- Hi everyone.
My name is Leslie Alvarez
and I am an attorney with Disability Rights Texas.
We are a non-profit organization devoted to protecting
and advancing the rights of all children
and all adults with disabilities in Texas.
I am joining you today to talk about the transition
from Early Childhood Intervention to Special Education
and how Disability Rights Texas can help you
and your family.
If your child has recently aged out of ECI
or you think they may be eligible
for Special Education services
we are here to help you understand that process
as it may be very confusing.
Because we know how important receiving services
at a young age is to a child's development,
there are certain timelines you're ECI provider
and the local school must follow
in order to get your child services as quickly as possible.
Disability Rights Texas has recently published new handouts
on our website that explain these timelines
and transition process in a way that is easy to understand.
Go to www.DRTx.org/ECI
to find these resources.
But I would like to go ahead
and give you a brief overview of the process.
So with your consent,
your ECI provider must help your child transition
to Special Education by the time your child turns three.
But if your child did not receive ECI services and you think
that they will benefit from Special Education services
you should email your local school principal
and request a Special Education evaluation.
The local school must respond to you
within 15 days of the email.
Once your local school has you sign an evaluation consent,
the school must complete your child's evaluations
within 45 days and must set a meeting with you
within 30 days of the evaluations being completed.
Again, if you would like to read more
on these timelines and the transition process
please visit www.DRTx.org/ECI
for our handouts.
If you have any further issues
or questions about the process,
please call our intake line at 1-800-252-9108.
Thank you.