Overview to the Preschool Grants Program Section 619 of
Part B of IDEA
The Preschool Grants Program, authorized under
Section 619 of Part B of IDEA, was established in 1981 to
provide grants to states to
serve young children with disabilities, ages 3 through 5 years. All states and eligible
jurisdictions and outlying areas have participated in the program since fiscal year 1992.
As of December 1, 2000, slightly less than 600,000 children were receiving special education and
related services nationwide.
To be eligible for Preschool Grants funds, states must
implement all requirements under Part B of IDEA for special education and related
services. These requirements include areas such as due process, nondiscriminatory testing
and evaluation, individualized educational program (IEP), placement in the least
restrictive environment, and parent participation.
Using a formula specified in Section
619 of Part B of IDEA, the U. S. Department of Education provides a grant to State
Educational Agencies (SEAs). This money can be used for three broad purposes:
- Services for qualified children provided through
the Local Educational Agency (LEA),
- state-level activities, and
- state program administration.
LEA Services
First,
special education and related services can be provided under Section 619 of Part B of IDEA
through monies (subgrants) from the SEA. Services may include, but are not limited to the
following:
- special instruction
- development and implementation of IEPs
- assistive technology devices and services
- audiology
- counseling services
- early identification and assessment
- medical services for diagnosis or evaluation
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
- speech-language therapy
State-Level Activities
Second, the SEA may use some 619 funds (referred
to as a "set aside") for state-level activities such as:
- support services
- activities related to the statewide coordinated service delivery program direct services
- activities at state and local levels to meet the state established performance goals
- State Improvement Plan (SIP) activities
State Program Administration
Finally, the SEA may earmark a percentage of its state-level activity monies for state
administration. This function may include the coordination of statewide 619 grant
activities by supporting staff positions in the SEA. Any funds not used for state-level
activities, including administration, must be added to the funds used for subgrants to
eligible LEAs.
For more information about the Preschool Grants Program, refer to Section 619 of Part B
of the IDEA statute and
its Regulations.
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