Overview
New Competitive Grant Update (CGS § 10-76nnn): Special Education Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative Grant
Established under Connecticut Public Act 25-93 § 26, the Connecticut State Department of Education announces a competitive grant opportunity for the Special Education Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative Grant. This opportunity is available to Connecticut local and regional boards of education to strengthen support services for students who require special education and have experienced trauma or have behavioral health needs, while also strengthening district capacity to identify and respond to trauma and behavioral health needs among students who may not yet have been identified as requiring special education.
This competitive grant opportunity supports the development of comprehensive, district-level trauma-informed systems that enhance student well-being, academic engagement, and social-emotional development, with a focus on students with individualized education programs (IEPs). Allowable use of funds include Trauma-Informed Care coordination, personnel or a portion of personnel costs directly supporting grant activities, district-wide professional learning, collaboration with community providers, technical assistance/consultation, and family outreach and engagement strategies.
Total funding for this initiative is $1.5 million. Local and regional boards of education may request up to $100,000 with fewer than 2,000 students, up to $150,000 with between 2,001 and 7,499 students, and up to $200,000 with 7,500 or more students (within available funds). Applicants should request only the amount necessary to carry out the proposed activities within the applicable maximum. Final award amounts may be less than the amount requested and will be based on the scope and quality of the proposed work, demonstrated need, the scale of implementation, and the availability of funds.
Submission Instructions
- Due Date: November 19, 2026
- Format: Year 1 Electronic submission (Special Education Trauma Informed Grant Application)
- Questions: please contact Bryan.Klimkiewicz@ct.gov & Shelby.Pons@ct.gov
Additional Resources
FFY26 IDEA Part B Grant Annual State Application
- FFY 26 CT IDEA Part B Annual State Application - Final
- FFY 26 CT Interactive Spreadsheet for Section 3
Purpose: Entitlement grant under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Assistance for Education of all Children with Disabilities and Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities.
Date Final Application Posted: June 2, 2026
Date Preliminary Application Posted: March 12, 2026
Bidder's Conference: N/A
FFY26 Public Notice
60-Day Public Inspection Period: March 12-May 12, 2026
30-Day Public Comment Period: April 1-30, 2026
Contact: Alycia M. Trakas
Mailing Address:
Connecticut State Department of Education
Bureau of Special Education
P.O. Box 2219
Hartford, CT 06145
Email: alycia.trakas@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6932
Entitlement Grant Program (CGS § 10-76ggg): Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) Grant
CGS § 10-76ggg (established under Public Act 25-67 § 7) entitles each school board to a special education expansion and development (SEED) grant.
The SEED grant allocations are calculated similar to the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula outlined in CGS § 10-262f.
The board of education receives the SEED grant payments in the amount of 25 percent of their allocation in October, 25 percent of their allocation in January, and the balance of their allocation by April.
In accordance with CGS § 10-76ggg(e)(1), SEED grant funds can only be used for “special education purposes.” SEED funds can be used for direct provision of special education and related services to students; Tier 2/Tier 3 academic/behavioral interventions; the hiring and salaries of special education teachers, paraeducators, and behavioral and reading specialists who work directly with students; equipment purchases and maintenance; and curriculum materials. SEED funds cannot be used for administrative functions or operating expenses related to the provision of special education and related services; professional development/training; or special education and related services provided by any third-party contractor. NOTE: The statute outlines penalties for improper use of SEED grant funds.
Any school board that receives a SEED grant of $10,000 or more shall submit an expenditure report, which includes a summary and itemization of how grant funds were used.
Allocations
Resources
Questions
Please contact Alycia M. Trakas at 860-713-6932 or alycia.trakas@ct.gov.
Competitive Grant Program (CGS § 10-76hhh): High Quality Special Education Incentives Grant (HQIG)
FY27 HQIG funds were awarded to local and regional boards of education (1) to enhance and improve existing special education programming and services in the school district or start-up costs related to the creation of in-district or regional special education programming and services for students who are currently enrolled in a program operated by a provider of special education services, as defined in section 10-91g of the general statutes, and (2) for planning and operational expenses related to such in-district or regional special education programming and services.
Resources
Questions
Please contact Alycia M. Trakas at 860-713-6932 or alycia.trakas@ct.gov.