For Immediate Release From OSERS!
Dear Friends,
Springtime brings a host of annual celebrations and events in schools — spring concerts and plays, awards ceremonies, proms, and graduations. These activities, the end of the school year, and potential new experiences in the fall — being deployed to a different military base, moving to a new community, attending a different school, or adjusting to life after graduation — can cause a whole range of emotions all at once. These feelings can include a sense of satisfaction over accomplishments, excitement, and anxiety for future experiences, and sadness over friends who will take a different path next year.
Since the 1960s, scientists have studied and found a correlation between stress and the likelihood of illness, which makes sense considering how our bodies respond to stress:
https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/cope-with... For students experiencing poor mental health, the added layers of stress associated with spring events can make students feel even worse:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mental-he... We also know that children with disabilities are at increased risk of experiencing stressful life events:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databrie... Abuse, neglect, and household instability—such as exposure to violence, parental or guardian incarceration, and living with someone with mental illness or alcohol or drug problems—are far too often a part of the life story of our nation’s students. That’s why it is important to recognize and celebrate that May is the 75th anniversary of Mental Health Awareness Month:
https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-aware... I’m so proud of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) staff, our technical assistance (TA) centers, states and school districts for encouraging and implementing the integration of mental health supports in schools. Our centers like the Center on Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations have nationwide impact and scope:
https://www.pbis.org/ and
https://challengingbehavior.org/about/cent... Last year, states reserved over $125 million of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B state-level funds to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) in providing positive behavioral interventions and supports and mental health services for children with disabilities. School districts nationwide are leveraging Medicaid funds for mental and behavioral services for their students. By addressing emotional and behavioral challenges proactively, schools can prevent these issues from escalating and impeding academic success.
For students with disabilities, integrating mental health services into their individualized education plan (IEP) offers a multifaceted approach to support. For example, individual or group therapy sessions can allow students to learn coping mechanisms, stress management techniques, and social skills crucial for navigating the complexities of school and social interactions.
The benefits of integrating mental health services extend beyond the classroom. By equipping children with the tools to manage their emotions and behavior, they develop greater resilience and confidence:
https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/guid... As they navigate the complexities of adolescence and adulthood, these skills become invaluable assets, empowering them to advocate for themselves and pursue their aspirations with determination.
While our students celebrate many milestones in the spring, teachers and principals also receive awards. This year the Washington Post awarded its Principal of the Year Award to Zadia Gadsden of Takoma Park Elementary School in Montgomery County, Maryland:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2... Zadia is a former special education teacher, and her profile in the Washington Post shows how she and her teachers have been supporting their students who struggle with socialization skills and behavioral needs. Congratulations, Zadia!
In Solidarity,
Valerie
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Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Programs
About the Disability Innovation Fund Programs
The Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Beginning with the fiscal year 2012 appropriation, Congress provided authority to use amounts that remained available following the reallotment of funds to States under Section 110(b)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act to conduct innovative activities aimed at improving outcomes for individuals with disabilities (“Disability Innovation Fund” or DIF). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, authorized the Department to use up to 15 percent of fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022 DIF funds for evaluation of, and technical assistance for, DIF activities. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, provided the same evaluation and technical assistance authority, while also allowing the Department to use DIF funds for Federal administrative expenses related to DIF, and for improving monitoring and oversight of grants for vocational rehabilitation services under title I of the Rehabilitation Act, including information technology modernization.
The Department funded a variety of DIF projects in prior years, including projects to: improve the education and employment outcomes of children receiving Supplemental Security Income and their families; ensure that individuals with disabilities can access web-based computer information with personalized accommodations at home, school, or the workplace; and develop work-based learning transition demonstrations for students with disabilities.
Below, select whether to view information about DIF programs coming soon (i.e., competition information and grants that have been awarded but are not currently active), current DIF programs or past DIF programs.
Learn more HERE!:
https://ncrtm.ed.gov/dif Open DIF Competition Information:
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Discretionary Grant Information
This page contains information for applicants interested in applying for discretionary grants funded through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). If you have trouble viewing or downloading information please contact the competition manager for a specific grant or send a request for the information you are trying to download to NCRTM@neweditions.net.
