Special Education Directors' Corner

What's New

Adoption of Extended Part C Option in Colorado

The CDE and the Colorado Department of Human Services Early Intervention Colorado have adopted a policy for an Extended Part C Option in Colorado. Colorado EI adopted this policy through changes in the EI Rules, and approval from the Office of Federal Education Programs (OSEP) on March 28^th, 2022. This policy becomes effective in Colorado for children with third birthdays between May 1^st and the end of August, 2022. This policy allows early intervention services, in defined instances, to continue after a child’s third birthday, until the beginning of the subsequent school year.

Please review this memo on our website to learn more about the policy and the criteria for qualifying children. A brief overview of this policy will be provided during the Early Childhood breakout session at the Spring Directors’ meeting on Friday, April 4^th during the 3:15 p.m. breakout time. After reviewing the memo, please reach out to Heidi White, Preschool Director, or Mary Morin, Child Find Specialist, with questions or for more information.

Extended Part C Procedural Guidance for AUs

CDE, in partnership with Early Intervention, has developed an Extended Part C Procedural Guidance for AUs. It can be found with additional documents related to Extended Part C on our website. Please share this guidance with others in your organization including data staff, supervisors, and staff who conduct evaluations, eligibility meetings and/or initial IEP meetings for children transitioning from Part C to Part B.  

After reviewing the guidance, please reach out to Mary Morin, Child Find Specialist, with questions or for more information.

Facility Schools Model Workgroup, Families, Parents, Guardians, Current/Former Students, as well as Educational Advocates Needed

The Senate Bill 21-274 Facility Schools Model Workgroup is looking for input from families, parents, guardians, current/former students, as well as educational advocates.

The Workgroup would like to hear about first-hand experiences- both positive and opportunities for growth- when educational needs exceeded what was available in a traditional classroom setting. These experiences could have taken place in a variety of placements including in-district or out-of-district and/or facility, program, service, or individual-based. The Workgroup is also looking for input based on experiences when appropriate services were not available either in or out of the district. If you are willing to provide input, please click on the link below to complete a short survey. The survey is available in English and Spanish – if you need this survey in another language, please utilize the Google Translate option found at the bottom of the webpage. If you need further assistance please contact the Office of Facility Schools at facility_schools@cde.state.co.us.

Parent, Student, and Advocate Survey

https://app.keysurvey.com/f/41614283/1b2f/

Padre, Estudiante, y Defensor Encuesta

https://app.keysurvey.com/f/41616363/1477/