Esther Elbaum
4:53:58
My name is Esther Elbaum, and I am speaking on behalf of many parents.
4:54:02
My son is visually impaired and has been recommended to receive set services at his private school.
4:54:08
My son's set provider emailed the completed p four form to the CSE on September 11th 2024.
4:54:14
After several emails back and forth, the provider was still waiting for confirmation that the p four was approved.
4:54:20
I was in shock at the email I received from the CSC on November 12, 2024.
4:54:25
It began as follows.
4:54:26
Dear parents, New York City Public Schools has arranged for a provider to work with your child at your child's school.
4:54:33
Please note that any family who does not accept the provider assigned to the school may not receive the offered set services for the 24, 25 school year.
4:54:43
I was very distressed.
4:54:44
Why were they informing me that my child would not get services?
4:54:47
The email continued.
4:54:49
While NYCPS must implement the services identified on a child's IESB, a parent does not have a right to a specific provider or to an enhanced rate for a provider.
4:54:59
Refusal to accept the assigned provider will result in your child not receiving the identified set service for the 24, 25 school year.
4:55:08
I was horrified and alarmed.
4:55:09
Did this mean that my son would have to change providers from one who knows his needs?
4:55:14
I was also confused as I had not requested an enhanced rate.
4:55:18
The email concluded.
4:55:19
A copy of the signed p fours must be returned to the CSE within 72 hours of receipt of this email.
4:55:25
Please note that any family who does not accept the provider assigned to the school may not receive sets for the 24, 25 school year.
4:55:33
I was confused and upset.
4:55:34
The CSC expected me to respond within 72 hours, yet they had not responded to the submitted p 4 in 2 months.
4:55:41
The COC was using its resources to send me threatening letters instead of processing our p 4 form.
4:55:47
On November 15, 2024, I was informed that the p 4 was finally processed.
4:55:53
3 weeks later, the dysfunctional CSE again sent me the same threatening email.
4:55:58
The CSE is responsible for the implementation of special education services.
4:56:02
It should not be threatening to take away those same services.
4:56:05
My son works hard to learn, and I work hard to support him.
4:56:09
I expect the CSE to work hard to fulfill its obligations and not make threats.
4:56:14
I expect it to process paperwork within the same time frames they expect from me.
4:56:18
So far, the CSE has not met these expectations.
