First Steps Listserv

Subject:  Part C Application

Source:  Joyce Jackman, Coordinator Early Intervention Services

Intended Audience:  SPOE Staff, SICC, First Steps Providers, Service Coordinators and Consultants

Date:  February 5, 2007 

On December 15, 2006, all states and territories received notification from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), that all states making application for funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are required to make available for public review and comment the application packet for the federal IDEA Part C funds.  The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has developed the draft application packet for these funds and is by this notice making the application available for review and comment at http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced/FirstSteps/pdfs/AnnulStateAppFFY07.pdf.   

The application packet, developed by OSEP, includes a summary of the certifications, policies, procedures, methods, descriptions, assurances and IDEA use of funds descriptions that the state will use to implement Part C of IDEA.  Upon receipt and approval of this application, Missouri will receive an approximate $7.6 million federal grant award under IDEA Part C for the period of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.  As you review the application, please note the following: 

• The application is in a format required by OSEP.

• Missouri is providing general assurance to OSEP that the state will be implementing the provisions of Part C of IDEA 2004 and will complete the revision of the state regulations by June 30, 2008, following the receipt of final regulations for IDEA from the federal government.

• The costs include in this application only reflect those costs attributable to the federal IDEA funds that are allocated to the state of Missouri and not the total cost of the First Steps program.

This application is available for review on the Division’s website for the next sixty (60) days, until April 5, 2007.  Individuals desiring to submit written comments on the application should address their comments to the attention of Joyce Jackman at webreplyspefs@dese.mo.gov or PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65104.  Comments must be postmarked by March 15, 2007.