Fostering Fiscal Excellence: In-Person Events Build State Capacity for Effective Management of IDEA Dollars
At a glance: CIFR’s in-person forums equip states with practical tools, specialized knowledge, and collaborative networks to improve IDEA fiscal accountability and develop sustainable, effective systems for managing federal dollars.
Understanding and implementing IDEA fiscal requirements is a complex but critical responsibility for states. CIFR plays a pivotal role in helping states improve fiscal management processes through targeted technical assistance (TA), innovative resources, and collaborative learning opportunities. One of CIFR’s flagship initiatives is the IDEA Fiscal Forums (IFFs), biannual events that bring together IDEA state personnel, TA providers from CIFR and other federal centers, and representatives from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
IFFs provide a unique and practical space for state directors of special education, state Part C coordinators, and fiscal specialists to deepen their understanding of IDEA fiscal requirements and develop strategies for improving internal controls, fiscal data management, and grant oversight. Through structured sessions on learning, problem-solving, and peer exchange, attendees address shared challenges, build their capacity to manage federal funds effectively, and ultimately strengthen systems to improve outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.
As the only national conference dedicated exclusively to IDEA fiscal requirements, IFFs offer an effective way to deliver high-quality TA, leveraging the collective expertise of states and technical assistance providers. Since 2016, CIFR has hosted seven IFFs. Each event is purposefully designed to address the evolving needs of states, with recent themes such as “Purpose-Driven Data: Putting the ‘Why’ Into Fiscal Processes” focusing on the intersection of data-driven decision-making and fiscal management.
Read more about our next IFF in May 2025.
State attendees consistently report meaningful outcomes, including
- enhanced fidelity in implementing IDEA fiscal requirements, ensuring the proper use and oversight of federal funds;
- increased capacity to collect, report, and use fiscal data to improve program effectiveness; and
- stronger collaboration across state teams and peers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and shared problem-solving.
One state shared how strategies learned at IFF were instrumental in ensuring timely expenditure of IDEA funds and reducing the risk of noncompliance. Others highlighted that sending teams enhanced their strategic planning for upcoming fiscal activities and supported staff succession efforts.
Beyond IFFs, CIFR provides comprehensive support through a wide range of universal, targeted, and intensive TA activities and through an expansive online library of tools and resources. These efforts are tailored to help states address their unique systems and infrastructure while meeting the fiscal requirements under IDEA.
By The Numbers
72
Part C coordinators
and IDEA fiscal specialists from
35 states and
entities attended
Part C IFF (2023)
116 state directors
of special education and
IDEA fiscal specialists
from 52 states
and entities attended
Part B IFF (2024)
98%
of Part C respondents and
100%
of Part B respondents agreed that
attending IFF increased knowledge of IDEA fiscal requirements
98%
of Part C respondents and
100%
of Part B respondents agreed that
IFF will help build their state’s capacity to collect, report, and use special education fiscal data
99%
of Part C respondents and
100%
of Part B respondents agreed that
IFF was a successful way to learn from other states
