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CPMT members say SPED Wrap funds go unused as families decline in-home services; IEP requirement clarified
Summary
Tazewell County CPMT members expressed concern that SPED Wrap-Around funds remain largely unused; staff said families often decline in-home services and the county later confirmed an IEP is required to request SPED Wrap funding.
Members of the Tazewell County Community Policy and Management Team raised concerns April 24 about underuse of SPED Wrap-Around funds and obstacles to using the funding for students with disabilities.
Family Preservation Services representative Dwayne Sturgill asked why roughly $20,765 in Encumbered Wrap funds were reallocated back to the Office of Children’s Services when there is local need. The CSA coordinator told the CPMT that Wrap services are intended to provide in-home services for students with disabilities and that requests must be made on FAPT/CPMT service plans; the coordinator said she would seek clarification on whether an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is required. Several members, including Cynthia Hale, voiced concern that the funds were not being used.
Dr. Michelle Brown, Special Education Coordinator for Tazewell County Schools, described a separate barrier: some families decline SPED Wrap services because a provider must visit the home. "Families have been offered this service and funding, but they are declining because it would require the provider to visit the home," Dr. Brown explained, noting mistrust and resistance as recurring challenges in engaging families even when funding is available.
After the meeting the coordinator reported she had sought clarification and was informed by Angela Roberts Steele that a child must have an IEP in place before Wrap funds may be requested.
What it means: the combination of administrative eligibility requirements and family resistance to in-home visits is limiting the county’s use of allocated SPED Wrap funding. CPMT members asked staff to continue outreach and reminders to identify eligible cases and to clarify application requirements.
Next steps: the coordinator and school special education staff will continue outreach to families and confirm eligibility requirements in writing so staff and FAPT can make consistent referrals.
