California districts received notification of the newest changes to parental consent for the Medi-Cal LEA Billing Option program allowing districts to obtain a one time parental consent replacing the annual requirement previously required. 

On August 14, 2013, the Calfornia Department of Education sent the attached letter to all County and District Superintendents, Special Education Local Plan Area Directors, Special Education Administrators at County Offices of Education, Charter School Administrators, Principals, and Nonpublic School Directors:

What Does this Mean for your school district?

• School districts only need to obtain a one time parental consent.

• If the parent previously provided consent to the LEA to access the student’s Medi-Cal benefits to pay for special education and related services under the IDEA prior to March 18, 2013, the effective date of the amendments to 34 CFR Section 300.154, the LEA is not required to obtain new consent from the parents as long as the following two conditions are present:

• There is no change in the type of service to be provided to the student, the amount or duration of services to be provided, or the cost of the services.  

• The LEA has on file the previous consent that met the requirements that were in effect at the time that consent was provided.

Parental consent verification needs to be documented in our service portal by all LEA coordinators. Click here for newest enhancement directions. Reports can be generated helping districts track consents received in addition to alerting them of consents that need to be obtained for all students receiving services.

 View Sample Parental Consent Letter from SELPA 

Parental Consental Sample from Santa Clara

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