Contingency Funds PowerPoint Presentation...the CFund application. Edward G. Rendell, Governor Thomas Gluck, Acting Secretary of Education Contingency Funds 2010-11 24 PS 25-2509.8

Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Thomas Gluck, Acting Secretary of Education ▪ www.education.state.pa.us

Contingency Funds 2010-11

Contingency Funds2010 - 2011

Dr. Ronald WellsSpecial Education Adviser



2

Point of Clarification***************************

Contingency Fund Applications are for the Current School Year 2010- 2011

ALL EXPENSES ARE FOR 2010 - 2011



Application Dates*******************************

• Beginning November 29, 2010

• Closing January 14, 2011



Current IEP*******************************• The IEP in effect on the date the application is

submitted

and the IEP

• Supports the program and services listed on the CFund application.



24 PS §25-2509.8*******************************

• Extraordinary special education program expenses. Section (e)



• Such special education program or service shall include, but not limited to, the transportation of students with disabilities, services related to occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language, hearing impairments or visual impairments; or training in orientation and mobility for children who are visually impaired or blind.



Application******************************

• Brief background of the student

• Explain the extraordinary educational needs of the student

• Explain what you have done to ensure this is the least restrictive environment



Brief Background*******************************• Provide a description of the student and his/her

extraordinary needs

• Individual history should be detailed to support the application

• Quality of content



Educational Needs*******************************

• What are the extraordinary educational needs of this student?

• What is the degree (amount) of service?• Why?• Specific information!



Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)*******************************• A brief explanation of why this is LRE

• A more detailed information for one time only expenses related to LRE.– Special training for staff– Costs related to establishing a new class



Things to Avoid*******************************



• Quoting rules and regulations.

• Noting how much stress this causes the district.

• Providing “canned” information.



Eligible Costs*******************************• Proportional costs of the special education

teacher.– The teacher’s actual salary divided by the number of

student’s assigned to the teacher.

– The proportional cost of benefits may be calculated and applied in the same manner.



• Proportional costs of the teacher’s aide assigned to the special education class including specific benefits.

• Full cost of an aide/personal care assistant assigned to the student and clearly indicated on the IEP.



Related ServicesBe sure that related services are clearly stated on the IEP

****************************************************

• Occupational Therapy• Physical Therapy• Speech & Language Therapy• Orientation & Mobility training• Vision Therapy• Hearing Therapy



Calculating Expenses*******************************• When calculating therapy costs, use actual

costs per unit of time.

• Individual per hour and group per hour rates should be shown as they apply to the actual IEP.



Other Costs*******************************• Medical expenses that are specific to the

student.• Specialized staff training specific to the

student.• Consultation• Non-traditional therapies



Medical Expenses*******************************



Examples*******************************• One to one nursing service may be completely

claimed for CFunds, if clearly indicated on the IEP.

• A proportional (prorated hourly) cost of the school nurses time if clearly indicated on the IEP.



Specialized Training*******************************• Staff training related to the students IEP

• Documented

• Itemized



Coordinate Information *******************************



Tuition Costs*******************************• Will be accepted for IU programs & private

programs including APS (NOT 4010 approved students).– What is included in the tuition?– An itemized bill may be requested

• NO RESIDENTIAL COSTS!



Transportation Costs*******************************



• Clearly indicated on the IEP

• Extraordinary, such as wheelchair accessible or serious health related.

• Transportation outside the LEA.

• Explained in detail – itemized and prorated for the individual student.



Putting it Together*******************************



Anticipate Questions*******************************• Use the narrative sections to explain the costs.

• For example, if a prorated cost such as salary seems very high, explain in the narrative how this was calculated.



Contact Information*******************************

• Keep information current

• Assign the role to someone familiar with the process.



• The person whose e-mail address is given as the contact, should be a person who actually receives the e-mail.

• Preferably the person who prepares the application.



Common Mistakes*******************************• Out of date IEPs• Out of date applications (current year)• IEPs that do not support the application• Miscalculated expenses (prorate)• Requests for residential costs



Deductions*******************************• Average district tuition is built into the system

for you

• Fee factor deduction

• Both costs are built into the application and automatically subtracted.



FAX Notes*******************************• Do not fax the application pages, only the IEP if

requested.

• Do not fax the NOREP

• Only fax to the number listed at the website

• Note the number of pages you are faxing



IEP Notes*******************************• Check the date on the IEP – Is it current?

• Make sure the IEP supports the request

• Present levels, related services and SDI



Observations from previous years*******************************• When wheelchair use is noted there is the

assumption that the student is in fact in a wheelchair

• At least part of the day



How Funds Are Processed******************************

• Applications reporting the highest eligible costs will receive funding priority in the following manner:– Total Eligible Costs– Subtract Districts Average Tuition Rate– Subtract Fee Factor– Multiplied by Aide Ratio (formulated based upon

the Districts Wealth).



How Funds Are Processed cont.*******************************• This process will

continue until all available funds ($10,262,520) are expended.

• School Districts or Charter Schools may not receive contingency funds exceeding $150,000.



2009- 2010 Statistics*******************************• The Bureau of Special Education received a

total of 1,377 applications.• 56% (765 requests) were below the adjusted

threshold and did not receive consideration.• 44% (612 requests) were eligible.• 59% (362 of eligible requests) were funded

(using the above process).



2009 - 2010 Statistics cont.*******************************• 362 requests represent approximately 26% of

total requests received for 2009 - 10.• 242 districts submitted applications (48%).• 150 districts received funding (62% of

participating districts and 30% of all PA districts).

• 17 districts met the cap of $150,000 (10% of funded districts).



