First Steps Toward Offering FAPE
Establish readiness, complete required submissions, confirm staffing requirements, and ensure key system access is in place, build background knowledge.
Complete and submit the readiness assessment
Complete and submit the readiness assessment to the ECSE team.
- Early Childhood Readiness Assessment
- Early Childhood Readiness Assessment Addendum for ECSE: Key Considerations and Essential Questions to be Completed by Public Pre-K programs that will be providing FAPE.
Submit to: ecse.team@maine.gov
Sign and submit the commitment letter
Review, sign, and submit the commitment letter.
Submit to: ecse.team@maine.gov
Sign up for EnGiNE
EnGiNE is the Learning Management System through which all communications will be sent to administrators, teachers, and other professionals who work together to provide FAPE in Early Childhood.
- Welcome to EnGiNE Instructions Sign-Up Flyer
- Steps to Sign up for EnGiNE Presentation
- Early Childhood Special Education Portal
Verify special education teacher certification
Verify certification for teachers serving children birth to school age 5.
For those interested in establishing a Pre-K program
Obtain access to CINC
Request or confirm access to CINC to support program implementation.
Contact: ecse.team@maine.gov
Review previous aligned Cohort training materials
Cohort training materials that provide context:
Watch For
Plan to receive and respond as needed:
- Cohort SAU Data Sheet from CDS Site Directors or Program Managers
- IEP and Transition meeting invitations from CDS
Making Connections and New Learning
Build relationships with DOE OSSIE–ECSE and CDS, review prior cohort learning, and begin engaging in current cohort training.
Connect with DOE OSSIE–ECSE and CDS leads
Identify points of contact and establish working communication routines.
Contact: ecse.team@maine.gov
Explore childcare programs in the catchment area
Look for programs with three-star quality ratings as potential sites for serving children with disabilities at www.childcarechoices.me.
- Star Rating Requirements
- Waiver Application for 3 Star Programs (for centers with two-star ratings)
Obtain access to CINC
Confirm access to CINC.
Contact: ecse.team@maine.gov
Review previous aligned training materials
Cohort training materials that provide context:
- Cohort 2 Welcome Session or Recording
- Child Find Presentation and Child Find Process Graphic or Recording
- Serving Preschool Aged Children in Public Schools
- All ECSE Cohort Meetings
Generate a budget for ECSE (if appropriate)
Prepare and submit a budget aligned to cohort guidance and funding allocation.
- Budget Based on Student Need Guidance
- Guidance on Administrative Positions
- Administrative Staffing Decision Matrix
- Review list of all ECSE fiscal and budgetary resources
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in Cohort Informational Sessions.
Watch For
- Cohort SAU Data Sheet from CDS Site Directors or Program Managers
- IEP and Transition meeting invitations from CDS
- Monthly Child Count and Funding Allocation from ECSE (if appropriate)
Making Family Connections
Coordinate with CDS around incoming IEPs and family communication regarding the transition of FAPE responsibilities.
Meet with CDS to review incoming IEPs
Review IEPs and transition timelines to align responsibilities and next steps.
Review Chapter 676 Implementation During the Transition Guidance:
- Chapter 676 Implementation for SAUs
- Chapter 676 Implementation for CDS
- Chapter 676 Implementation for Parents
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
Confirm access to CINC.
Contact: ecse.team@maine.gov
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
- Cohort 3 & 4 Presentation: FAPE Transition or Recording
- Coordination with Child Care in Mixed Delivery System or Recording
- All ECSE Cohort Meetings
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in Cohort Informational Sessions.
Watch For
- Cohort SAU Data Sheet from CDS Site Directors or Program Managers
- IEP and Transition meeting invitations from CDS
- Monthly Child Count and Funding Allocation from ECSE (if appropriate)
Budget development (if appropriate)
Generate budget to send to ECSE if needed.
Taking Programmatic and Fiscal Steps to Transition
Prepare for program transition by identifying providers, continuing family communication, and aligning operational planning.
Review contracted provider and community program lists from CDS
Use 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
Confirm access to CINC.
