2.4.1 LOCATION OF THERAPY SERVICES The contractor shall provide services at the assigned MSSD school(s) at the school addresses located on the pricing page of the IFB or home addresses as assigned for homebound programs. Services shall be provided on an as needed, if needed, basis. Homebound services will be provided in the student's home, unless otherwise designated, on an as needed, if needed, basis. 2.4.1. a TELETHERAPY – DIRECT/CONSULTATION MSSD Central Office will determine whether Direct Services/Consultation minutes will be provided at the MSSD School Location(s) or via Teletherapy. Teletherapy is a specialized methodology that has the intention of being delivered via the internet/computer to serve the child in their home or at school. Teletherapy sessions should look the same as a high-quality traditional school service. Recommended practices for both teletherapy and traditional school services include the use of coaching strategies, routine-based interventions and naturalistic teaching opportunities. For services held remotely, the provider must be in a location that ensures confidentiality. If the student or student's family has no access to phone or internet, then per section 2.4.3 IEP Therapy Services, the school building administrator, teacher-in-charge, classroom teacher, area director or MSSD central office staff can request additional services in writing to the contractor to develop adapted items to be used by the student or the provision of materials to assist the classroom staff in supporting the student. 2.4.2 THERAPY IMPLEMENTATION The contractor shall coordinate and supervise all aspects of the requirements stated herein in accordance with the MSSD guidelines. Students are available at school Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In-school services must be provided within the school calendar and these timeframes. Homebound services may be provided outside the above designated times if necessary and by mutual agreement between the school staff, the contractor, and the student’s parents or guardians. The contractor shall agree and understand that the times and days on which the contractor and/or therapists provides services shall be mutually agreed by the contractor and MSSD. The contractor shall provide schedules to MSSD teachers for all therapists in order to coordinate therapy during instructional times. The therapist shall meet with the Building Administrator before service begins for orientation and student assignment. The therapist shall work directly with the Building Administrator at the school. The therapist shall review the student’s current IEP with the classroom teacher to ensure therapy services are provided in the classroom through the integrated therapy approach. The therapist shall review records to ensure knowledge of the student's past and present program(s). The therapist shall become knowledgeable about the physical condition of the student including but not limited to: history of medical background, surgeries, dislocated joints, shunts, etc. Review of this information will not be in lieu of consultation or direct services to the student. The contractor understands that this review is part of the professional duties necessary to provide quality services and time spent reviewing these records is not billable. 2.4.3 IEP THERAPY SERVICES The contractor shall provide services for MSSD students as required by the student's IEP and approved by the Building Administrator. Direct therapy services to students shall be provided through the integrated therapy approach. All direct services shall be provided on an individual basis unless the IEP specifies or the Building Administrator requests group services for the student. The contractor is responsible for providing services to only those students assigned by the Building Administrator and approved for such services on the IEP. The therapist shall provide direct speech therapy to support the student in achieving IEP goals and benchmarks. The therapy provided shall be limited to the amount of time required under the IEP. The student’s progress must be shared when requested by the classroom teacher or other MSSD staff. The therapist shall provide consultation with classroom staff and other MSSD personnel to collaborate on supporting the student in achievement of IEP goals. These consultations shall be required under the student’s IEP and are limited to the IEP time specified. The therapist may demonstrate techniques with the student to the classroom teacher during consultation. The therapist shall assist in writing present level information for the student’s IEP, progress notes and/or suggestions on future IEP goals/benchmarks upon request by the classroom teacher. The contractor shall be reimbursed up to 2 hours (4 units) per student for assisting with this information. The contractor and designated therapists shall attend periodic training at the request of MSSD. The contractor shall be reimbursed up to 2 hours (4 units) per training. The contractor shall have an email address for notices and messages sent on behalf of the MSSD. Each therapist may also have an email address on file with MSSD in order to obtain individual user ids and passwords for the MO HealthNet billing system. The contractor may provide additional services when requested in writing by the MSSD Building Administrator, teacher-in-charge, classroom teacher, area director or MSSD central office staff. The contractor shall be reimbursed up to 8 hours (16 units) for these additional services. These services shall include, but are not limited to: • Consultations between the therapist and other therapists, consultants, and other MSSD staff. Such consultations are additional to any required consultations required by the student’s IEP. • The preparation and provision of trainings for MSSD staff, including the creation of PowerPoints and any training materials. • The development of adapted items to be used by the student or the provision of materials to assist the classroom staff in supporting the student during the therapist’s absence. • Attendance at staffing and/or IEP meetings at the request of the Building Administrator. The contractor shall submit a written request to the Building Administrator prior to any student therapists accompanying the contractor to provide therapy services. The request should include a copy of the affiliation agreement with the student’s school, the student’s name, the dates for the activity and full acknowledgement of insurance coverage of the student therapist by the sending school and the agency. A student therapist shall not accompany the contractor until approved by the MSSD Superintendent. A student therapist shall not interfere with the provision of services under the contract.
