Ensuring that students with special needs receive the appropriate support is crucial for their educational success. In Manitoba, the process for determining eligibility for Level 2 and Level 3 funding involves a detailed review by the Student Services Unit Funding Review Team. Here’s a straightforward guide to understanding how this process works and what it entails.
Determination of Eligibility for Funding and the Application Process
The first step in the funding process involves identifying students who require exceptional supports. This task is carried out by the Student Services Administrator (SSA) or a Funded Independent School Representative (FISR) along with school teams. These professionals identify students who may meet the criteria for Level 2 or 3 funding support.
Once identified, school personnel complete funding applications and submit them to the SSA or FISR. The SSA or FISR then collates all applications, completes a Special Needs Summary and Transfer Notification Forms (if applicable), and submits the package to the funding review team.
Review by the Funding Review Team
Upon receiving the applications, the funding review team evaluates each one based on the criteria for Level 2 or 3 funding support. They document their decisions using a funding decision form that aligns with the information provided in the application and the annotated descriptors for the criteria.
Additional Information Requests
If the funding reviewers need more information to determine eligibility, they send an Additional Information Request to the SSA or FISR. The SSA or FISR then gathers the necessary details from the school teams and forwards them to the funding review team. The review team then reassesses the complete application.
Final Funding Results and Re-Read Process
Once all applications, including those with additional information requests, are reviewed, the funding results are provided in written format to the SSA or FISR. If the SSA or FISR, along with the school team, has new information not included in the original application, they may request a re-read from the Funding Review Team within 10 working days of receiving the funding results. This request must include new information and should not resubmit the original application.
Portability of Funding
Students approved for funding through the student-specific funding process who move to a different school division or funded independent school will automatically be granted funding in the new location. This funding is retroactive to the student's start date in the new school. Changes must be reported using the Special Needs Summary and Transfer Notification Forms, if applicable.
Funding Periods
Funding applications are processed during four periods in each school year. The SSA or FISR records new applications, additions, and deletions using the Levels 2 and 3 Divisional Summary and Transfer Notification Forms, if applicable.
- Spring: Review the Special Needs Funding Level 2/3 Pupils report to identify students whose support level may change and prepare for the following school year's applications.
- Fall: Submit new applications and update records for students who transferred into or out of the school division.
- January: Submit new applications for students who entered the school division between October 1 and December 31, and update records for significant changes or events impacting students.
- June: Submit new applications for students who entered the school division between January 1 and June 30, and update records for significant changes or events impacting students.
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