Contact: ecse.team@maine.gov
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
- Child Find During the Summer or Recording
- Fiscal Reporting Guidance or Recording
- Transportation Guidance: Transportation Purchases Instructions and Transportation Pre-Approval Application
- All ECSE Cohort Meetings
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Budget development (if appropriate)
Generate budget to send to ECSE if needed. See list of all ECSE fiscal and budgetary resources
Watch For
- Cohort SAU Data Sheet from CDS Site Directors or Program Managers
- IEP and Transition meeting invitations from CDS
- Monthly Child Count and Funding Allocation from ECSE (if appropriate)
Use Enrollment and Other Data to Assess Needs
Use enrollment and child count data to confirm student needs, staffing, and operational readiness.
Enroll eligible students
Ensure eligible students are enrolled and reflected in cohort enrollment/child count documentation.
Determine staffing and equipment needs
Use enrollment and service needs to confirm staffing requirements. Review IEPs for assistive technology, specialized equipment, or specialized training needed.
If needed, review list of Contracted Providers by CDS Site that SAU's may consider partnering with to provide FAPE in their region.
Obtain access to CINC
Confirm access to CINC.
Contact: Jennifer.L.Hopkins@maine.gov
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
- PreK Enrollment and Child Count or Recording
- Evaluation, Eligibility, and the IEP under Developmental Delay
- Youngest Learners in Early Care and Education Settings
- All ECSE Cohort Meetings
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Continue family transition communication with CDS
Confirm families understand the timeline and implications of the transition from CDS to SAU.
Watch For
- Cohort SAU Data Sheet with student locations from CDS
- IEP and Transition meeting invitations from CDS
- Monthly Child Count and Funding Allocation from ECSE (if appropriate)
- Incoming list of contracted providers and Special Purpose Schools
Continue Building Out Program
Continue training and operational preparations, begin MOU development activities, and ensure data entry processes are ready.
Obtain access to CINC
Confirm access to CINC.
Contact: Jennifer.L.Hopkins@maine.gov
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
- FAPE and the Least Restrictive Environment or Recording
- Preschool Environments Codes
- Child Outcomes Summary Process Background Information or Recording
- Child Outcomes Summary Process Professional Development Flyer
- All ECSE Cohort Meetings
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. This includes Child Outcomes Summary (COS) entry scores.
Watch For
- Cohort SAU Data Sheet with student locations from CDS
- IEP and Transition meeting invitations from CDS (especially for those turning 3 over the summer)
- Monthly Child Count and Funding Allocation from ECSE (if appropriate)
- Meeting invite from ECSE to begin MOU development
- Incoming child files delivered by CDS
Ongoing Operations
Continue implementation activities, confirm enrollment and child count requirements, and progress through MOU and operational routines.
Obtain access to CINC
Confirm access to CINC.
Contact: Jennifer.L.Hopkins@maine.gov
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 as scheduled.
Watch For
- Cohort SAU Data Student locations from CDS
- IEP and Transition meeting invitations from CDS (especially for those turning 3 over the summer)
- Monthly Child Count and Funding Allocation from ECSE (after the July 1 count)
Note: ECSE team will send the Cohort 3 Child Count to DOE Fiscal for processing the 1st Quarter payment and will send the Commissioner acceptance letter.
Ongoing Operations
Continue implementation activities, confirm enrollment and child count requirements, and progress through MOU and operational routines.
Register all students with an IEP in your SAU
This includes students in community-based programs in the mixed delivery system.
Obtain access to CINC
Confirm access to CINC.
Contact: Jennifer.L.Hopkins@maine.gov
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Attend Compensatory Services Meetings (before August 21)
Participate in scheduled meetings to support service planning and continuity.
Meet with CDS Site Director to review all student files and current placements
Review student files and placements to confirm readiness for service delivery.
Watch For
- Cohort SAU Data Sheet with student locations from CDS
- IEP and Transition meeting invitations from CDS
- Monthly Child Count and Funding Allocation from ECSE (if appropriate)
Ongoing Operations
Continue implementation activities, confirm enrollment and child count requirements, and progress through MOU and operational routines.
Prepare Child Count for October 1
Ensure readiness for October 1 Child Count processes and documentation.
View previous Cohort trainings
Review Cohort 1 and 2 training materials.
Attend new ECSE cohort trainings
Participate in current cohort training offerings.
Attend monthly MOU meetings
Continue participating in MOU development and implementation meetings.
Attend COS PD training offered by CDS
Participate in Child Outcomes Summary professional development as provided by CDS.
Watch For
- Cohort SAU Data Sheet with student locations from CDS
- IEP and Transition meeting invitations from CDS (ongoing throughout the year)
- Monthly Child Count and Funding Allocation from ECSE (if appropriate)