Members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation today announced $53,968,575 from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to strengthen special education services for children across the state.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges for special education services across our state,” the lawmakers said. “This new infusion of American Rescue Plan funding will help Maryland children and families access early intervention programs, speech-language therapy, and counseling services. We will continue to secure federal resources that invest in critical special education programs and support children with disabilities.”
According to a press release:
The lawmakers previously announced $1.95 billion in American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds to help K-12 schools cover the significant costs they have borne throughout this pandemic. Combined with the previous COVID-19 relief bills, this provides our local school systems and Maryland State Department of Education with more than $3.02 billion in funding to serve students.
Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorize assistance to States to support special education and related services to children with disabilities and the provision and coordination of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families
ARPA provided more than $3 billion in supplemental funding for fiscal 2021 for the three IDEA formula grant programs:
- $2,580,000,000 for IDEA Part B Grants to states for children and youth with disabilities
- $200,000,000 for IDEA Part B Preschool Grants
- $250,000,000 for IDEA Part C Grants for Infants and Families
Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.
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