Waiver Authority for the Period of Availability for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Funds for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2018 (June 8, 2020)

Summary

The Department of Education released a streamlined waiver that will allow for the use of IDEA Part B grant funds for an additional year beyond what is known as the Tydings period, for years impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.

Memorandum

June 8, 2020

MEMORANDUM

To:

Chief State School Officers

From:

Mark Schultz
Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration
Delegated the authority to perform the functions and duties of the
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Subject:

Waiver Authority for the Period of Availability for Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) Part B Funds for Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018

Under section 3511(b)(1)(B) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Pub. L. No. 116-136 (March 27, 2020), the Secretary of Education is authorized to consider waivers to extend the period of availability for certain Federal funds. The CARES Act provides substantial relief to children and educators who have been profoundly affected by the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

You may request a waiver that will permit your State educational agency and subgrantees (e.g. local educational agencies) to use Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018 IDEA Part B grant award funds for an additional year beyond what is known as the Tydings period. This action is taken as a result of the on-going national emergency declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and to assist in your planning for how to resume or continue the provision of special education and related services for children with disabilities and their families.

You may now submit a streamlined waiver request for an extension of the period of availability in Section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) for FFY 2018 IDEA Part B grant award funds. Upon approval of a waiver, the FFY 2018 IDEA Part B grant award funds will be available for obligation through September 30, 2021 and may be liquidated through December 30, 2021. OSERS is committed to acting on and responding to complete waiver requests as quickly as possible. To that end, a waiver template is available which, if completed and submitted electronically to [email protected], will result in an expedited response from the Department. The waiver template in fillable portable document format (PDF) is attached to this memorandum and is also posted at www.ed.gov/coronavirus.

Thank you for your ongoing work in support of educators, families, and children and youth with disabilities during these extraordinary circumstances. If you have questions or need additional information regarding submission of your IDEA Part B waiver request, please contact us at [email protected]. If you have general questions regarding COVID-19 and how the U.S. Department of Education can best support you, please contact [email protected]. I encourage you to continue to monitor information regarding COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and stay abreast of information and resources for schools and school personnel at www.ed.gov/coronavirus.

Attachment

cc: State Directors of Special Education