HOW OSERS RELEASES ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GUIDANCE, $50 MILLION GRANTS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH ENHANCEMENTS.... (1057 hits)
For Immediate Release From OSERS!
Assistive Technology Devices and Services for Children With Disabilities Under the IDEA
Summary
The Office of Educational Technology and the Office of Special Education Programs are pleased to share the below guidance in support of children with disabilities who need assistive technology (AT) devices and services for meaningful access and engagement in education.
Dear Colleague Letter
A Dear Colleague Letter https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/DCL-on-Myt... on the provision of assistive technology devices and services for children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
AT Myths and Facts
Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services is designed to increase understanding of the IDEA’s AT requirements, dispel common misconceptions regarding AT, and provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities and to highlight the different requirements under Part C and Part B of IDEA: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/Myths-and-...
Resumen
La Oficina de Tecnología Educativa y la Oficina de Programas de Educación Especial se complacen en compartir la guía de abajo para apoyar niños con discapacidades que necesitan aparatos y servicios de tecnología de asistencia (AT) con acceso significativo y participación en la educación: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/DCL-sobra-...
Carta a los Colegas
Una carta a los colegas estimados sobre la provisión de dispositivos y servicios de tecnología de asistencia para niños con discapacidades bajo la Ley de Educación para Personas con Discapacidades (IDEA).
AT Mitos y Realidades
Mitos y Realidades sobre los dispositivos y servicios de la tecnología de asistencia está diseñado para comprender mejor los requisitos de la AT de la IDEA, disipar conceptos erróneos comunes con respecto a la AT, proporcionar ejemplos del uso de los dispositivos y servicios de la AT para niños con discapacidades y resaltar los diferentes requisitos bajo la Parte C y la Parte B de IDEA: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/Mitos-y-Re...
CMS Announces $50 Million in Grants to Deliver Critical School-Based Health Services to Children Grants will help up to 20 states implement or expand school-based health services for children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced $50 million in grants for states to connect millions more children to critical health care services, particularly for mental health, at school. Made possible by the historic investments of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), the grants will provide 20 states up to $2.5 million each in funding that can help states implement, enhance, and expand the use of school-based health services through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
“Providing quality, affordable health care requires meeting people where they’re at, and for children that often means school,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, today’s new funding will help states to expand and leverage Medicaid health care services in schools. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to invest in young people and their care so that they can thrive in their communities.”
“This funding will be transformational for states at any stage in developing school-based health services programs, which represent one of CMS’ most powerful tools for expanding access to care for our children,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “Medicaid and CHIP cover over 39 million children. This targeted support is one way CMS can help kids get the health care they need by meeting them where they are — in school.”
Along with this $50 million grant announcement, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Miguel Cardona issued a joint letter to governors - PDF, emphasizing that this grant funding “will make it easier for states to support schools in providing critical health care services, especially mental health services, for millions of students across the nation.”
Schools offer a unique opportunity to deliver health care services to children and youth, especially for the millions enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. From preventive and behavioral health care to physical care, among other benefits, Medicaid school-based health services offer families convenient care from trusted partners right where children learn and grow. Such services also have a track record for advancing children’s health and improving educational outcomes.
Currently, 16 states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia — cover school-based health services provided to Medicaid- or CHIP-covered children beyond those with special education needs reflected in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). With today’s announcement, CMS not only hopes more states will follow suit, but also that early adopters will leverage the additional funding to further enhance their programs to better meet the needs of children and youth.
CMS anticipates a total of 20 grant awards, with a minimum of 10 awards to states that have yet to cover school-based health services for all children covered by Medicaid or CHIP. Funding remains a critical need in these states as they work to build additional partnerships and coordination between state Medicaid and education agencies to
