IDEA Part B Funding


Ohio’s Part B Federal Application for Federal Fiscal Year 2023 (FFY23) is available for review from March 21 through May 21, 2023. All states applying for funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are required to make available for public review and comment the application packet for those federal funds. These funds support provision of special education services to children with disabilities who are ages 3 to 21 in Ohio.
 
The Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children has developed a draft application packet for IDEA Part B funds and, by this notice, is making the application available for review and comment. The application packet, developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs includes a summary of the assurances, certifications and IDEA use of fund descriptions the state will use to implement Part B of IDEA. Upon the Office of Special Education Programs’ approval of Ohio's Part B application, the state will receive a federal grant award under Part B of the IDEA for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
 
In reviewing the application, please note the following: The application is in a format required by the Office of Special Education Programs. Ohio is providing general assurances to the Office of Special Education Programs that the state will be implementing the provisions of state and federal regulations for Part B of IDEA 2004. The dollar amounts listed in Section III, Use of Funds, are for state-level administration and targeted initiatives; not the cost of serving students with disabilities or the total cost of special education services in Ohio.  

View the proposed Part B Annual State Application Narrative for FFY23 here. 
View the Part B Excel Interactive Worksheet for FFY23 here.

The Department will accept public comments from April 9 through May 9, 2023.  Email public comments to exceptionalchildren@education.ohio.gov.

The U.S. Department of Education details specific procedures that states are to follow to receive annual grant funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004. Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) at section 76.102 make clear that the Part B fund applications are considered to be state plans for the use of Part B funding. The U.S. Department of Education, under the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) at 20 USC1232d (b)(7)(B), sets forth the public participation requirements and requires each state to publish its proposed application for Part B funds in a manner that will ensure circulation throughout the state at least 60 days before the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary of Education or on which the application becomes effective, whichever occurs earlier, with an opportunity for public comment on such application to be accepted for at least 30 days.  
 

Allowable Use of IDEA Part-B Funds 

Districts receiving IDEA Part-B funds are required to be compliant with Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations.  Guidance for districts on the use of IDEA Part-B funds may be found here. This document provides detailed information on the options that a district may consider as it develops its program of special education and related services to children with disabilities.

Special Education Fiscal Monitoring

The Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) is responsible for ensuring that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) Part B funds are used in compliance with statutory requirements regarding the provision of special education services and supports to improve outcomes for students with disabilities, ages 3 through 21. School districts must account for their use of IDEA Part B funds separately from other state and federal funds.
 
OEC monitors fiscal compliance through a tiered approach. The tiers include: Onsite Review (Intensive Review in FY21), Desk Review and Self-Assessment. An OEC Resource Management Specialist is assigned to each district selected for Special Education Fiscal Monitoring to assist in the fiscal review process.
 
The following documents are available to support districts through the Monitoring Process:

FY21 Desk and Onsite Review Manual Special Education Fiscal Monitoring

FY21 Self-Assessment Manual Special Education Fiscal Monitoring

FY21 Required Documents Checklist

 

Last Modified: 10/10/2023 6:44:35 AM