The division assists local early intervention systems and local school systems to comply with federal and state regulations and to implement policies and procedures through grant funding, professional development opportunities, technical assistance, and monitoring.

Administering both state and federal programs for Early Intervention and Special Education, the Division comprises five branches: Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program/Preschool Services Branch, Program Administration and Support Services Branch, Complaint Investigation and Due Process Branch, Community and Interagency Services Branch, and Divisional and State Interagency Support Branch.

Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program/Preschool Services Branch

The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program/Preschool Services Branch provides oversight and support to local early intervention systems and local school system preschool special education programs for children with disabilities from birth through age five.

The Program Administration and Improvement Section coordinates funding, technical assistance, training, and monitoring activities for the state's early intervention system under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Family-centered early intervention services to enhance the development of children with disabilities from birth to age three and to support families' capacity to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers are provided through 24 local interagency Infants and Toddlers Programs.

The Preschool Services Section provides funding support and technical assistance for preschool special education programs for children with disabilities from ages three thorough five in each local school system. Collaboration with other community-based early childhood programs and local Infants and Toddlers Programs is a major emphasis for preschool special education programs at the state and local levels.

The branch coordinates support and information activities for families of children with disabilities from birth through age 21 through local Family Support Networks, Preschool Partners, and Partners for Success Resource Centers.

Program Administration, Support, and Staff Development Branch

The Program Manager supports the Assistant State Superintendent in administering special education programs statewide and directing the Program Administration, Support, and Staff Development Branch (PAS&SD). The Program Administration Section is responsible for assisting local school systems and state-operated programs in the implementation of programs designed to improve the educational development of children and youth.

The Regional Administrator Section is responsible for supporting local school systems and state-operated programs to ensure the delivery of special education and related services to students with disabilities.

The Staff Development Section is responsible for providing technical and program assistance to local school systems and state operated programs in maintaining a Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) to assist in ensuring the appropriate and necessary educational services to children and youth with disabilities.

The Instructional Development Section conducts research and analysis of data pertaining to students with disabilities in the areas of assessment, instruction, and program evaluation. The section works collaboratively with other instructional divisions in program evaluation, staff development, and outcome-reporting activities supporting the division's approach to facilitate the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education programming.

Complaint Investigation and Due Process Branch

General

The Complaint Investigation and Due Process Branch is responsible for ensuring the dispute resolution processes under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are available and conducted in accordance with all requirements.  The Branch maintains data and reports on the dispute resolution processes, including complaint investigations, mediations, and due process hearings.

Complaint Investigation Section

The Complaint Investigation Section investigates and resolves complaints filed by individuals and organizations that allege violations of State and federal requirements regarding the education of students with disabilities.  This requires conducting on-site visits, preparing written letters of findings that address each allegation, and determining if a violation of the requirements occurred.  Each written decision includes findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an explanation of the decision.  Each decision includes a statement of the corrective actions required to remedy the violation, and procedures for implementing the required actions, as needed.  Follow-up activities are conducted to ensure each required action is completed within appropriate timelines.

Due Process Section

The Due Process Section tracks formal mediation requests and administrative due process hearing decisions.  The hearing decisions are redacted of personally identifiable information and disseminated through postings on the MSDE website, and required actions are tracked to completion.  Follow-up activities are conducted to ensure that decisions are implemented.  Administrative due process hearing records are prepared and forwarded to State or federal court, as requested.

Community and Interagency Services Branch

The Community and Interagency Services Branch has the primary responsibility for the administration of the State Nonpublic Tuition Assistance Program, management of the rate-setting process for child residential programs, and the management of the Medicaid reimbursement process for educational agencies.

The Nonpublic School Placements Section works collaboratively with other state agencies, local interagency committees, and local school systems to implement federal and state regulations, maintain compliance and provide appropriate community-based and nonpublic special education services for students with disabilities. This section manages the Statewide Nonpublic Tuition Assistance Program, including budget review, and oversees Public/Private Partnerships. The section provides technical assistance to representatives of local school systems, other state agencies, and nonpublic service providers.

The Interagency Rates Section manages the rate setting process for child residential services for the departments of Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources, Juvenile Justice, Budget and Management, Education, and the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families. Collectively, these state agencies establish rates as the Interagency Rates Committee (IRC). The section develops rate policy and conducts analysis of budget proposals from child residential service providers on behalf of the IRC.

The Health Related Resources Section develops and manages the Medicaid reimbursement process for local school systems, local lead agencies, and state-operated/state-supported agencies providing services to children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and school health.

Divisional and State Interagency Support

The Divisional and State Interagency Support Branch (DSIS) is responsible for providing support to the Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services through the management and forwarding of parental, community, and legislative inquiries, the coordination of policy development, review, strategic planning, product development, and technical assistance. Additionally, the branch conducts and manages the program and compliance monitoring of state-operated programs, local school system's special education programs, and special education programs and compliance in the three Edison Schools in Baltimore City. The branch provides interagency support through the management and coordination of interagency collaborative initiatives on behalf of MSDE.

The DSIS Branch is organized as follows: The Interagency Coordination program manager coordinates interagency initiatives on behalf of MSDE with other child-focused state agencies, legislative bodies, task forces, community agencies, and other collaborative partnerships.

The Monitoring and Program Improvement Specialist analyzes special education data and due process hearing data to assist local school systems and other public agencies in evaluating the effectiveness of programs for students with disabilities. This includes providing support for conducting self-evaluations and site visits to evaluate program results for students with disabilities and compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.

The Special Initiatives and Parent Support Specialist provides management, follow-up, and forwarding of parental, community, and legislative inquiries to appropriate staff within the division and department. This section provides support and technical assistance for special initiatives, including the Autism waiver and research projects related to autism.

The Edison Schools Special Education Facilitator conducts activities and provides technical assistance related to special education compliance and program quality at the three Edison Schools in Baltimore City and participates in ongoing activities around the New Schools Initiative.

The Data Support Specialist provides analysis of special education child count data, information management, equipment support, and technical assistance to division staff for research and data driven decisions.