ECSE Onboarding Timeline
A month-by-month checklist of actions, connections, and incoming information to support SAUs in developing an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) system and offering FAPE.
First Steps Toward Offering FAPE
Establish readiness, complete required submissions, confirm staffing requirements, and ensure key system access is in place.
Required Actions
Complete and submit the readiness assessment
Complete and submit the readiness assessment to the ECSE team.
Sign and submit commitment letter
Review, sign, and submit the commitment letter.
Verify special education teacher certification
Verify certification for teachers serving children birth to school age 5.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Request or confirm access to CINC to support program implementation.
Making Connections and New Learning
Build relationships with DOE OSSIE–ECSE and CDS, review prior cohort learning, and begin engaging in current cohort training.
Actions & Learning
Connect with DOE OSSIE–ECSE and CDS leads
Identify points of contact and establish working communication routines.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials to build context.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Generate a budget for ECSE (if appropriate)
Prepare and submit a budget aligned to cohort guidance and funding allocation.
Making Family Connections
Coordinate with CDS around incoming IEPs and family communication regarding the transition of FAPE responsibilities.
Required Actions
Meet with CDS to review incoming IEPs
Review IEPs and transition timelines to align responsibilities and next steps.
Collaborate with CDS to notify families of the transition
Notify families about the transfer of special education and FAPE responsibilities from CDS to the SAU, including timeline and what it means for the child and family.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Taking Programmatic and Fiscal Steps to Transition
Prepare for program transition by identifying providers, continuing family communication, and aligning operational planning.
Programmatic & Fiscal Actions
Look for contracted provider and community program lists from CDS
Review provider information to support program planning and continuity of services.
Continue family transition communication with CDS
Ensure families understand timeline and implications of the transition from CDS to SAU.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Use Enrollment and Other Data to Assess Needs
Use enrollment and child count data to confirm student needs, staffing, and operational readiness.
Data & Staffing Actions
Continue family transition communication with CDS
Confirm families understand timeline and implications of the transition from CDS to SAU.
Enroll eligible students (PK Cohort enrollment and child count)
Ensure eligible students are enrolled and reflected in cohort enrollment/child count documentation.
Determine staffing needs
Use enrollment and service needs to confirm staffing requirements.
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Continue Building Out Program
Continue training and operational preparations, begin MOU development activities, and ensure data entry processes are ready.
Program Build Actions
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Enter child information into SIS and required spreadsheets
From incoming child files, enter data into SIS and COS spreadsheets as required.
Ongoing Operations
Continue implementation activities, confirm enrollment and child count requirements, and progress through MOU and operational routines.
July Actions
Obtain access to CINC (if not already in place)
Confirm access to CINC.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Collaborate with DOE to develop MOU
Engage in MOU development activities and meetings.