IDEA Part B discretionary grants are distributed for statewide systems change initiatives to ensure the greatest impact on the maximum number of children with disabilities in Wisconsin. The department is committed to maintaining statewide grants that are central to themes in IDEA and support the State Performance Plan (SPP) indicators established by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). These statewide initiatives are listed below with links to more information and to grant project websites, when available:
2r Charter School Special Education Capacity Building Initiative
This initiative is intended to ensure the provision of a free and appropriate education to students with disabilities in Wisconsin’s independent 2r charter school, improve the quality of special education services, and improve academic and behavioral outcomes for those students.
SPP Indicators supported by 2r Charter School Grant: 3, 4, and 20
Fiscal Agent: CESA 1
DPI Project Liaison: Janice Duff, (414) 227-1845
Culturally Responsive Education for All: Training and Enhancement (CREATE)
This grant project is a statewide systems-change initiative designed to close the achievement gap between students of color and to eliminate race as a predictor of participation in special education.
SPP Indicators supported by CREATE Grant: 9 and 10
Fiscal Agent: CESA 6
DPI Project Liaison: Chrishirella Warthen, (608) 267-9160
Website: www.createwisconsin.net
Early Childhood Regional, Program Support and Leadership
The Early Childhood Program Support Leadership and Eligibility grants support State Performance Plan (SPP) early childhood indicators and initiatives. These grants support best practices and community collaborations in early education.
SPP Indicators supported by Early Childhood Grants: 6, 7, and 12
Fiscal Agent: CESAs 1-12, Milwaukee Public Schools
DPI Project Liaison: Sandra Parker, (608) 266-6438
Website: ec.dpi.wi.gov/ec_ecspedhm
Regional Services Network (RSN)
The statewide RSN grant project is a vehicle through which the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) improves the outcomes for students with disabilities through leadership, communication and professional development.
SPP Indicators supported by RSN Grant: 1-15
Fiscal Agent: CESAs 1 through 12
DPI Project Liaison: Erin Faasumalie, (608) 266-1785
RTI Center and Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Network
The Wisconsin RtI Center’s vision is to bring about systems change in Wisconsin school communities in order to maximize opportunities for all students to achieve academic and behavioral success. This project focuses on increasing Wisconsin’s capacity to provide high quality professional development and technical assistance regionally throughout the state. The Wisconsin PBIS Network provides technical assistance and coordinates professional development to help Wisconsin public school districts establish and sustain PBIS within their respective schools.
SPP Indicators supported by RtI Center: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10
Fiscal Agent: CESA 5
DPI Project Liaison: Julia Hartwig, (608) 267-3748
Websites: www.wisconsinrticenter.org and http://rti.dpi.wi.gov
Post High-School Outcomes
This project assists districts to positively affect change in post-high school outcomes of youth with disabilities by providing them technical assistance with data collection and reporting requirements for Indicator 14.
SPP Indicators supported by Post High-School Outcomes Grant: 1, 2, 13, and 14
Fiscal Agent: CESA 10
DPI Project Liaison: Wendi Dawson, (608) 266-1146
Websites: www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/posthigh.html, www.posthighsurvey.org, and http://www.tr4y.org
Very Special Arts of Wisconsin (VSA)
VSA Wisconsin expands the capabilities, confidence and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by providing programs in dance, drama, creative writing, music and visual art. VSA programs enhance education, advance socialization and promote inclusion for students with disabilities.
SPP Indicators supported by VSA Grant: 1, 2, 7, and 14
Fiscal Agent: Very Special Arts Wisconsin
DPI Project Liaison: Patti Williams, (608) 267-3720
Website: www.vsawis.org
WI Family Assistance Center for Education, Training and Support (WI FACETS) Milwaukee Public Schools Initiative
Increase the knowledge and engagement of families of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students to make decisions regarding their children’s education. Improve the knowledge of families of MPS students to become more engaged in MPS’ implementation of RtI and PBIS.
SPP Indicators supported by WI FACETS: 4 and 8.
Fiscal Agent: WI FACETS
DPI Project Liaisons: Daniel Parker, (608) 266-5194
Website: www.wifacets.org/
WI Special Education Mediation System (WSEMS)
WSEMS assists parents and schools to resolve disputes about special education through mediation and facilitated IEPs.
SPP Indicators supported by WSEMS: 18 and 19
Fiscal Agent: CESA 7
DPI Project Liaison: Marge Resan, (608) 267-9158
Website: www.wsems.us
WI Statewide Parent Educator Initiative (WSPEI)
WSPEI assists Wisconsin school districts and parents of children with disabilities to develop and maintain ongoing, positive communication about their children's education. WSPEI helps parents and school districts find or create the resources that will help them build positive working relationships that lead to shared decision making and children's learning.
SPP Indicators supported by WSPEI: 8
Fiscal Agent: CESA 12
DPI Project Liaison: Daniel Parker, (608) 266-5194
Website: http://wspei.org/, sped.dpi.wi.gov/sped_parent
WI Statewide Transition Initiative (WSTI)
WSTI helps students make a successful transition from high school into their adult lives.
SPP Indicators supported by WSTI: 1, 2, and 13
Fiscal Agent: CESA 11
DPI Project Liaison: Wendi Dawson, (608) 266-1146
Websites: www.wsti.org
For more information, contact: Claudia Kessel, Grants Specialist, Special Education Team, at (608) 267-2349. You may also contact Sherri Honaker, Office Operations Associate, Special Education Team, at (608) 267-2063.