Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)

IDEA Part C and Part B - Section 619 Funds Administered by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)

Native American children, living on tribal lands, are afforded the same services through public school preschool special education programs (SEAs and LEAs) and early intervention programs (through each state's lead agency for Part C and Part B [ages 3 through 5]) as all other children residing in that state.

Because of the unique status of tribal lands and Native American children on those lands, the US Department of Education provides funds to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)^[note] to be distributed to eligible tribes (2003 list) (DOC: 135kb) to assist states in serving young children with disabilities (Birth through 5). These funds have facilitated many state & local collaborations. A brochure (PDF: 3798kb) describes their responsibilities for Part C and Part B preschool.

NECTAC is collaborating with the BIE, the Center for Development and Disability at University of New Mexico, and the Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center to provide these resources to those serving young Native American Children with disabilities (Birth through 5) and their families. On this site we feature models of collaboration among state, local and tribal entities and resources to support future collaborations.

Some examples of State and Local (Tribal) Collaborations and use of BIE funds

• Growing in Beauty - Navajo Nation in New Mexico and Arizona
• Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico
• Cherokee in North Carolina

IDEA 2004 - Selected References to Services for Indian Children

• § 300.21(a) and (b) - Definition of Indian and Indian tribe - 20 U.S.C. 1401(12) and (13)
• § 300.28(c) - Definition of BIA funded school - 20 U.S.C. 1401(19)(C)
• § 300.707 - Use of amounts by the Secretary of the Interior - 20 U.S.C. 1411(h)(1)
• § 300.712 - Payments for education and services for Indian children with disabilities aged 3 through 5 - 20 U.S.C. 1411(h)(4)
• § 300.712(d) - Child find for children aged 3 through 5 - 20 U.S.C. 1411(h)(4)(D)
• § 300.713 - Plan for coordination of services - 20 U.S.C. 1411(h)(5)
• § 300.714 - Establishment of advisory board - 20 U.S.C. 1411(h)(6)
• § 300.715 - Advisory board's annual reports - 20 U.S.C. 1411(h)(7)

• Proposed § 303.19(a) and (b) - Definition of Indian and Indian tribe - 20 U.S.C. 1401(12) and (13)
• Proposed § 303.23(c) - Definition of BIA funded school - 20 U.S.C. 1401(19)(C)
• Proposed § 303.101(a)(1) - State eligibility requirements for a grant - 20 U.S.C. 1434(1)
• Proposed § 303.112 - Requirements for statewide system - 20 U.S.C. 1435(a)(2)
• Proposed § 303.301 - Comprehensive child find system - 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3) and 1434
• Proposed § 303.731 - Payments to Indians - 20 U.S.C. 1443(b)
• Proposed § 303.601(c) - Composition of the State Interagency Coordinating Council - 20 U.S.C. 1441(b)

Resource Documents

• Building Exemplary Schools for Tomorrow (BEST) 2002 Fingertip Facts (PDF: 1007kb) , US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Indian Education Programs

BIE Contacts

• BIE National Education Contact Info
• The Office of Indian Education Programs Directory (2004) includes national contacts, regional Line Office contacts, including the Special Education Coordinator in each Line Office who facilitates services at that agency. Contact the Education Line Officer or Special Education Coordinator within each specific agency for information regarding tribal early childhood programs.
• Each state has a designated coordinator for Part C and Preschool services. For information about services in a specific state, contact the Part B, 619 Preschool Special Education Coordinators or the Part C Coordinators in that state.