State grant - B preschool (619)

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services awarded $1,394,380 in Special Education Preschool Grants (CFDA 84.173) to the Education & Early Development Alaska Department on July 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2026. This formula grant funds comprehensive special education services for children with disabilities aged 3 through 5 years in Alaska, including specialized instruction, speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, assistive technology, and individualized support services designed to prepare young children with disabilities for successful transitions to kindergarten.

The state education agency distributes funds to eligible local educational agencies through sub-awards, with the Juneau School District receiving a sub-award on November 14, 2025, to deliver Special Education Preschool Grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). Grant recipients are required to establish eligibility under Section 612 of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and ensure free appropriate public education is available to all children ages 3 through 5 with disabilities residing within their jurisdiction. States set aside funds for administration and state-level activities before distributing the remaining grant amounts to local school districts and other eligible regional educational organizations.