FY2026: Support Implementing of Updated Regulations Regarding Time-Out Practices

Fund Code: 0213

Purpose:

The purpose of this federally funded competitive grant program is to support schools and districts in implementing strategies, interventions, and supports that promote full compliance with the revised DESE regulations adopted by the Board in June 2025. These regulations

• Updated the definition of seclusion in 603 CMR 46.02 to align more closely with the definition used by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for data collection purposes.
• Updated the definition of time-out to specifically include "in an unlocked setting from which the student is permitted to leave."
• Added requirements that any room or area used for time-out must be of appropriate size for the age and the needs of the student; appropriately lighted, ventilated, and heated or cooled, consistent with the remainder of the building; free of objects or fixtures that are inherently dangerous to the student; in compliance with any applicable local fire and building code requirements; and in compliance with any other standards listed by DESE in guidance.
• Added emergency circumstances under which a type of seclusion, where an adult is present and monitoring the student, may be used as a last resort, and lists specific conditions that must be met before its use.
• Added various safeguards when such an emergency intervention is used, such as parental notification, conducting weekly and monthly reviews of data relating to the use of such an emergency intervention, and documenting and reporting such use to DESE.
• Simplified language in 603 CMR 46.07(2) for the purpose of clarifying the use of the emergency exception.

This grant is intended to help applicants further align their practices with 603 CMR 46.00 and 603 CMR 18.05, strengthen oversight and reporting systems, and build capacity to reduce reliance on time-out rooms. By doing so, schools and districts will expand inclusive learning environments, safeguard student rights, and ensure consistency with state and federal expectations.

Priorities:

Through this competitive grant initiative, applicants will prioritize one or more of the following areas as they relate to the implementation of strategies, interventions, and supports, and the reduction and elimination of the use of time-out rooms:

1. High Quality Professional Development (HQPD): Conduct comprehensive HQPD for educators, administrators, and support staff on trauma-informed teaching, culturally and linguistically sustaining positive behavior interventions, and alternatives to use of time-out rooms.
2. Implementation of Restorative Practices: Introduce and integrate restorative practices within the school community to build positive relationships, resolve conflicts, and create a sense of belonging among students.
3. Behavioral Support Teams: Establish, build capacity, and empower behavioral support teams within each school to assess, plan, and implement individualized culturally and linguistically sustaining interventions for students displaying challenging behaviors.
4. Parent and Community Engagement: Foster collaboration with parents and guardians, including parent advisory councils (SEPAC and ELPAC), and community members to create a holistic support system for students, ensuring a consistent approach to behavior management both at home and in school.
5. Data Collection and Evaluation: Implement a robust data collection system to monitor the effectiveness of the implemented strategies to reduce the use of time-out rooms, allowing for ongoing evaluation and adjustment.

Expected outcomes:

• A significant reduction in the use of time-out rooms and an increase in the amount of time students spend learning alongside peers.
• Improved student emotional and behavioral regulation (self- and/or co-regulation) and overall school climate.
• Increased collaboration and communication among school staff, parents, and the community.

Eligibility:

Any Massachusetts public school district, public school, collaborative, approved special education program, or charter district/school that currently employs the use of time out strategies. Competitive priority will be given to Approved Special Education Schools or Collaboratives with a finding under 9.1a and LEAs that have a finding under SE 55ⁱ or have received a written summary indicating concerns or a PRS finding related to the use of time-out rooms. The final group of successful applicants will represent a geographically diverse group of grantees as well as varying types (large districts/schools, small districts/schools, charter districts/schools, collaboratives, and approved special education programs). All grantees will be asked to complete a pre-and-post survey.

Funding Type:

Federal U.S. Department of Education CFDA: 84.027

Federal grant funds must adhere to:

• UGG (2 CFR 200)
• EDGAR As Applicable
• EDGAR General Fiscal Administration 34 CFR Part 76

The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Funding:

A total of approximately $3,000,000 is available through this grant. Each LEA, School, District, or program is eligible for up to $50,000.

This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

Fund Use:

These funds must be used in ways that are aligned with the grant purpose and priorities described above and that have a reasonable likelihood of being sustained (and/or having impact) beyond the grant period. The Department strongly encourages applicants to consider creative ways to collaborate with neighboring schools/districts to maximize regional economies of scale, e.g., HQPD.

