DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 480

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI 65102-0480

May 12, 1998

Honorable Ted House

Missouri Senate

State Capitol, Room 227

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Dear Senator House:

Thank you for your letter of March 10, 1998, regarding the unique program offered by

Mrs, Faun Collett, President of Faun Haven Kennels, Inc, Warrenton, Missouri. Indeed the program entitled, "Training Service and Assistant Dogs for the Physically and Mentally Challenged," sounds exciting and is providing a valuable service to our disabled citizens.

After receiving your letter, I asked staff in our Division of Vocational and Adult Education to review the materials you provided and determine if any state assistance might be available. Currently, both federal and state vocational education funds are only provided to public; high schools, area vocational schools, and community colleges and universities. There are no provisions in federal and state statutes to provide vocational education funding to private, proprietary schools. Recently the United States Senate was debating the reauthorization of the federal vocational legislation. An amendment was entered to provide funding to private, proprietary schools. However, that amendment failed,

There are several other approaches that Mrs. Collett might want to consider. Our Department administers the 8% set aside for education in the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Private, proprietary schools may apply for state approval for students to attend the education program and receive financial assistance for tuition, books, and fees. By copy of this letter to him, I will ask Dr. Russell McCampbell, Assistant Commissioner of Vocational and Adult Education, to provide Mrs. Collett with a packet of material's regarding the approval process.

In addition, there may be some interest on behalf of our Independent Living Centers (for disabled citizens) in this program. By copy of this letter to him, I will ask Mr. Ronald Vessel, Assistant Commissioner for Vocational Rehabilitation, to make contact with Mrs. Collett regarding the Independent Living Center.

I hope that this information will be helpful to you and Mrs. Collett. While state and federal funding is not available for food, kennel equipment, or training areas, the above stated programs may provide Mrs. Collett with some other avenues of assistance.

Good wishes.

Sincerely,

Robert E. Bartman

Commissioner of Education

c: James Dishman, Superintendent of Schools

Warren County R-III School District

Jerry Barber, Director

Boone Station Alternative School

Ron Vessel