Special Education-Preschool Grants (84.173)

Program

84.173 Special Education-Preschool Grants

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Special Education And Rehabilitative Services

Authorization

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1419., Part B, Section 619.

Program Number

84.173

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide grants to States to assist them to make available special education and related services for children with disabilities ages 3 through 5 years, and at a State's discretion, to 2 year old children with disabilities who will reach age three during the school year.

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds are used by State education agencies: (1) to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to preschool children with disabilities ages 3 through 5, and at the State's discretion, to 2-year old children with disabilities who will reach age 3 during the next school year; (2) to administer section 619; and (3) for support services, direct services, activities to meet the State's performance goals, to supplement other funds used for a Statewide coordinated service system designed to improve results for children and families, to provide early intervention services in accordance with Part C to children ages 3 through 5 who would otherwise be eligible under the Preschool Grants program, and to continue service coordination or case management for families who receive services under Part C.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State education agencies in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Children aged 3 through 5 with disabilities, and (at the State's option) 2-year old children that will reach age 3 during the school year, that require special education and related services will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

No State or jurisdiction may receive a grant unless the Secretary has approved the application and statement of assurance. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

There is no separate application required for this program. States are eligible to receive Preschool Grant funds if the State education agency establishes eligibility under section 612 of the IDEA and if the State makes free appropriate public education available to all children ages 3 through 5 with disabilities. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372 "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. States are eligible to receive funds under this program if the Secretary has approved the application and statement of assurances for that State as provided under Section 612 of Part B of the IDEA and if the State makes a free appropriate public education available to all children ages 3 through 5 year with disabilities residing in the State. Local education agencies establish eligibility for Preschool Grant funds by meeting local application requirements in section 613 of Part B of the IDEA. A single application is required for programs funded under Part B of the IDEA, including this program.

Award Procedure

Once the State application is approved, a grant award representing the total preschool grant amount for that fiscal year is forwarded to the State's department of education. A State must serve all 3 through 5- year old children with disabilities if the State wants to continue participating in this program, as well as to receive funds for children ages 3 through 5 served under the Grants to States program. This is a forward funded program, in which funds become available for obligation on July 1 of the fiscal year for which they are appropriated and remain available for 15 months through September of the following year.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Within 90 days.

Appeals

The Department shall not take any final action until the State is provided reasonable notice and an opportunity to submit written objections and opportunity for a hearing.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching Requirements: Preschool Grants are awarded to States based on a statutory formula. A State first receives the amount it received under this program in federal fiscal year 1997. If the appropriation for this program in any subsequent fiscal year exceeds the amount for the preceding fiscal year, 85 percent of the excess appropriation over the fiscal year 1997 appropriation is awarded to States based on their relative populations of children aged 3 through 5, and 15 percent of the excess appropriation is awarded based on the State's relative population of all children aged 3 trough 5 living in poverty. The formula also provides several floors and ceilings regarding the amount a State can receive in a year. In addition, the Act also specifies how funds are allocated when the appropriation is less the amount provided in the prior fiscal year.

This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are issued each fiscal year. The Federal obligation period is a 15-month period from July 1 through September 30 of the following fiscal year. State and local education agencies have an additional 12-month period to obligate their funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual State Performance Plans (SPPs) and Annual Performance Reports (APRs) are submitted to the Department of Education from the State department of education, including information required by section 618 of the IDEA. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), audits of States, local governments, and non-profit organization, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

As required by EDGAR for State administered programs (34 CFR 76.730-731). Generally, the State and its contractors must retain records related to grant funds and compliance for a period fo 5 years. Also, all records supporting claims for Federal funds or relating to the accountability of the grantee for the expenditure of such funds must be accessible for administrative review.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: All State agencies, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia received funding under this program. In FY 2008, 710,371 children with disabilities ages 3 through 5 were served. Fiscal Year 2009: Est. 724,598. Fiscal Year 2010: Est. 739,070.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0300-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $374,099,280; FY 09 est $374,099,000; FY 10 est $374,099,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

For FY 2010, the range of awards is expected to be between $240,249 to $37,840,680; the average award is expected to be $7,194,212.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Final regulations were published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2006 at 34 CFR 300, to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Also, a notice of proposed rulemaking was published on May 13, 2008 proprosing additional amendments.

Related Programs

84.027 Special Education_Grants to States; 84.181 Special Education-Grants for Infants and Families; 84.392 Special Education - Preschool Grants, Recovery Act

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Nancy Treusch Office of Special Education Programs, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: nancy.treusch@ed.gov Phone: (202) 245-7553

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/programs.html.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Federal funds were combined with State and local funds to provide a free appropriate public education to chiildren with disabilities. This includes special education and related services. Funds are used for salaries of teachers and other personnel, educational materials, related services -- such as speech or occupational therapy -- and other education-related needs. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The applicants eligible to participate in the program qualify for funding based upon an approved application under section 612 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and that they provide a free appropriate public education to all children with disabilities ages three through five. The criteria for approving an application appear in the regulations implementing Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.