Stimulus Package Funds: A Support for Inclusion?
A brief published by the BUILD Initiative highlights how ARRA funds could be targeted for supports for inclusion.
In a recent brief published by the BUILD Initiative, Anne Mitchell and Louise Stoney highlighted ways in which stimulus funds (from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act/ARRA) could be targeted to supports for quality inclusion for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities. They suggest strategies that align with each state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System or QRIS. Examples include using stimulus dollars to:
- Ensure that early intervention and preschool special education programs are able to participate in the state QRIS system. This may include reviewing/revising policies, procedures, and supports for these programs.
- Provide professional development to QRIS participants on effective strategies for including children with disabilities.
- Craft state policy to establish priority placement in high quality early care and education programs for children with disabilities.
- Maximizing Resources from the Stimulus Package: Possible Strategies for Funding Quality Rating and Improvement Systems
- The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) has a listing of helpful links and resources about ARRA funding
How is your state thinking about using ARRA funds to support inclusion?
