Governor Abbott and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced a grant for children with cognitive disabilities and complex educational needs, according to a press release.
The Supplementary Special Education Services (SSES) program allows eligible families of children to qualify for $1,500 to be used in the SSES marketplace.
The goods and services in the marketplace can help families mitigate educational setbacks resulting from the extensive disruptions to education prompted by COVID-19. These services do not reduce or eliminate schools’ responsibilities to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students.
Under the program—which was established last fall with $30 million in funds by Governor Abbott and state leaders—at least 18,000 students with significant cognitive disabilities statewide will be in position to receive a one-time grant of up to $1,500 for the purchase of a broad range of educational resources and services. Priority will be given to Texas families receiving income assistance and to families that have documented financial needs.
“The SSES program provides crucial academic resources to students with cognitive disabilities and will help close the educational gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Abbott. “I urge eligible Texans to apply for this funding so that the State of Texas can partner with them and provide more support to Texas students.”
For more information, go to https://sses.tea.texas.gov. Any program and related eligibility questions should be directed to the SSES team: ssesinfo@tea.texas.gov.
