Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76hhh: Competitive grant program for boards of education to support in-district or regional special education programming and services.

(a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Education shall, within available appropriations, administer a competitive grant program for local and regional boards of education to support in-district or regional special education programming and services for students with disabilities. Grants awarded to local and regional boards of education under the program may be used (1) to enhance and improve existing special education programming and services in the school district or start-up costs related to the creation of in-district or regional special education programming and services for students who are currently enrolled in a program operated by a provider of special education services, as defined in section 10-91g, and (2) for planning and operational expenses related to such in-district or regional special education programming and services.

(b) The Commissioner of Education shall develop the application to be used by local and regional boards of education in applying for a grant under this section. The application shall include, but need not be limited to, a description of (1) the program location, (2) the student population who will be served by the programming and services, (3) the staffing needs for the programming and services, (4) any assistive technology and materials necessary to implement the programming and services, (5) any capital improvement needs, (6) the budget allocation for the programming and services, and (7) any professional development necessary for implementation of the programming and services. A local or regional board of education shall submit such application in a form and manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Education.

(c) The commissioner shall develop criteria for reviewing and approving grant applications. Such criteria shall be based upon (1) increasing students' access to high-quality general education instruction, and (2) enhancing in-district or regional programming, such as unified classes and increased time with nondisabled peers, for students with intensive needs, including giving priority to a board of education for a town designated as an alliance district pursuant to section 10-262u.

(d) Any local or regional board of education that receives a grant under this section shall not expend such grant on special education programming and services provided pursuant to a contract with a third party or a private provider of special education services.

(e) Not later than September 30, 2027, and annually thereafter, any local or regional board of education that has received a grant under the program in the prior fiscal year shall submit a report to the commissioner that assesses the impact of the grant on student outcomes, including the increase in time with nondisabled peers across the school district and the number of outplaced students, and district expenditures. The report shall contain any information and data requested by the commissioner.

(f) Not later than February 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit a report on the progress of the program that assesses the impact of the grant on student outcomes, including the increase in time with nondisabled peers across the school district and the number of outplaced students, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.