Parish schools and high schools within the Archdiocese of Denver that are planning to enroll a child with special needs who would NOT be able to attend without paraprofessional assistance, technology assistance, or other forms of support, may apply for a FIRE Denver grant.   We will also approve grants for professional development on best practices for inclusive education.  FIRE Denver grants are awarded to parish and school communities that are committed to inclusive education and to assuming financial responsibility for the costs of inclusion with the assistance of the FIRE Foundation of Denver.  When possible, it is desirable to offer special consideration for children who already have siblings attending the school.  The Office of Catholic Schools Director of Student Support Services, Kristen Lanier, will provide guidance and support.

Please contact your parish priest and school principal to request a meeting to discuss the possibility of your child attending your parish school. Parents are encouraged to provide any appropriate information to the principal including diagnosis, contact information of the child’s current school, educational plans, etc., to assist the school in determining if they are able to meet the needs of your child.

All parents of children receiving support from a FIRE Foundation of Denver grant are asked to support our mission and become members of FRIENDS OF FIRE!

FIRE Denver has established a formal grant application process.  Before qualifying for grant assistance, the following must be completed.

• For diocesan schools, contact the Diocesan Director of Student Support Services, Kristen Lanier, to ask for assistance in determining whether a new student requires partial or full time paraprofessional support in order to attend your school.
• For diocesan schools, upon determination by the Director of Student Support Services and the school special education teacher/principal that a student would NOT be able to attend your parish school without paraprofessional or extra support, please contact the FIRE office to request a meeting to learn about grant requirements and the process for application.

The FIRE Denver Board of Directors has established the following criteria to guide our decisions in the next granting cycle for the 2025-2026 school year. The most successful applications for FIRE Denver grants for 2025-2026 will

• have been doing OCS, FIRE Denver, or other professional development regarding inclusion prior to their application;

• have interfaced with the Director of Student Support Services at the Office of Catholic Schools regarding their application;

• have a plan to enroll specific students whom the school could not adequately support without FIRE Denver funding AND/OR have students already enrolled who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe needs which the school cannot continue adequately to support without FIRE Denver funding;

• have engaged in fundraising to underwrite inclusion and/or have committed institutional funds for inclusion.