School psychs/counselors indicated on an IEP-what would you do?

Question

I am indicated in an IEP to meet with a student a few minutes a week to review the behavior plan and the child's progress. The child has been removed from school for 45 days and parents are refusing to accept compensatory services unless I go to the home (or non-school location like a library) as the IEP indicates. I just found out about this request, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I wonder what others think, or if anyone has had this situation before!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hmmm,  it was decided by the whole IEP team that you meet with the student a few minutes a week and you didn't know about this decision?

OR, are you saying that you just found out that you have to go to the childs house?

It sounds like you are saying that it is written in the IEP plan that you have to go to the childs house.

If so, that is what has to be done.

Still, I don't see how this decision could have been made without your knowledge or agreement?

If you want to fight this, you can use that. That this decision was NOT made with YOU and you are an EQUAL member of the IEP team.  You have to go the legal route and make sure the whole IEP team followed the legal process spelled out in IDEA law.

And since you are saying you just learned of this, they did not follow this law.

If you don't want to fight it, it just has to be done since it's written in the IEP plan.

Wow I thought that a child with an IEP could not be out of school for behavior problems for more than 10 days.

Answer 2

Since the IEP is a legal contract between the school and the parent, there does not seem to be much choice on your part unless the school relieves you of the responsibility, but then they would still have to provide someone to do it. And, they may ask, why not you?

My best guess would be for you to choose a library, which usually have conference rooms, and request that the parent or guardian be in attendance the whole time. Perhaps you should ask that another school employee be present also, if you are feeling unsafe or vulnerable.

Answer 3

In our district if the parent refuses alternative school placement the child is withdrawn and the parent becomes responsible for the child's education.  When the child expelled and the manifestation determines that the actions are not a result of the child's disability they go the alternative school just like everyone else, unless there are extreme circumstances.  

We are under no obligation to provide home services instead of the alternative school for the child who has been expelled.  In our district, if the child is expelled from the alternative school then homebound may be an option, but we also have teleclasses for homebound students so teachers do not have to go to the home.

I have worked with homebound students before, both at their homes and in public places.  If you end up having to provide home services, my advice is to do it in a public place such as a library.  I have found that at home there are too many problems - parents not at home (but they often leave little ones home, like I'm a babysitter - even if they don't, it's not a good idea to be alone with a kid, especially one like this), parents who are dressed inappropriately or who want to visit, inappropriate work space, too many distractions, including TV and radio, and many more.

Make sure the parents or child sign a form every week saying that you've been there and talked with the child.  If they don't show up have someone else sign that you were there (our librarians are used to this and will do it for teachers).  In our district, if a child/family does not show for three scheduled meetings they are dropped from homebound and can either do telecourses or are expelled for the year permanently without services.  

Don't go to the home if you're not comfortable with it.  A family like this can and will say anything, and you need to CYA.  Meet in public, make someone else go, or hold another IEP meeting since you did not agree to this.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Why is the child out of school for 45 days?  Unless there is a medical reason or the school has approved the extended absence, the school system is not mandated to provide in home services (if the parents are simply keeping the child home because they don't like the IEP).  However, if the child is home for legitimate issues and is eligable to continue recieving services from the school during this time, you are part of that package and will have to meet with the child to keep the IEP in tact.  Discuss appropriate meeting choices, but if the child is out due to illness or injury you may have no choice but to visit in the home.