Purpose/Function:

This is a vocational program serving special education students with moderate cognitive impairments. The program is designed to assist 18-to-26 year-old students with moderate cognitive impairments. The Lutz Program combines a comprehensive vocational training program with planning and support for students to make the transition from school to work and community living. At Lutz, students experience a wide variety of training opportunities which emphasize work habits, attitudes and appropriate behavior. Instruction occurs at the school as well as numerous training sites throughout the county. Lutz staff work very hard to find appropriate work experiences in the community for the students. The resulting flexible schedule permits many students the benefits of employment and contact with other work and school programs.

Frequency:

This program is operated year round, following the Lutz School for Work Experience calendar. Student must be 18 as of September 1 to enter program

Referral Process:

1. Form 2 signed by Director of Special Education and guardian/adult student, is submitted to MISD Director of Center Programs.
      
2. If the referral is being made by a non-resident district, including an LEA/MISD Center Program, please send a copy of the referral to the Resident District.
      
3. For School-of-Choice (105-in-county) students in your district, you are the resident district, therefore no notification to any other district is required.
      
4. School of Choice (105c out-of-county), a written cooperative agreement must be approved between the resident district, enrolling district, the resident ISD, and the Macomb ISD Assistant Superintendent of Special Education.
      

Referral materials must include:

• Current IEP
• Current REED or MET
• Current eligibility reports (Teacher Report, OT, PT, Speech, Social Work, Psychological)
• Adaptive Behavioral Assessment (as applicable)
• Current Behavior Intervention Plan (as applicable)
• Current LEA Transition Assessment (must include)
• Immunizations
• Birth Certificate
• Post-Secondary Teacher Input Form

Referral Response:

1. After receiving the referral materials, the MISD Director of Center Programs will review the packet. The following may occur:
   - Contact LEA, missing information (this may delay process)
   - Determine appropriateness of referral
      
2. If referral to the Lutz School for Work Experience is determined appropriate:
   - A copy of Form 2A Report of Recommended Disposition will be returned to the district.
      
3. The sending district is responsible for all arrangements for the IEP.
   - The sending district is responsible for scheduling and inviting all appropriate participants to the IEP.
   - A copy of the Form 2A will be sent to the appropriate administrator (Director of Special Education of Operating District or Principal of MISD Program) and the Director of Special Education for the referring school district recommending that an IEP be scheduled to consider placement.
   - The sending district chairs and provides forms for the placement IEP with the cooperation of the receiving school administrator.
   - The sending district designee chairs the meeting in cooperation with the receiving school administrator/designee.
      
4. Required members of the IEP Team at a minimum consist of:
   - The sending school district
   - The receiving school district
   - The resident district, if not the sending or receiving district
   - The parent and the student (if appropriate)
   - A General Education Teacher (if appropriate)

Outcomes:

If a center program placement is determined through the IEP to constitute the least restrictive option for the student, the outcome is placement.

Exceptions:

Expedited Form 2 Placement Process- this is for students coming out of a long-term, very restricted, separate facility, who clearly needs the most restrictive educational setting.

The LEA District must:

1. Have parent establish proof of residency within their district
     
2. Have parent register with resident district
     
3. Immediately contact the Director of Center Programs to discuss the student and previous programs and services.
     
4. Complete Form 2 with required signatures
     
5. Attach most current IEP, MET/REED and/or supporting documentation indicating educational need for most restrictive placement
     
6. Deliver completed hard copy packet to Center Programs
     
7. LEA Director/Supervisor will be directed to the appropriate Center Program Administrator.

Out-of-State Students will require a REED and the district should conduct a MET and/or review characteristics for eligibility by State of Michigan requirements to ensure that the student meets Michigan eligibility requirements. The resident district may request the assistance of the appropriate Director of the LEA/MISD Center Program.

International Students moving into the county suspected of having severe cognitive, physical and or behavioral disability, the resident district should immediately conduct a full and comprehensive evaluation. The resident district may request the assistance of the appropriate Director of the LEA/MISD Center Program.

Visitation Policy:

Referring LEA Director/Supervisor may contact Lutz School for Work Experience Administrator to discuss visitation.

Form Links:

Form 2 signed and dated by Parent and Special Education Director
Post-Secondary Teacher Input Form

Updated: August 2019