Approve the Renewal of Interagency Transition Agreement with the Bay Area Early Steps Program of the University of South Florida and Infants & Young Children of West Central Florida, Inc., 2010/2013 (Exceptional Student Education)

This renewal agreement, effective since 2001, between the above named agencies (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-IDEA Part C providers) and Hillsborough County Public Schools (IDEA Part B provider), ensures a collaborative transition, as mandated by law, including the involvement of family members in planning/completing the transition process from Part C to Part B.

IDEA Part C is federal legislation for infants and toddlers, ages birth through two years. The Florida Department of Health, Children’s Medical Services contracts with the University of South Florida College of Medicine to implement the Part C Early Steps Program in Hillsborough County. Locally, the Bay Area Early Steps Program of the University of South Florida and Infants & Young Children of West Central Florida, Inc. are the lead agencies for implementing Part C. IDEA Part B applies to school-aged children with disabilities, ages three to twenty-two. The school district is the lead agency for implementing Part B.

The transition process addresses educating families about transition, including the similarities and differences between IDEA Part C Early Steps Program for infants and toddlers, and IDEA Part B services for school-age children ages three to twenty-two. This process, as mandated by State Performance Plan, Indicator 12, ensures that needed evaluations are conducted for children receiving Part C services by their third birthdays. The evaluations are conducted cooperatively, and within a timely fashion, in order to promote continuous services for young children. Approximately 1200 children transitioned from Part C to Part B from July 2008 through June 2009.

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates, * Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum

Funds are budgeted in existing Federal Programs. FTE is generated when students transition from Part C to Part B and are subsequently enrolled in our Pre-K ESE Program to receive specially designed instruction and related services.