(a)

1. (1) No child in an ABC Program shall be dismissed or expelled from the program for behavior without approval from the Office of Early Childhood.
2. (2) The Multi-Tiered System of Supports Framework assists programs and staff with supports to promote social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children ages birth to five (5), promoting the use of positive behavioral interventions, promoting family engagement, using data for decision-making, and integrating early childhood and infant mental health consultation.

(b) Behavior guidance.

1. (1) Discipline shall:

   1. (A) Reflect positive guidance;
   2. (B) Be consistent;
   3. (C) Be individualized for each child; and
   4. (D) Be appropriate to the child’s level of understanding.
2. (3) Corporal punishment is an unacceptable method of discipline and shall not be used.
3. (4) Programs shall specifically define their approach to handling inappropriate behavior in the parent handbook.

(c)

1. (1) When a child presents with challenging behavior, teaching staff shall use the following standards:

   1. (A) Observe the children, then identify events, activities, interactions, and other factors that predict and may contribute to challenging behavior;
   2. (B) Rather than focus only on eliminating the behavior, teaching staff shall focus on teaching the child social, communication, and emotional regulation skills using environmental modifications, activity modifications, adult or peer support, and other teaching strategies to support the child’s appropriate behavior; and
   3. (C) Teaching staff shall respond to challenging behavior, including physical aggression, in a manner that:

(i) Provides safety of the child;

1. (ii) Provides for the safety of others in the classroom;

   1. (iii) Is calm;

      1. (iv) Is respectful to the child; and
      2. (v) Provides the child with information on acceptable behavior.
      3. (d)
2. (1) Teacher-parent discussions regarding a child’s behavior shall be held in private and shall focus on working as a team to develop and implement an individualized plan that supports the child’s inclusion and success.
3. (2) Teachers should request technical assistance from the division on any discipline issues on which they have questions.

(e) Professional services.

1. (1) If necessary, intervention shall ensure each child has access to professional services, such as referrals to:

   1. (A) The education cooperative behavioral specialist;
   2. (B) The division-funded regional support network for early autism identification; and
   3. (C) The community mental health center and a private therapist.
2. (2) If a child in question has a disability and is in the process or has been identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., the ABC Program shall follow state special education rules governing suspension/ and, or, or expulsion.

(h)

1. (1) For any ABC Program child requiring the intervention services of special education, the ABC Program shall collaborate with special education professionals to ensure each party has access to necessary information to provide the appropriate services.
2. (2) Early Education Special Education teachers shall have access to any information pertaining to a child receiving special education that is in the possession of the ABC Program that would be necessary for reviewing and evaluating the child’s progress in the general education setting.

3. (3) Access to proprietary information on the child shall be on a need-to-know basis.

   1. (i)
4. (1) A child shall not be dismissed from the ABC Program due to a lack of toileting development skills.
5. (2) Nor may a program refuse to admit a child because of toileting development issues if the child meets all other age and income eligibility requirements.

(j)

1. (1) ABC Programs shall assist children not yet toilet-developed with cooperation and enthusiasm.
2. (2) Programs shall not employ toilet-development techniques that could be construed as punishment or shaming the child.
3. (3) Programs are encouraged to include the parent or guardian in any plan so it may be reinforced at home.
4. (4) Funds from the ABC Program may be used to purchase resources necessary to support toilet development.