State grant - b preschool (619)

The Maryland State Department of Education received a $7.35 million Special Education Preschool Grants award (CFDA 84.173) from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This formula grant supports the delivery of comprehensive special education services and related services to children with disabilities ages 3 through 5 years throughout Maryland. The funding enables MSDE to provide specialized instruction, therapeutic services including speech and language therapy and occupational/physical therapy, assistive technology, and individualized support designed to prepare young children with disabilities for successful transitions to kindergarten and beyond.

As the state education agency, MSDE administers these funds and distributes sub-awards to local educational agencies, school districts, and other eligible regional educational organizations across Maryland to ensure direct service delivery. The program operates under Part B, Section 612 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and requires participating entities to make free appropriate public education available to all eligible children with disabilities within the state, with compliance and record retention requirements managed under federal regulations and maintained for three years following final expenditure reporting.