Indiana Education Scholarship Account Program

ESA is filling up fast and we are rapidly approaching the Sept. 1st cutoff. There are only 16 days to submit an application and we still have funds available for students who meet the eligibility criteria! Apply today! https://www.in.gov/tos/inesa/

Stephanie at Crown Speech Therapy in Crown Point, IN uses evidence-based practices while focusing on each child’s strengths and interests to make therapy interesting and fun.

Play-based services include working on smooth articulation around error sounds such as /r/ and /s/, comprehension, following directions, social language, description, and more.

🗓️ Don’t forget to factor in state testing as you plan out your funding this school year.

Since this is a state-funded program, state testing is required, and the cost must come out of your account. You can learn more about testing fees and our testing provider, Indiana Digital Learning School, here https://bit.ly/3WmEgRh .

🧑‍💻 Also, if you’ve not yet taken our parent satisfaction survey, please take a few minutes to do so now https://bit.ly/3yfCskO.

Your feedback helps us know how to advocate for you in the next legislative session!

State Testing  Treasurer Home Indiana Education Scholarship Account Program Student ESA applications for the 2024-25 school year are open March 1-September 1. Provider applications are open year round. Home Families Providers Qualified Schools Application State Testing Resources Videos INDLS ESA Testing Form 202...

COMMON PROBLEMS when getting started with the ESA 😱

Everyone is busy, and it’s easy to miss crucial details when getting started. Faith Bannon, INESA Account Specialist, shares where families often get stuck.

IEP - All prospective INESA students must have IEP/ISP (dated within the last 12 months) from the local public school/township. The parent must then officially decline the school’s services to opt for the ESA instead. Declining services does not invalidate the IEP.

FUNDING - Scholarship funding is determined by two things: 1) the township the student lives in (tuition dollars), and 2) the student’s level of disability (special education dollars). Parents should understand that if they do not decline the services on the IEP, the public school can claim the special education dollars.

Parents should also understand that special education dollars are not used for tuition, but for special education services. If opting for a private school for special education services, and that private school partners with a public school for sped services, then the tuition dollars will go to the private school, and the special education dollars will go to the public school.

STATE TESTING - This is a state-funded program, and therefore state testing is required. Parents can look up what state test their student will need to take on IDOE’s website and become familiar with our testing provider, The Indiana Digital Learning Academy.

PROVIDERS - Many families struggle to find service providers, especially in rural areas. If the service provider you need is not in our Approved Providers Map, reach out to us, and we will reach out to your service provider.

🏫 An IEP, obtained through the local public school, is required to be approved for the Indiana Education Scholarship Account. While the IEP deadline is not until December 1 and you can apply to INESA prior to its completion, families will NOT receive funding until the IEP is complete.

🆘 If you are having trouble getting the IEP, you can reach out to advocate IN*Source (insource.org), which “exists to help parents of children with disabilities navigate the complicated special education process in the state of Indiana.”

TOP TIPS on the enrollment process and getting questions answered from Melissa Rothenberger, INESA Account Specialist

IEP – must be dated within the past year. This is the biggest sticking point for many of our families. If you apply on August 1, but your IEP expires on August 12, you must make sure to get all of your documentation in quickly to be approved before your IEP expires. If your IEP expires before you are approved, then you must go through the IEP process again. You can also enroll even if your IEP is not yet complete. Just make sure all of your documentation is submitted while you are waiting, and be aware that your funding won’t come through until the IEP process is complete. If you are having trouble with the IEP process, contact IN*Source for help.

INVOICES – make sure your student’s name is on every invoice. If your invoice is for a service, be sure to include a description of the service. Ignoring these two critical requirements will result in rejected invoices. Also, remember that services are only covered in arrears. If you submit an invoice with future dates on it, it will be rejected. Keep invoices short; if even one item is not approved, the whole invoice will be rejected. If you are unsure whether or not something will be covered, put it on a separate invoice. Better yet, call us first to make sure it will be covered.

GETTING ANSWERS – please go to official sources like our website and check your inbox for INESA emails and read our social posts. When in doubt, call or email our office. Though well-meaning, others often give inaccurate and/or incomplete information which creates a lot of confusion and frustration. Everyone’s situation is unique, so the guidance we give one family may be different than the guidance we give to another, depending on where they are in the process, the needs of their student(s), etc.

Join us TONIGHT Wednesday, July 24th, at 7:00 pm EST/6:00 pm CST for our first ESA Parent Meet-up!

This is a virtual event for all ESA families to come together, network, and build community. The best ways to learn are to learn from one another!

Register Here!

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqc-2sqz8uEta5U6sPuT78toLtGOwVTpC6?emci=6766567f-6844-ef11-86c3-6045bdd9e096&emdi=915aee96-6d44-ef11-86c3-6045bdd9e096&ceid=21322870 #/registration

“Nature Deficit Disorder is characterized by a collection of mental health and physical symptoms that are caused or made worse by lack of time outdoors. These include anxiety, depression, ADHD, myopia, obesity, and other conditions.”

INESA Provider White Pine Wilderness Academy is committed to giving youth outdoor experiences and opportunities to learn about traditional cultures and skills.🌲🏕️🥾

Who are your favorite INESA providers? Share in the comments below!

Let’s talk funding….

How is INESA funding decided?

Students with disabilities receive INESA funding based on level of disability. They receive both state tuition support dollars and special needs dollars. Siblings who do not require special education receive only state tuition support dollars.

How does INESA funding work?

INESA funds are distributed into the student’s ClassWallet account in 4 quarterly payments. In August, students receive 50% of their allocated special needs funds. In October, they receive 50% of their tuition allocation. In December, they receive the remaining 50% of their special needs funds, and in February, they receive the remaining 50% of their tuition dollars.

What is ClassWallet?

ClassWallet is the financial management platform for INESA. Parents use ClassWallet to pay for approved goods and services.

A penny for your thoughts…

INESA Satisfaction Surveys are out and we want to know what’s on your mind.

Surveys are anonymous, confidential, and voluntary.

https://in.accessgov.com/tos/Forms/Page/tos/inesa-parent-survey/

The Independence Academy of Indiana: Innovative Autism School, founded by two Indianapolis families who saw a need, is fully accredited and serves students on the autism spectrum in grades 4-12.

The school honors differences by providing personalized curriculum and a supportive environment that allows ASD students to focus and flourish.

Do you love The Independence Academy? Tell us why in the comments below! https://www.iaindiana.org/

Who are your favorite INESA schools and providers?

We’re commissioning YOUR success stories with the Indiana Education Scholarship Account. Check your email for details, and please share your BEST TIPS for new INESA families in the comments below!

REMINDER: As of July 1, siblings of approved INESA students are also eligible and 50% of funding is already allocated. https://tos-insa-prod.azurewebsites.net/

From all of us here at INESA, Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the time with your family!