SOUTHEAST REGIONAL COOPERATIVE
1200 W. Speedway Blvd / PO Box 85000 Tucson, AZ 85754
(520) 770-3200 / (520) 770-3782 fax
PROGRAMS FOR SENSORY IMPAIRED CHILDREN
FUNDING RATIONALE AND PROCESS
Program for hearing impaired students. This program is designed to provide for the special education and related
service needs for students who are classified as HI. Special education and related services are provided by the
Southeast Regional (SER) Cooperative to the student, who is enrolled in a regular education setting in the student’s
district of residence or in a host district. Because the student’s special education and related service needs are derived
from the student’s hearing impairment, these children are counted by the SER Cooperative (ASDB) for voucher funding.
In turn, the cooperative pays a reimbursement for regular education programs and services to a host district, which
frequently is the district of residence. The district of residence is responsible for daily transportation. The host district
and the SER Cooperative are responsible for program related transportation.
All funds generated through voucher funding, or any other source, shall remain within the region, to be used for the
benefit of students served. All administrative costs shall continue to be the responsibility of ASDB.
Program for visually impaired students. This program is designed to provide for the special education and related
service needs for students who are classified as VI. Special education and related services are provided by the SER
Cooperative to the student, who is enrolled in a regular education setting in the student’s district of residence or in a host
district. Because the student’s special education and related service needs are derived from the student’s visual
impairment, these children are counted by the SER Cooperative for voucher funding. In turn, the cooperative pays a
reimbursement for regular education programs and services to a host district, which frequently is the district of
residence. The district of residence is responsible for daily transportation. The host district and the SER Cooperative
are responsible for program related transportation.
Students counted for voucher funding who are legally blind will also be counted for the American Printing House for the
Blind (APH) program benefits. All funds generated through voucher funding, or any other source, shall remain within the
region, to be used for the benefit of students served. All administrative costs shall continue to be the responsibility of
ASDB.
Program for all other special education students. This program is designed to provide for the special education and
related service needs for students with a documented sensory impairment, who are classified as multiply disabled (MD),
multiply disabled severely sensory impaired (MDSSI), or in any other special education category. Special education and
related services to address the student’s sensory impairment are provided by the SER Cooperative to the student, who
is enrolled in a regular or special education setting in the student’s district of residence or in a host district. Because the
student’s special education and related service needs are complex and derived from multiple impairments, these
children are counted by the district of residence receiving categorical state aid for special education. In turn, the district
of residence pays a fee for service to the cooperative for special education programs and services related to the
student’s sensory impairment, and possibly to a host district for services rendered by the host district. However, when
the MD or MDSSI student’s special education and related services needs are derived primarily from the student’s
sensory impairment, that student may be counted by the SER Cooperative for voucher funding. In these cases, both the
district and the Cooperative staff must agree that the student’s special needs will be most effectively met by Cooperative
services. The district of residence is responsible for daily transportation. The host district and the SER Cooperative are
responsible for program related transportation.
Children counted on the district of residence census may also be counted for Federal flow-through funds, used to
supplement the student’s education program as well as the APH program benefits. All administrative costs shall
continue to be the responsibility of ASDB. The cooperative shall not consider administrative costs in determining annual
fee for service rates to be charged for programs and services for students.
SOUTHEAST REGIONAL COOPERATIVE
1200 W. Speedway Blvd / PO Box 85000 Tucson, AZ 85754
(520) 770-3200 / (520) 770-3782 fax
VOUCHER FUNDING
All students with special education and related service needs derived from the student’s hearing impairment or visual
impairment are counted by the SER Cooperative for voucher funding. In turn, the Cooperative pays a reimbursement
for regular education programs and services to the host district.
All funds generated through voucher funding, or any other source, shall remain within the region, to be used for the
benefit of children served.
SER Cooperative
Host District
Team Lead in IEP process
Participation in IEP process
Special education program
Regular education program
Related services (all specialized)
Assists in parent training
Annual & triennial assessments,
Participates in transition planning
as needed
All other equipment and materials
All specialized equipment and
materials for sensory impairment
All necessary technical assistance
and program development
assistance to support regular
education program
Parent training--nature & needs,
career development
Transition planning
Submits voucher application to district
for signature and to ADE for payment
Submits federal census on vouchered students
District of Residence
Participation in IEP process
Daily Transportation
Participates in transition planning
Approves voucher application
FEE FOR SERVICE
Special education and related services to address the student’s sensory impairment are provided by the SER
Cooperative to the student who is enrolled in a regular or special education setting in the student's district of residence or
in a host district. Since the student’s special education and related service needs are complex and derived from multiple
impairments, these students are counted by the district of residence, receiving categorical state aid for special
education. In turn, the district of residence pays a fee for service to the Cooperative for special education programs and
services related to the student's sensory impairment. However, when the MD or MDSSI student’s special education and
related services needs are derived primarily from the student’s sensory impairment, that student may be counted by the
SER Cooperative for voucher funding. In these cases, both the district and the Cooperative staff must agree that the
student’s special needs will be most effectively met by Cooperative services.
SER Cooperative
Participation in IEP process
Special education program and
services (related to sensory
impairment)
Specialized related services
Technical assistance and program
development assistance for
sensory impairment
All specialized equipment and
materials for sensory impairment
:
Host District
Team Lead in IEP process
Regular education program
Special education program
(not related to sensory
impairment)
Parent training--nature & needs,
career development
Participates in transition planning
District of Residence
Participation in IEP process
Transportation
Parent training – nature & needs,
career development
Participates in transition planning
Claims ADM for student