EDU0105144_-_OCALI_FY26.pdf

Controlling Board

Department of Education and Workforce Education

Controlling Board Number

EDU0105144

Fiscal Year(s) 2026 &2027 Bill Number(s)

HB 96

Request Type: Operating

Authorization Type Waiver of Competitive Selection ORC

§127.16

Status Approved

Meeting Date 6/16/2025

Request Summary The Department of Education and Workforce respectfully requests Controlling Board approval for a waiver of competitive selection in an amount up to $7,717,624 in FY 2026, from fund 3M20, ALI 200680 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), to contract for services with the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), Columbus, Franklin County, through the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio.

Funding Fiscal Year Fund ALI Amount

2026 3M20 - Ind W/Disabilities Educ Act 200680 - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act $7,717,624.00

Explanation The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) administers programs and coordinates services for pre-school and school age children (3-21 years of age) with autism spectrum disorders and low incidence disabilities. It engages in activities that support districts, schools, agencies, and families working to implement strategies that result in improved outcomes for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders and low incidence disabilities.

The principal focus is programs and services for children with autism spectrum disorders and low incidence disabilities that includes the following: autism, hearing impairments, multiple disabilities, orthopedic disability, other hearing impairment, other health impairment, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairment.

OCALI was established in 2004 as a special project funded by the Department of Education and Workforce's (DEW)'s Office for Exceptional Children. In 2009, the General Assembly enacted Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3323.31, which requires the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Central Ohio to establish the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence.

The requested contract will encompass the following work at a minimum:

1. Interagency Collaborations. Collaborate and consult with State of Ohio agencies that serve individuals with autism spectrum disorders and low incidence disabilities. (DEW, Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), and the Department of Health (ODH). These collaborations will ensure participating agencies receive resources and necessary support.

2. Services Specific to Supporting Learners Who are Blind, Visually Impaired, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing.

In collaboration with the Ohio State School for the Blind and the Ohio School for the Deaf, OCALI will maintain professional development hubs, provide support to families, facilitate statewide capacity for conducting individual specialized assessments, provide monthly consultations, and implement the Braille training program.

3. Higher Education. Consult and collaborate with Ohio Institutions of Higher Education in the development and implementation of courses and professional development for educators and other professionals serving persons with autism spectrum disorders and low incidence disabilities.

4. Regional State Providers. Collaborate and build capacity of Ohio's Statewide System of Support to address local district needs for educational services, educational assessment and evaluation, assistive technology, family support, leisure and recreational activities, transition, and employment for persons with autism spectrum disorders and low incidence disabilities.

5. Family and Professional Organizations. Collaborate with Family and Professional Organizations to develop resources and training materials for both families and professionals on topics related to autism spectrum disorders and low incidence disabilities.

6. Technical Assistance and Professional Development. Design and implement statewide, regional, and district level professional development opportunities, including those that address educational assessment, evidence-based programming, and instructional practices for general and special educators serving children with autism spectrum disorders and low incidence disabilities.

7. Center of Excellence on Inclusive Practice. OCALI will provide support and inclusive practices at the state, regional, and district levels to establish a structured approach to ensure students are placed in the least restrictive environment (pursuant to IDEA 1412(a)(5) of U.S. CDEW Title 20) educators provide instruction, accommodations, and modifications for students in the general education classroom.

8. Equipment and Resources. Maintain a statewide clearinghouse for information about autism spectrum disorders and low incidence disabilities. This will also include maintaining a collections of assistive technology devices and adaptive equipment to be utilized by school districts.

9. Surrogate Parent. Support DEW in sustaining efforts pertaining to Surrogate Parent training per ORC 3323.05, 3323.051, and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 300.519. This includes web hosted training, maintenance, support, and updates to content.

10. Sourcing and Producing Accessible Educational Materials. OCALI will implement the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards (NIMAS) legislation by obtaining, producing, and maintaining materials in alternate formats for Ohio schools and districts.

11. External Evaluation. Ensure ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of OCALI programs to meet stated goals and objectives.

12. Reporting. Draft and submit written monthly progress reports and a final report at the conclusion of each fiscal year to address progress on all above mentioned deliverables including the feedback provided by the external evaluation.

Related Requests Controlling Board Request Number

EDU0105032

EDU0100369

EDU0100404

EDU0100457

Supplier / Release & Permit

Supplier: 0000047399 - EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF, COLUMBUS, OH Franklin

Agency Fiscal Year

Request Amount

Contract Start

Contract End Account Release & Permit

Number

EDU 2026 $7,717,624.00 7/1/2025 6/30/2026 510063 - OTHER

PERSONAL SERVICE EDU 26/27

Attachments Type File Name (link) Waiver (Blanket) FY26 and FY27 Blanket Release_Permit Contract DEW20260009 OCALI 26 Vendor Signed https://checkbook.ohio.gov/State/Resources/PayeeSearch.aspx?search=EDUCATIONAL%20SERVICE%20CENTER%20OF https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=2acabf2b-9d52-4cad-86bc-4938f356256c https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=fe5f474b-6d0f-4c4b-a9b2-f8f91c1b7cea

Supplier Questionnaire Supplier Name: EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF

New Contract

1. What process was used to select a supplier?

Other The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence is established under section 3323.31 of the Revised Code to administer programs and coordinate services for infants, preschool and school-age children, and adults with autism and low incidence disabilities. The principal focus of the center shall be programs and services for persons with autism.

Number of days opportunity was advertised: 0

Supplier City State County Proposal Amount Selected EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF COLUMBUS OH Franklin $7,717,624.00 Yes

Why was the supplier selected? Other The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence is established under section 3323.31 of the Revised Code to administer programs and coordinate services for infants, preschool and school-age children, and adults with autism and low incidence disabilities. The principal focus of the center shall be programs and services for persons with autism.

2. Is the supplier already performing work under this contract?

No

3. Buy Ohio/Buy American Compliance Is the contractor in compliance with Buy Ohio? Yes

Is the contractor in compliance with Buy America? Yes

4. Provide the following employee information:

United States Ohio

Total Number of Employees 72 72 Percentage of Women 74.00% 74.00% Percentage of Minorities 74.00% 74.00%

5. Are subcontractors being used?

No

6. Provide future renewal schedules:

Fiscal Year Beginning Date Ending Date Total Amount

Total: $0.00

Agency Contact Aaron Rausch, Chief of Budget and School Funding

Phone: 614-995-9936 Email:

Aaron.Rausch@education.ohio.gov

Signatures

Stephen D. Dackin Date 06/03/2025 Agency Director/Authorized Agent

Jill N. Schuler Date 06/16/2025 Controlling Board President