Arizona Department of Education doles out $1.7M to support students with disabilities

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Education on Thursday announced it was awarding $1.7 million to organizations that serve students with disabilities.

Special Olympics Arizona will get $1.4 million for expansion of its Unified Champion Schools program.

The goal of the program is to engage and to promote children and educators on acceptance and inclusion in school communities.

Arizona Autism United will receive the remaining $300,000.

That money will be used to expand its speech and language therapy services for children with developmental disabilities in Maricopa County.

“Throughout my career, I have worked to ensure every child has opportunities to grow and thrive,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said in a press release.

“My work with students with disabilities has shown me that we have much more work to do as a state to support their needs.”

Money for the projects will come from the American Rescue Plan and are part of Arizona’s ARP school and community grantees.

“Thanks to the grant provided by the Arizona Department of Education, Special Olympics AZ will be able to bring back and strengthen programs, enhancing and expanding inclusive programming in schools across Arizona,” Jamie Heckerman, Special Olympics Arizona president and CEO, said in the release.

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