Connecticut Department of Rehabilitation Services
Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB)
Children’s Services Policy Manual Proposed Updates
PREAMBLE
Pursuant to the changes in the Connecticut General Statutes that govern the administration of the Children’s Services Program within the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind, the agency is proposing to update the policies for that Program to align the policies with statutory changes.
At the same time that we are incorporating the changes in statutory language, the Bureau is also proposing adjustments to existing policy language in certain areas as discussed below. Page numbers in the index are proposed for replacement by labeling each category as a “Section.”
Throughout the proposed updates, language that is recommended for deletion is found within brackets (and also with a grey background). Text that is proposed to be added is underlined text with asterisks preceding the first proposed new word and immediately after the last proposed new word of a sentence, paragraph or section. While proposed changes appear extensively throughout the proposed manual update in every section, what follows is a summary of the most substantive changes. Please note however that this list is not exhaustive and does not reflect the full scope of every proposed change. Clients, advocates and citizens should, of course, review the entire draft policy document to become acquainted with all of the proposed changes.
The following summary of changes is presented in order by Section.
Preamble
While the Bureau remains indebted to the many stakeholders who participated in the development of the original policy manual in 2003, the Bureau is now several versions past that original effort. The names and job titles listed in the preamble date back to a much earlier time and most of the individuals listed have retired or moved on to other roles. Sadly, some of those listed have passed away.
Section 1—Legislative Authority
The Bureau proposes to replace outdated statutory language with current statutory language.
Section 2—Confidentiality and Availability of Case Records
The Bureau proposes to update this Section to parallel confidentiality language that is proposed for updating in the Bureau’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program, to bring consistency and increased detail to these policies.
Section 3—Referral and Eligibility
This Section introduces proposed replacement wording that is subsequently found throughout the draft updates. In general, “child” is replaced with “client” to acknowledge that some of the individuals served by the Children’s Services Program have reached the age of consent. The scenarios under which a client may be legally represented are also clarified, adding “conservators” and “authorized legal representatives.” The various types of education plans are also named in this Section to add clarity.
Section 4 – Services to Clients No Longer Visually Impaired
The heading of this Section is proposed for renaming to reflect person-first language. The intent of this Section is proposed for clarification to indicate what services may continue subsequent to a determination that an individual no longer meets the definition of having a visual impairment.
Section 5—Preschool Age Children
The name of the agency that administers the State-wide Birth to Three Program in Connecticut is proposed for updating. Language regarding the enrollment of children in private or parochial school is also proposed for addition to this Section. Wording regarding the use of comparable benefits and services is proposed for deletion, as this was found to be a rarely available option that had the potential of delaying the provision of services.
Special Hiring Requirements – Preschool Teachers of the Visually Impaired
This Section is proposed for deletion since the Bureau is not a stand-alone agency and does not directly hire employees who work for the agency. Hiring criteria fall under the purview of the Human Resources Unit within the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Section 6—School Age Individuals with Legal Blindness or Visual Impairments Enrolled in Public Schools
The naming of this Section is proposed for updating to person-first language. Acknowledgment that the Bureau addresses the Expanded Core Curriculum has been proposed for addition to this Section. Outdated language referring to a separate funding category for children with multiple disabling conditions that is no longer in use is proposed for deletion, resulting in the combining of a previously separate Section into this Section of the proposed policy manual update. Proposed changes to this Section also include adding a reference to statutory language that the agency cannot be liable for lack of staffing resources for meeting all of the requests for services.
Section 7—BESB Education Consultants for School Age Clients
This Section includes proposed clarifications on available services from this Bureau in circumstances where a Local Education Agency has chosen to directly provide the services of a certified teacher of children who are visually impaired or blind to serve children enrolled in their school district. Proposed changes also include clarifying the services that are available if a Local Education Agency requests BESB Education Consultant services. The form used by Local Education Agencies to request such services is proposed for revision.
Teacher Reimbursement Process
This Section is proposed for deletion due to changes in Connecticut General Statutes that have eliminated this option.
Section 8 – Reporting Requirements
Proposed changes to this Section clarify and reorganize the listing of reporting requirements for the Bureau, and for the Local Education Agency in circumstances where they have directly hired or contracted for a teacher of children who are visually impaired or blind.
Section 9-- Adaptive Devices, Software and Services
The title of this Section is proposed for modification, to add in the word “Software.” Circumstances under which the Bureau provides adaptive equipment, software and peripherals are proposed for clarification, including the role of the Rehabilitation Technologist or Rehabilitation Teacher in the recommendation process. Additional clarity is proposed for scenarios where a non-adaptive device could be considered. This Section also includes a proposed revision to acknowledge that BESB staff can provide for short-term training in the use of adaptive devices and software.
