Delivery of Special Education Related Services During School Closures

Presented by

Kate Eberle WalkerCEO PresenceLearning

Kristin Martinez, CCC-SLP

Clinical Director

Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy Services

PresenceLearning

Agenda

● Implementing home-based, online special education services

● One School’s Journey: Springs Charter Schools Case Study

● Questions/Answers & Resources

1. Select a platform and investigate the functionality/features related to service delivery.

2. Develop service delivery guidance for special education staff.

3. Understand “ideal circumstance” best practices, but consider service delivery accommodations and

modifications for current circumstances.

4. Expect wonderful opportunities to work with students in home environments, but prepare for hiccups as

you and your families learn this new modality.

5. Start with what you know: your skill, your experience, and your knowledge of each student.

5 Things you can do today

Implementing home-based, online special education

1

● HIPAA compliance

● Therapy vs. business platform

● Minimal internet speed requirement for

full functionality (i.e., high-quality

audio and video)

● Tech/implementation support

● Clinical support

Select a platform and investigate the functionality/features

1

● Screenshare● Interactive/shared mouse control● Whiteboard tools● Materials upload● Video feed manipulation● Multiple video feeds● Access to activity/game library● Training● Tech support● Ability to inhibit student’s mouse, volume● Ability to add visual overlays

Select a platform and investigate the functionality/features

Features that support therapeutic activities:

2 Develop service delivery guidance for special education staff

Department of Education (DOE):

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON PROVIDING SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 OUTBREAK

What does compliance mean right now?

● Adherence to IEP goals and service delivery statements under current circumstances

Establish clear guidance for how to address:

● Grouping for therapy sessions

● Sessions taking place if adult not present in home

● Process to address/document absences and no-shows (e.g., consistent policy on how long to wait for student to log in)

● Supporting primary language in the home

● Defining appropriate level of in-home support to facilitate direct therapy services

● Planning for district communication to parents including what will be required of them to support teletherapy services

3 Understand “ideal circumstance” best practices...

Best Practices in Teletherapy

● Qualified, appropriately licensed, certified and experienced clinicians

● Appropriate internet access, equipment and technology (computer/Chromebook; webcam; headset with mic; additional camera for OT/AAC)

● Appropriate therapist and student environment● Appropriate onsite support (at this time,

parents or guardians)

3 ...but consider potential service delivery accommodations and modifications for current circumstances

Accommodations

● District plan to provide internet access and appropriate technology?

● Understand how functionality of platforms is impacted by chosen technology

● Alternatives when headsets, additional cameras not available

● Modifications if parent/guardian not able to provide appropriate level of support

4Expect wonderful opportunities to work with students in their home environments, but prepare for some hiccups as you and your families learn this new modality

● Have several activities prepared, but also consider how to leverage each activity in multiple ways (just as you would in-person!)

● Run a practice therapy session with your family or a colleague○ How does your audio/video come through?○ Any needed changes to lighting?○ What do your planned activities look like?

● Create a plan to address potential tech issues, and share with parent/guardian

● Create a communication plan for each family: best way for you to contact each other should technology fail (e.g., internet outage, audio goes out)○ Google number

5Start with what you know: your skill, your experience, and your knowledge of each student

● Teletherapy is a modality in which to provide the therapy you already know how to do!

● Consider any school-based accommodations in place for your students to engage with computer-based learning and activities.

● Start each session with a student/parent check-in: current circumstances might bring significant variability to students’ ability to engage.

5Start with what you know: your skill, your experience, and your knowledge of each student

● Physical: hand-over-hand● Attention/Behavioral: reinforcement schedule,

movement breaks● Sensory: consider if any environmental changes

can be made

Create a list for each student of potential supports or accommodations that may be required of parent/guardian during session to ensure engagement with platform.

Accommodations

Dr. Glendora TremperSpecial Education Coordinator Springs Charter Schools

Springs Charter Schools● River Springs Charter School● Empire Springs Charter School● Harbor Springs Charter School ● Vista Springs Charter School ● Citrus Springs Charter School● Pacific Springs Charter School

● Speech and Language Therapy

● Occupational Therapy

● Counseling

● Psychoeducational Assessments

● Academic Assessment

Provision of Services Pre- & During COVID-19

Services provided online:

1. Gather Information

2. Build a Communication Strategy

3. Support Staff Emotional/Mental Well Being

Steps to Transition to Virtual Services3

1GatherInformation

Be sure to think about everyone who will be impacted by the transition to virtual, in-home services:

● District Staff

● Providers

● Parents/Students

2 Build a Communication Strategy

Hold weekly virtual meetings, “Friday Forum,” to provide updates and to answer questions.

Host weekly SPED Director Office Hours for

● Principals/school staff● Program leads

Our employed staff members use the PresenceLearning Platform to host their meetings.

District Staff

2 Build a Communication Strategy

ProvidersHold weekly virtual meetings.

Provide training on the teletherapy platform you’ve selected.

Coordinate emails to parents and provide guidance for your providers on messaging to parents.

Set expectations about ongoing communication.

2 Build a Communication Strategy

● SPED Director/Coordinator should send a general email to parents explaining the new service delivery model

● Survey to gauge technology access● Address parent questions/concerns● Send checklists to help parents get started● Once services begin: Weekly outreach from

Gen Ed teachers, SPED teachers, Case Managers, and related services providers

2

Parents

Build a Communication Strategy

3Emotional/Mental Well Being

● Create a culture to support your staff members’ emotional and mental wellbeing.

● Stay committed to a communication strategy that helps your team stay focused and supported.

Recap: Where are we now?● In process…..

● Continually communicating to share learnings, support each other, and address any challenges

● Working on outstanding issues such as online assessment, use of SLPA/COTA, what it will look like with a full caseload

● Approximately 70% accepting direct and/or consult services/supports from OT, Speech, and Counseling

Advice

● Remember, teletherapy is only the vehicle that you and your staff are using to deliver services you already know how to deliver.

● Allow those with the will and the skill to help lead the way.

● Use a platform that is compliant and designed for therapy.

● Get creative and stay up-to-date on funding options.

Q&A

Kate Eberle WalkerCEO, PresenceLearning

Kristin Martinez, CCC-SLPClinical Director, PresenceLearning

Dr. Glendora TremperSpecial Education CoordinatorSprings Charter Schools

Resources For Special Education Administrators● Department of Education (DOE): Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19

in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities

● Department of Education (DOE): Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children

with Disabilities During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak

● What is Teletherapy?

● PresenceLearning Teletherapy 101

● PresenceLearning Tele-Assessments 101

● Teletherapy Tools for COVID-19 School Closures

ResourcesFor Special Education Related Service Providers

● ASHA: COVID-19 Updates● AOTA: OT and Telehealth in the Age of COVID-19● NASP: Virtual Service Delivery in Response to COVID-19 Disruptions● Virtually Speaking: A Teletherapy Blog for Clinicians, by Clinicians