Resource

Maintenance of State Financial Support (MFS) Toolkit

Developed by CIFR, the Maintenance of State Financial Support (MFS) Toolkit contains four tools to help state educational agencies (SEAs) with MFS: the Quick Reference Guide (QRG), the Funding Flow Ideograph Tool (FFIT), the Timeline Development Tool (TDT), and the Data Collection and Reporting Tool (DCRT). Together, these tools may be used by states to help key stakeholders better understand the MFS requirements; standardize state MFS data collection and reporting processes; and support the submission of high quality MFS data.

In addition to the tools in the MFS toolkit, CIFR’s practice guide for developing MFS procedures also supports consistent implementation and high-quality data.

Video Introduction to the MFS Toolkit
Take a survey — Help us shape tools to be most helpful.

QRG

Quick Reference Guide

download

Understand the basics of MFS requirements stipulated in the IDEA.

FFIT

Funding Flow Ideograph Tool

download

Create a graphic description of your state’s fiscal support system.

Training Video

TDT

Timeline Development Tool

download

Create a timeline and document your process for collecting MFS data.

Training Video

DCRT

Data Collection and
Reporting Tool

download

Download the entire Data Collection and Reporting Tool (DCRT). Alternatively, you can download the individual components:

Training Video

download Letter to Other State Agencies

Customize this letter to request MFS data from other state agencies.

Optional Attachments
to Include with the Letter

downloadData Entry Form Customize this form for other state agencies to report MFS data.
downloadLetter to Morton Include this February 2011 letter from OSERS regarding “double counting” of matching funds to assist other state agencies in reporting their data. This download includes both a scanned copy of OSERS’ letter and an accessible version.

download DCRT

Enter financial data from the SEA and other state agencies to ensure MFS reporting requirements are met. Detailed instructions for the tool are included.

download MFS Calculation Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure that your MFS calculation is complete.

download DCRT Description

Read a one-page Word document explaining the tool’s purpose, intended audience, and how the tool can be used.

download Sample DCRT

View a model DCRT with sample data as an example to learn how to use the tool for your own state.

Training

Training Videos

Video Introduction to MFS Toolkit

An overview of the four tools in the toolkit

FFIT

How to use the FFIT and QRG to explain MFS to your stakeholders

TDT

How to use the Timeline Development Tool (TDT) to manage your MFS data collection efforts

DCRT

How to use the MFS Data Collection and Reporting Tool (DCRT)

Acknowledgements:
Many CIFR staff contributed to this work. Carol Cohen, Sara Doutre, Laura Johnson, Jesse Levin, Deborah Morrow, and Amanda Pierce led development of the four training videos with contributions from Virginia Beridon, Chris Lysy, and Steven Smith. Tom Munk was lead reviewer. Dan Wilson was lead producer. Sanjay Pardanani was production coordinator. CIFR co-directors Cecelia Dodge, Jenifer Harr-Robins, and Dave Phillips guided their development.

Suggested Citation:
Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting.(2016). Maintenance of state financial support training videos. San Francisco, CA: WestEd.

Please note that some of these resources may not be fully 508 compliant for accessibility. If you need assistance with the use of any of these resources, please contact us.