The Noneducational Community-Based Supports (NECBS) program provides an online grant opportunity for parents of eligible Texas public school students whose admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee has placed, or is considering placing, in a residential program approved under Texas Education Code (TEC) §29.008. The purpose of the program is to support eligible students and their families to build stability, increase independence, and participate successfully in less restrictive home and community environments. Grant recipients are awarded an initial $5,000 account, and additional funds may be requested later if eligible and funds available. Families use funds to purchase services from qualified providers to support their child’s ability to participate successfully at home and in their community.
Eligibility
TEA maintains a list of approved day-placement and residential programs under Texas Education Code (TEC) §29.008. Under the new requirements, NECBS funding will be available only to students whose admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee has placed them in a:
- Residential program on TEA's approved list; or
- Day-placement program on TEA's approved list and who have been determined to be at risk of placement in an approved residential program.
Important
To be considered for NECBS eligibility, the student MUST have been placed by their ARD committee in a program on TEA’s Approved Day/Residential Program list.
Application Process
The NECBS grant application is open. Only parents of eligible students should apply. If a parent has a question about their student’s eligibility, they should reach out to NECBS@Region10.org.
Parents who wish to apply should:
- Create or log in to their Parent Portal account.
- Select Apply for NECBS from the portal menu.
- Click Create New Application and complete all sections of the application including:
- Parent contact information
- Student information, including the student's UID number
- A PDF copy of the current IEP
- A PDF copy of the Reintegration Plan (if not included in the IEP)
- Information about the student's approved day-placement or residential program
- Submit the application.
Note: Additional documentation may be requested for students considered at risk of residential placement.
NECBS may reach out to request additional information if necessary. NECBS will process submitted applications and provide an application decision within 30 calendar days of submission.
Services and Providers
Once approved for NECBS, families receive access to the NECBS Marketplace, hosted by ClassWallet, where they may purchase approved services from NECBS providers. All NECBS-funded services must be purchased through the NECBS Marketplace from providers approved to participate in the program.
Examples of services available through NECBS include*:
- Family Support and Training - Help parents and caregivers support the student’s needs at home and in the community.
- Independent Living and Daily Living Skills - Help families build student independence in daily routines, personal care, household tasks, and community participation.
- Behavioral and Social Supports - Community-based supports that help the family address behavior, social interaction, coping skills, and participation outside of the school setting.
- Community Integration - Help students participate in community life, build social connections, and practice independence in real-world settings.
- Transition and Adulthood Preparation - Help families prepare students for greater independence during transitions into adulthood, postsecondary living, employment-related routines, or community participation.
- Respite and Caregiver Supports - Help maintain stability in the home by giving caregivers temporary relief, support, or coaching related to the student’s needs.
*These examples do not include every service that may be approved through NECBS.
Families can visit the NECBS Approved Provider List and Map to explore approved providers and available services in their area.
Interested in becoming an NECBS provider? Visit the Information for NECBS Service Providers page to learn more about provider requirements and the application process.
Contact NECBS
If you have questions about NECBS, please contact us at NECBS@region10.org or you can call SPEDTex at 1-855-773-3839.