Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services - US Dept of Ed

*UPDATE for selection criteria and deadline extended to April 7!

GRANT OPPORTUNITY | American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Federal Register correction notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/03/07/2025-03702/applications-for-new-awards-american-indian-vocational-rehabilitation-services-corrections

More info: https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-native-alaskan-pacific/american-indian-vocational-rehabilitation-services-84-250r

Application deadline extended to March 31!

GRANT OPPORTUNITY | Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind Training and Technical Assistance.

Federal Register correction notice: https://federalregister.gov/documents/2025/03/07/2025-03727/applications-for-new-awards-independent-living-services-for-older-individuals-who-are-blind

More info: https://ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-individuals-disabilities/independent-living-services-older-individuals-who-are-blind-training-and-technical-assistance

📣 The newly revised page for military families from the Center for Parent Information and Resources contains resources to support military families through changes in duty stations and other challenges.

🔗https://www.parentcenterhub.org/military/

New Guidance: Supporting High-Quality Preschool with Title I Funds

The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services jointly released the guidance “Supporting High-Quality Preschool with Title I Funds.” The guidance provides information for local education agencies and schools on the Head Start Performance Standards that apply when the LEA or school uses Title I funds to support an early education program.

Guidance:https://www.ed.gov/media/document/ti-hspps-guidance-108853.pdf

The latest professional development module in the “Teaching Children Who Are Deafblind” series is now available. “Communicating with Children Who Are Deafblind” explores the many ways children who are deafblind communicate and provides essential information, strategies, and detailed examples. Like other modules in the series, it was specifically designed for professional development providers to use in training programs and courses.

Check out the full series here: https://www.nationaldb.org/national-initiatives/iqp/professional-development-modules/.

📰 The February U.S. Department of Education Early Learning Newsletter is live. In this issue: supporting high-quality preschool with Title 1 Funds, individualized family service plans resources, webinars, resources and more.

🔗 https://m1.info.ed.gov/rest/head/mirrorPage/-_6zrsUtxP6lBJeT4GBW-Xzqjj32t8lABqNG6ktY3WC6cvHlkcBTKRg4_ctUcxuZJ1hLIPNgPpaA97Vvw.html

The February OSEP Update is out. In this issue: OSEP's 2025 Conference information and save the date, department updates and announcements, news from our centers and more.

🗞️ https://m1.info.ed.gov/rest/head/mirrorPage/-Y0F725cvkxHOIZ2UI_-3Kxi5MA3BuEWdWVTFI_yn47m_4-KkX53OUTzRavR9NJYzos-RLNsGZUEkqucr8dC.html

GRANT OPPORTUNITY | Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind Training and Technical Assistance.

Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/14/2025-00533/applications-for-new-awards-independent-living-services-for-older-individuals-who-are

Correction notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/10/2025-02394/applications-for-new-awards-independent-living-services-for-older-individuals-who-are-blind

More info: https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-individuals-disabilities/independent-living

January is Braille Literacy Month. Braille empowers independence and opens doors for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Check out American Printing House for the Blind's Braille Brain for free online braille learning curriculum: https://www.aph.org/blog/introducing-braille-brain/.

View the latest OSERS Bulletin. This edition includes guidance on postsecondary transition for students with disabilities and inclusive practices, dear colleague letters on restraint and seclusion, the National Strategy for Su***de Prevention, and personnel retention. Plus, resources, videos, grant announcements and more.
📰 http://t1.info.ed.gov/r/?id=h2199747,1ab4995,1ab83ec&e=cDE9QEtMd1hJUlhaMW5JTGFkSFJ6SjQwM2xXa05NQUpncG1Pd1l0TUlRbk1EajVHUTVRSERPSTZzVGV4N01XeE5heWh3WUF5NXIxOE9FZUVCYWhjMGlBZV9yNjRrQW56MFlZQTd5VDZWR2F1QlFMN3hsMjY&s=a-15gC5OFJJNs-Bgecpr-algX-HGhgp-LAuj4u9an8Y

OSERS, along with the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education also at the U.S. Department of Education, released guidance to help state educational agencies, local educational agencies, and school staff to foster inclusive and effective learning environments.

“Building and Sustaining Inclusive Educational Practices Aligned With the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and Part B of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act” shows how deliberate and coordinated inclusive practices benefit students with and without disabilities.

OSERS Assistant Secretary Glenna Wright-Gallo: We need states and school districts to create educational systems that are intentionally designed and implemented to support inclusive educational practices. We also recognize that there is a time and place for intensive instruction and intervention for any student with a disability who needs it. These are not binary – we can both create general education environments that are inclusive and accessible to all learners, while also ensuring that those who need more intensive instruction receive it.

Building and Sustaining Inclusive Educational Practices (January 2025) - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act The U.S. Department of Education is issuing this guidance to provide State educational agencies, local educational agencies, schools, educators, and members of the public with a better understanding of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Ed...

OSERS has released a new infographic that highlights stats from 2020-2024 and various guidance, monitoring, data and fiscal information released during 2021-2025.

OSERS Impact Story January 2025 Infographic highlights the work at OSERS including stats from 2020-2024 and guidance, monitoring, data and fiscal information released during 2021-2025.