Fiscal Management

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Finance & Grants

CONTACT: Heather Cox, Section Chief Special Programs & Data

There are multiple sources of funding to support students identified as having a disability through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These funds are allocated through either an application or grant process. Information is also provided about funding allocations.

Tab/Accordion Items

Purpose of the Program

To demonstrate eligibility via procedures to receive grant awards under 611 and 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The State Board of Education will make allocations to public school units (PSUs) based upon the certified appropriation from the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education.

Children Served

Program to all children with disabilities, ages 3 through 21, who meet specific eligibility requirements under Public Law 108.446.

Application Process

  • Public School Unites (PSUs) must submit proof of eligibility and receive approval.
  • Application is submitted NC CCIP Website. Grant window opens on May 1st and will close on May 31st.

IDEA Grant Trainings

Office of Exceptional Children State and Federal Per Child Allocations for Children with Disabilities

FUND AMOUNT 
1. State Aid (PRC 32) - state funds
Per child allocation is for children with disabilities school-aged 5 through 21 counted on the April 1 child count. Funds are limited to 13.0% of the local education agency's average daily membership (ADM). The per child allocation will differ for those LEAs who are over the 13.0% cap.		$4,093.14
2. State Aid Preschool (PRC 32) - state funds
Each local education agency receives a base amount equal to the average salary of a classroom teacher plus benefits and the remainder is distributed based on the April 1 child count of 3, 4, and pre-K5 children with disabilities.		Base Amount $62,368 Per Child Average Amount $3,255.52
3. Average Daily Membership - state funds
This ADM is established for use in determining the per child allocation for group homes and out-of-district placements. This is not the ADM for children with disabilities.		5,766.20
4. Developmental Day Center Program (PRC 63) - state funds
Developmental day funds are for students with disabilities served in a certified developmental day center. (Application Process)		$10,041.00
5. Community Residential Center Program (PRC 63) - state funds
Community residential funds are for students with disabilities served in a certified community residential center. (Application process)		$14,940.00
6. Group Home Program -state(PRC 32 LEAs)(PRC 36 charter schools) -and federal (PRC 60) funds
Group home funds are available to LEAs and charter schools for students with disabilities placed in group homes for residential services that were not counted on the December 1 or April 1child count. Formula includes ADM, State Aid (PRC 032) per child, and Federal IDEA, Part B funds. (Application process)		State & Federal Average
$11,373.69
7. Special State Reserve Program (PRC 63) - state funds (PRC 36 charter schools)
Special State Reserve funds are available to LEAs and charter schools for students with extraordinary needs who enter their system after available funds have been expended and budgets have been committed. (Application process)		Allocation based on the services approved for funding
8. Behavioral Support Grants (PRC 29) - state funds
These funds are for children with disabilities who were identified as members of the Willie M. class at the time of the dissolution of the class and other children with disabilities needing specific educational/behavioral support services. (Application process)		Allocation based on the services approved for funding
9. IDEA, Part B (PRC 60) - federal funds
Each LEA will receive 75% of their allocation for December 1, 1998. This establishes their base. The remaining funds will be distributed as follows: 85% will be allocated based upon the number of children who are enrolled in public and private elementary and secondary schools and 15% will be allocated based on the number children living in poverty (free and reduced lunch). (Application must be submitted electronically)		State Average Per Child $1,514.35
10. IDEA, Part B - Preschool Disabled (PRC 49) - federal funds
Formula is based on December 1, 1996 child count ($486.19 per child). 85% of the remaining funding is distributed based on the total K-12 enrollment in public and private schools and 15% is based on the number of children living in poverty (free and reduced lunch). (Application must be submitted electronically)		Formula Based Allocation
11. Out-of-District Placement Program (PRC 60) - federal funds
Out-of-district funds are for students with disabilities placed in programs outside of their LEA for special education and related services. The out-of-district placement program will pay up to 50% of placement. This includes residential and extended school year services. (Application process)		Allocation based on the services approved for funding
12. Risk Pool - (PRC 114) federal funds
IDEA 2004 has a provision which gives states the opportunity to reserve a percentage of the states “set-aside” funds for implementing a neutral cost sharing and reimbursement program of high need, low incidence, catastrophic, and/or extraordinary aid to LEAs/ charter schools providing special education and related services to “high need” students. (Application process)		Allocation based on the services approved for funding
13. Targeted Assistance - (PRC 118) federal funds
Funds for targeted areas of need including establishment and coordination of reading/writing, early literacy, math and behavioral support sites; Responsiveness to Instruction; Instructional Consultation; Positive Behavior Support Coordinators; Positive Behavior Support Training; and Continuous Improvement Performance Plan initiatives will be placed in this program reporting code.		Allocation based on approved request(s) and funding for special initiatives.
14. Targeted Assistance Preschool - (PRC 119) federal funds
Funds for targeted areas of need for preschool initiatives, including; assessment teams, early literacy sites, outdoor learning environments, and Center on the Social and Emotional Foundation for Early Learning (CSEFEL) sites.		Application approval process
15. Special Education State Improvement Grant - (PRC 82) federal funds
These funds are allocated to LEAs and charter schools for the development of reading/writing and/or math centers and sites.		Application approval process.
16. Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) - (PRC 70) federal funds
IDEA regulations mandate 15% of IDEA 611 and 619 funds are set-aside for any LEA with significant disproportionality (SD) based on race or ethnicity with respect to the identification of children as children with disabilities, the identification of children in specific disability categories, the placement of children with disabilities in particular educational settings or the taking of disciplinary actions. These funds are for non-identified students in K-12 who need academic and/or behavioral supports to succeed in the general education environment. LEAs without significant disproportionality may use up to 15% of their IDEA 611 and 619 funds for CEIS (permissive use).		Allocation based on 15% of LEA IDEA 611 and 619 funds

