Special Education Extraordinary Cost Pool for NPS/LCI and Mental Health Services Grant

The Special Education Extraordinary Cost Pool program in California aims to support local educational agencies by reimbursing extraordinary costs associated with placements in nonpublic schools and mental health services for students in licensed children's institutions. With a total funding of $20 million available, the program focuses on ensuring that SELPAs can cover costs that exceed the annual threshold for single placements, fostering a comprehensive educational experience for all students.

Belief & Purpose
California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.
Special Education Extraordinary Cost Pool for NPS/LCI and Mental Health Services
As part of the Special Education Assembly Bill (AB) 602 formula, the Extraordinary Cost Pool (ECP) program reimburses special education local plan areas (SELPAs) for extraordinary costs of single placements in nonpublic, nonsectarian schools (NPS) and special education-related services for pupils residing in licensed children's institutions (LCI). This program also reimburses necessary small SELPAs defined in California Education Code (EC) Section 56212, for extraordinary costs associated with educationally related mental health services, including out-of-home residential services. Costs of placements and services for single students in excess of the annual threshold amount will be reimbursed, subject to available funds.

Eligibility

Local educational agencies are eligible to apply.SELPAs that have extraordinary cost of single placements in NPS and related services in LCI and necessary small SELPAs that have extraordinary costs associated with mental health services are eligible.Costs for a single placement in excess of the applicable threshold amount will be eligible for reimbursement.
Funds shall be first available to fully reimburse extraordinary costs associated with educationally related mental health services, including out-of-home residential services for necessary small SELPAs (NSS), as defined in EC Section 56212.