During the 74th Texas Legislative Session (1995), the Legislature appropriated funds for the provision of noneducational community-based support services for certain students with disabilities and their families so that those students may receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). These funds may be used only for eligible students with disabilities who, without the provision of noneducational community-based support services, would remain or would have to be placed in residential facilities for education reasons. The intent of the state legislation is for LEAs to provide services that are unallowable purchases with education funds, to help families of this population care for their students, and to enable families to better cope with having an individual with a disability at home.
Support Services
Attendant Care
Psychiatric/Psychological Consultation
Management of Leisure Time
Peer Support Group
Parent Support Group
Socialization Training
Individual Support
Family Support
Family Dynamics Training
Respite Care
Transportation to access approved noneducational services
- Generalization Training
For a more detailed explanation of the various allowable support services, please refer to the Noneducational Community-Based Support Services Questions and Answers document and the Allowable and Unallowable Expenditures guidance.
Students with autism can only be approved for respite care or attendant care. In-home training or viable alternatives and parent training that support the student’s individualized education program (IEP) must be paid for with educational funds as required by 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §89.1055(e).
For a more detailed explanation of the various allowable support services, please refer to the Noneducational Community-Based Support Services Frequently Asked Questions document and the Allowable and Unallowable Expenditures guidance.
Application Process
Parents wishing to access services may not directly apply for these funds. They should contact their child’s school and request a meeting to discuss the need for noneducational services. Only local education agencies (LEAs) may apply, and therefore, the decision whether or not to apply for funds rests solely with the district or charter school. The school district or charter school electing to apply for noneducational funds must have a planning meeting to discuss options for noneducational services. Persons attending and participating in this meeting should be district staff knowledgeable about the student, a representative of the local Mental Health Agency (MHA), the Mental Retardation Agency (MRA), and/or the Community Resource Coordination Groups of Texas (CRCG), or other service providers, and the parents. The student’s Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee may not serve as this planning group and should not make the decision regarding services.
Once it has been determined what services are needed, the local education agency contacts the regional Education Service Center (ESC) to obtain directions and procedures for applying.
Program Authority
Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 29.013
Division of IDEA Coordination
1701 North Congress Avenue | Austin, Texas 78701-1494
Telephone: 512.463.9414 | Fax: 512.463.9560
E-mail: sped@tea.state.tx.us