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(3) The PUNS database Prioritization of Urgency of |
Need for Services is available for children and adults |
with intellectual disabilities or a developmental |
disabilities disability who have an unmet service needs |
need anticipated in the next 5 years. The PUNS database is |
also available for children with intellectual disabilities |
or developmental disabilities with unmet service needs. |
(4) Registration to be included on the PUNS database |
Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services is the |
first step toward receiving getting developmental |
disabilities services in this State. A child or an adult |
who is If individuals are not on the PUNS database will not |
be Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services waiting |
list, they are not in queue for State developmental |
disabilities services. |
(5) Lack of awareness and information about the PUNS |
database results in underutilization or delays in |
registration for the PUNS database by students with |
intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities |
and their parents or guardians Prioritization of Urgency |
of Need for Services may be underutilized by children and |
their parents or guardians due to lack of awareness or |
lack of information. |
(a-5) The purpose of this Section is to ensure that each |
student with an intellectual disability or a developmental |
disability who has an individualized education program ("IEP") |
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and the student's parents or guardian are informed about the |
PUNS database, where to register for the PUNS database, and |
whom they can contact for information about the PUNS database |
and the PUNS database registration process. This Section is |
not intended to change the PUNS database registration process |
established by the Department of Human Services or to impose |
any responsibility on the State Board of Education or a school |
district to register students for the PUNS database. |
(a-10) As used in this Section, "PUNS" means the |
Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database or |
PUNS database developed and maintained by the Department of |
Human Services pursuant to Section 10-26 of the Department of |
Human Services Act. |
(b) The State Board of Education may work in consultation |
with the Department of Human Services and with school |
districts to ensure that inform all students with intellectual |
disabilities or developmental disabilities and their parents |
or guardians are informed about the PUNS Prioritization of |
Urgency of Need for Services database, as described in |
subsections (c), (c-5), and (d) of this Section. |
(c) The Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human |
Services, in consultation with the and State Board of |
Education, shall develop and implement an online, |
computer-based training program for at least one designated |
employee in every public school in this State to educate the |
designated employee or employees him or her about the PUNS |
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Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database and |
steps required to register students for the PUNS database, |
including the documentation and information parents or |
guardians will need for the registration process to be taken |
to ensure children and adolescents are enrolled. The training |
shall include instruction on identifying and contacting for at |
least one designated employee in every public school in |
contacting the appropriate developmental disabilities |
Independent Service Coordination agency ("ISC") to register |
students for the PUNS database enroll children and adolescents |
in the database. The training of the designated employee or |
employees shall also include information about organizations |
and programs available in this State that offer assistance to |
families in understanding the PUNS database and navigating the |
PUNS database registration process. Each school district shall |
post on its public website and include in its student handbook |
the names of the designated trained employee or employees in |
each school within the school district. At least one |
designated employee in every public school shall ensure the |
opportunity to enroll in the Prioritization of Urgency of Need |
for Services database is discussed during annual |
individualized education program (IEP) meetings for all |
children and adolescents believed to have a developmental |
disability. |
(c-5) During the student's annual IEP review meeting, if |
the student has an intellectual disability or a developmental |
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disability, the student's IEP team shall determine the |
student's PUNS database registration status based upon |
information provided by the student's parents or guardian or |
by the student. If it is determined that the student is not |
registered for the PUNS database or if it is unclear whether |
the student is registered for the PUNS database, the parents |
or guardian and the student shall be referred to a designated |
employee of the public school who has completed the training |
described in subsection (c). The designated trained employee |
shall provide the student's parents or guardian and the |
student with the name, location, and contact information of |
the appropriate ISC to contact in order to register the |
student for the PUNS database. The designated trained employee |
shall also identify for the parents or guardian and the |
student the information and documentation they will need to |
complete the PUNS database registration process with the ISC, |
and shall also provide information to the parents or guardian |
and the student about organizations and programs available in |
this State that offer information to families about the PUNS |
database and the PUNS database registration process. |
(d) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the |
Department of Human Services, through school districts, shall |
provide to the parents and guardians of each student with an |
IEP students a copy of the latest version of the Department of |
Human Services's guide titled "Understanding PUNS: A Guide to |
Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services" each year at |
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the annual review meeting for the student's individualized |
education program, including the consideration required in |
subsection (e) of this Section.
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(e) (Blank). The Department of Human Services shall |
consider the length of time spent on the Prioritization of |
Urgency of Need for Services waiting list, in addition to |
other factors considered, when selecting individuals on the |
list for services. |
(Source: P.A. 102-57, eff. 7-9-21.)
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