1.2 Components

Special Services Provider

Expenditures in this category include specialized services delivered by an Audiologist, Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT) or Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Speech-Language Pathologist(SLP), Orientation and Mobility Specialist (OM), or other Special Services Provider not covered in the Nursing or Mental Health Categories. Costs for assessment tools, curriculum, and training for SSP staff to provide specialized services to students are also included in this category.

LEAs can hire or contract with a Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) or SLP Assistants (SLPAs), Physical Therapists (PTs) or PT Assistants (PTAs), Occupational Therapists (OTs) or Certified OT Assistants (COTAs), Orientation & Mobility Specialists, or Audiologist. This includes contracted hours for services typically provided by FTE in the Special Services Provider category for students.

Expenditures in this subcategory include all health-related equipment, materials, and supplies directly related to providing specialized health services to students. Purchases in this category can also be for use by FTE/contracted personnel under the Special Service Providers category. Some examples may include general office supplies, hand exercisers, adaptive tricycles, walkers, adaptive devices, gait belts, exercise bands, etc.

Expenditures in this subcategory include staff development and training directed to FTE/contracted personnel under the Special Services Provider category. It could also include health-oriented material such as books or computer software used for staff development. Costs associated with attendance at a health-related conference, including travel, are also included in this subcategory.

Costs associated with screenings or assessments conducted by FTE/contracted personnel identified in the Special Services Provider category are included in this subcategory. Examples of expenditures include cognitive, motor skills, or speech and language assessments, or software necessary to conduct related screenings or assessments.

Costs under this subcategory serve to help low-income students access basic health-related necessities on a limited basis. In the Special Services Provider category, this can include vouchers or costs related to sudden requirements for specialized equipment, emergency accommodations, or unplanned costs related to supporting students with special needs.