politics
Education Department Officials Reassure Advocates HHS Will Not Take Over IDEA
Education Department officials told special education advocates during a July 9 call that the Health and Human Services Department would not assume oversight of IDEA programs. Senators from both parties are advancing legislation to block any transfer. The interagency agreement was announced in June.
Jul 11, 3:01 AM·2m read1 source
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Education Department officials held a private call this week with prominent advocates in the special education community to address concerns over an interagency agreement announced in June that would shift some oversight to the Health and Human Services Department.
Kelly Rogers, acting head of the Education Department's special education division, stated during the July 9 briefing that HHS is not taking over IDEA. Period.
She added that the department is not transitioning IDEA and special education to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and that HHS would only offer additional support to enhance special education programs. An Education Department spokeswoman stated that employees in the special education division could still be physically detailed to HHS while continuing to report to Secretary Linda McMahon.
A different building, a different floor, or a different desk does not change their job responsibilities and commitment to serve students with disabilities every single day, press secretary Savannah Newhouse said. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, stated he is confident a measure to block the special education transfer will pass the Senate education committee this month with at least some Republican support.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, struck a deal with Kaine last month to vote on legislation keeping HHS out of special education. Cassidy stated during a June 17 Senate education committee meeting that special education programs should not be moved to HHS and indicated he would prefer they shift to the Department of Labor instead.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, stated she believes IDEA must stay at the Department of Education along with Title I. The Office of Special Education Programs, established in 1979 and housed within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, distributes billions of dollars annually under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
