Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities - Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel

Overview

The purposes of this program are to (1) help address State-identified needs for personnel preparation in special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education to work with children, including infants, toddlers, and youth with disabilities; and (2) ensure that those personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge, derived from practices that have been determined through scientifically based research, to be successful in serving those children. 

This competition includes one absolute priority and, within that absolute priority, one competitive preference priority. 

Absolute Priority: Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and other Minority Serving Institutions. Within this absolute priority, the Secretary intends to support projects under the following two focus areas:

(A) Preparing Personnel to Serve Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children with Disabilities; and

(B) Preparing Personnel to Serve School-Age Children with Disabilities. Applicants must identify the specific focus area (i.e., A or B) under which they are applying as part of the competition title on the application cover sheet. 

Competitive Preference Priority: Applications from New Potential Grantees (0 or 3 points).

Applicants may not submit the same proposal under more than one focus area. Applicants may submit proposals under both focus areas so long as they are different proposals.

Eligible Applicants: HBCUs, TCCUs, MSIs, and private nonprofit organizations. Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant’s certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

• Type of Award: Discretionary grants. 
• Estimated Average Size of Awards: $225,000 per year. 
• Estimated Number of Awards: 29. 
• Project Period: Up to 60 months.