![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-5e790baf5aff800879b82156-c79d29228b46.jpg)
Region 15 SPED COVID-19 Resources
Updated As Quickly As Possible
TEA Updates
Federal Updates
FERPA and Virtual Learning during COVID-19 (Webinar Recording)
This webinar is intended to provide information on privacy best practices and insight into helpful resources available to the education community during this critical time of national emergency. Addressed are commonly asked questions related to the challenges of complying with student privacy laws like FERPA during this time and present a series of scenarios which highlight privacy best practices and considerations when adopting distance learning approaches.
Federal Guidance
- OSEP Webinar Recording
- USDE Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students
- USDE Supplemental Fact Sheet
- OCR and Online Education and Website Accessibility Video
- OCR & Department of Health and Human Services Joint Guidance (waiving penalties for potential HIPAA violations)
- Assessing & Managing Risk Based on Different Exposures to COVID-19
Professional Organization Guidance
LSSP Guidance
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council - http://www.bhec.texas.gov/ The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (“Council”) was created by the 86th Legislature in 2019 following consecutive reviews of its member boards by the Sunset Advisory Commission. The Council consists of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.
Wednesday, September 2nd - Derek Clark will be presenting, “From Early Childhood Trauma, Emotional Behavioral Issues to Positive Outcomes.” The session is open for registration and will be presented live(pending recommendations) and virtually with limited seating. Derek has walked the walked and now talks the talk. He came from an early childhood of abuse and neglect, lived in the foster care system and now presents to educators as well as other audiences about how to move from trauma to positive outcomes. This session will offer first-hand knowledge of what children from trauma experience while sharing strategies to improve student outcomes.
Please see the link to access the TSBEP required (and free) training regarding Human Trafficking as part of HB 2059: https://www.train.org/main/course/1087568/
- Texas Human Trafficking Resource Center a helpful resource: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/texas-human-trafficking-resource-center
LPC Guidance
- Providing Counseling as a Related Service (TEA)
- Remote Counseling and Student Support Services (TEA)
- https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/counselor/
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council - http://www.bhec.texas.gov/ The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (“Council”) was created by the 86th Legislature in 2019 following consecutive reviews of its member boards by the Sunset Advisory Commission. The Council consists of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.
Wednesday, September 2nd - Derek Clark will be presenting, “From Early Childhood Trauma, Emotional Behavioral Issues to Positive Outcomes.” The session is open for registration and will be presented live(pending recommendations) and virtually with limited seating. Derek has walked the walked and now talks the talk. He came from an early childhood of abuse and neglect, lived in the foster care system and now presents to educators as well as other audiences about how to move from trauma to positive outcomes. This session will offer first-hand knowledge of what children from trauma experience while sharing strategies to improve student outcomes.
SLP Guidance
Here’s the webinar link for the Region 10 webinar that was held March 23rd.
It is saved to a “channel”, then you scroll down just a bit and you can see the webinar
- Resources for SLP Telepractice
ASHA updates on telepractice:
https://www.asha.org/About/Telepractice-Resources-During-COVID-19/
ASHA Checklist for Telepractice Document - https://tinyurl.com/yc5knbqf
This Health and Human Service (HHS) link provides info on virtual platforms. They have indicated temporary ease of restrictions on which virtual mode to use:
- 5 Steps to Get Started with Telepractice
- Here is a sample FERPA release form for providing telepractice for SPED (including SLP services). Feel free to modify it to suit your needs and please ensure it is vetted by the district’s leadership AND legal counsel so that your version is aligned with your district’s policy and procedures. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ddh43-5SwBPiYAON8FrgBAwKdtXI__XqG1BgpHPjfxU/edit?usp=sharing
Joint Statement from the Federation of State Medical Boards
PT Guidance
- Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) Guidance (TEA)
- Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners - Rules
- Informed Consent... A physical therapist that provides telehealth services must obtain and maintain the informed consent of the patient, or of another individual authorized to make health care treatment decisions for the patient, prior to the provision of telehealth services.
- Providing Pediatric Physical Therapy via Telehealth During COVID-19
OT Guidance
- Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) Guidance (TEA)
- AOTA Telehealth Resources (looks like several resources require a login that your OTs may have)
- OT and Telehealth in the Age of COVID-19
- Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners - Rules
-
No special consent requirement for telepractice found
DSHS Guidelines for Home Visits
- The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has released guidance for public health workers and other home visitors. That guidance, titled COVID-19: Guidance for Public Health Home Service Providers, is on the DSHS COVID-19 website. Please note that, in the context of this document, CSHCN Services Program clinical services may fall within the definition of critical services, so the information on personal protective equipment is applicable.
SHARS Billing
- TASB SPED Solutions SHARS Q&A
- Texas Medicaid Telecommunication Services Handbook (check out 3.3.2 School-Based Telehealth Service)
SHARS: Starting 2020-2021 Services
As districts prepare to begin a new school year, SHARS implementation requires attention and preparation. Below are general SHARS tips to keep in mind:
Targeted Parent Consent and Notification
Parental consent for SHARS billing is required. The rules have not changed. Written parental consent must be obtained by the district before services can be billed to SHARS.
