U.S. Education Department Releases $3 Billion to Support IDEA Grants

$3 billion in funds associated with the American Rescue Plan has been released by the U.S. Department of Education to support IDEA grants for children with disabilities.

By Lilly Constance Verified Updated on March 31, 2022

July 12, 2021

More than $3 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds will be used to support Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant programs benefiting youth with disabilities, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Education.¹This funding will be added to the $122 billion already designated to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund through ARP.

The Office of Special Education Programs will administer the allocation of these funds to IDEA’s three major grant programs: $2.6 billion will go to states under Part B Section 611, $200 million will be funneled to preschool grants under Part B Section 619, and $250 million will support IDEA Part C grants.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona explained: “We know that COVID-19 and disruptions in access to in-person learning over the last year have taken a disproportionate toll on America’s children with disabilities, who, far too often amid the pandemic, experienced challenges in receiving the services and supports that they were entitled to. With these crucial American Rescue Plan funds, our early intervention providers and schools will be better able to address the needs of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and ensure our education system reemerges even stronger than before the pandemic.”