Abbott makes grant funding available for students with special learning needs

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) announced on Jan. 28 the state will make available grant funding of up to $1,500 for students with cognitive learning disabilities and special needs.

The program is titled the “Supplementary Special Education Services (SSES)."

"The SSES program provides crucial academic resources to students with cognitive disabilities and will help close the educational gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," Abbott said on his web page at gov.texas.gov. "I urge eligible Texans to apply for this funding so that the State of Texas can partner with them and provide more support to Texas students."

Abbott’s office launched the program through the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The program will allow families with children who have cognitive disabilities requiring special educational services to establish an online account (grant money) to be used in the SSES marketplace.

State officials emphasized the program is of special importance after the disruptions to Texas school caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I encourage eligible parents of special education students to apply for the Supplemental Special Education Service program grant,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. “Helping children with cognitive disabilities has been a priority of mine for over 30 years and I am so glad we can offer this SSES grant at this time. Now, more than ever, we need to make sure that our special education students have additional resources to help with the disruptions brought about by the pandemic along with the additional challenges they face."

The program was set up last fall and made available $30 million to help at least 18,000 students with special needs to receive a wide range of educational support services and programs. Priority to receive grant money will be given to those families who demonstrate a documented need for financial assistance.

Once approved, families will be awarded an online account spending portal called an SSES “ClassWallet” they can use to seek assistance from special education providers approved by the TEA.

Information and online applications can be acquired at sses.tea.texas.gov.