§ 303.209 Transition to preschool and other programs.

(a) Application requirements. Each State must include the following in its application:

(1) A description of the policies and procedures it will use to ensure a smooth transition for infants and toddlers with disabilities under the age of three and their families from receiving early intervention services under this part to—

(i) Preschool or other appropriate services (for toddlers with disabilities); or

(ii) Exiting the program for infants and toddlers with disabilities.

(2) A description of how the State will meet each of the requirements in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section.

(3)

(i)

(A) If the lead agency is not the SEA, an interagency agreement between the lead agency and the SEA; or

(B) If the lead agency is the SEA, an intra-agency agreement between the program within that agency that administers part C of the Act and the program within the agency that administers section 619 of the Act.

(ii) To ensure a seamless transition between services under this part and under part B of the Act, an interagency agreement under paragraph (a)(3)(i)(A) of this section or an intra-agency agreement under paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B) of this section must address how the lead agency and the SEA will meet the requirements of paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section (including any policies adopted by the lead agency under § 303.401(d) and (e)), § 303.344(h), and 34 CFR 300.101(b), 300.124, 300.321(f), and 300.323(b).

(4) Any policy the lead agency has adopted under § 303.401(d) and (e).

(b) Notification to the SEA and appropriate LEA.

(1) The State lead agency must ensure that—

(i) Subject to paragraph (b)(2) of this section, not fewer than 90 days before the third birthday of the toddler with a disability if that toddler may be eligible for preschool services under part B of the Act, the lead agency notifies the SEA and the LEA for the area in which the toddler resides that the toddler on his or her third birthday will reach the age of eligibility for services under part B of the Act, as determined in accordance with State law;

(ii) Subject to paragraph (b)(2) of this section, if the lead agency determines that the toddler is eligible for early intervention services under part C of the Act more than 45 but less than 90 days before that toddler's third birthday and if that toddler may be eligible for preschool services under part B of the Act, the lead agency, as soon as possible after determining the child's eligibility, notifies the SEA and the LEA for the area in which the toddler with a disability resides that the toddler on his or her third birthday will reach the age of eligibility for services under part B of the Act, as determined in accordance with State law; or

(iii) Subject to paragraph (b)(2) of this section, if a toddler is referred to the lead agency fewer than 45 days before that toddler's third birthday and that toddler may be eligible for preschool services under part B of the Act, the lead agency, with parental consent required under § 303.414, refers the toddler to the SEA and the LEA for the area in which the toddler resides; but, the lead agency is not required to conduct an evaluation, assessment, or an initial IFSP meeting under these circumstances.

(2) The State must ensure that the notification required under paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (b)(1)(ii) of this section is consistent with any policy that the State has adopted, under § 303.401(e), permitting a parent to object to disclosure of personally identifiable information.

(c) Conference to discuss services. The State lead agency must ensure that—

(1) If a toddler with a disability may be eligible for preschool services under part B of the Act, the lead agency, with the approval of the family of the toddler, convenes a conference, among the lead agency, the family, and the LEA not fewer than 90 days—and, at the discretion of all parties, not more than 9 months—before the toddler's third birthday to discuss any services the toddler may receive under part B of the Act; and.

(2) If the lead agency determines that a toddler with a disability is not potentially eligible for preschool services under part B of the Act, the lead agency, with the approval of the family of that toddler, makes reasonable efforts to convene a conference among the lead agency, the family, and providers of other appropriate services for the toddler to discuss appropriate services that the toddler may receive.

(d) Transition plan. The State lead agency must ensure that for all toddlers with disabilities—

(1)

(i) It reviews the program options for the toddler with a disability for the period from the toddler's third birthday through the remainder of the school year; and

(ii) Each family of a toddler with a disability who is served under this part is included in the development of the transition plan required under this section and § 303.344(h);

(2) It establishes a transition plan in the IFSP not fewer than 90 days—and, at the discretion of all parties, not more than 9 months—before the toddler's third birthday; and

(3) The transition plan in the IFSP includes, consistent with § 303.344(h), as appropriate—

(i) Steps for the toddler with a disability and his or her family to exit from the part C program; and

(ii) Any transition services that the IFSP Team identifies as needed by that toddler and his or her family.

(e) Transition conference and meeting to develop transition plan. Any conference conducted under paragraph (c) of this section or meeting to develop the transition plan under paragraph (d) of this section (which conference and meeting may be combined into one meeting) must meet the requirements in §§ 303.342(d) and (e) and 303.343(a).

(f) Applicability of transition requirements.

(1) The transition requirements in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (b)(1)(ii), (c)(1), and (d) of this section apply to all toddlers with disabilities receiving services under this part before those toddlers turn age three, including any toddler with a disability under the age of three who is served by a State that offers services under § 303.211.

(2) In a State that offers services under § 303.211, for toddlers with disabilities identified in § 303.209(b)(1)(i), the parent must be provided at the transition conference conducted under paragraph (c)(1) of this section:

(i) An explanation, consistent with § 303.211(b)(1)(ii), of the toddler's options to continue to receive early intervention services under this part or preschool services under section 619 of the Act.

(ii) The initial annual notice referenced in § 303.211(b)(1).

(3) For children with disabilities age three and older who receive services pursuant to § 303.211, the State must ensure that it satisfies the separate transition requirements in § 303.211(b)(6)(ii).

(Approved by Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820–0550)