New Federal funds support IDEA Part B and Part C programs’ ongoing educational and learning needs due to COVID-19
Congress, through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), allocated $2,95 billion to support Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B and Part C programs’ resource needs created by the effects of COVID-19 and recent school closures.
Congress appropriates IDEA funds to support early intervention and special education services for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families. The supplemental funds allocated in ARP are being provided to state educational agencies and lead agencies to help programs recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and to safely reopen schools and sustain safe operations.
The IDEA Part B formula grants support the provision of free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities ages 3 - 21, while the the IDEA Part C formula grants offer support for early intervention services for infants and toddlers, birth – 2 and their families.
Each state or lead agency is receiving additional funding, allocated by formula. Amounts allocated are listed at https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/arp/arp-idea-allocations.html.
IDEA Part B and C programs can use these funds across their operations, including purchase of or upgrades to their early childhood assessments that are used to meet Federal reporting requirements and to assess and monitor the developmental needs of the children attending the programs.