Gov. Sununu creates Special Education Provider Fund

CONCORD- Governor Chris Sununu today announced the creation of the Special Education Provider Fund, which will provide $4 million for services for special needs students across New Hampshire.

“Private providers are an essential part of our special education system, and our public schools rely on them to meet their responsibilities to our most vulnerable students,” said Sununu. “But because of their status as private companies, these special education providers had not be eligible for previous programs funded through the CARES Act. The Special Education Provider Fund will fill that gap, and ensure that New Hampshire students with disabilities are receiving the services they deserve.”

“COVID-19 was a severe disruption to our education system, and students with disabilities are most vulnerable to this disruption,” said Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, whose Department will administer the Special Education Provider Fund. “Direct support to special education providers will reduce the burden on local schools, and focus on students most in need of additional assistance.”

The Department of Education Bureau of Student Support works with approved private special education providers to serve students with disabilities who have some of the most intensive needs. These providers are approved to provide intensive support to students in either a residential or day setting. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, these providers have struggled to provide services remotely, in person, and in homes while incurring large expenses for PPE and extra cleaning supplies. They have developed some of the most innovative and thoughtful plans for these students to ensure they are still provided with the services they need. Public schools across the state rely on these facilities to provide these unique intensive supports to students when options within the typical public school setting have been found to be unsuccessful. This funding will support these providers as the state continues to respond to the effects of the pandemic. These special education providers have not been eligible for previous rounds of CARES Act funding. 

"For the Monarch School of New England, the creation of the Special Education Provider Fund will provide a strong foundation for the school to move forward, through whatever challenges still lie ahead. For its current and future students, because of this fund, the Monarch School of New England will have the necessary resources to fulfill its most important commitment - providing unlimited possibilities for students with special needs," said Diane Bessey, Executive Director and Program Director of the Monarch School of New England in Rochester.

“For Clearway High School students, these funds would provide box lunches on the days they come to school to meet with their teachers and allow us to purchase more Chrome Books and school supplies. It would help us offer another layer of support and nurture which is the reason these students come to Clearway in the first place. Our kids are missing field trips, hot lunches, and human contact. It is so important that we do whatever we can to keep them engaged and connected to school,” added Carol Baldwin, Executive Director of Clearwater School in Nashua.
 
For more information, contact Rebecca Fredette, Special Education Director within the Bureau of Student Support, at (603) 271-6693 or at Rebecca.A.Fredette@doe.nh.gov.