Differences Between Extended Day Services and Aftercare Programs
By: Hillary D. Freeman, Esq.
Parents often look for services for their son or daughter outside of school hours. It is important to know the difference between ‘after care programs' and 'extended school day programs.'
Some students require additional instruction beyond the typical school day to make meaningful progress towards their IEP goals. This is referred to as extended school day (ESD). The most common method for determining whether a child is eligible for ESD is the regression/recoupment analysis. This method reviews whether a student would suffer regression in skills if his or her educational services were interrupted for a period of time and whether it would take a long time to regain the lost skills. IEP teams may not use regression as the only factor; however, in determining whether a student qualifies for these services. Other factors include: severity of the disability, the ability to generalize skills learned in school into the home and community, the ability of the parents to provide services at home, the student’s vocational needs, the ability of the student to interact with nondisabled peers, and whether the student is on the brink of learning new skills.
Depending on the student’s needs, ESD services may be provided in a variety of forms in the school, home, and/or community environments. This could include, but not be limited to, 1:1 tutoring, related therapies, social skills groups, independent living skills or behavior management. Whatever the service may be, it must be provided in accordance with the student’s IEP.
In contrast, after-care programs must be made available to all students regardless of whether they have a disability. After-care programs typically do not provide the type of instruction described above; rather, in these programs, students can obtain help with their homework, socialize with peers or participate in recreational activities.
It is important to recognize that an ESD program may be implemented through the after-care program when appropriate, but this is not required. When doing so, however, supports needed to help the student learn such skills (e.g., personal aide) must be provided at no cost to the parents or guardians.
Hinkle,
Fingles, & Prior a multi-state law practice with offices in Lawrenceville, Cherry Hill, Florham Park, and Paramus, New Jersey, and Plymouth Meeting and Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. They lecture and write frequently on topics of elder law, estate planning, special needs trusts, guardianship, special education, health care insurance & Medicaid, and accessing adult services and are available to speak to groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania at no charge.
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