equal-access-provider-options-for-parents

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency does not provide grants or contracts for direct services for children with disabilities, as required by 98.30(b)(1). (Plan Question 4.5.1i). Please note the Lead Agency has an approved waiver for this requirement through August 1, 2026. Overall Target Completion Date: 10/31/2025 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 To initiate a contracted slot program for children with disabilities, OCDEL will first develop a Program Revision Request (PRR) and submit to DHS. The PRR will detail the preliminary structure and estimated fiscal impact of the contracted slot program. If approved, DHS will submit the PRR as part of the overall DHS 2025-26 budget request to the Governor’s Budget Office (GBO) for consideration. GBO will review and consider department budget requests and PRRs. Clarifying questions may be asked to departments about specific initiatives and spending increases. Approved PRRs will be included in the Governor’s 2025-26 Executive Budget proposal published on the first Tuesday of February. 02/28/2025 2 Members of the state General Assembly are provided an opportunity to ask each department about their budget proposal and any other relevant questions about program administration. 03/31/2025 At this time, if the contracted slots program is included in the budget proposal, OCDEL staff will begin developing program guidelines, policy announcements, FAQ documents, and generally refine the proposed contracted slot program as described in the PRR. 3 PELICAN updates are required to move contracted slots into the current systems. OCDEL will need to reexamine areas such as (but not limited to) ELRC payment and provider payment processes, system updates to identify eligible children, and logic within the system. 06/30/2025 4 Budget negotiations commence between the Administration and the General Assembly. The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2025. OCDEL staff will continue developing program documents. ELRCs will be briefed on the new contracted slot program and their role during implementation. 06/30/2025 5 If the proposed contracted slot program is included within the final enacted state budget, OCDEL will release a Request for Applications (RFA) for programs to apply for slots. Grantees will be selected based on RFA submissions. ELRCs will enter into contracted slot agreements with the selected providers. 10/31/2025