News
Idaho Medicaid Service Flexibilities in Response to COVID-19
We are passing along a link to MA20-41 - A medicaid information release detailing temporary changes to take the current circumstances, and possible adjustments that may need to be made into account as children return to school.
You can see the release at this link:
https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Portals/0/Medical/DevelopmentalDisabilities/COVID/MA20-41%20Returning%20to%20School%20and%20Requesting%20CHIS%20Increases_sign.pdf
Remote Learning vs Homebound vs Homeschool
Helping Education Leaders and Communities Identify the Key Differences
Sometimes people think that remote learning, homebound services, and homeschooling are the same thing, but they are not. Each have state specific policies and procedures for implementation. Remote learning is an alternative instructional learning model being utilized in school systems across the county in various ways as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Review the comparison below to understand the key differences in each an how IDEA Provision apply
Remote Learning
SCENARIO: Student is enrolled in a public school system and receives education services (including special education and related services) outside of the traditional brick and mortar school building through a processes determined by the public school system.
IDEA implications: Student is entitled to all provisions of IDEA. Public school systems shall ensure free appropriate public education (FAPE) is provided in the least restrictive environment (LRE) and procedural safeguards are implemented
Homebound
SCENARIO: Student is enrolled in a public school system and receives special education and related services in the student’s home or other designated setting such as a hospital because the IEP team determined homebound is the most appropriate placement based on the student’s individual health and/or academic needs.
IDEA implications: Student is entitled to all provisions of IDEA. Public school systems shall ensure FAPE is provided in the LRE and procedural safeguards are implemented.
Homeschool
SCENARIO: Student is NOT enrolled in a public school system because the parent opted not to enroll in a public or a private school and instead will deliver all instruction at home in accordance with state homeschool guidelines
IDEA implications: FAPE does not apply to homeschool. Limited procedural safeguards of IDEA may apply to child find and evaluation activities.
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEP: Individual Education Program
LRE: Least Restrictive Environment
FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education
- Special Education Guidance for Back-to-School 2020
The Idaho Department of Education has released the Special Education Guidance document for Back to School 2020 - Download the PDF by clicking the image or this link.
Temporary Medicaid Guidance for School-Based-Services for Back-to-School under COVID-19
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare COVID-19 Hotline
IDAHO COVID-19 HOTLINE
888-330-3010
For Immediate Release July 9, 2020
Contact: Mike Keckler 208-332-1591 (office)208-866-5734 (cell) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Idaho Back to School Framework is posted on the State Board of Education website:
https://boardofed.idaho.gov/resources/idaho-back-to-school-framework-2020/
Gov. Little pushes for in-person instruction in Idaho schools this fall
Thursday July 9, 2020
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little and education leaders rolled out the new Idaho Back to School Framework today, providing guidance to local officials in their decisions about the safe reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
Coronavirus Stage 4 order - Starting June 13, 2020
Idaho - Temporary PROVISIONS EFFECTIVE April 15, 2020:
Spouses and Parents of Minor Children as Direct Care Providers
Personal Assistance Agencies may temporarily employ spouses of adult participants receiving
Aged and Disabled Waiver and Personal Care Services and parents of minor children receiving Personal Care Services. This option may be most beneficial for participants that are electing to self-isolate who have a spouse, or parent, who is able to render the care. Agencies may take advantage of the criminal history background check and training flexibilities described above to expedite the hiring process.
Idaho State Board of Education updates 'soft closure' until the end of the school year, has approved criteria for schools to resume normal operations.
Classroom IDAHO: Learn At Home
Idaho Business for Education collects computers for kids
From Idahoednews.org click here to see article on that site
With less than two months left on most school calendars, and tens of thousands of students missing access to computers or Internet at home, Rod Gramer sees the challenge ahead of him as a “race against time.”
Gramer, the CEO of the Boise-based nonprofit Idaho Business for Education, is spearheading an effort to get Internet hotspots and used laptops to Idaho students who do not have that technology at home, so they can access online learning.
Seven IBE teams across Idaho are collecting used computers from businesses and households with technology to spare. After scrubbing them (of data and germs), IBE hopes to deliver those devices to tens of thousands of students in districts that have asked for help.
IBE is a nonprofit education advocacy organization comprising 215 business leaders from across the state.
“This is like a 100-yard dash to try to get as many students served as possible,” Gramer said. “I’m trying to be realistic about this in terms of how many kids we can actually reach. But the concept here is to reach as many as we possibly can.”
Coronavirus-related school closures have intensified a “digital divide” between households that have access to Internet and technology at home, and those without. Nationally, some 17 percent of teenagers say they can’t always complete their homework because they lack access to internet or computers at home. That issue is more severe for students of color and students from low income households.
Idaho’s districts are grappling with these home-connectivity issues as many move lessons online to meet distance-education requirements.
IBE surveyed districts to track this need in Idaho, Gramer said, and got responses from about a third of all districts and charters across the state. Gramer estimates 10,000-15,000 students need computers and another 20,000 need access to Internet.
“It’s just not fair that some kids can access computers and access the Internet to do their studies and to do their papers that way, and other kids can’t,” Gramer said. “To me it’s a fairness and an equity issue.”
Gramer’s goal is for IBE to collect and distribute as many laptops and hotspots as possible before May 15. The seven regional teams will be coordinating laptop drop-off and pick-up services. IBE is also collecting financial donations through an “Internet for Students Emergency Fund” that will help pay to get students online. So far, IBE member businesses have pledged $135,000, Gramer said.
With limited time, and also challenges connecting rural homes to Internet, Gramer realizes that IBE won’t be able to get every home online. The is also partnering with the Idaho State Department of Education and Idaho Public Television to produce educational programming for kids in grades 3-6 that can reach the vast majority of Idaho homes, even if they don’t have Internet access.
Those lessons, called “Classroom Idaho: Learn @ Home” will start at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 20. (Click here for more information on that programming).
A few weeks into the Community Activation Project, IBE has collected just over 550 computers. Sixty of those laptops went to the Kuna School District in early April. On Wednesday afternoon, IBE dropped off another 135 in Caldwell.
“I know that sounds like a meager amount,” Gramer said. “But I’m confident that the more we get the word out, the more we will get and the more we can distribute.”
IBE is collecting any laptop or desktop computers that can connect to Internet browsers. Volunteers will scrub sensitive data from the devices and sanitize them before delivering them to school districts.
Businesses and individuals interested in donating should contact their regional IBE team.
Panhandle/Sandpoint: Brenda Carr, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Panhandle/Coeur d’Alene: Judy Meyer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
North Central Idaho/Lewiston: Lori McCann, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Eastern Idaho/Idaho Falls: Aaron Johnson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Eastern Idaho/Pocatello: Roger Gibson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Eastern Idaho/Twin Falls: Shawnee Kyle, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Treasure Valley/Canyon County: Alishia Jonas, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Treasure Valley residents can drop computers off at Kendall Ford locations.
IPUL Live
We are going live periodically on Facebook to bring information to you. You can find the archives over on our Facebook page, but we are also linking them here, as well.
IPUL Live from March 19: https://www.facebook.com/IdahoParentsUnlimited/videos/2960876690600894/
IPUL Live from April 8: https://www.facebook.com/IdahoParentsUnlimited/videos/156298805701196/
COVID-19 Letter for Parents from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Children's DD Program
All Family Centered Planning meetings will be conducted over the phone until further notice to reduce the threat of continuing spread of the virus