Families are often unaware that high-level funding for a long-term treatment school may be available through a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), established by their school district.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) funding refers to the resources allocated to support the education of students with disabilities who require special education services. An IEP is a legally binding document developed for each public-school child eligible for special education, outlining specific educational goals, services, accommodations, and the support the child will receive to meet those goals.

IEP funding in the United States comes from several sources

1. Federal Funding: Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal government provides grants to states to support special education and related services. However, federal funding typically covers only a fraction of the total cost of special education services.

2. State Funding: States contribute their funds to special education, with the amount and method of funding varying significantly from state to state. Some states provide a set amount of funding per student in education, while others use different formulas based on the specific needs and disabilities of the students.

3. Local School District Funding: Special education funding comes from the budgets of local school districts. Local funding is derived from property taxes and other local revenue sources. School districts are responsible for allocating sufficient resources to meet students' IEP needs, even when federal and state funds are insufficient. 

IEP (Individualized Education Program) funded treatment schools refer to educational settings that provide specialized educational and therapeutic services to students with disabilities, and these services are funded through the IEP process. These schools are designed to meet the unique needs of students who may not thrive in a traditional school environment due to various disabilities, including emotional, behavioral, learning, and physical challenges.

Funding for a Treatment School via IEP

• It's not guaranteed, but it's possible! Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) that meets their unique needs. When a student's IEP team determines that the student's needs cannot be adequately met in a traditional public-school setting, even with modifications and support, placement must still be accessible to the parents and is funded through the school district as part of the student's entitlement to FAPE. 

• Parent-attorneys who specialize in helping families with IEP Funding transfers are part of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (🔗 www.copaa.org). We suggest that you find a provider by searching for your state without any other qualifiers. We also recommend hiring an attorney, rather than a consultant or advocate.

• You do not need to hire an attorney licensed in your school district. They need to be licensed in the State where the IEP is established. 

• To receive IEP Funding, a treatment school must have a Certified Special Education teacher on their staff and be a licensed program offering accredited academics. IEP Funding may cross State lines (every State and every School District has rules surrounding how an IEP fund may be applied. IEP funding typically covers only academic services, excluding therapy and residential costs. 

Legal Advocacy

Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates (COPAA) 

🔗 https://www.copaa.org.

The services of a Parent-attorney specializing in IEP or Disability Funding may be found through a professional organization called COPAA, or the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.  Search for an IEP or Special Education attorney licensed in your state on their website: https://www.copaa.org.  An educational attorney does not have to be licensed in your school district, just licensed in your State.  Hire an attorney, not an advocate or a consultant.

WrightsLaw Website

🔗 http://wrightslaw.com

Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys turn to Wright's Law for accurate and reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with diagnosed disabilities.

Helpful WrightsLaw Resources

• Individualized Education Program (IEP)

🔗 IEP "Pop Up" Planning Tool

• Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalcula:

🔗 Strategies to Get an Appropriate Educational Program for Children with Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities 

• 2004 IDEA Federal Law:

  • 🔗 IDEA Law Flyers, Resources and Publications

• Newsletter

  • Subscribe to the free, weekly 🔗 Special Ed Advocate

🔗 IDEA 2004 at Wrightslaw provides current information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004). Learn about new requirements for IEPs, IEP teams, IEP meetings, eligibility, evaluations, eligibility for specific learning disabilities, child find, reevaluations, parental consent, accommodations, alternate assessments, transition, and more.

Helpful Wright's Law Publications

• 🔗 Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition (ISBN: 978-1-892320-16-2, 456 pages) is available in two formats, as a print publication and as a print and e-book combo.

• 🔗 Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd Edition (978-1-892320-09-4, 338 pages)

• 🔗 Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind with Suzanne Whitney (ISBN: 978-1-892320-12-4) Download Available Only.

• 🔗 Wrightslaw: All About IEPs (ISBN: 978-1-892320-20-9, 192 pages) by Pete Wright, Pam Wright, and Sue O'Connor.

• 🔗 Wrightslaw: All About Tests and Assessments (ISBN: 978-1-892320-23-0, 200 pages) by Pete Wright, Pam Wright, and Melissa Farrall.

• 🔗 Surviving Due Process: Stephen Jeffers v. School Board DVD Video - award-winning documentary, 2 hours.

• 🔗 Wrightslaw Multimedia Training Programs - Understanding Your Child's Test Scores (1.5 hrs) and Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training (6.5 hrs).

• 🔗 Fetaweb.com, the companion website to 🔗 Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, has advocacy information and resources to supplement the FETA book.