EDU0105145_-_Learning_Aid_Ohio_FY26.pdf

Controlling Board

Department of Education and Workforce Education and Workforce

Controlling Board Number

EDU0105145

Fiscal Year(s)

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 Ohio Department of Education and Workforce respectfully requests a waiver of competitive selection from fund 3M20, ALI 200680 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) in an amount up to $3,500,000.00 in FY 2026 to contract with Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO), Columbus, Franklin County, to facilitate the Learning Aid Ohio program and supports students with disabilities.

Funding Fiscal Year Fund ALI Amount

2026 3M20 - Ind W/Disabilities Educ Act 200680 - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act $3,500,000.00

Explanation The Learning Aid Ohio initiative aims to provide students learning on IEPs funding for in-person, supplemental learning support. The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) created Learning Aid Ohio to support students with disabilities by providing access to meaningful learning opportunities in response to remote learning in the 2020-21 school year. The program connects tutors, aids, and in-home providers who can offer supplemental learning support to students who have active Individual Education Plans (IEPs) who have individualized accommodations that are difficult to achieve without in-person help.

Since the program launched in the 2020-21 school year, Learning Aid Ohio has operated with both funds form the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund and the Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSER) fund.

Upon the expiration of these federal COVID relief funds, the Department seeks to extend this work into FY 2026 to provide additional supports for students with disabilities and focus on learning acceleration.

In FY 2024 the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities maintained ownership over the contract with DASCO with the Department of Education and Workforce providing funds through ESSER (at the direction of the General Assembly through HB 169). In FY 2025, the Department of Education and Workforce assumed the contract and continued the program, which for continuity a one-year contract will be employed until the results of an external evaluation have been reviewed to determine the impact on student outcomes.

This work will include:

Eligible families receiving tutoring credits which can be utilized throughout the school year and over the summer to help bridge the gap in services to help promote academic success, Reviewing and processing of family and provider applications submitted through the website, Providing up to $2,000 in scholarship credits per cycle per approved student, and Reviewing provider rates to ensure they are not considered excessive.

Related Requests Controlling Board Request Number

EDU0105098

Supplier / Release & Permit

Supplier: 0000179096 - DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION CENTRAL OHIO, COLUMBUS, OH Franklin

Agency Fiscal Year

Request Amount

Contract Start

Contract End Account Release & Permit

Number

EDU 2026 $3,500,000.00 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 DEW20260028 LAO Vendor Signed

Supplier Questionnaire Supplier Name: DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION CENTRAL OHIO

New Contract

1. What process was used to select a supplier?

Other The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) is currently operating the program which was previously initiated in FY 2024 under a contract with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. With the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce obtaining contract ownership it was determined for continuity purposes it would be best for DSACO to continue to perform this work until an evaluation has been completed. This evaluation is currently underway.

Number of days opportunity was advertised: 0

Supplier City State County Proposal Amount Selected

DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION CENTRAL

OHIO COLUMBUS OH Franklin $4,340,000.00 Yes

Why was the supplier selected? Other The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities considered the Down Syndrome Association to be a single source due to their platform which connects eligible students with tutors.

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 20 20 Percentage of Women 80.00% 80.00% Percentage of Minorities 30.00% 30.00%

5. Are subcontractors being used?

No

6. Provide future renewal schedules:

Fiscal Year Beginning Date Ending Date Total Amount

Total: $0.00 https://checkbook.ohio.gov/State/Resources/PayeeSearch.aspx?search=DOWN%20SYNDROME%20ASSOCIATION%20CENTRAL%20OHIO https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=b7b8de94-d033-49a2-98c1-a52803ebf317 https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=9f35ee36-cb7c-4710-9ad5-468f4a9562e9

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 05/23/2025 Agency Director/Authorized Agent

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