General Information for RSA Discretionary Grant Competitions
Pertinent information that generally applies across discretionary grant programs funded through RSA. New and returning applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with instructions, requirements, technical assistance materials, and other relevant resources to assist in the grantmaking process. This information will not be repeated in pre-application documents for specific competitions. Please note, this information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace information contained in the competition specific pre-application meeting PowerPoint presentations. This General Information slide deck was updated December 12, 2023.
General Information for RSA Discretionary Grant Competitions:
https://ncrtm.ed.gov/library/detail/genera... The Federal Government transitioned from the use of the DUNS Number to the new Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) as the primary means of entity identification for Federal awards government-wide effective April 4, 2022. This means entities will no longer rely on a third-party to obtain an identifier (i.e., a DUNS issued by Dun and Bradstreet). The U.S. Department of Education’s Grants Management System (G5) also implemented this transition on April 4, 2022. Please review the Transition from DUNS Number to UEI Fact Sheet for more information and next steps:
https://ncrtm.ed.gov/library/detail/transi... Open FY 2024 Discretionary Grant Competitions
Program specific information and details not contained in the General Information for RSA Discretionary Grant Competitions, will be posted for each competition following publication in the Federal Register.
Disability Innovation Fund: Creating a 21st Century Workforce of Youth and Adults with Disabilities Through the Transformation of Education, Career, and Competitive Integrated Employment Model Demonstration Project - Assistance Listing Number 84.421F - Applications Due 7/8/2024
Competition Manager: Cassandra Shoffler, U.S. Department of Education, Email: 84.421F@ed.gov
Pre-Application Meeting was conducted on Wednesday, May 1, 2024:
https://ncrtm.ed.gov/library/detail/pre-ap... Pre-Application PowerPoint Presentation
Questions and Responses from the Assistance Listing Number 84.421F Pre-Application Meeting:
https://ncrtm.ed.gov/library/detail/pre-ap... More information about Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) program can be found at RSA.ED.GOV. Link: Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) | Rehabilitation Services Administration (ed.gov):
https://rsa.ed.gov/about/programs/disabili... Please refer to the Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications and the Application Package for more information about this competition:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/... and
https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/3... FY 2024 Important Notices
Final Waiver and Extension with Funding for Rehabilitation Long-Term Training - Assistance Listing Number 84.129BHPQ
The waiver and extension authorizes 51 projects under 84.129BHPQ to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2025.
Please refer to the Federal Register Notice of Final Waiver and Extension with Funding for more information:
https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/3... Final Waiver and Extension with Funding for Innovative Rehabilitation Training - Assistance Listing Number 84.263C
The waiver and extension authorizes seven projects under 84.263C to receive funding for an additional period, not to exceed September 30, 2025.
Please refer to the Federal Register Notice of Final Waiver and Extension with Funding for more information:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/... ********
Hello, Early Learning Leaders!
Thank you to the teachers across the country working hard to support all children and families every day. We appreciate your commitment to ensuring early school success for our youngest learners.
As we bask in the welcoming weather of spring and prepare for outside activities during the summer, we continue to focus on the well-being of our youngest learners, their families, and those who support their development. Thank you for continuing to support our efforts.
In this edition of “Early Learning
https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/earlyle... we have included updates from the Department on the latest efforts to support learning for young children; resources to support children, families, and educators; and recent funding opportunities.
Early Learning Updates
Newcomer Toolkit
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released the Newcomer Toolkit
https://ncela.ed.gov/educator-support/tool... a resource to support engagement and connection with those who directly serve immigrant and refugee children as they arrive in our communities and education settings. ED invites school communities, and local and state governments working with newcomers and their families to share their stories:
https://bestpracticesclearinghouse.ed.gov/... Thank you for reading “Early Learning”!
Jamila Smith
Director,
Innovation and Early Learning Programs
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Posted By: agnes levine
Wednesday, June 5th 2024 at 9:57AM
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