Office of Special Programs (OSEP): Training and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities: Parent Training and Information Centers CFDA Number 84.328M

The U.S. Department of Education, through its Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), has released a Notice Inviting Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding under the Special Education Parent Information Centers—Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) program. This program is designed to ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive high-quality training, resources, and support to help improve educational and developmental outcomes for their children. The program also includes a focus on increasing the self-advocacy capacity of youth with disabilities. Eligible applicants include **parent organizations** as defined by the **Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)**. These are private nonprofit organizations (not institutions of higher education) with boards composed of a majority of parents of children with disabilities, professionals working in related services, and individuals with disabilities. The applicant organization’s mission must focus on serving families of children with disabilities, ages birth through 26, across the full range of disabilities. The Department expects to make **64 awards**, with **estimated available funding of $25.8 million** for this competition, contingent upon Congressional appropriations. Awards will cover a **project period of up to 60 months** (five years). Each State or region listed in the notice has a corresponding **maximum annual award amount**, based on factors like population, poverty rates, and geographic considerations. Funding amounts vary, such as $374,214 for Alabama and $250,000 for smaller States like Alaska, Wyoming, and Rhode Island. Multi-regional awards are available for large states like California, Florida, New York, and Texas, which are divided into defined regions. The PTIs funded under this competition must provide individualized assistance, training, and resources to parents and youth. Key programmatic objectives include improving parents' capacity to support their children’s education, enhancing parents’ understanding of evidence-based practices, and empowering youth with disabilities to become effective self-advocates. Projects must include **outreach plans** to serve underrepresented groups, including families with limited English proficiency, low-income families, incarcerated youth, and youth in foster care. Collaboration with Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), Regional Parent Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), and the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) is also required. Applicants must address specific priorities, including developing logic models, using evidence-based methods to deliver high-quality services, and creating strategies for inclusive participation. Proposals must demonstrate partnerships with local, State, and national organizations and ensure services meet the diverse needs of families. Applicants are required to include **performance measures** in their evaluation plans, detailing how project success will be assessed, including increased knowledge and capacity of parents and youth. Applications are due by **March 3, 2025**, with an **intergovernmental review deadline** of **April 30, 2025**. The Department will hold a **pre-application webinar**, with details available on the OSERS website within five days of this notice. Applicants must adhere to submission guidelines, including a recommended page limit of **50 pages** for the narrative section, and include required appendices, such as a logic model and personnel timelines. The selection process will evaluate applications based on **significance**, **quality of project services**, **evaluation methods**, **project personnel qualifications**, and **management plans**. Successful applicants must ensure compliance with reporting requirements, including performance and financial reporting. Annual performance reports will include data on demographics served, service levels, and project outcomes. Awards will be administered according to applicable Federal regulations. For further information, applicants can contact **Carmen Sanchez** at *[email protected]* or (202) 987-0117. Accessible formats of this notice and application materials are available upon request.