GOAL 1: Students and their families will be referred to an appropriate education program within 30 days of identification of a suspected visual impairment.
CURRENT SITUATION 1A
New Hampshire has an extensive early intervention network covering all regions of the state. This network provides quality early intervention services that are in compliance with IDEA Part C regulations.
AREAS OF NEED
Good communication does not always exist between medical and educational personnel. Many New Hampshire children receive specialty medical care at out of state locations and/or from out of state physicians who have less information about N.H. resources, making timely referrals more difficult.
INITIATIVES
To promote better communication between education and medical personnel as well as between the education system and medical facilities and providers.
STRATEGIES
Work with the N.H. Chapter of the National Association of Parents of Visually Impaired (NAPVI) to develop posters/information packets for pediatric offices and eye doctors (send to N.H. pediatricians, N.H. eye care professionals, Children's Hospital ophthalmology department, Children's Strabismus Center, Mass. Eye & Ear Clinic, New England College of Optometry, Perkins School for the Blind, New England Medical Center, etc.).
CURRENT SITUATION 1B
Medical professionals (pediatricians, ophthalmologists, and optometrists) generally have limited information about educational and developmental needs of children with visual impairments and the referral process to early supports and educational services. Although there are many services available, it is often difficult to get information from general sources - hospitals, pediatrician, specialty care hospitals. In addition, ophthalmologists and optometrists without pediatric specialties may not be knowledgeable about resources that are available. It is important that professionals have adequate resource information since on initial diagnosis, parents are usually not emotionally ready to search for resources.
AREAS OF NEED
To make resource information regarding visual impairments, eye conditions and educational/ developmental needs of children with visual impairments available at general locations.
INITIATIVES
Work with The Family Resource Connection and the State Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled to improve distribution of general information related to visual impairment and services.
STRATEGIES
 | Provide referral information to school nurses and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) vision and hearing screening staff. |
| Explore the
possibility of using the internet
for information distribution. |
CURRENT SITUATION 1C
There is limited opportunity for the involvement of "vision professionals" in various statewide committees to inform, support and advocate for the needs of children with visual impairment in the early intervention and education systems.
AREAS OF NEED
| Service delivery models shift from family centered to child centered and contact with the family often decreases as the child grows older. |
| Contacts with families change as children go through school. There is usually not a person designated to inform or assist the family in accessing resource options as the child's needs change. |
INITIATIVES
| To improve the timelines for referral to education programs. |
| To explore options for obtaining social work support services specific to blindness and visual impairment within the educational system. |
STRATEGIES
| Provide specific information about the needs, services and referral process to target groups within the educational and medical communities. |
| Work with agencies and organizations that provide services to children with visual impairments to enhance access to and develop further social work support services. |
CURRENT SITUATION 1D
Even with the best referral process, a referral does not always happen within the 30 day time period required by IDEA regulations.
AREAS OF NEED
Children with acquired visual impairments may not be referred for visual assessment and vision specific services until significant difficulty is observed. Families may not have information about what to expect relative to support and educational services for children with visual impairment.
INITIATIVES
To enhance the transition process between service delivery systems.
STRATEGIES
| Provide packets of resource information to Parent Information Center, Parent to Parent, Family Support and other Information & Referral organizations in N.H. including the names of contact people and the process for referral for services. |
| Continue joint assessment/referral between MICE Program staff and teachers of the visually impaired (hired by the school district) to ensure a smooth transition of services at age three. |