IC 20-20-18
    Chapter 18. Elementary School Counselors, Social Workers, andSchool Psychologists Program and Fund

IC 20-20-18-1
"Fund"
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the elementaryschool counselors, social workers, and school psychologists fundestablished 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 thefund.
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 elementaryschool counseling program, a social work program, or a schoolpsychologist 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 amaster'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, andschool psychologists fund is established. The money in the fund shallbe used to assist school corporations in placing school counselors,social workers, and school psychologists in elementary schoolsthrough grants awarded as determined by the department under thischapter.
    (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 schoolcorporation'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 schoolcorporation to be eligible to receive a grant under this chapter, thefollowing must occur:
        (1) The superintendent of the school corporation must apply tothe department for a grant on a form provided by thedepartment.
        (2) The application for a grant must include the followinginformation:
            (A) A detailed description of a proposal for placing schoolcounselors, social workers, or school psychologists inelementary schools to provide services to students and theirfamilies.
            (B) Evidence supporting the school corporation's need toimplement the program.
            (C) The number of elementary school counselors, socialworkers, and school psychologists employed by the schoolcorporation.
            (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 thedepartment, including evidence guaranteeing that if theschool corporation receives a grant under this chapter, theschool corporation will have developed a plan to evaluatethe 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 5of this chapter, the department may award grants to schoolcorporations subject to available money and in accordance with thefollowing priorities:
        (1) To the extent possible, to achieve geographic balancethroughout Indiana and to include urban, suburban, and ruralschool corporations.
        (2) To address a documented need for new or expandedprograms, including consideration of the percentage of studentswithin the school corporation who are designated as at riskstudents.
        (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 grantthat 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 expendedby 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 toimplement this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.