Therapeutic Classroom Grant

The Therapeutic Classroom Grant, funded by the Iowa Department of Education, supports public school districts in creating therapeutic classrooms for students aged 3 to 21. These classrooms cater to learners whose emotional, social, or behavioral challenges hinder their educational success. Competitive grants prioritize districts that have previously applied without success, those collaborating with mental health service providers, and those located in behavioral health service regions. Grants facilitate essential support for students to thrive in their educational environments.

NOTE: Districts must submit a claim for reimbursement by June 15 of each school year. This is legislated funding, and is in place as long as it is appropriated and until it is exhausted.
Therapeutic Classroom Grants
The Therapeutic Classroom Grant provides competitive grants to public school districts to establish therapeutic classrooms for learners ages 3 to 21 whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with their ability to be successful in their current educational environment (Iowa Code 256.25). Districts applying for the grant may seek funds to establish new classrooms and/or install critical components into current classroom/programs that they are developing into therapeutic classrooms.
District awards will be based on the following priorities:

• First Priority
• Competitive district applicants that applied previously, but were not awarded a grant. *Districts must apply to be considered for a grant cycle.
• Second Priority

Competitive district applicants that collaborate and partner with one or more school districts, area education agencies, accredited nonpublic schools, nonprofit agencies or institutions that provide mental health services for children.
Third Priority
Competitive district applicants located in mental health and disability services regions (Behavioral Health District) providing behavioral health services for children.
What is a therapeutic classroom?
"Therapeutic classroom" means a classroom designed for the purpose of providing support for any student, with or without an Individualized Education Program (IEP), whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with the student’s ability to be successful in the current educational environment, with or without supports, until the student is able to successfully return to the student’s current education environment, with or without supports, including but not limited to the general education classroom.
A school district may include therapeutic classrooms as part of its district’s or building’s tiers of supports. The word “classroom” is a descriptor of an educational set of services that create the educational environment that may include but is not required to include a separate physical setting from other students.