Section 10—Adaptive Materials and Aids
This proposed new Section was previously a sub-section of the prior Section. It is proposed to stand as a separate Section since it addresses educational aids and materials rather than adaptive technology devices. This Section retains two sub-sections; one for preschool children and one for school age clients. The sub-section titled “Guidelines for Purchases of Adaptive Devices” is proposed for deletion as it no longer fits within the context of this proposed new Section and it contains reducancies to language found in the preceding Section.
Section 11:-- Braille and Large Print Texts
This Section includes proposed new language regarding the timing for school districts to request books in Braille or large print for the upcoming school year, the requirement to return the loaned books after the course has ended and the stipulation that if a school district changes the book title(s) needed subsequent to BESB purchasing the originally requested books, that the school district will need to purchase the replacement books directly at their cost.
Section 12 -- American Printing House (APH) Items
This is a proposed new Section, separating it away from the previous Section where it had been located. APH items include a wide variety of selections beyond books. References to “Old Stock Items, Bulk Ordered Stock, Viewing Inventory,” and “Requests For Educational Items Not In Stock” are all proposed for deletion from this Section as they reference procedures that are outdated.
Section 13—Low Vision Services
Proposed for deletion from this Section are procedural instructions, some in reference to outdated forms or steps required to authorize the service. Proposed additions to this Section include language regarding the requirement to preauthorize the services in order for this agency to cover the cost.
Section 14 – Orientation and Mobility
Proposed new language for this Section specifies the types of mobility aids and services that can be provided and broadens the examples of locations in which instruction is available to be provided, replacing the very specific existing examples that are proposed for deletion. Proposed new language also provides clarification that mobility instruction provided in a school setting must be included in the applicable Education Plan of the client. Proposed new language to this Section also stipulates that the Bureau can only provide for mobility instruction within available resources and cannot commit to the delivery of services that exceed staffing capacity.
Section 15—Psychological Evaluation
Proposed new language to this Section includes a clarification that the testing must be included in the applicable Education Plan of the client in order for BESB to consider covering the cost of the testing.
Section 16 – Vocational Rehabilitation
Proposed new language to this Section incorporates the allowance that clients who are visually impaired and who are or were served by the Children’s Services Program on or after January 1, 2010 may be referred to the Vocational Rehabilitation Program at BESB. Existing language stipulating that these clients needed to be referred to the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services is proposed for deletion. Clarifying language is also proposed that transition programs involving a funding commitment from BESB must be included in the applicable Education Plan of the client.
Section 17—Enrollment in Private or Parochial Schools
Proposed rewording of existing language to confirm the ability of BESB to provide vision-related or blindness-related services to clients enrolled in private or parochial schools is included in this Section.
Section 18—Home Schooling
This is a proposed new Section that incorporates the authority identified in the Regulations of State Agencies allowing BESB to provide a limited scope of services to clients who are being home schooled.
Section 19 -- Consultation Services to Local Education Agencies
Language regarding the scope of consultation services is proposed for clarification in this Section and wording regarding training in the reimbursement process is proposed for deletion, since there is no longer a reimbursement process in state statute.
Section 20--In-Service Education
Proposed new language to this Section adds in the inclusion of support staff from school districts for participation in BESB sponsored education programs. Proposed new language also clarifies that BESB will make a listing of upcoming training opportunities available to school districts so that staff will be aware of the topics and dates with advance notice.
Use of 90171 Account funds (formerly 314)
This Section is proposed for deletion as this funding source no longer exists.
Funding Disbursement Process
This Section is proposed for deletion as this option no longer exists in state statutes.
Section 21-- Appeals Procedures
This Section proposes revisions that seek to add greater clarity to the appeals options for clients, or in the case of a minor or person under guardianship or conservatorship, their parents, guardians, conservators or authorized legal representatives who are dissatisfied with any determinations made by personnel of BESB’s Children’s Services Program concerning the furnishing or denial of services.
Section 22--Independent Living Programs
This Section proposes to add language indicating that programs must be included in the applicable Education Plan of the client for BESB funding to potentially cover the cost. This Section also includes a proposed list of Expanded Core Curriculum activities to add clarity to the types of services that are potentially eligible for funding from BESB.
Section 23 -- Paraprofessional Training
This Section proposes modifications to existing language to add clarity to the process that school districts must follow if they are seeking reimbursement for paraprofessional training in Braille instruction provided by this Bureau.