AJE learned earlier this week that OSSE has two updates to the stipend program – 1) OSSE intends to close the application on AUGUST 30th and 2) OSSE will now allow families to apply for more than one child in the household.
The application is available here – https://data.osse.dc.gov/dot-parent-stipend/. The application and supporting materials do not include this information yet, but OSSE-DOT shared that the changes are in effect now.
New Participants Parents/guardians who are interested in participating must complete a registration form and submit the required documents to enroll in the program. Once enrollment is complete, families will receive a confirmation email that will advise of approval for participation in the program, the self-transportation start date, and when payments can be expected.
Existing Participants – Action is REQUIRED to continue to continue to access the program. Failure to follow the steps below WILL result in the stipend ENDING for the 2024/25 school year.
Parents/guardians who previously participated in the program and wish to continue must follow these steps to stay in the stipend program
- log into their existing application
- review the previously submitted information and
- enter any updates if needed (i.e., address change, add or remove a student, etc.)
- Once this is completed, parents/guardians must submit the updated application to enroll for 2024-25 school year.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to continue in the program do not need to do anything but need to confirm that the local education agency (LEA) has submitted a transportation request form for the student. If no transportation request form has been submitted, OSSE-DOT will NOT provide transportation with a transportation requestion form and they require 10 day to process and route a transportation request form.
More information about the stipend is available here – https://osse.dc.gov/service/parents-transportation-students-disabilities (English, Amharic and Spanish versions available at that link) and at the links below. The application itself (https://data.osse.dc.gov/dot-parent-stipend/) is available in additional languages.
ParentStipendRequiredDocuments
AJE learned some lessons helping families the last time the window was open in February. We hope they are helpful!
- The application is NOT mobile-friendly. Try to apply on a computer.
- Chrome seems to be the best browser to use.
- OSSE-DOT does not have a phone number for families to call for help and the Parent Resource Center (PRC) was unable to help families with applications last time, and it is unclear to us if they are able to help families apply this time.
- However, for issues with receiving your payment or completing any of the required forms, please email osse.financedot@dc.gov for help.
We also recorded a short video chat for families about the stipend – we hope it helps you think about if you want to apply!
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VIDEO DOES NOT REFLECT THE RECENT CHANGES DISCUSSED ABOVE – SPECIFICALLY, OSSE will now allow families to apply for more than one child in the household.
You can also access the video here – https://youtu.be/XPpWwlHtd64?si=l0Pn38V2cziXyaPE
Again, please note that this video does not reflect the recent changes to the program, specifically that OSSE will now allow families to apply for more than one child in the household.
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