Anyone else falling off the ESSER cliff? Or wishing for the millionth time that IDEA was fully funded? If only wishing came with money! Navigating the complexities of funding for special education tools like the SLP Toolkit and Kit can be challenging for district administrators. These tools are essential for alleviating the administrative tasks that plague our providers and keep them away from doing what they love; working with students. This blog post aims to guide special education administrators on how to obtain funding from various sources, including Title funds, Medicaid, and school improvement funds, to ensure that these critical resources are accessible.
One of the pitfalls in budgeting is that many districts have siloed funding sources. Meaning the special education director has the IDEA budget, the federal grants manager has the title budgets, the ELL coordinator has Title III, and so on. This can lead to overlapping funding to provide services and resources. If you are in the position of being stuck in the middle asking anyone for funds, consider starting with your district’s integrated action plan or strategic plan. Make sure all the needs for your program are clearly outlined with supporting evidence. This will make your case for funding easier to demonstrate.
Understanding the Funding Landscape: What is available?
Title Funds
Title funds, part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), provide federal financial assistance to schools and districts to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.
Title I: Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged
Title I funds are designed to support schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families. These funds can be used to purchase educational tools and resources that support student achievement.
How to Access: District administrators should work with their Title I coordinators to include SLP Toolkit and Kit in their Title I schoolwide plans. These tools can be justified as essential for improving academic outcomes for students with disabilities.
Resources: For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education Title I, Part A website.
Title II: Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High-Quality Teachers and Principals
Title II funds focus on professional development for educators. These funds can be used to train special education staff in using SLP Toolkit and Kit effectively.
How to Access: Collaborate with district professional development coordinators to allocate Title II funds for training programs that incorporate these tools.
Resources: Learn more at the U.S. Department of Education Title II, Part A page.
Title IV: Part A — Student Support and Academic Enrichment
Title IV provides flexibility for states and districts to use federal funds for school improvement activities. This includes funding for technology and tools that support special education.
How to Access: Work with state education agencies to ensure that the SLP Toolkit and Kit are included in your district’s ESSA plans.
Resources: More information can be found on the U.S. Department of Education Title IV, Part A website.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides federal funding for health-related services for eligible students, including speech and language therapy. Districts can leverage Medicaid to cover costs associated with the SLP Toolkit and Kit.
School-Based Medicaid Programs
Many states have school-based Medicaid programs that reimburse districts for services provided to students with disabilities. These reimbursements can be used to fund tools like the SLP Toolkit and Kit.
How to Access: Administrators should ensure that their district is enrolled in the state’s school-based Medicaid program. This is not just a slush fund for anything not covered by other funding sources. There should be a plan for how these funds will be used. Collaborate with your district’s Medicaid coordinator to submit claims for eligible services.
Resources: Visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for guidance on school-based Medicaid programs and Medicaid School-Based Administrative Claiming Guide for detailed information.
School Improvement Funds
School improvement funds are available to support initiatives aimed at enhancing student achievement and school performance. Schools may have the federal designation of Targeted Support and Improvement or Comprehensive Support and Improvement. These funds can be an excellent source for purchasing the SLP Toolkit and Kit.
School Improvement Grants (SIG)
School Improvement Grants are awarded to states and districts to support interventions in the lowest-performing schools. These funds can be used to implement evidence-based programs and tools. These grants may have different names, but are funded from federally.
How to Access: Identify schools within your district that qualify for SIG and incorporate the SLP Toolkit and Kit into their improvement plans.
Resources: Learn more about SIG at the U.S. Department of Education’s School Improvement Grants page.
Budgeting Tips for District Administrators
Conduct a Needs Assessment
This should be a multidisciplinary team with all critical members represented. Start by conducting a thorough needs assessment to determine the specific requirements of your district’s special education program. Identify the tools and resources needed, including SLP Toolkit and Kit, and prioritize them based on their potential impact on staff retention/job satisfaction and student outcomes.
Develop a Comprehensive Funding Plan
Create a detailed funding plan that outlines all potential funding sources. This plan should include:
- all possible sources of funding, including federal, state, and local funds, as well as grants and private donations.
- allocate funds strategically, ensuring that high-priority needs are met first. Consider setting aside a portion of your budget for ongoing training and maintenance of the tools.
- establish timelines for applying for and receiving funds. Be mindful of application deadlines and reporting requirements.
- engage key critical members, including special education staff, general education teachers, parents, and community members, in the budgeting process. Their input can provide valuable insights and help build support for funding initiatives.
If you have any questions or want to dive deeper into the content together, you can schedule some time with me here: https://calendly.com/trish-kit/15-minute-call