Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)

Topic Editors: Debbie Cate, Anne Lucas

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, Section 619 of IDEA as all other children residing in that state.

Funds Administered by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)

With respect to 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) to be distributed to eligible tribes to assist states in serving young children with disabilities (Birth through 5): Part C (34 CFR §303.731) and Part B (34 CFR §300.712). These funds have been used for tribal early intervention supports and have facilitated many state and local collaborations.

This BIE Brochure on Infant, Toddler and Preschool services (2011) describes the use of funds that are distributed from the Office of Special Education Programs to tribes, tribal organizations, or consortia.

The ECTA Center, in collaboration with the BIE, provides these resources to those serving young Native American children with disabilities (birth through age 5) and their families.

Early Intervention and Preschool Education Services for Children who live on Reservations with BIE Funded Programs (2013)

This Question and Answer Guidance Document includes a sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Agreement and is the result of a combined effort of the Regional Resource Center Program (RRCP), the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). It is intended to serve as a resource that provides states, TA providers, parents, etc. with a common language of terms and definitions used in the SPP/APR development process.