NC Education Code · NC Policy Manual
NC 1506-1.6 Community Residential Centers
Plain English summary
This regulation governs state categorical funding for special education and related services provided to children with disabilities in community residential centers. Funding is contingent on IEP Team determination that the community residential center is the least restrictive environment, and allocations are calculated on a per-child, per-month basis up to 180 school days as determined annually by the Exceptional Children Division. Local education agencies bear administrative and transportation responsibilities, and must comply with monthly reporting and an annual May 15th application deadline.
Key requirements
- State categorical funds will be allocated to the LEA based on a child count of eligible children with disabilities receiving their special education and related service in a community residential center.
- The child count(s) will be done by the local education agency where the community residential center is located.
- Funding for special education and related services in the community residential center will be approved only after the IEP Team in the local education agency where the community residential center is located has determined that the least restrictive environment is the community residential center.
- If it is determined that the least restrictive environment is the local education agency, the community residential center will be ineligible for educational funding.
- The local education agency may request the per child allocation for one year for any child served in the community residential school program prior to entering the local education agency. These funds are allocated only when funds are available.
- Transportation for all children served in the local education agency residing in a community residential center shall be borne by the local education agency.
- The rate of funds per child shall be determined by the Exceptional Children Division.
- The rate of funds will be allocated at a per child rate determined annually by the Exceptional Children Division and School Financial Services.
- Special Community Residential Center funds are based on the actual months of service up to 180 school days and may include extended school year when it is deemed appropriate by the IEP Team and written into the child's IEP.
- Funds shall be used to provide for educational and related services, including personnel, supplies, materials and educational equipment.
- The amount of funds allocated to the community residential centers per child and per month will be based on a recommendation to the Associate Superintendent for Financial Services by the Director of the Exceptional Children Division.
- The local education agency where the community residential center is located shall certify to the State Board of Education that the educational placement has been approved by the IEP Team.
- The residential placement in a community residential center must be approved by the community residential center and IEP Team before a special education placement can be considered.
- All children approved for residential services in the community residential center must have the least restrictive environment determined by the IEP Team in the local education agency where the community residential center is located.
- All withdrawals of children served in community residential centers must be submitted monthly (no later than 10 days after withdrawal has occurred) to the Director of the Exceptional Children Division.
- If another child is approved for placement in a community residential center the child's name, date of birth, disabling condition, and date added to roster must accompany the withdrawal notification which lists the child's name, date of birth, disabling condition, local education agency where parents/guardians have legal residence, and date of withdrawal.
- May 15th of each year is the deadline for submission of these applications.
Affected parties
- Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
- Children with disabilities in community residential centers
- IEP Teams
- Exceptional Children Division
- School Financial Services
- Associate Superintendent for Financial Services
- Director of the Exceptional Children Division
- State Board of Education
- Community residential centers
- Parents and guardians of children in community residential centers