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…

Agencies Host Joint Webinar To Address Early Care and Workforce Shortages

WASHINGTON (June 7, 2022) – Three federal agencies hosted a 90-minute webinar to highlight how apprenticeships can strengthen early care and education workforces, May 25. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families Office of Early Childhood Development hosted the…

OSEP releases OSEP Fast Facts: Educational Environments of School Aged Children with Disabilities

WASHINGTON (May 23, 2022) – The Office of Special Education Programs released an OSEP Fast Facts on educational environments of school aged children with disabilities. The new OSEP Fast Fact highlights the environments in which children with disabilities receive special education and related services. According…

ED releases letter with updated COVID-19 guidance and resources for schools and students with disabilities

By the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 24, 2022) – The U.S. Department of Education released updated guidance and resources to aid COVID-19 mitigation efforts in schools and address the needs of students with disabilities as the U.S. moves to…

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…

Department Submits the 43rd Annual Report to Congress on Nation’s Progress Related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

By the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services WASHINGTON (Jan. 24, 2022)—The U.S. Department of Education submitted its 2021 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) annual report to Congress last week. The 43rd Annual Report to Congress focuses on children and student with disabilities…

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…