Fund use may include, but is not limited to:

• Contracting with service providers to provide coaching and professional development to staff on content aligned with the purpose of this grant.
• Providing stipends to staff to participate in a cycle of continuous improvement related to this initiative, including the task of collecting and analyzing data, planning and implementing interventions, and engaging with various stakeholders.
• Allowable costs
• The following are not allowable costs:
  • food and refreshments
  • indirect costs
  • advertising
  • maintenance/repairs

Project Duration:

Upon Approval – 9/30/26

Program Unit:

Special Education Planning and Policy Development Office

Contact:

Cecelia Auditore

Date Due:

Thursday, November 13, 2025*

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 pm EST on the due date.

Please submit all questions to OASES1@mass.gov by October 19, 2025

*Competitive grant applications are considered submitted when the grant application is submitted by the Superintendent or their designee through the "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the LEA Superintendent Approved stage by the due date and time listed in the RFP.

All responses must be submitted through proper steps and received by the due date/time listed above. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Responses not received on time will not be reviewed. Applicants applying after the due date may be notified their application was received late and will not be reviewed. Applications must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions below. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed on this funding opportunity.

Required Forms:

The proposal narrative form is contained in the application.

Narrative Questions:

1. Self-Assessment. Describe your district/program's current use of time-out, including the use of any rooms for this purpose. Identify gaps or challenges and explain how grant funds will specifically support closing those gaps. Provide baseline data, if available, to demonstrate need.
2. Strategy Implementation. Provide a detailed implementation plan for how the grant funds will be used.
   Address:
   • High-level policy changes or revisions
   • Staff training (frequency, content, participants)
   • Family engagement strategies (communication, training, or supports)
   Include a timeline with milestones and responsible parties.
3. People and Partners. Identify the individuals/roles responsible for coordinating and monitoring this grant, including qualifications and specific responsibilities. List any internal or external partners and describe how they will support grant goals. Provide evidence of existing partnerships or letters of support where applicable.
4. Monitoring Impact. Describe how you will track and evaluate the outcomes of this grant.
   Identify key metrics, data collection methods, and frequency. Who will be responsible for monitoring and reporting, and how will results be used to adjust implementation?
5. Budget. Please provide a brief narrative that outlines your spending plans for the grant funding.
6. Competitive Priority. If applicable, explain how your district/program meets the criteria for competitive priority. Provide specific data or evidence

Applications can legally claim expenses to the grant only as of the DESE approved start date.

GEM$ Submission Instructions:

The FY26 Support Implementing of Updated Regulations Regarding Time-Out Practices, Federal Competitive Special Education Grant will be submitted in our GEM$ system. Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)

New organizations that do not have an established LEA with DESE skip to Step 3.

Step 1: Establish and assign proper roles before the grant due date/time. Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign off.

All roles should be established prior to the grant due date and all appropriate forms should be either uploaded to GEM$, maintained at the LEA level or sent in to the DESE RFP contact as described on the individual forms. The user guidance documents and forms are found on the GEM$ homepage under DESE Resources. These forms can be accessed without logging in to the system.

Step 2: Submit the grant through all LEA steps in GEM$. There are three LEA steps a competitive grant must be submitted through by the due date and time to be considered for funding:

• Grantwriter Submitted
• LEA Fiscal Representative Approved
• LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved

Competitive grant applications are considered submitted once the grant application is submitted by the Superintendent or their designee through the "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the LEA Superintendent Approved stage by the due date and time listed in the RFP. Please plan accordingly.

The Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved Step allows for the organization lead to review and approve the grant application. Removing the requirement for the Part I Standard Contract Form, this step signifies Superintendent /Chief Executive sign off. Any grant budget changes requiring signature, will re-execute this step when amended signifying the organization lead is approving these changes.

Step 3: (If applicable) New organizations request temporary organization access. New organizations are entities that have not been established as an LEA in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization established in GEM$ must contact the DESE Program Unit issuing this grant at a minimum 5 business days prior to the grant due date for temporary organization access.

Temporary Access will need to be created by DESE before you can then assign the proper roles and submit the grant as outlined in Steps 1 and 2.

Failure to provide DESE with GEM$ Temp Organization Access Request at least 5 business days prior to the due date may result in not meeting the submission due date listed above. DESE cannot accept or review applications after the due date.