The parental consent form may not be provided to all parents of children with disabilities... The parental consent requirement … is only applicable to a parent of a child with a disability who is enrolled in a public benefits … program and from whom a public agency seeks to access that parent’s or child’s public benefits...
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Districts can ask parents if the student receives Medicaid benefits. Once a district has reason to believe a child receives Medicaid benefits, consent may be requested. Enrollment can be verified through the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP).
Third Partly Liability Billing
All SHARS districts and charters are expected to clearly explain the HHSC Third Partly Liability policy (TPL) to all SHARS parents. Details are available on the TEA and HHSC websites (see "Additional Information" in the sidebar).
Telehealth Services
In 2019, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling were approved for telehealth SHARS billing. During the 2020 spring school closures, HHSC approved reimbursement for additional SHARS telehealth services. This included audiology and physical therapy. As of the date of this notice, the authorization for additional telehealth will expire on June 30, 2020. After that date, only speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling will be allowed through telehealth.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
General Resources
Sample Forms
- Sample Prior Written Notice
- Sample Amendment
- Sample Parent Letter/Social Media Post
- Sample Technology Checkout Form 1
- Sample Technology Checkout Form 2
Here is a sample FERPA release form for providing telepractice for SPED (including SLP services). Feel free to modify it to suit your needs and please ensure it is vetted by the district’s leadership AND legal counsel so that your version is aligned with your district’s policy and procedures. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ddh43-5SwBPiYAON8FrgBAwKdtXI__XqG1BgpHPjfxU/edit?usp=sharing
Walsh Audioconference - Coronavirus and Your Special Education Program: The Legal Issues
- Handout
- Recording (located on SPED Director's LiveBinder)
Progress Monitoring / Virtual Time Tracking Ideas
- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SJm2TgYxJiugOleRnRPnVp5eTo6zWGcYE6EjhyknqQE/edit?usp=sharing
- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1KXg3D0Eov0kdnoi7Zd86dXNDEy8mbFJl_dl9pvCZXitkTw/viewform
- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqjqZwELagOH-rweoHQSkN0RyvgA7B-7ZmisDanyA_lvjpCQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
Resources for Your Staff Members
COVID-19 Google Calendar
- Please view this calendar for a collection of online COVID-19-specific trainings/meetings/etc that may be of benefit: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/b/1?cid=ZXNjMTUubmV0X2FrbzBxMXR2NTg2YWk1dDlobWVlaGk3aDNvQGdyb3VwLmNhbGVuZGFyLmdvb2dsZS5jb20
VI
- Zoom meeting every Tuesday at 10:15
- Resources - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NwZ1baXGUyhn6j9w2V9R_VFOYnZb6IXBCYyRTZW7UWk/edit?usp=sharing
DH&H
Zoom meeting every Tuesday at 9:00
Resources - http://www.livebinders.com/b/2643652
LID/AU
LID/AU Smore newsletter: https://www.smore.com/j2wt8
LID/AU Team Time: Tuesdays 9:00-10:00
Link: https://esc15.zoom.us/j/96764953205?pwd=UVNlcWdSczRXZzNoRjNCWS9EWXV6dz09
LID/AU Website:
-
https://sites.google.com/esc15.net/region-15-lid-au-homesite/home
Inclusion
Weekly Inclusion Zoom Meetings - Every Monday starting Monday, April 13th at 2:00pm - https://esc15.zoom.us/j/132220003
Classroom Resources - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZgYwTnF8mpju6V4ssBYnCMURzx3V_-n2MfOXgTImBm8/edit?usp=sharing
- Curriculum and Instruction Virtual Office Hours - https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=ZXNjMTUubmV0X284anB2OG81a2Zwcm1icmRobHFsdWlqNDVjQGdyb3VwLmNhbGVuZGFyLmdvb2dsZS5jb20
SLPs
- SLP Zoom Room daily from 9:30 - 10:00 - https://esc15.zoom.us/j/713858970?pwd=Q2RBRm1OTEZzRVBkTzdXOU5tNS8ydz09
- SLP Support for Teletherapy Google Folder
Grading
- TEA's Guidance on Grading
- Grading and Class Rank Considerations - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OFcE9G7jOBOA3lCtmh-HahQVAYkEEFA0/view?usp=sharing
Transition
- Teacher/ Student Resources for Transition
SPP13 - The window for collecting SPP 13 data begins April 1st. The deadline to have everything entered is August 14th. You will find instructions, an FAQ, and data sampling information on the TEA website. SPP 13 Info:
Virtual Graduation
18+ and Transition Assessment Considerations
- This is a list of considerations for 18+ services and transition assessments if the LEA is moving forward with annual ARDs that require transition be addressed. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NL8THBlDD-OrWkTDHOSUAE_3w4_5dwFl/view?usp=sharing