Special Education Parent Resources

Click here to access Parent Advisors for Special Education - PASE

Parent Handbook with Procedural Safeguards - English 

Parent Handbook with Procedural Safeguards - Spanish

Parent's Guide to Navigating the IEP Process - English

Parent's Guide to Navigating the IEP Process - Spanish

What is Child Find?

Child Find identifies resident children who may be in need of special education programs and/or services.  Child Find offers evaluations, at no charge, to children suspected of having a disability.  Early intervention is very important to your child's development.  If you are concerned about your child's development, please call our office at 616-887-7359.

Parental Notification for Medicaid Billing

This is the notification of your rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regarding Medicaid billing.  IDEA allows certain services provided under an IEP to be covered by Medicaid.  The Michigan Medicaid school-based services benefit is a way for school districts to receive additional federal revenue.  These services include personal care services, nursing services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and social work services.  Before a district may seek recovery of costs, you must sign a consent form that gives the school district permission to bill Medicaid and share student information.

THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS ARE AFFORDED TO PARENTS REGARDING MEDICAID BILLING UNDER IDEA:

• A district must obtain your written consent prior to submitting your child's IEP-health-related costs for Medicaid reimbursement.  Consent only needs to be provided once, so you will not have to sign the form each year. 
• The consent form allows the school district to share your student education information to Michigan's Department of Community Health (MDCH), the state agency that administers Medicaid.
• At any time you decide that you do not want the school district to share your child's information with MDCH or to bill Medicaid for your child's costs, you can withdraw consent and the school district will no longer include your bill for Medicaid.
• School districts are required to provide all IEP services at no cost to parents even if the district cannot bill Medicaid.  Parents are not required to sign up for or enroll in public insurance programs in order to receive these services.
• As a student with a a disability, your child will always receives a free appropriate public education (FAPE) while attending a public school regardless of insurance coverage.  The school district will never require you to enroll in Medicaid to ensure your child receives FAPE.

If you have signed a consent form in the past, this serves as an annual notification to remind you of your rights under IDEA and to stress that accessing Medicaid on behalf of your child does not reduce any of the benefits that you would normally receive under the Medicaid program outside of the school day.

Early On assists families with infants and toddlers, from birth until 36 months, who have a delay in their development or a diagnosed disability.

Kent ISD provides evaluations for your child's development right in your home or at the Kent ISD.  If your child qualifies, a plan would be created to provide services and supports to help your child reach their full potential.

To connect with Early On at Kent ISD, call 616-365-2310 or you can make an online Early On Referral by using this link.