March 18, 2016

by: LeafBridge Services Contributor

Extended School Year Services

ESY UCPThis week’s blog was written by Celia Chesnick, our Children and Family Services Manager for LeafBridge Therapy Services. Celia has been a community-based social worker for 31 years and specializes in pediatric mental health and developmental disabilities.

While Buckeye Chuck might be a bit confused about an early spring, here in case management we are getting ready for its arrival. Parents and caregivers, it is time to start having conversations with your school about Extended School Year (ESY) Services.

What are ESY Services?

ESY are special education and related services provided beyond the usual school year and are discussed at the initial Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting as well as at every annual IEP meeting. These services are necessary for a child to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). ESY services are provided at no cost to the parent.

Parent Considerations for ESY conversation with IEP team:

  • Do you think that there will be a decline in your child’s knowledge and skills as a result of his/her interruption in education? Does it take your child time to recoup his/her prior level of functioning? Are you able to support learning opportunities for your child?
  • What is the nature and severity of your child’s disability? (Children with a severe disability or complex needs may be more likely to obtain ESY services.) What has been the extent of hospitalizations and surgeries this past year?
  • Degree of Progress – Review your child’s progress to date with your IEP team. Your school IEP team should be able to provide data to support the degree of progress.
  • Does your child have skills that are just emerging or are not completely acquired and/or mastered? Will summer break impact them?
  • Does your child have any behaviors that interfere with his or her receipt of educational programming during the school year? These behaviors could be aggressive, self-injurious or other behaviors that have been addressed in your IEP goals.
  • Is your child working towards those critical life skills of good citizenship, effective communication, critical thinking, problem solving skills, relationship skills and self management skills which are pivotal to the educational process?

How do I go about requesting ESY services?

  • Request in writing to the school district to have an IEP meeting to discuss eligibility of your child for ESY services. Make sure to request early!
  • Consider taking a parent advocate with you to the meeting or another representative that may advocate on your child’s behalf.
  • Understand the criteria that school districts consider and compare your child to those criteria as you begin to prepare for your meeting. Take notes for yourself to stay focused on your talking points with your IEP team. Take notes all year long to document what happens when your child has a break from school.
  • Understand that the decision for ESY services is made by your IEP team.
  • Seek an independent assessment if you feel that your child’s school does not have the data to support an ESY eligibility determination.

If you would like further information about having an ESY conversation with your school, please contact Celia Chesnick, Children and Family Services Manager, at or cchesnick@ucpcleveland.org (216) 791-8363 ext. 1260.

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