The General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) requires Maryland to make the proposed State Application for Federal Funds under Part C of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) available for public review for 60 days and to accept comments for at least 30 days. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) federal fiscal year (FFY) 2012 State Application for Federal Funds under Part C of IDEA is available for public review from February 15, 2012 through April 15, 2012 on the MSDE website at http://marylandpublicschools.org. The proposed FFY 2012 State Application under Part C IDEA is also available for review by visiting the office of the local director of the Infants and Toddlers Program in each of the 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.

The application includes a checklist of assurances that Maryland has polices and procedures in effect to comply with the requirements of IDEA. Many of Maryland's policies and procedures require revision because of the publication of new federal Part C regulations in September of 2011. Maryland assures that polices and procedures will be in effect as changes in State and local procedures are made consistent with the IDEA. The plan for expenditure of State-level
IDEA funds by category is also a component of the State Application.

Written comments will only be accepted from February 29, 2012 through March 29, 2012.

Comments must be addressed to:

Thomas Stengel, Interim Program Director
Early Childhood Intervention and Education Branch
Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

OR

tstengel2@msde.state.md.us

If you have any concerns regarding this notice, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Stengel at 410-767-0261.

Annual State Application Under Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act as Amended in 2004 Federal Fiscal Year(FFY) 2012