CIFR invites state staff with shared interests in IDEA Part B fiscal issues to attend a new round of Communities of Practice (CoPs) focusing on:
Facilitated by CIFR TA staff, Communities of Practice are specially designed to meet the learning and networking needs of state staff to help improve the quality of states’ collecting, reporting, analysis, and use of IDEA Part B fiscal data. State staff will have opportunities to expand their knowledge and solve problems of practice through discussion and sharing of expertise. CoPs will meet 1 to 2 hours per month for at least 8 sessions from January to November 2024.
Interested staff should discuss with their colleagues which CoPs will meet the needs of their state. Joining more than one CoP is encouraged depending on your ability to commit the time. Please review each description before registering. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email, and a CoP facilitator will reach out to provide a meeting link to the COP series.
- Registration for the IDEA Fiscal Timelines CoP and Problems of Practice CoP remains open through 2024.
- Registration for the New IDEA State Fiscal Staff CoP closes on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
Register at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/f22674323ad04df39afd6ea3512777b2
New IDEA State Fiscal Staff CoP
First Meeting: Wednesday, January 24, 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET
Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month for 90 minutes at 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT/1 p.m. MT/12 p.m. PT/11 a.m. AK/10 a.m. HI
Are you new to IDEA state fiscal work within the past 18 months? In this Community of Practice we will explore CIFR resources such as the IDEA Part B Fiscal Timeline tool and Understanding the IDEA State Grant Funding Cycle and Different Fiscal Years. We will help you navigate the CIFR website to locate key resources and other information you need to meet the IDEA fiscal requirements. Through peer learning and discussions, you will be invited to reflect on you own state processes, helping you answer these questions along the way:
- What tasks should I be working on now?
- What questions should I be asking to support my work?
- What resources are available to guide or assist me with these tasks?
- What are the next tasks and steps in my work stream?
IDEA Fiscal Timelines CoP
First Meeting: Wednesday, February 14, 2:00–3:00 PM ET
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month for 60 minutes at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT/12 p.m. MT/11 a.m. PT/10 a.m. AK/9 a.m. HI
Follow CIFR’s IDEA Part B Fiscal Timeline through an entire calendar year, reviewing federally required and suggested timelines for upcoming activities and deadlines. Through facilitated discussions, participants will be encouraged to share their current activities, challenges, and successes. Technical assistance experts from the field, CIFR, and the National Center for Systemic Improvement Fiscal Support Team (NCSI FST) will support the discussion with timely presentations, resources, and tools.
Problems of Practice CoP
First Meeting: Tuesday, January 23, 3:00–4:00 PM ET
Meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month for 60 minutes at 3 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. CT/ 1 p.m. MT/ 12 p.m. PT/ 11 a.m. AK/ 10 a.m. HI
Open to newer and more experienced state staff alike. Deepen your understanding and build your state’s capacity to solve problems of practice around meeting the IDEA fiscal requirements. Topics and content areas will change from month to month, and you will be invited to contribute (anonymously if you wish) issues and challenges you are working through. Topics will be sent to participants before each meeting. At the meeting, participants will choose between two breakout rooms to review problems of practice to discuss and work on together.
