REFFERALS

The following are the necessary steps in obtaining a referral for a preschool assessment for your child who is between the ages of 3-5 years with the Martinez Unified School District:

• The parent/guardian initiates contact with the Special Education Department regarding concerns.
• The parent/guardian follows the District procedures for Address Verification and Registration.Documents required at the time of verifying the residency address are outlined on the attached document.
• Complete on-line registration through the District website.
  • If you require computer access or technical assistance for registration, a computer is available at the District Office.
• Submit the address verification documents, verification of child’s date of birth (Birth Certificate), verification of immunization records and completed information form to the Special Education Department office.

The MEIPP Assessment Center team reviews the referral and a team representative contacts the parent/guardian to schedule your child for an intake appointment.

The parent/guardian and child attend the scheduled intake appointment with District specialists to obtain an overview of child’s skills in the areas of language, articulation, vision/hearing, academics, concepts and motor development.Following the intake, the specialists meet with the parent/guardian to discuss the child’s performance. The appointment will take approximately 90 minutes.

If assessment is determined necessary, the MEIPP Assessment Center will develop an assessment plan within 15 days of the intake appointment and/or the determination of need for a special education evaluation. The assessment plan will indicate the areas that the District is proposing for evaluation for your son/daughter and which specialists will be completing the evaluation.

The parent/guardian will review the proposed assessment plan and indicate consent for the assessment by signing the consent section of the document and returning this form to the MEIPP Assessment Center.Upon receipt of written consent for the assessments, the District has 60 days to complete all the assessments and hold an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting with you to discuss eligibility. The 60 day timeline is a federal and state regulation, and this timeline does stop when school is not in session for more than five days (Winter Break and Summer Recess).

The parent/guardian is provided with an initial assessment packet, which includes educational, behavioral, developmental and medical questionnaires. All assessment packet forms are to be completed in full and returned to the MEIPP Assessment Center (room 17) at the time of the first assessment appointment.

During the assessment process, evaluations and observations will be scheduled with you and your child so the specialists can obtain sufficient information for determining your child’s present levels of functioning and eligibility for special education services.

The Martinez Early Intervention Preschool Program is dedicated to providing a comprehensive assessment for preschool children. Our goal is to identify unique individual needs and determine each child’s eligibility for special education services under the California Education Code and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004. We are committed to working collaboratively with you so your child can reach his/her highest potential. We look forward to meeting you and your child.

ASSESSMENT CENTER
The Assessment Center provides multidisciplinary evaluations to respond to your concerns regarding the growth and development of your child, and to determine if he or she has a disability that requires specialized interventions.

Children ages 3 to 5 who have a disability defined by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) -Part B and CA State Education Code are provided specialized instruction and related services by the Martinez Unified School District (MUSD).

Through the referral process, you and a Specialist will identify any areas of concern for further assessment.  Based on areas of concern, a multidisciplinary evaluation is conducted by a team of professionals which could include a school psychologist, speech langauge pathologist, special education teacher, occupational therapist, district nurse, adaptive physical education teacher and physical therapist.

Together, the Education Specialists can provide a thorough understanding of your child's strengths and present functional, developmental and academic skills in one or more of the following areas:

• Cognition
• Speech and Language
• Motor Skills
• Social/Emotional
• Academic Abilities
• Health and Development
• Sensory Processing

The Multidisciplinary Team Assessment consists of the following:

• Informal and formal assessments
• Interviews conducted with you, teacher and/or any service providers
• Observations of your child in his/her natural setting, during the formal evaluations and/or during a current service provider's therapy session
• Thorough review of all medical and educational records

Upon completion of the assessment process, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting is held with you and the Multidisciplinary Team Specialists.  At this meeting, the IEP team will:

• Review all evaluation outcomes with you
• Determine areas of unique educational needs for your child
• Establish eligibility for special education services
• Propose goals and objectives for targeted areas of growth
• Recommend program and services to address your child's individualized needs

Children can be found eligible under the following established categories:

• Speech Language Impairment
• Austistic-Like Behaviors
• Intellectual Disability
• Other Health Impairment
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Hearing or Visual Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Emotional Disturbance
• Established Medical Disability
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Multiple Disabilities

MUSD offers a continuum of services to address the unique learning and educational needs of all children found eligible for special education.  Recommended educational programs could consist of a specialized classroom placement, direct related services of collaboration and consultation amongst your child's services providers.