedordefinedin303.12(d)-Earlyinterventionservices,itmaybeidentifiedontheIFSPasanearlyinterventionserviceforaparticularchild,dependingontheneedsofthechildandtheirfamily.Thisissuewasinitiallyidentifiedduringthepre-sitemeetingwiththeDisabilityPolicyCouncil.Oneoftheadvocatesstatedthatrespitecarewasnotofferedasanearlyinterventionservicetofamilies,norcouldECIdollars,whetherFederalorState,beusedtopayforit.AnotherindividualcommentedthatsomelocalECIprovidersuselocalfund-raisingtosupportthisservice.OSEPwastoldbymembersoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheAdvisoryCommittee,thattheprovisionofrespitecarewasidentifiedasanareathatneededfurtherdevelopmentbyECIstatewide.SeveralindividualsattheDirectors'ForumconfirmedthepolicythatECIfundscouldnotbeusedtopayforrespitecare,addingthatthishamperedtheirabilitytopayforandproviderespitecaretofamiliesinneed.Inaddition,twooftheagenciesvisitedreportedtheneedforadditionalresourcesforrespitecare.Onealsostatedthattheylistedrespitecareunder otherservicesontheIFSP,andthereforeECIwasnotfinanciallyresponsible.IndiscussionwiththeDeputyExecutiveDirectorofECI,sheconfirmedforOSEPthatrespitecarewasbrokeredunder otherservices. Recommendedaction: ECIissueguidancetoclarifythatrespitecaremaybeanearlyinterventionserviceforaparticularchildandtheirfamily,basedontheirneedsandresultsofevaluationsandassessments.ECIshoulddevelopaplantoenhanceECIproviders'abilitytomakerespitecareavailable,whenappropriate.Dr.Stettner-EatondiscussedOSEP'spreliminaryfindingswithyouandDr.DonnaSamuelsonatanexitconferenceheldattheconclusionofOSEP'son-sitevisit.Atthattime,Dr.Stettner-EatoninvitedECItoprovideanyadditionalinformationforconsiderationbyOSEPinthedevelopmentofthisletter.Nofurtherinformationwasprovided.  ;1` hp x (#;  8.` hp x (#8Iwanttothankyou,yourAustin-basedstaff,andECIcontractorsacrosstheStatefortheassistanceandcooperationprovidedduringourreview.Throughoutthemonitoringprocess,staffwasveryresponsiveinprovidinginformationthatenabledOSEPstafftoacquireabetterunderstandingoftheimplementationofPartHinTexas.  ;1` hp x (#;  8.` hp x (#8Section631oftherecentlyreauthorizedIDEAAmendmentsof1997,Pub.L.105-17,recognizedtheimportanceofearlyinterventionservicesforinfantsandtoddlerswithdisabilitiesandreconfirmedourbeliefthatsuchservicesareinthebestinterestofthesechildren,theirfamilies,schools,andsocietyingeneral.WethankyouforyourcontinuingeffortstoimproveearlyinterventionservicesandresultsfortheyoungestofchildrenwithdisabilitiesinTexas. < &p x (#&Sincerely,=5( = ThomasHehir-( - DirectorOfficeofSpecialEducationPrograms  8.` hp x (#8cc:Dr.DonnaSamuelson