Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities-Competitive Grant

The Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities is a competitive grant program by the New Jersey Department of Education focused on enhancing parental engagement in special education. Over three years, it promotes family-school partnerships, resource access, and active participation in educational decisions. The initiative aligns with New Jersey's educational strategies and aims to empower parents to support their children's academic and emotional development, ultimately fostering educational equity for all students.

Purpose:
The Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities in Schools Year 1/3 Competitive grant program is focused on enhancing parent/caregiver’s engagement in the education of their students who are referred for or receiving special education services. This three (3) year grant program includes the development of family-school collaborative partnerships, increasing family access to resources, and expanding parent/caregivers’ participation in placement and program decisions and their ability to support academic, behavior, and social-emotional development. The grant program is in direct alignment with New Jersey’s State Plan for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS) initiative, and the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR), all of which strongly encourage increasing parent engagement in schools.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has established a three-year grant program. This limited-competitive grant program is open to all New Jersey institutions of higher education, and public or private agencies including but not limited to not-for-profit agencies including parent organizations, organizations supporting individuals with disabilities, and community-based organizations. Local education agencies (LEAs) including Educational Service Commissions and Jointure Commissions are not eligible to apply.