To apply for and submit a special grant application, please visit: North Carolina CCIP Website. Final Submission is due by May 15th.

Community Residential Center Program (CRC)

Purpose of Program
Community Residential Center funds are made available to assist local education agencies in providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities who are placed in an approved community residential center through the single portal process. The local education agency where the community residential center is located is responsible for requesting program funds.

Children Served
The program serves children with disabilities ages 3 through 21 with a community residential center placement approved by an area Local Management Entity (LME)/Managed Care Organization (MCO). The majority of the children served are multi-handicapped and severely/profoundly mentally disabled.  They also include a large number of medically fragile students.

Application Process 
The application for funds is submitted annually to the Special Programs and Data Section in the Office of Exceptional Children. If a child remains in the community residential center, the public school unit must submit an application each year the child continues in the placement.

Amount of Funds Per Child
The per child grant allocation is for ten months of special education and related services and includes a per child amount for educational supplies, materials and equipment. The per child allocation is prorated based on the entry date of the child. A per child allocation for two months of extended school year services is available for students that qualify.  

DEVELOPMENTAL DAY CENTER GRANT FUNDS (DDC)

Purpose of Program
Developmental day funds are made available through the State Board of Education to assist in providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities who are placed in licensed development day centers by pubic school units.

Children Served
The program serves children with disabilities ages 3 through 21 in a developmental day center licensed by the NC Department of Health and Human Services/Division of Child Development/Early Education.

Application Process 
Applications are submitted annually to the Special Programs and Data Section in the Office of Exceptional Children. If a child remains in the developmental day center, the public school unit must submit an application each year the child continues in the placement.

Amount of Funds Per Child
The per child grant allocation is for ten months of special education and related services and includes a per child amount for educational supplies, materials and equipment. The amount per child allocation is prorated based on the entry date of the child.

GROUP/FOSTER HOME PROGRAM (GFH)

Purpose of Program
These funds are for children with disabilities residing in group and foster homes that have not been counted on the previous school year’s December 1, April 1, or average daily membership child counts. These children are entitled to state aid, federal aid and average daily membership funds. The public school unit where the group home is located is responsible for the special education and related services for the students that reside in the group home.

Children Served
This program serves children with disabilities ages 3 through 21, residing in a group/foster home and not counted on the previous school years December 1, April 1 or average daily membership child counts.

Application Process
Applications are submitted within 60 days of the child’s enrollment to the Special Programs and Data Section in the Office of Exceptional Children.

Amount of Funds Per Child
See Per Child Allocations for program rate. The per child allocation is for ten months of educational services. The allocation is the sum of the average daily membership for the program, state aid for exceptional children, and federal aid for exceptional children. The amount per child is prorated based on the entry date of the child.

OUT OF DISTRICT PLACEMENT PROGRAM (OOD)

Purpose of Program
The Out-of-District Program is to assist public school units in funding the excess cost of the placement of an eligible child with disabilities in a program not operated by the public school unit. These placements may be public, private, residential, in state or out-of-state. All in state programs are the first consideration before any out-of-state placements are considered.

Children Served
The program serves children with disabilities ages 3 through 21 requiring alternative special education placements in school districts other than the public school unit where parents have legal residence.

Application Process 
Applications are submitted annually to the Special Programs and Data Section in the Office of Exceptional Children. If a child remains in an out-of-district placement, the public school unit must submit an application each year the child continues in the placement.

Amount of Funds Per Child
See Per Child Allocations. The per child reimbursement is based on half the cost of the education placement including residential and extended school year services plus deductions for average daily membership, state aid for exceptional children and federal aid for exceptional children. A public school unit  may not request funds if the cost of the out-of-district placement is below the sum of the per pupil allotments.

RISK POOL PROGRAM (RPF)

Children with Disabilities - Risk Pool (IDEA) Program Report Code (PRC 114)

The IDEA gives funding flexibility to states in providing needed resources for high cost special education services for children with "high needs."

