MEMORANDUM
TO:
Directors, Exceptional Children Programs
Lead Administrators, Charter Schools
Directors, State-Operated Programs
FROM:
William J. Hussey, Director WJH
Exceptional Children Division
DATE:
November 12, 2013
SUBJECT:
Related Service Retention Support/PRC 118
The Exceptional Children Division is pleased to continue allocating PRC 118 funds to
support retention and professional development of related service personnel. These funds are
intended to assist LEAs in the challenges faced when recruiting and retaining Occupational
Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and School Psychologists to
work in public schools.
Traditional LEAs received $6,500, and charter schools/state-operated programs received
$1,300 to support school-based professionals’ representation at two Statewide/Lead Meetings
each school year (travel, lodging, and subsistence). Each Exceptional Children Director should
identify an individual from each discipline to attend each meeting. The PRC 118 funds are also
intended to support other professional development and/or capacity building initiatives for all
therapy staff, such as the Conference on Exceptional Children and the March Institute
(http://ec.ncpublicschools.gov/conferences-profdev/annual-conference). Representatives are
expected to disseminate information to colleagues to promote best practices in the LEA and
throughout the state. These funds should not be used to fund positions, purchase classroomspecific or student-specific materials.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Please find below additional suggestions for investing the PRC 118 allocation:
Professional development activities
Reimbursement for state licensure
Reimbursement for individual malpractice insurance
Reimbursement for continuing education
Reimbursement for membership in professional organizations
Professional journal subscriptions and other professional resources
LEA library of professional resources (as above) and reference materials
Administrative supports and technology for itinerant providers (e.g. laptops,
communication equipment)
Assessment and treatment materials
EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN DIVISION
William J. Hussey, Director | [email protected]
6356 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-6356 | (919) 807-3969 | Fax (919) 807-3243
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
All funds should be spent or encumbered within the specified time period. An
expenditure tracking form will be available for submission at a later date. These forms will be
completed and returned to Laurie Ray at [email protected] or (919) 636-1827 by
September 30, 2014, to ensure appropriate usage and inform future allocations.
Questions regarding funding can be directed to Sherry Thomas, Assistant Director, at
[email protected] or (919) 807-3920.
For questions regarding appropriate expenditure or bi-annual meetings, please contact the
appropriate consultant:
Lauren Holahan, OT Consultant at [email protected] or (919) 428-7201
Laurie Ray, PT Consultant at [email protected] or (919) 636-1827
Perry Flynn, Speech Language Pathology Consultant at [email protected] or (336) 2562005
Caroline Hexdall, School Psychology Consultant at [email protected] or
(919) 843-7049
WJH/DM/dr