CHAPTER 18. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS PROGRAM AND FUND
IC 20-20-18
Chapter 18. Elementary School Counselors, Social Workers, and
School Psychologists Program and Fund
IC 20-20-18-1
"Fund"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the elementary
school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists fund
established by section 4 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-18-2
"Grant"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "grant" refers to a grant from the
fund.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-18-3
"Program"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to an elementary
school counseling program, a social work program, or a school
psychologist program carried out under this chapter:
(1) for kindergarten through grade 6; and
(2) by:
(A) a licensed school counselor;
(B) a licensed social worker who has obtained at least a
master's degree; or
(C) a licensed school psychologist.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-18-4
Establishment of fund
Sec. 4. (a) The elementary school counselors, social workers, and
school psychologists fund is established. The money in the fund shall
be used to assist school corporations in placing school counselors,
social workers, and school psychologists in elementary schools
through grants awarded as determined by the department under this
chapter.
(b) If a school corporation is awarded a grant under this chapter,
the school corporation must:
(1) agree to evaluate the impact and results of the school
corporation's program; and
(2) submit the school corporation's findings to the department.
(c) The department shall administer the fund.
(d) The fund consists of:
(1) gifts to the fund;
(2) appropriations from the general assembly; and
(3) grants, including grants from private entities.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-18-5
Eligibility for grants
Sec. 5. Subject to section 6 of this chapter, for a school
corporation to be eligible to receive a grant under this chapter, the
following must occur:
(1) The superintendent of the school corporation must apply to
the department for a grant on a form provided by the
department.
(2) The application for a grant must include the following
information:
(A) A detailed description of a proposal for placing school
counselors, social workers, or school psychologists in
elementary schools to provide services to students and their
families.
(B) Evidence supporting the school corporation's need to
implement the program.
(C) The number of elementary school counselors, social
workers, and school psychologists employed by the school
corporation.
(D) The elementary school:
(i) school counselor/student ratio;
(ii) social worker/student ratio; and
(iii) school psychologist/student ratio;
for the school corporation.
(E) Any other pertinent information required by the
department, including evidence guaranteeing that if the
school corporation receives a grant under this chapter, the
school corporation will have developed a plan to evaluate
the impact and results of the school corporation's program.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-18-6
Award of grants
Sec. 6. Upon review of the applications received under section 5
of this chapter, the department may award grants to school
corporations subject to available money and in accordance with the
following priorities:
(1) To the extent possible, to achieve geographic balance
throughout Indiana and to include urban, suburban, and rural
school corporations.
(2) To address a documented need for new or expanded
programs, including consideration of the percentage of students
within the school corporation who are designated as at risk
students.
(3) To lower:
(A) student/school counselor ratios;
(B) student/social worker ratios; and
(C) student/school psychologist ratios;
where the ratios are excessively high.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-18-7
Amount of grants
Sec. 7. The department shall determine the amount of each grant
that is awarded under this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-18-8
Duration of grants
Sec. 8. A grant received by a school corporation may be expended
by the school corporation for a twenty-four (24) month period.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-18-9
Guidelines
Sec. 9. The department shall develop guidelines necessary to
implement this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.