First Steps Toward Offering FAPE
Establish readiness, complete required submissions, confirm staffing requirements, and ensure key system access is in place, build background knowledge.
Required Actions
Complete and submit the readiness assessment
Complete and submit the readiness assessment to the ECSE team.
Sign and submit the commitment letter
Review, sign, and submit the commitment letter.
**Charter School Cohort 3 Commitment Letter**
**SAU Cohort 3 Commitment Letter**
Verify special education teacher certification
Verify certification for teachers serving children birth to school age 5.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Request or confirm access to CINC to support program implementation.
Review previous aligned Cohort training materials
Cohort training materials that provide context:
Making Connections and New Learning
Build relationships with DOE OSSIE–ECSE and CDS, review prior cohort learning, and begin engaging in current cohort training.
Required Actions
Connect with DOE OSSIE–ECSE and CDS leads
Identify points of contact and establish working communication routines.
Contact: ECSE.Team@Maine.gov
Explore childcare programs in the catchment area
Look for programs with three-star ratings as potential sites for serving children with disabilities. Centers with two-star ratings can apply for a waiver.
Link: www.childcarechoices.me
One page guidance: **Star Rating Requirements**
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
Review previous aligned training materials
Cohort training materials that provide context:
Link: Cohort 2 Welcome Session or Recording
Link: Child Find Presentation and Child Find Process Graphic or Recording
Link: ECSE one-page guidance on **FAPE in ECSE**
Link: All ECSE Cohort Meetings
Generate a budget for ECSE (if appropriate)
Prepare and submit a budget aligned to cohort guidance and funding allocation.
Link: **Guidance on Budget Development in ECSE**
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in Cohort Informational Sessions.
Making Family Connections
Coordinate with CDS around incoming IEPs and family communication regarding the transition of FAPE responsibilities.
Required Actions
Meet with CDS to review incoming IEPs
Review IEPs and transition timelines to align responsibilities and next steps.
Collaborate with CDS to notify families of the transition
Notify families about the transfer of special education and FAPE responsibilities from CDS to the SAU, including timeline and what it means for the child and family.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Training link: Cohort 3 & 4 Presentation: FAPE Transition or Recording
Training link: Coordination with Child Care in Mixed Delivery System or Recording
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in Wednesday Cohort Informational Sessions.
Taking Programmatic and Fiscal Steps to Transition
Prepare for program transition by identifying providers, continuing family communication, and aligning operational planning.
Required Actions
Review contracted provider and community program lists from CDS
Use provider information to support program planning and continuity of services.
Continue family transition communication with CDS
Ensure families understand timeline and implications of the transition from CDS to SAU.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
- Child Find During the Summer or Recording
- Fiscal Reporting Guidance or Recording
- Transportation Guidance Transportation Purchases Instructions and Transportation Pre-Approval Application
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Budget development (if appropriate)
Generate budget to send to ECSE if needed.
Use Enrollment and Other Data to Assess Needs
Use enrollment and child count data to confirm student needs, staffing, and operational readiness.
Required Actions
Enroll eligible students (PK Cohort enrollment and child count)
Ensure eligible students are enrolled and reflected in cohort enrollment/child count documentation.
Determine staffing and equipment needs
Use enrollment and service needs to confirm staffing requirements.
Review IEPs for assistive technology, specialized equipment, or specialized training needed.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Training link: PreK Enrollment and Child Count or Recording
Training link: Evaluation, Eligibility, and the IEP under Developmental Delay
Training link: Youngest Learners in Early Care and Education Settings
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Continue family transition communication with CDS
Confirm families understand the timeline and implications of the transition from CDS to SAU.
Continue Building Out Program
Continue training and operational preparations, begin MOU development activities, and ensure data entry processes are ready.
Required Actions
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Enter child information into SIS and required spreadsheets
From incoming child files, enter data into SIS and COS spreadsheets as required.
Ongoing Operations
Continue implementation activities, confirm enrollment and child count requirements, and progress through MOU and operational routines.
Required Actions
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Collaborate with DOE to develop MOU
Engage in MOU development activities and meetings as scheduled.
Ongoing Operations
Continue implementation activities, confirm enrollment and child count requirements, and progress through MOU and operational routines.
Required Actions
Register all students with an IEP in your SAU
This includes students in community-based programs in the mixed delivery system.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Attend Compensatory Services Meetings (before August 21)
Participate in scheduled meetings to support service planning and continuity.
Meet with CDS Site Director to review all student files and current placements
Review student files and placements to confirm readiness for service delivery.
Ongoing Operations
Continue implementation activities, confirm enrollment and child count requirements, and progress through MOU and operational routines.
Required Actions
Prepare Child Count for October 1
Ensure readiness for October 1 Child Count processes and documentation.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Attend monthly MOU meetings
Continue participating in MOU development and implementation meetings.
Attend COS PD training offered by CDS
Participate in Child Outcomes Summary professional development as provided by CDS.