ADVICE NEEDED! After School Bus Transportation

Real Moms Sharing Their Experiences and Advice

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Question: We need after school ESE bus transportation to continue. I run an Inclusive Preschool IN Brandon FL. A parent has asked me to attend their IEP meeting for her kiddo who has ASD and will be entering kindergarten this fall. Our main focus is maintaining his current IEP which doesn’t seem to be an issue with the school. Mom wants him to continue to be bussed to our facility after school. A bus does and will continue to transport children from the public ELP and ESE programs to our facility next school year. The school is telling her that they will not allow him to ride this bus because he is entering kindergarten and moving from the ELP program to the ESE program. What do we need to say or site to ensure that they will continue transporting this child.
He cannot attend a regular after school program as it is a safety issue. At the after care center he attended prior to ours he literally escaped and made his way to major intersection/highway. He is not potty trained and has communication/language issues that have resulted in him being dismissed from other centers prior to him becoming our little man over a year ago. Your advice will be appreciated.

Answers:

• Beth-Ann B: Special transportation is provided because it allows the child to participate in school. IT is not provided because it is is convenient for the child. In the preschool setting, the child care setting is considered integral to learning, that is not so true in elementary school. You and mom need to find the district’s written policy for transportation for regular and special ed and determine which circumstances they are willing to provide transportation to sites besides the child’s home and see if your center meet theses criteria. Your advocacy for this child is so impressive. Good luck!
• Sue B: I would say, “OK, that’s fine if he does not ride this particular bus. What will you do to provide him the transportation he needs to the place he needs to be after school, which is required by federal law as part of his Free and Appropriate Public Education? A private van or different bus would be just fine.”
• Becky M: I don’t know Fla law, But in PA. He HAS to have ALL transportation provided. I simply want to THANK YOU. For a teacher,to be reaching out like this, to get the student what he needs over the schools tight wallet. Says a LOT of good about you. THANK YOU for watching out for our kids!!!! God Bless you smile emoticon
• Laura H: can get transportation for special ed school if the special ed program is not within the school he would normally attend. She can not get transportation for after school. (daycare). She may need to ask him to be placed in a special ed school that has an aftercare program .I highly recommend she investigate what is available and bring and advocate to the meeting. Sadly most school districts do not care that you have a child care problem and may not work with her.
• Anna K: Good job going above and beyond for this family !!!!!
• Beth B: You work at the after school program location and you know for sure that other schools have students in the ELP and ESE programs who are provided transportation through the county? Contact one of the other schools that brings children to your location and find out what their policy is. Also check with your area ESE supervisor about this issue. The distract should have a standard policy for all schools and students across the board. Present this information at the meeting. Parent should have request in writing at the meeting. If still told no, have the school put in writing why the request is being denied and what other options they recommend.
• Shannon S: I’m pretty sure that they have to stay true to his IEP, so if it’s already in his IEP, then you should covered for the transportation issue. I’m so glad my kid is in such a great district and we don’t have to deal with these kinds of things. Our district actually seems to want to do what’s best in the interest of my child, not their wallet.
• Charlotte S: If he’s at a school run after school program ask for them to provide an assistant for him. They may let him go back to the old place if they have to pay for a one on one. Write the request in a letter, don’t just ask.
• Stephanie M: I don’t know the answer and I hope you find it but I just wanted to say THANK YOU for being one of the good people who go above and beyond to help us parents with our special needs kiddos. It really means a lot whether we have the time to properly thank you or not. Keep it up you’re awesome !!
•  Kelly C: Hi. I live in this area and my son has autism. Let me ask the school he currently attends to see what they say. Best bet would be that she can have an education lawyer for special needs present during this meeting which is allowed as long as notice is given on who is attending. You can send me a pm as well if you like.
• Mary S:Get a script from Dr. If , in Michigan, you have a script they have to do it, we have a girl that a bus picks her up for public school, rides by herself, because Dr said that’s what needed to happen
•  Cindy S: Contact The Gallini Group, LLC. in Birmingham, AL They specialize in Special Needs Advocacy within the public school settings. It is always wise to seek an attorney that has expertise, knowledge and training in this area. Sometimes all it takes is just one letter from the attorney to make things happen. My advise, let the expert handle it. They know the law.
• Jackie F: Groden Is the transportation component written into to his original IEP? If it is deny IEP in that area and practice ” stay put” they can’t take it away…. Well they can… But it’s against the lW
• Elin H: Unfortunately regular Ed bussing in most districts has been cancelled. You might get a note Dom the doctor explaining the child not being able to attend regular after program but it was my impression of a child had an IEP it is considered special Ed and he would qualify for bussing and the have to bus to wherever the drop off is
• Monique T: If the bus system doesn’t work then we have our kids sent in by a Taxi paid by the school. Get an advocate into your meeting too
• Kim M: its free 2 is he on ssi, he can get a nurse that helps a lot!
• Nona F:Washington A. God bless you for standing up for this little guy. Call some organization for special needs. Any oc them can refer you to an attorney tp represent the child. All fees will be paid for by the board of ed. Show up with an attorney and the school will change quick enough.

  Lynn A: This all stuff that needs to be brought up at the IEP meeting that there is a safety factor…he is a runner etc and belongs in a special program and on a special bus.

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