The NYC DOE Office of Special Education issued an update on December 5, 2024 regarding parents who didn’t submit a Parent Notice of Intent (PNI) for special education services by June 1 or whose letter submitted by the June 1 deadline was not accepted by the DOE for various reasons. The local Committee for Special Education (CSE) which oversees the service delivery of special education to nonpublic schools are now sending out letters to parents who didn’t submit their PNI on time.
The letters state these parents can receive their P-4 authorization forms for SETTS services under two conditions:
1. Parents must sign a waiver that restricts them from using a host of rights that they have at their disposal to request hearings, seek mediation, request an enhanced rate, sue, and more when they have a complaint about their child’s IESP.
2. Parents will have to find a provider within 2 weeks of receiving the notification of their options from the DOE.
This is a complex situation, and we believe that each school should consult with their leadership and legal counsel to determine the best way forward. Additionally, we advise that communications be sent out to your parents as soon as possible so that they can make informed decisions within the short window afforded them.
We are happy to assist you in assessing your options to help with the decision-making process. This issue is one of great concern to schools, parents, and our community, and we are here to provide you with the best information. We are hopeful that the issue is moving in the right direction and that our children who need services based on an IESP should finally receive them.