Therapeutic Classroom Grant

The Therapeutic Classroom Grant program 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 classrooms/programs that they are developing into therapeutic classrooms. 

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.

Grant Application Now Open (Due May 1, 2026)

Public school districts may now apply for the therapeutic classroom grant for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), which covers the 2026-27 school year. Applications are due at 11:59 PM on May 1, 2026.

To apply, refer to the entire Application Package provided below. All applications and corresponding materials will be submitted through the Consolidated Accountability and Support Application (CASA).

The application process includes agreeing to the Therapeutic Classroom Grants Assurances and within keeping with the Allowable Disbursements and Expenditures provided in the application package.

FY 27 (2026-27) Therapeutic Classroom Grant Application Package

• Therapeutic Classroom Grant Assurances (156.33 KB) .pdf
• Allowable Disbursements and Expenditures
• Therapeutic Classroom Grant Instructions for application in CASA - We encourage developing answers in Word, then copying and pasting into CASA.
• Therapeutic Classroom Implementation Rubric (291.27 KB) .pdf
• Therapeutic Classroom Grant Funding Request, Budget, and Budget Narrative
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (149.39 KB) .pdf
• Do you have a question? Have you reviewed the FAQ document above? If you still have a question, please submit it here.

Grant Awards

2025-26

• Bondurant-Farrar Community School District
• Cedar Rapids Community School District
• Cherokee Community School District
• Davenport Community School District
• Durant Community School District
• Keokuk Community School District
• Pella Community School District
• Spencer Community School District

Reporting Requirements

• Each fall, districts are required to report within the 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.
• 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 for therapeutic classroom services and transportation claims for the previous fiscal 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.

Program Report

2025 Therapeutic Classroom Report (1006.86 KB) .pdf