{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"North Carolinians voor thuisonderwijs","provider_url":"https:\/\/nche.com\/nl","author_name":"Jessica Frierson","author_url":"https:\/\/nche.com\/nl\/author\/jessicafrierson2\/","title":"ESA+ Scholarship for Students with a Disability - North Carolinians for Home Education","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"STSZBIp3LC\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nche.com\/nl\/blog-esa-scholarship-for-students-with-a-disability\/\">ESA+-beurs voor studenten met een handicap<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/nche.com\/nl\/blog-esa-scholarship-for-students-with-a-disability\/embed\/#?secret=STSZBIp3LC\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"\u201cESA+ beurs voor leerlingen met een beperking\u201d \u2014 North Carolinians for Home Education\" data-secret=\"STSZBIp3LC\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/nche.com\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>","description":"by Jessica Frierson, February 2023 Homeschool students with disabilities may be eligible for funds through the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA). You may have heard of the ESA+ scholarship but read on to learn more because a lot has changed to make it more accessible to families. I will share with you what I have learned from Kathryn Marker, Ph.D., the Director of Grants, Training, and Outreach at NCSEAA, and will walk you through the steps to apply for and use ESA+ funds for your child. &nbsp; We at NCHE have heard from many families that it has been difficult to become eligible for these funds. Those who managed to do so reported that determining what items or services are qualified purchases was the next obstacle. Dr. Marker explained, \u201cNot understanding what the funds could be used for, and where to find providers or certain products, was definitely a pain point for homeschool families last spring and early fall.\u201d However, NCSEAA has taken steps to alleviate both hurdles. \u201cThe website, for example, now has detailed explanations of the ESA+ allowable expenses, and directions for how to purchase products or pay for services.\u201d &nbsp; The application period opened on February 1. Priority is given to those who apply by March 1 so don\u2019t delay if you want to qualify for the scholarship! If you do not already have an IEP in place for your child, start now, and aim for the 2024-25 school year. Here are the steps to take. &nbsp; &nbsp; 1. Obtain an IEP. The crucial first step is to obtain an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from a public school. First-time applicants must take this step. As Dr. Marker shared in a recent presentation to the DPI Parent Advisory Commission, \u201cthere is no other way to document a disability for the purposes of the ESA+ program. A 504 plan, private evaluations, and medical diagnoses do not qualify a student for the ESA+ program.\u201d However, she shared a great resource for assistance in obtaining this. The Exceptional Children\u2019s Assistance Center (ECAC) is a nonprofit which, among many other valuable resources, \u201cassists parents with the IEP process.\u201d\u00a0 Reevaluation for those who have received the scholarship in the past has an alternative, but this must be done through a public school the first time. It is then valid for three years before a new one is obtained. You will be notified when your child is due to recertify. The feedback we have from parents is that it may take repeated phone calls to get this set up with your school district. Who qualifies for an IEP? The IEP team must determine that a child has at least one disability listed among the thirteen categories defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and that it would adversely affect their educational performance. The thirteen categories of disability include: Autism Spectrum Disorder Deaf-Blindness Deafness Emotional Disturbance Hearing Impairment Intellectual Disability Multiple Disabilities Orthopedic Impairment Other Health Impairment Specific Learning Disability Speech or Language Impairment Traumatic Brain Injury Source: 13 Categories of Disability Under IDEA Law &#8211; B.I.G. Solutions, LLC (behavioralinspiredgrowth.com) &nbsp; Here are the other program requirements from PowerPoint Presentation (ncseaa.edu): All Required: \u00a0Is a child with a disability who requires special education as documented by a NC public school IEP Eligibility Determination\u00a0\u00a0 At least 5 years old by August 31 or at least 4 by April 16 and approved for kindergarten according to state guidelines\u00a0 Lives in NC\u00a0 Has not graduated from high school\u00a0 Has not enrolled in a post-secondary institution full-time*\u00a0 Eligible to attend public school in NC. \u00a0Students who meet the criteria outlined above and have one of the following designated as the primary or secondary disability on the IEP Eligibility Determination may be eligible for a higher scholarship award than full-time students without these designated disabilities. Terms listed in parentheses as they appear on the Eligibility Determination:\u00a0 Autism (Autism) Hearing Impairment (Hearing Impairment, Deafness, Deaf-Blindness)\u00a0 Moderate or Severe Intellectual or Developmental Disability (Intellectual Disability, Moderate or Severe)\u00a0 Multiple, Permanent Orthopedic Impairments (Orthopedic Impairment)\u00a0 Visual Impairment (Visual Impairment, Deaf-Blindness) *Full-time: 12 or more credit hours in a given semester. Students funded in the prior year receive priority consideration.\u00a0 Source: PowerPoint Presentation (ncseaa.edu) &nbsp; 2. Set up an account in My Portal. Welcome to MyPortal (ncseaa.edu) &nbsp; &nbsp; 3. Apply for the ESA+ scholarship through the Portal. There is a video tutorial and other information on the application process here.\u00a0 &nbsp; 4. Once approved, the recipient\u2019s funds are utilized through a platform called ClassWallet. The payment process for all items is now handled through ClassWallet, which hosts the online account on behalf of the ESA+ program.Parents will find that this will simplify the confusing labyrinth parents were formerly navigating. Now, you sign in to your ClassWallet account and shop within the online marketplace they have created.\u00a0 &nbsp; 5. What are allowable expenses? Tutoring: \u201cTutors must be registered with and approved by SEAA to participate in the ESA+ program. Tutoring services must be related to one of the following academic subjects: math, science, English\/language arts, social studies, or foreign languages.\u201d Educational therapy: It must be adaptive\/therapeutic in nature or designed for students with special needs to meet the qualifications, and the provider must be registered and approved by SEAA to participate in the ESA+ program. Some types of therapy approved\u00a0 are applied behavior analysis therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, music therapy, art therapy, and therapeutic horseback riding lessons\/equine therapy. Curricula: The guidelines for qualifying curriculum materials state that they \u201cshould provide academic instruction or information (such as booklets or lesson plans) or an opportunity for a student to practice an academic skill\u201d, must be within three grade levels of the student\u2019s current grade level (you can leave a note explaining the situation if you need an exception made to this rule), and must clearly support one of these academic subjects: math, foreign language, science, social studies, or English\/language arts. Also included are lesson plans, learning kits, or workbooks [&hellip;]","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/nche.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mom-and-daughter-schooling-1-scaled-e1676430181451.jpg","thumbnail_width":1200,"thumbnail_height":800}