Bridging the Gap So Children with Special Needs Can Keep Learning

Zareinu, a school in Far Rockaway, New York, provides religious and secular education for elementary-school children with special needs. Like many small special education schools, it can wait a long time for tuition payments. When a family wins a hearing finding that the city’s offered placement was not appropriate, the city is obligated to pay for the child’s private school, but the payment can take time to arrive. Meanwhile, the school still pays its teachers, therapists and staff. In 2025, DOF provided a $496,000 tuition bridge loan to cover that gap for several students whose cases were already decided in the school’s favor. The loan lets Zareinu keep its classrooms running and its focus on the children while payments catch up.

For families of children with disabilities, a school that finds the right fit can make a lasting difference, and the school’s stability keeps that placement secure. By bridging the timing gap, DOF helps ensure that small, mission-driven schools like Zareinu can spend their energy on education instead of cash flow. We’re proud to support their work.