Orange Grove Center Approved For Tennessee's Individualized Education Account Program

  • Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Orange Grove Center announced a transformative change to its school program. Orange Grove has been approved by the State of Tennessee to be a provider of the Individualized Education Account (IEA) Program, a school choice initiative for K-12 students. This opportunity allows families to directly enroll their children in the Orange Grove School, reflecting Orange Grove’s commitment to delivering tailored services that prioritize each individual’s needs.

Through this shift, families now have greater freedom to shape their child’s educational journey. Previously limited to school district placement, enrollment in the Orange Grove School is now open through a variety of tuition options, including IEA and the Katie Beckett Waiver, both of which require an application process, and private pay. This change enhances access to the specialized education programs offered by the Orange Grove School, which has been serving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) since its founding in 1953.

“We are excited for the increased opportunity for families to select an option that best suits the needs of their children,” said Teena Joseph, director of Children’s Services at Orange Grove Center. “At our school, every child receives an individualized education plan, allowing us to customize the program specifically to their needs. This new ability for families to directly enroll will allow more families to choose the Orange Grove School as an option for their children’s education and development.”

The Orange Grove School provides a specialized, private school program for children ages 6 to 22 who have IDD. The customized education plans ensure that each student receives the specific support and instruction required to thrive in a learning environment designed for their unique strengths, needs, and learning styles. In addition to providing academic instruction, the Orange Grove School promotes social and emotional development through access to enrichment services, speech and language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral support.

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