Therapeutic Classroom Grant

The Therapeutic Classroom Grant provides competitive grants to public school districts to establish therapeutic classrooms for learners ages 3 to 21 whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with their ability to be successful in their current educational environment (Iowa Code 256.25). Districts applying for the grant may seek funds to establish new classrooms and/or install critical components into current classroom/programs that they are developing into therapeutic classrooms. 

District awards are based on the following priorities: 

• First Priority: Competitive district applicants that submitted an application but were not awarded a grant for 2021-2022 or 2022-2023. Note: These districts must reapply for the 2023-2024 grant.
• Second Priority: Competitive district applicants that collaborate and partner with one or more school districts, area education agencies, accredited nonpublic schools, nonprofit agencies or institutions that provide mental health services for children.
• Third Priority: Competitive district applicants located in mental health and disability services regions providing behavioral health services for children.

2024 Therapeutic Classroom Grants

Public school districts may apply for the therapeutic classroom grant by following the directions provided in the Therapeutic Classroom Grant Application Package. The package includes a Worksheet that supports districts in preparing their application. The application process includes a self-assessment of therapeutic classroom components and the district applicants proposal for establishing therapeutic classrooms during the upcoming school year. *2024 grant awards are subject to legislative renewal and appropriations.

2024-25 Therapeutic Classroom Grant: Informational Webinar Recording

Frequently Asked Questions - Therapeutic Classroom Grant

Application Forms & Timeline

• Therapeutic Grant Application - Closed May 1, 2024.
• Intent to Award announced May 30, 2024
• Awards announced June 2024
• Funds Distributed no later than August 1, 2024* 

District Awards

2023-24

• Atlantic Community School District
• Bettendorf Community School District
• Iowa City Community School District
• Johnston Community School District
• Newton Community School District
• Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District

2022-23

• Ballard Community School District
• Bettendorf Community School District
• Charles City Community School District
• Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District
• Council Bluffs Community School District
• Decorah Community School District
• Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Community School District
• Monticello Community School District
• Williamsburg Community School District
• Woodbine Community School District

2021-22

• Ames Community School District
• Clinton Community School District
• Eastern Allamakee Community School District
• Hinton Community School District
• Mount Pleasant Community School District
• Washington Community School District

What is a therapeutic classroom?

"Therapeutic classroom" means a classroom designed for the purpose of providing support for any student, with or without an Individualized Education Program (IEP), whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with the student’s ability to be successful in the current educational environment, with or without supports, until the student is able to successfully return to the student’s current education environment, with or without supports, including but not limited to the general education classroom.

A school district may include therapeutic classrooms as part of its district’s or building’s tiers of supports. The word “classroom” is a descriptor of an educational set of services that create the educational environment that may include but is not required to include a separate physical setting from other students.

For a more comprehensive definition of therapeutic classroom see Iowa Administrative Code 281-14.

Therapeutic classroom requirements?

A school district is not required to operate a therapeutic classroom; however, a school district is required to ensure therapeutic services are available, whether in-district or otherwise, to students who need those services to access or benefit from an education.

For state reporting and reimbursement purposes to be considered a therapeutic classroom the program/classroom must serve both students with and without IEPs and include all the components listed in Iowa Administrative Code 281-14.13.

Reporting Requirements

• Each fall, districts are required to report within Consolidated Accountability and Support Application (CASA) the number of therapeutic classrooms they operate.
• Districts must report transfers and referrals to therapeutic classrooms using their student information system.
• By Nov. 1 of each year the Department of Education must provide an annual report to the legislators regarding therapeutic classroom referrals and transfers.

Reimbursement

When a district provides therapeutic services to a student without an IEP, they may seek reimbursement for therapeutic services and transportation.

• Reimbursement of Therapeutic Services: Reimbursement is at a rate of 1.5 times the district cost per pupil for the number of days the student serves in a therapeutic classroom.
• Reimbursement of Transportation: Districts may submit claims for students who are transported more than 30 miles to a therapeutic classroom outside the district.
• To be considered for reimbursement, therapeutic classroom transfers must be recorded using the district student information system and students must not have an IEP.
• Districts must submit a claim for reimbursement by June 15 of each school year.

This is legislated funding, and is in place as long as it is appropriated and until it is exhausted. See Iowa Administrative Code 281-14.14.

Implementation Resources

• Evidence-Based Therapeutic Supports
• Therapeutic Classroom Framework
• Therapeutic Classrooms Implementation Rubric