Transition
Transition in Early Intervention services can be many different things:
- Moving from the infant/toddler program to the preschool program
- Leaving/entering a hospital
- Attending a child care setting
- Moving
- No longer in need of services or programs
Transition at Age Three
MHMR funds Early Intervention service to eligible children up to the age of three. When children reach age three, responsibility for funding early intervention services changes from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In Chester County, the responsibility for funding Early Intervention changes from the Chester County MHMR to the Chester County Intermediate Unit (under the PA Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education).
Transition planning is a collaborative, extensive, and dynamic series of conversations and activities. Ideally, this process begins at the first meeting with a family to help to determine “What comes next? and “What do we need to get there?”. A transition planning meeting is scheduled with the family, Service Coordinator, and Intermediate Unit representative to develop a transition plan that is based on the skills needed by the child to succeed; adaptations and acquisitions; community resources and family activities; and family-desired connections. The purpose and intent is to assure a smooth transition of support between funding agencies, as Early intervention is really
ONE birth to school-age program with 2 components.
