Building upon the recommendations in the Wyoming Special Education Financing Work Group and in coordination with Foresight Law + Policy, the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) was contracted to develop recommendations for a new funding formula for Wyoming’s early childhood special education services (Parts B and C under the federal IDEA).

Based on the Work Group’s review of data regarding the cost associated with delivering special education services (Part B, C) in the various settings allowable under federal and Wyoming law -- as well as our diagnostic review of all federal, state, and local revenue/funding currently supporting services -- we offer a final set of recommendations on how Wyoming can more systematically and adequately fund Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services for children 0-5.

Our recommended approach to a funding formula comprises four parts, allowing policymakers and program administrators to understand cost based on the multiple functions necessary to serve children with special needs from birth to kindergarten entry. Whenever possible, the Work Group has taken steps to link our recommendations to already existing benchmarks within the K-12 public school system or the state’s CCDF child care subsidy system to support system coherence and simplify annual updating of the formula. Additionally, portions of the formula can be pro-rated if the state does not have sufficient funding to cover the full cost of services.

This report highlights the research completed and the steps taken to form the Work Group’s consensus recommendations for a comprehensive, data-informed, and adequate funding formula that is dynamic and remains relevant through easily managed annual updates.