The Pennsylvania Department of Education has just changed its policy to give eligible students the opportunity to remain in the school setting and receive a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) until their 22nd birthday!
Prior to now, eligible students were able to remain in school until the end of the school year in which they turned 21. Now, students will be able to stay until their 22nd birthday. While to some people this change may not seem like a huge deal, to those it affects it may have a big impact!
The students that will be affected by this change typically have a variety of disabilities that cause them to need varying degrees of support. These students and their caregivers must work with county supports coordinators to determine what level of support these individuals will need once they are no longer eligible to remain in school. Previously, supports coordinators were inundated with support requests at the end of each school year for things like job coaching, day programs, housing, home and community supports and more. Since so many individuals were seeking services at the same time, the local system would end up overwhelmed and a lot of individuals would end up on waitlists for various services and waivers.
This policy change is going into effect immediately. This means that eligible students who are 21 and who graduated in May and June of 2023, are now able to return to school this school year until they turn 22. This may give some students and caregivers the extra time they need to secure supports for life after school. Since this policy change is so new, many people haven’t heard about it yet! So, now it’s time to spread the word! Please share this blog post, or the PA Department of Education Policy Announcement which is located below, so that families that may be affected by this change can learn about what it will mean for them!
