Selecting the NE/LRE in community early childhood (ECE) settings
Beginning at age 3, a child who is eligible as a child with a disability may receive services through an Extended IFSP or an IEP.
Extended IFSP Option (Individualized Family Service Plan):
A child, enrolled in a local Infants & Toddlers Program (LITP), is determined eligible by an IEP team for preschool special education and related services prior to age three.
Parents may choose one of two routes for preschool services:
1) to continue early intervention services under the Extended IFSP Option in a natural environment (NE), a setting typical for a same-age peer without disabilities, or;
2) to begin special education and related services under an IEP provided in the least restrictive environment (LRE) with peers without disabilities, to the maximum extent appropriate.
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
A child at age three, not already enrolled in a local Infants and Toddlers Program (LITP), is referred to special education through a local school system’s Child Find. Eligibility is determined by an IEP team for preschool special education and related services.
IEP services will be provided in the least restrictive environment (LRE) with peers without disabilities, to the maximum extent appropriate. (This child is not eligible for the Extended IFSP Option.)
The NE/LRE Team Decision Making Map illustrates the options with “road signs” for identifying the NE/LRE for early intervention or preschool special education and related services for eligible children with disabilities, age three through kindergarten.