2009 - 2010 Statistics cont.*******************************• 32 districts received $100,000 or more (21% of

funded districts).• 55 requests (15%) were approved for $90,000 or

more (totaling $2,183,444). • 34 requests (9%) were approved for $100,000 or

more (totaling $1,449,019).• For comparison, 28 (7%) and 13 (3%) of requests for

$100,000 or more were approved for 2008 – 2009 and 2007 – 2008 respectively.



Recent Prorate Results*******************************• 2004-05 .37 per dollar eligible• 2005-06 .19 per dollar eligible• 2006-07 .16 per dollar eligible• 2007-08 .15 - .85 per dollar eligible• 2008-09 .15 - .85 per dollar eligible • 2009-10 .15 - .87 per dollar eligible• The average being .46



Goals for 2010 - 2011*******************************

Emphasize the student specific grant.

Reduce the number of low cost requests.

Encourage prompt submission of applications.



Anticipated Processing Figures*******************************• Only applications that qualify for $52,000 or

more will be considered for funding.• The most costly individual applications will

receive funding priority.• Approximately 365 applications will receive

partial funding. (Based upon 2009 - 2010 activity)

• Not all eligible applications will be funded.



Aid Ratio*******************************

A measure of district wealth will be applied to applications prior to final disbursement,

(calculations are based upon sales of taxable real estate, personal income and the district’s

weighted average daily membership).



SAMPLE #1 (Total Costs)

Submit New Funds Request for the [] School YearPlease complete the following application for each eligible student. Fields with a yellow background are required.

Date of Request

Contact Person for this request

Student First NameLast Name

Primary Disability

Placement (Not Location)LREBrief background INCLUDINGDISABILITY of the eligible student

December 16, 2010

Dr. Joyce Boeman

Steven

Creighton

Multiple Disabilities

Multiple Dis Support/Part Time

Public Separate Facility (IU)

Steven is diagnosed with multiple disabilities and also experiences limited vision. Steven receivesspecial transportation as well as vision, speechOccupational and physical therapy.



Specific Request(explain extraordinary circumstances)

Explain what you have done to Insure this is the Least RestrictiveEnvironment for this student

Half-year student

School District Contingency Fund Worksheet(Enter whole numbers rounded to the nearest dollar; do not enter commas or centers. E.g. 25000)

Prorated teacher salary $

Prorated itemized teacher benefits $

Classroom aide prorated salary $

Classroom aide prorated itemizedbenefits $

SAMPLE #1 (Total Costs) cont.

Steven needs assistance for most physical tasks andmovements, requires modifications and adaptations to allCurriculum areas utilizing assistive technology.

The team has reviewed all options for Steven and believesthat his current placement is the least restrictiveEnvironment and allows for provisions to.

No



Itemized therapies e.g.

One-to-one paraprofessional assignment(PCA) $

Occupational therapy $

Physical therapy $Speech & Language therapy $ Orientation & mobility training $

Hearing itinerant services $Vision itinerant services $

Other Costs (list/specify)Total – Other costs $

TransportationTransportation amount $

Minus-school district average tuition rate (previous year) $Minus Factor $Calculated eligible costs $

SAMPLE #1 (Total Costs) cont.

IU #41/$87,493

$87,493

(Pop-Up) $36.000

36,000

-8900

23,100

91,493



SAMPLE #2 (Itemized)

Submit New Funds Request for the [] School YearPlease complete the following application for each eligible student. Fields with a yellow background are required.

Date of Request

Contact Person for this request

Student First NameLast Name

Primary Disability

Placement (Not Location)LREBrief background INCLUDINGDISABILITY of the eligible student

December 16, 2010

Dr. Joyce Boeman

Steven

Creighton

Multiple Disabilities

Multiple Dis Support/Part Time

Regular School Building

Steven is diagnosed with multiple disabilities and also experiences limited vision. Steven receivesspecial transportation as well as vision, speechOccupational and physical therapy.



Specific Request(explain extraordinary circumstances)

Explain what you have done to Insure this is the Least RestrictiveEnvironment for this student

Half-year student

School District Contingency Fund Worksheet(Enter whole numbers rounded to the nearest dollar; do not enter commas or centers. E.g. 25000)

Prorated teacher salary $

Prorated itemized teacher benefits $

Classroom aide prorated salary $

Classroom aide prorated itemizedbenefits $

SAMPLE #2 (Itemized) cont.

Steven needs assistance for most physical tasks andmovements, requires modifications and adaptations to allCurriculum areas utilizing assistive technology.

The team has reviewed all options for Steven and believesthat his current placement is the least restrictiveEnvironment and allows for provisions to.

No

7875

3563

3500

3125



Itemized therapies e.g.

One-to-one paraprofessional assignment(PCA) $

Occupational therapy $

Physical therapy $Speech & Language therapy $ Orientation & mobility training $

Hearing itinerant services $Vision itinerant services $

Other Costs (list/specify)Total – Other costs $

TransportationTransportation amount $

Minus-school district average tuition rate (previous year) $Minus Factor $Calculated eligible costs $

SAMPLE #2 (Itemized) cont.

23400

36000

8900

23,100

107,143

48000

7200

6480



Amy Morton, Deputy SecretaryOffice of Elementary & Secondary Education

Phone: (717) 787-2127Email [email protected]

John Tommasini, Bureau DirectorBureau of Special Education


Richard Moss, Division ChiefDivision of Improvement & Technical Assistance - Central




Documents

Contingency Funds PowerPoint Presentation...the CFund application. Edward G. Rendell, Governor Thomas Gluck, Acting Secretary of Education Contingency Funds 2010-11 24 PS 25-2509.8