2013 Forms Clearance – Additional Information Regarding Umbrella Programs under Part 

D, IDEA 

Under Part D of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act discretionary grants are 

authorized to support technology, State personnel development, personnel preparation, 

parent training and information, and technical assistance activities. Under this Part D 

umbrella collection, the following description is offered regarding the five programs:

State Personnel Development

The State Personnel Development (SPD) program, established by the Individuals with 

Disabilities Education Improvement Act Amendments of 2004, takes effect on July 1, 2005. 

The program provides grants to assist State educational agencies (SEAs) in reforming and 

improving their systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early 

intervention, educational, and transition services to improve results for children with 

disabilities. Competitive awards would be made for periods of 1 to 5 years.

Technical assistance and dissemination

The Technical Assistance and Dissemination program is the primary vehicle under the 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for putting information into the hands 

of individuals and organizations serving children with disabilities and their families. The 

program makes awards to provide technical assistance, support model demonstration 

projects, disseminate useful information, and implement activities that are supported by 

scientifically based research. These awards are intended to improve services provided 

under the IDEA, including the practices of professionals and others involved in providing 

services that promote academic achievement and improve results for children with 

disabilities. Most awards are made for periods of 5 years. Eligible applicants are SEAs, 

local educational agencies (LEAs), public charter schools that are LEAs under State law, 

institutions of higher education (IHEs), other public agencies, private nonprofit 

organizations, outlying areas, freely associated States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, 

and for-profit organizations.

Personnel Preparation

Although States are primarily responsible for training, hiring, and certifying personnel to 

serve children with disabilities, the Personnel Preparation program assists States in meeting 

these responsibilities. The program supports competitive awards to:

 Help address State-identified needs for personnel in special education, related 

services, early intervention, and regular education to work with children with 

disabilities;

 Ensure that those personnel are highly qualified, have the skills and knowledge that 

are needed to serve children with disabilities, and that such skills and knowledge are 

derived from practices determined to be successful through research and 

experience;

 Ensure that regular education teachers have the necessary knowledge and skills to 

provide instruction to students with disabilities in the regular education classroom.
A large majority of the grants awarded through this program (approximately 96 percent) 

go to IHEs. Awards are made throughout the fiscal year. Duration of awards varies from 3 

to 5 years, depending on the type of project.

Parent Information Centers

The Parent Information Centers program is one of the primary vehicles under IDEA for 

providing information and training to parents of children with disabilities. The program 

supports awards to ensure that:

 Children with disabilities and their parents receive training and information designed 

to assist the children in meeting developmental and functional goals and challenging 

academic achievement goals, and in being prepared to lead productive independent 

adult lives;

 Children with disabilities and their parents receive training and information on their 

rights, responsibilities, and protections under IDEA, in order to develop the skills 

necessary to cooperatively and effectively participate in planning and decision making 

relating to early intervention, educational, and transitional services; and

 Parents receive coordinated and accessible technical assistance and information to assist 

them in improving early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results 

for their children and families. 

The IDEA authorizes three types of projects -- parent training and information centers, 

community parent resource centers, and technical assistance for parent centers. Parent 

training and information centers awards are made typically for a period of 5 years. Awards 

for community parent resource centers are made typically for a period of 3 years. Eligible 

applicants are parent organizations, as defined in section 671(a)(2) of IDEA.

Technology and Media Services

The Technology and Media Services program is the primary source of support for 

technology and media service-related activities under IDEA. Technology activities promote 

the development, demonstration, and use of technology. They include activities such as 

research on using technology to improve learning and provide access to the classroom, and 

technical assistance and dissemination activities to enhance the use of technology by parents 

and teachers. Media Services activities focus on providing access to various media for 

individuals with disabilities. The duration of awards typically varies from 3 to 5 years. 

Eligible Applicants are SEAs; LEAs; public charter schools that are LEAs under State law; 

institutions of higher education (IHEs); other public agencies; private nonprofit 

organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; 

and for-profit organizations.

This grant application provides the forms and information necessary for applicants to 

submit an application for funding under any of the 5 program areas, and information for 

use by technical reviewers to determine the quality of the application.