SOONERSTART-EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM
Special Education Services Division
Oklahoma State Department of Education
PURPOSE
SoonerStart is Oklahoma’s early intervention program established under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The SoonerStart program provides case management, evaluation, AT devices and services, and intervention for eligible infants, toddlers, and their families. SoonerStart is a joint effort of the Oklahoma Departments of: Education, Health, Human Services, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Health Care Authority and the Commission on Children and Youth. Its lead agency is the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
CONTACT
Lead Agency:
Mark Sharp, Associate Director, Early Intervention
Oklahoma State Dept. of Ed.
2500 N Lincoln, Room 510
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-4880
FAX: (405) 522-1590
http://se.sde.state.ok.us/ses/birth-3yrs/index.html
Service Provision Agency:
Glenda Rogers, Director
SoonerStart Early Intervention
Oklahoma State Dept. of Health
1000 N.E. 10th, Room 803
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
(405) 271-9444 ext. 56806
(405) 271-8333
FAX: (405) 524-0417
www.okkids.org/home.htm
Interagency Coordination:
Treasa Landsdowne, ICC Coordinator
Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth
500 N. Broadway, Suite 300
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 335-9288
(405) 606-4918
FAX: (405) 524-0417
www.okkids.org/home.htm
CONTACT
Oklahoma Parents Center
PO Box 36116
Oklahoma City, OK 73136-
2116
(877) 553-4332 (Voice/TDD)
Email: ptiofok@aol.com
OASIS
Madalyn McCollom, Director
P.O. Box 26901
Oklahoma City, OK 73190
(800) 426-2747 (TDD)
(405) 271-6302 (TDD)
FAX: (405) 521-6305
See Appendix B for SoonerStart Early Intervention Coordinators and Regional Early Intervention Units.
FINANCIAL CRITERIA
•See “Eligibility.”
ELIGIBILITY
Infants and toddlers birth through 36 months of age who:
exhibit a delay in their developmental age compared to their chronological age of 50% in one, or 25% in two or more of the following areas: cognitive, physical, communication, social/emotional, or adaptive development; or
have a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in delay. This includes, but is not limited to: chromosomal disorders, neurological abnormalities, inborn errors of metabolism, genetic disorders, congenital malformations of the brain, congenital infections, sensory abnormalities, impairments, or identified syndromes.
There is no direct cost to families for early intervention services, regardless of the family’s income.
AT SERVICES PROVIDED/COVERED
Assessments & Evaluations
Locating Alternate Funding
Case Management
Training for Consumer & Family
Information & Referral
Fabrication of Devices
Advocacy/Other
Maintenance & Repairs
AT DEVICES PROVIDED/COVERED
Adapted Toys & Games
Augmentative Communication
Aids for Daily Living
Seating & Positioning Equipment
Aids for Hearing Impaired
Wheelchairs & Mobility Aids
Aids for Vision Impaired
APPLICATION PROCESS
Families should contact the Early Intervention Coordinator at their Regional Early Intervention Unit. Referrals can also be taken through the Oklahoma Area Service Information Systems (OASIS) at (800) 426-2747.
Within two days of receiving a referral, the Early Intervention Unit assigns a resource coordinator to provide case management services to the family. The resource coordinator provides families with information about their rights, available services and other resources. The resource coordinator also notifies the appropriate SoonerStart service provider to arrange for clinical intake and developmental/ health screenings as needed.
After the completion of appropriate multidisciplinary evaluations, a meeting is held to determine eligibility and needs for service provision. The meeting includes parents, resource coordinator, appropriate evaluation team members and service providers.
If the child is determined eligible, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed.
APPEALS PROCESS
Informal Process: Families should go back to the Early Intervention Coordinator with concerns about services and ask for a meeting to work out the request through local procedures to expedite resolution of the problem. However, families have the right to go through the formal process, in addition to, or in lieu of, the informal process.
Formal Process: Upon receipt of a complaint or request for a due process hearing, the Early Intervention Unit will offer Mediation within five working days of receiving the complaint or hearing request. A request for a due process hearing must be in writing, signed, and addressed to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, PO Box 53551, Oklahoma City, OK, 73152.
The Oklahoma Parents Center is available to provide information on federal and state laws regarding the provision of early intervention services, and parent rights and responsibilities to all eligible infants and toddlers and their families.
PIECES OF THE PUZZLE
The IFSP is a coordinated plan of service based on the identified needs of the individual child and family. The IFSP is jointly developed by the family and appropriate early intervention personnel.
The early intervention services identified in the IFSP may include assistive technology devices that are used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.
AT devices provided by the Early Intervention Program remains the property of the program.
At least 90 days before the child’s third birthday, a meeting to ensure a smooth transition from SoonerStart to the preschool program under Part B of IDEA will be held. If the child is eligible for special education services, any needs for AT will be addressed by the Individual Education Plan (IEP). (See Section IV, Page 70, Special Education Programs, Local Education Agency)
