In 1986, the federal government authorized grants to states to plan and implement a comprehensive, community-based inter-agency system of early intervention services (Part C) for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. State legislation enables California to participate in the Part C program and create a statewide mandate for local educational agencies (LEAs) to serve all infants and toddlers with solely low incidence disabilities. It also required changes in procedures and services for all infants served by LEAs.
Awards can be seen at https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r18/partc18result.asp.
LEAs must have an approved Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Local Plan on file with the California Department of Education (CDE) and each SELPA must submit an application and budget to participate in the grant.
Eligible applicants are California Local educational agencies. Only LEAs serving infants and toddlers with solely low incidence disabilities are eligible to apply.
Applications are to be submitted by October 31, 2018. A similar deadline is anticipated, annually.
Approximately $14,244,871 is available in funding. The CDE receives funds from the Department of Developmental Services for local assistance through an inter-agency agreement for the cost impact experienced by LEAs in implementing the federal and state requirements. Funds are administered through formula grants based on each SELPA's specific cost impacts.
The following procedure is used to determine the amount of funds for each SELPA: Cost impacts are computed for SELPAs in four areas (1) the number of additional children with low incidence conditions to be served ($9,535 per child); (2) additional required procedures ($1,221 per child for solely low incidence); (3) additional required procedures ($20,000 per SELPA); and (4) regionalized services and administration ($5,000 per SELPA). SELPAs must provide budget information and justification to the CDE.