How do I get pre-authorization for a purchase? How do I know whether the class/course program I want is on the approved provider list? Etc.

NOTE: This post has been updated as of August 14, 2023 after a call with Step Up for clarifications.

First, a clarification between pre-approval and pre-authorization forms:

Step Up uses the term "pre-approval form" as the form that qualified tutors, Choice Navigators, home education instructional programs, etc., must submit in order to be considered for addition to their official "Pre-Approved Providers" list.

They use the term "pre-authorization" in regard to specific purchases a parent wishes to submit ahead of time for expenses that fall outside the typical parameters of the Purchase Guide, to request confirmation that the expense will be reimbursable (to avoid the risk of paying out of pocket for something that might not be reimbursed).

About pre-authorization for purchases:

According to Step Up, pre-authorization will not be necessary (and should not be submitted) for most purchases.

If a purchase meets the qualifications for one of the purchase categories in the Purchasing Guide, there is no need to submit a pre-authorization request. You would simply submit for reimbursement after purchasing.

Pre-authorization is intended for items that fall outside the approved categories, but that a parent feels they can make a strong case should be covered in their unique situation (i.e., a need for an adaptive supply that wouldn't usually be covered, etc.).

Pre-authorization can take 1-2 months (sometimes longer) so they do not recommend submitting a pre-authorization request for a typical purchase that falls within the Purchasing Guide qualifications.

If you do need to request pre-authorization for something, Step Up has confirmed that they will be implementing an in-platform way to do so (inside EMA) once funds are released (sometime in September).

(For AAA, you should contact them to ask how their process on that works.)

If you want to know whether the home education instructional program you want to use will be on the approved provider list for PEP:

A list of pre-approved home education instructional programs has not yet been released. They are working on a list and do plan to release one inside EMA eventually, though they said that obviously, not every eligible home education instructional program will necessarily be on that list. (Since being on the list requires the program have requested to be added to the list.) However, on our call with Step Up on August 14, 2023, the Step Up representative confirmed that parents do not need to wait for a pre-approved list. According to Step Up, as long as the home education instructional program meets all the criteria listed in that section of the Purchasing Guide, it will be reimbursed, whether it's on the pre-approved list or not. Be sure to review those qualification criteria carefully to ensure your program of choice meets all of them! You can find a copy of the Purchase Guide on our Helpful Docs/Downloads page here on the site.

If you are a home education instructional program and want to be added to Step Up's pre-approved list to make it easier for families to find you and verify you're approved, they do have a form for that on their site. https://go.stepupforstudents.org/hubfs/Providers/Home%20Education%20Program%20Participation%20Agreement.pdf

As a parent, if you want a specific program added to the list, we suggest you ask the program owner/director to use the above-linked form to apply to be added to the pre-approved list for home education instructional programs for PEP.

If you want to know whether your desired Choice Navigator (if you choose to use one) will be on the pre-approved list, or if you meet the qualifications to be a Choice Navigator and would like to have yourself added to the pre-approved list:

They have not yet released a specific form for Choice Navigators to complete, but they do have a general "Provider Interest Form" for any providers not yet approved but who want to be added to their system: https://www.stepupforstudents.org/?ff_landing=10

Be sure you meet the qualifications in statute to be a Choice Navigator, first. You can find the wording of that in HB1 and also in the Purchasing Guide, both available on our Helpful Docs page here on the site. There's also an FAQ about Choice Navigators here in the forum that has more info: https://www.flhef.org/forum/pep-faq/what-is-a-choice-navigator-do-i-have-to-use-one-how-do-they-work-do-i-have-to-meet-in-person-how-does-someone-become-a-choice-navigator.

(Note: They have said they WILL have a list of pre-approved Choice Navigators available to parents, eventually.)