Children Served

Risk Pool Program Funds are for eligible "high need" children with disabilities who were enrolled in the PSU in the previous school year. "High need" is defined as any special education and/or related service(s) that is three times the per pupil expenditure and has a fiscal impact that limits and/or inhibits PSU's ability to provide special education and related services. A student considered "high need" may be funded annually, up to 5 cumulative years, if the same level of service is needed and the student continues to meet eligibility requirements.

Application Process

Applications are submitted annually to the Special Programs and Data Section in the Office of Exceptional Children. The application in the grant system (North Carolina CCIP Website) contains all instructions needed to complete the process.

SPECIAL STATE RESERVE FUNDS (SSR)

Purpose of Program
Special State Reserve funds are for emergency situations for children with disabilities. Often, a high-needs child will move into a public school unit (PSU) after budgets are set and funds are committed. This situation places a fiscal burden on the PSU to secure needed funds for special education and related services for these children.

Children Served
These funds are made available to public school units for high-cost children with disabilities ages 3 through 21 who are newly enrolled in the PSU after all funds have been committed. Children with disabilities in state-operated programs and corrections do not receive these funds.

Application Process
The application is submitted by LEA/Charter School, then reviewed for approval by the Special Programs and Data Section of the Office of Exceptional Children. PSUs are notified of status of application, and the amount of funds to be received is forwarded to Financial Services for allocation to the PSU.

Amount of Funds Per Child
The amount per child is based on the services requested. Requests support the child’s educational and related services needs.

Special Grants Training

  1. What are Special Grants?

    There are six Exceptional Children grants available for different situations.  The applications are completed in the CCIP grant platform. The grants open in September and are reviewed after the 15th of each month through May 15th. Detailed information is available in the grant application.

    • Community Residential Centers:  to assist PSUs in providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities placed in a CRC through the Local management Entity (LME) or Managed Care Organization (MCO)
    • Developmental Day Centers:  to assist PSU’s with providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities who are placed by PSUs in licensed Developmental Day Centers
    • Group/Foster Homes:  funds for newly enrolled students with disabilities living in a group/foster home in the PSU district.  Only apply for students who were not included with either of the previous year’s child count reports and did not generate ADM funds
    • Out of District:  funds to assist PSU in funding the excess cost of the placement of a student with disabilities placed by the IEP team  in a program not operated by the PSU.
    • Risk Pool:  student specific grant for high needs students with disabilities ages three to 21. Funds must be utilized for the student specified in the application.
    • Special State Reserve:  student specific grant available in the student’s first year of enrollment in the PSU. The purpose is to cover unexpected and high cost needs of the newly enrolled student with disabilities

  2. A special grant application has been approved when will the funds be allotted to the PSU?

    After each monthly special grant reviews are completed, the SPD fiscal consultants send a list of the approved grant funds to NCDPI School Business. NCDPI School Business allots the funds based on the allotment timeline. Allotment timelines are established by NCDPI School Business. 

  3. Is a PSU required to spend PRC 060 funds for private school services or can state funds be used?

    The designated proportionate share of the IDEA grant (federal funds)  must be expended for private school services. The PSU can choose to spend additional funds from state or local to supplement the services provided after the IDEA funds have been expended.

  4. Where can a PSU find out if their special grant was approved or denied?

    These approvals can be found:

    • DDC: On each Developmental Day Center Information page
    • Group Foster: On the Group Foster home Information page
    • Risk Pool, Special State Reserve, Out of District, Community Residential: under New Applicant Summary.

  5. Why was my PSUs Special grant not reviewed the month it was submitted?

    For the grant to be reviewed by one of the SPD IDEA fiscal monitors, the grant status must be in Chief Admin Approved by call of business on the 15th of month of submission (through May 15th). If your grant was in Chief Admin approved please reach out to your region's Fiscal Monitor.

  6. When can a PSU submit a budget for PRC 114 Risk Pools funds carried over from the previous year?

    PRC 114 Risk Pool funds are student specific funds and do not carryover from the previous year.  NCDPI School Business will revert the unused funds after July 1 each year. A new application is submitted annually for each student.

  7. The submitted budget revision has not been approved by the fiscal consultant and the PRC 060 funds have not been released. Please approve the budget revision so the funds will be released.

    NCDPI School Business is notified when the initial grant application and budget are approved.  The funds are released based on the NCDPI School Business timeline.  Subsequently submitted budgets do not have to be approved for the next installment of PRC 060 to be released.

  8. Why are there budget codes for PRC 118 listed in the Chart of Accounts but my budget is denied?

    PRC 118 encompasses several different allotment sources. It currently includes autism funding, related services funding, de-escalation funding, and some PSU’s have NCDPI personnel contracts. Please refer to the memos that are released with the allotment.

  9. What is the restriction for purchasing supplies with NC SIP (PRC 082) funds?

    Only 10% of the grant amount can be utilized for supplies and materials.

  10. Why was my PRC 118 denied when I budgeted funds to pay for my contract speech therapist?

    PRC 118 related services funds can not be utilized to pay for service delivery contracts of any kind.

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