When school can not provide services on IEP

[Anonymous]

My 4th grade son in private school just got an IEP and by school request, will be leaving and switching into MCPS ASAP. The majority of his goals are related to social/emotional and he was given 1 hour of counseling per month. He will be in the home school model. Our home school (where I don't want him to go), does not currently have a guidance counselor on staff. I have requested a COSA to another nearby school and have listed the fact that there is not a guidance counselor at his home school as one of the hardships. Do I have a good chance of getting the COSA? What generally happens when the school can not provide what is on the IEP? At the IEP meeting, they mentioned that the special educator can give counseling, but that doesn't sit well with me. TIA!!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Topic should say with MCPS can not provide services on IEP.

[Anonymous]

You might get more info if you post on the MD schools boards, asking about COSAs?

[Anonymous]

counseling can be done by case carriers, and often is. not having a guidance counselor on elementary staff doesn't mean non-compliance, it just means the services are being met in different ways

[Anonymous]

They have to provide whatever is on the IEP. Does it say that counseling as to be provided by a guidance counselor? If not, maybe the special ed teacher would be okay. My experience is that good rapport is more important for effective counseling than credentials.

[Anonymous]

I would suggest consulting with an ed advocate or lawyer.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for your responses!

[Anonymous]

Placement is the last decision made by the iep team, based on the services on the iep. Your strongest argument is through the iep process, where you argue that the service needs to be provided by a counselor or social worker, and then you need placement at a school with that staff. That way, you'd also get transportation.

[Anonymous]

How many hours in the IEP total? Is the receiving school overcrowded or under capacity? What exactly does the IEP say about the counseling services? Usually they will say something like special educator or gen ed teacher in the provider column.

Never heard of a COSA for that but knows.

Agree with the advice about trying through the IEP process but it sounds like his placement is gen ed right now and if the hours aren't there you might have a hard time arguing that he needs more specialized services.

[Anonymous]

OP, I just wanted to say I’m sorry. It sounds like a stressful situation. But the good news is that you have a plan and your son will be getting the help he needs. Do you have an outside therapist for counseling. This would be helpful for him and your family. If you do, can the therapist help weigh in with the school about appropriate placement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Placement is the last decision made by the iep team, based on the services on the iep. Your strongest argument is through the iep process, where you argue that the service needs to be provided by a counselor or social worker, and then you need placement at a school with that staff. That way, you'd also get transportation.

If MCPS cannot provide the services within the system then this is where you start looking at a publicly funded private school. I also recommend using an advocate who is familiar with other placement options in and out of the system.

[Anonymous]

Is the counseling piece your only concern? I wouldn't totally discount your home school. There can be the social benefit as well. If your child attends the home school, he will make friends with kids who live nearby and be more a part of the community. Going to a different school just for the 1 hour of counseling per month to be provided by a guidance counselor instead of a special ed teacher might not prove to be worth it. But only you know your kid. What are the other reasons why you don't want your child to attend his home school?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Seems like my situation is more complicated then the norm. Thank you to all who gave advice.

[Anonymous]

Are there social emotional goals? If so, I think the issue is whether the person providing the counseling has the skills/training to help him meet his goals. Ask what program they will be using, what methodology, what the case carrier's training is in providing counseling.

Honestly, one hour per month is so minimal that I doubt he will get much out of it no matter who is providing the counseling. So if he really needs it, I'd look at increasing the hours.