Rule 160-4-7-.18 - Grants For Services(1)DEFINITIONS.(a) Definitions related to all special education rules can be found in State Board of Education Rule 160-4-7-.21 DEFINITIONS.(2)AUTHORIZATION.(a) The State Board shall have authority to provide grant funds for the implementation of other educational programs or additional personnel for the unique needs of children with disabilities.(b) The Local Educational Agency (LEA) in receipt of these grant funds shall ensure a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for children with disabilities and follow state and federal regulations and Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) state board rules for implementation of these programs.(3)GRANT FOR RESIDENTIAL AND REINTEGRATION SERVICES.(a) The Residential and Reintegration Services Grant is available to an LEA making a referral to a GaDOE-approved residential private school or facility when the LEA is unable to provide appropriate special education and related services to a child with disabilities within the boundaries of the LEA, within a regional program operated by the LEA, or within an educational setting operated by the State of Georgia. 1. Private schools to which children are recommended for placement shall be accredited.(b) LEAs with children with disabilities meeting the criteria in Paragraph (2)(a) may be eligible to receive partial or total funding for educational costs, related services, and room and board. LEAs must assume all costs for transportation expenses.(c) Educational costs funded through the Residential and Reintegration Services Grant program shall be shared between the LEA and the GaDOE. The LEA shall assume the cost prior to grant application submission and approval. GaDOE, as state funding permits, will reimburse the approved costs assumed prior to the grant application and included in the proposed approved budget submitted with the grant application. 1. If there is insufficient state funding to cover approved costs or budgets, the LEA shall assume a percentage of the total cost equal to the percent of local funds utilized for the educational costs, related services, and room and board. The GaDOE shall maintain a record of the percent requirement for LEAs and state participation in this program.2. It is the LEA's responsibility to initiate and submit an application for the Residential and Reintegration Services Grant. The LEA may use other funds from public or private agencies to assist in the cost of educating a child in a residential private school or facility, provided the services are arranged by the LEA.(d) LEAs that apply for assistance shall assume full responsibility for the cost of educating a child in a residential private school or facility at the time of submitting an application. Grants are not automatically funded. Approval for grant applications shall be based on the availability of funds. If there are more applicants than funding, the applications will be approved based on the severity of the disabling condition. The priorities are: 1. Children with profound and severe disabilities requiring residential services who are wards of the State.2. Children with profound and severe disabilities requiring reintegration from a residential program.3. Children with profound disabilities needing residential services.4. Children with severe disabilities needing residential services.(e) This grant is also available to the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for children with disabilities who are wards of the State and in their custody.(f) All children placed in a residential private school or facility must have a reintegration plan developed by the LEA's Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team. The reintegration plan, which shall include a specific timeline, must detail the process for moving the child toward a less restrictive environment. Parents shall be invited to participate in the development of the reintegration plan and with the transition.1. LEAs may submit a grant application for reimbursement of educational costs, correlated services, and other costs directly related to the reintegration plan. GaDOE will reimburse the approved costs assumed prior to the grant application and the proposed approved budget submitted with the grant application as state funding permits.(g) All children placed in a residential private school or facility or placed in a reintegration program following full-time placement in a residential private school or facility shall be observed at least once a year by an LEA representative. This observation may coincide with the IEP annual review. The progress reports and other related information for each child shall be reviewed at the IEP annual review. Observations and reviews may take place more frequently as determined by the IEP team.(h) If a child who is currently funded through the Grant for Residential and Reintegration Services program becomes the subject of a due process hearing, fiscal maintenance of the placement shall be continued, funds permitting; however, the LEA is still responsible for payment.(4)GRANT TO ACCESS STATE INTERAGENCY SERVICES.(a) This grant is designed to provide access for the education of children with disabilities who are placed in one of the state-operated facilities for an appropriate educational program designed to meet their unique needs.(b) This grant may be used to reimburse teacher costs, intake costs, and placement costs incurred by state agencies that provide special education and related services to children with disabilities.(c) State agencies may submit a grant application for reimbursement of teacher costs, intake costs, and placement costs of these children incurred by the state agencies. GaDOE will reimburse the approved costs assumed prior to the grant application and the proposed approved budget submitted with the grant application as state funding permits.(d) The LEA's IEP Team has the full and final responsibility for determining appropriate special education services and the least restrictive environment for education placement.(e) The LEA's IEP Team shall consult with the treatment team as to the appropriate location of services and shall review the following: safety, level of behavioral control, treatment factors, health, and any other medical considerations.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 160-4-7-.18
O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-152, 20-2-240.
Original Rule entitled "Hearing Processes" adopted. F. Aug 14, 2000; eff. September 3, 2000.Amended: F. Apr. 16, 2002; eff. May 6, 2002.Amended: F. Apr. 13, 2006; eff. May 3, 2006.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 14, 2007; eff. July 4, 2007.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Grants for Services" adopted. F. Feb. 9, 2009; eff. Mar. 1, 2009.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Mar. 11, 2010; eff. Mar. 31, 2010.Amended: F. Mar. 23, 2023; eff. Apr. 12, 2023.