ED, HHS Issue Recommendations To Improve Young Children’s Social-Emotional Development, Mental Health

WASHINGTON (June 15, 2022) – The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services issued a Dear Colleague Letter with four recommendations to equitably support the social-emotional development and mental health of young children, June 14. The departments intend for the recommendations and action steps…

Q&A on Serving Children with Disabilities Placed by Their Parents in Private Schools

This revised (Feb. 2022) Q&A document, Questions and Answers on Serving Children with Disabilities Placed by Their Parents in Private Schools, is intended to provide guidance regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements applicable to the first category of students — children with…

New Q&As Address Child Find, Referral, and Eligibility; and the Provision of Early Intervention Services; Under IDEA Part C Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) released two new Q&As entitled: Return to School Roadmap: Child Find, Referral, and Eligibility Under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Return to School Roadmap: Provision of Early Intervention…

New Resource on Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Mental Health during COVID-19 Era

The U.S. Department of Education released a new resource: Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Mental Health to provide information and resources to enhance the promotion of mental health and the social and emotional well-being among children and students. This resource highlights seven key challenges…

New Q&A Highlights Certain IDEA Requirements Related to Individualized Education Programs Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) released a Q&A entitled the Return to School Roadmap: Development and Implementation of Individualized Education Programs in the Least Restrictive Environment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This second in a series…

New Guidance Reaffirms Importance of Full Implementation of IDEA Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) sent a letter to its state and local partners reiterating its commitment to ensuring children with disabilities and their families have successful early intervention and educational experiences in the 2021–2022 school year. This letter…