Project 613 Reimbursements and 615 Special Education Funds

By Andrea Kunkel, ODSS Executive Director/CCOSA General Counsel

Project 613

The purpose of Project 613 is to increase participation in both OSDE-sponsored events, trainings and conferences and in activities sponsored by other groups that would benefit special education teachers and district staff in improving outcomes for students with disabilities. The list of approved Project 613 learning activities is found here. Each approved activity is tracked in OSDE’s Grants Management System (GMS). Districts must create an application in the GMS and submit it for preapproval. Thereafter, districts must make a claim that adheres to and is approved through the OSDE Joint Federal Programs Claims Procedures. Depending on the activity, Project 613 reimbursement is offered for mileage, substitutes, registration fees and lodging. Districts do not receive an allocation for Project 613 funds. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis to all districts.

Project 615

Again for FY2022, OSDE’s Special Education Services (SES) Section has allocated funds to every school district under Project 615. Its purpose is to provide additional funds to districts for professional development. The only permitted use is for PD activities that increase teachers’ ability to ensure positive outcomes for students with disabilities.

The Project 615 application has been released and is available for districts to complete their FY2022 budget. Access the application through Single Sign On and then:

■ Click on the Grants Management/Expenditure Reporting.

■ On the GMS Access Select page and change the Select Fiscal Year to 2022.

■ Create the Project 615 budget.

Districts must complete a budget for their entire allocation, but can amend their application any time. They can use the funds for a variety of PD opportunities, including inviting speakers in, purchasing books for staff, attending conferences, conducting trainings and attending webinars. Districts that don’t submit a budget by December 1, 2021 forfeit their allocation, with the funds going back to OSDE-SES for redistribution.

Special education directors, start planning now, keeping the December 1 deadline in mind for Project 615. If you’re not in charge of fiscal matters, help your Superintendent complete the process to use these funds. ■