Waterloo Community Unit School District #5

These rules and protections apply to all students with disabilities who qualify for special education services. If you're the parent or guardian of a student (or if the student is an adult) with a disability who is getting or may be eligible for special education services, you have rights protected by both state and federal laws. The federal law — IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) — requires schools to give you a notice explaining all your rights and protections. These rights are described in this document.

• Procedural Safeguards – English
• Procedural Safeguards – Spanish

These procedures outline how Waterloo School District will follow laws and regulations when using behavioral interventions with students in special education. The goal of behavioral interventions is to encourage positive behaviors and reduce inappropriate ones. Positive, non-aversive strategies will be used to build and reinforce good behavior, which is the most effective and respectful way to replace problem behaviors. This document also describes the more restrictive interventions that may be used temporarily and with great care. These are used based on proper assessment, planning, oversight, and documentation, while always respecting the student’s dignity and privacy and following professional standards.

• Behavioral Intervention Procedures

The Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience (“IL ABLE”) plan is sponsored by the State of Illinois and administered by the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer. WCUSD5 is responsible for providing this information to families of students with disabilities. This plan allows people with disabilities and their families to save and invest money to help cover disability-related expenses. Please find more information about how to access this investment plan at the following websites.

• Illinios ABLE Website
• Illinois ABLE Account Brochure

Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Service (PUNS) is a statewide database that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are planning for or seeking services through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities. IDHS uses the data to select individuals for services as funding becomes available, to develop proposals and materials for budgeting, and to plan for future needs.

For information on PUNS, please contact one of the following trained employees: 

Victoria Mudd

Special Education Coordinator: Early Childhood - Grade 5

vmudd@wcusd5.net

Christy Osterhage

Special Education Coordinator- Grade 6 - Grade 12

costerhage@wcusd5.net

What is PUNS?

The Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) database is a state-managed system that tracks individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities waiting for funding or services. 

• An Overview of PUNS
• IDPH PUNS Website

For Residents of Monroe and Randolph Counties

Southern Illinois Case Coordination
Intake Coordinator: Kathy Brown

• Phone: 618-532-4300
• Email: kbrown@siccs.org

Supporting Documentation Required (State Mandated)

• Most Current IEP
• Most Recent Psychological Evaluation (must include the individual’s full-scale IQ)
• Autism Diagnosis Documentation (if applicable; includes evaluation/testing completed by the diagnosing psychologist or doctor)

If supporting documentation is unavailable, families can sign a consent to release confidential information, allowing the service coordinator to request the necessary documents from relevant offices.

PUNS Registration Process

1. Submit Documentation: The agency will review the provided materials to determine eligibility.
2. Eligibility Confirmation: If eligible, the agency schedules a meeting to complete the initial PUNS paperwork and enter the individual into the state database. At this point, the individual is placed on the waitlist.
3. Annual Updates: To remain on the waitlist, families must complete an annual PUNS update. If the update is not completed, the case will be closed, requiring re-registration at the bottom of the waitlist.

Important Considerations

• Waiting Period: Once an individual turns 18, it may take up to five years to be drawn from the list to receive services through the Medicaid waiver.
• Budget-Dependent Selection: The state has recently drawn young adults and children from the waitlist, contingent on available funding.
• Early Registration Matters: Families should register as soon as possible to maximize opportunities for support.

Services Available Through PUNS

Once drawn from the waitlist, individuals may be eligible for:

• Personal supports
• Respite care
• Behavioral and therapeutic supports (PT, OT, SLP)
• Assistive technology for communication
• Home or vehicle adaptations
• Nursing services
• Community employment support with a job coach
• Day treatment work programs
• Residential services (e.g., group homes, CILAs, less than 24-hour supports like laundry and shopping assistance)