Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting

Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting

Use of Funds

Guidance for Common Prior Approval Requests Under IDEA Parts B and C

This OSEP guidance summarizes the approval process and requirements for three common categories of direct costs for which states must obtain prior approval before using IDEA funds: equipment expenditures, participant support costs, and revision of cost items within budget and program plans. Please also consult the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Frequently Asked Questions on Prior Approval from October 2019.

 

Engaging Part C State Interagency Coordinating Councils in Fiscal Discussions

Under IDEA, Interagency Coordinating Councils (ICCs) provide critical input on funding the state Part C system. The strategies in this practice guide help lead agencies (LAs) build the Part C fiscal knowledge of ICC members and involve them in meaningful budget discussions. The issues and data analysis questions in the guide are designed to prompt members’ feedback.

 

IDEA Part C Annual Grant Budget Calculator

The Part C Annual Grant Budget Calculator helps Part C staff plan in detail how they will use Part C grant funds. It is aligned with Section III of the IDEA Part C grant application and will help you prepare the necessary data for an upcoming submission. After a grant is awarded, use the calculator to track expenditures of IDEA funds over the grant’s 27-month life cycle to ensure that you are obligating and liquidating funds in a timely manner.

We recommend replacing the original version in your records with this version (v1.1).

 

Fiscal Management for State Agencies with Primary Fiscal Responsibility

OSEP uses this protocol to provide differentiated monitoring and support to states with unitary systems, or which utilize internal controls and systems centralized within a state educational agency or state lead agency to ensure compliance with federal fiscal requirements. The protocol has an overarching question for each of the following fiscal topics: fiscal management, fiscal support and guidance, procurement, personnel, budgeting and activities, records and information management, period of performance and carryover, equipment and supplies management, and Part B parentally-placed private school children with disabilities. Each overarching question includes general information, possible follow-up questions, and areas (or issues) for follow-up.

Part C Fiscal Monitoring Indicators for State Lead Agencies

Developed by the Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center in collaboration with CIFR and the Center for Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy), this toolkit helps states plan and implement fiscal monitoring at the state and local early intervention program levels. It includes state Part C fiscal indicators, a checklist, and a template as well as sample EIS-provider fiscal monitoring indicators and considerations for developing them.

IDEA Part C Fiscal Monitoring Protocols

OSEP developed a series of monitoring protocols as part of its system of Differentiated Monitoring and Supports (DMS). This webpage houses the protocols for ensuring compliance with the fiscal requirements of Part C of the IDEA and related statutes and regulations. Protocols related to CIFR’s scope include:

The Fiscal C Checklist Reviewing Methods and Fiscal C Systems Payment Monitoring Protocol examine whether the methods that a state uses to establish financial responsibility for the provision of Part C services are consistent with IDEA fiscal requirements.

The Fiscal Part C SLOR Introduction provides an overview of OSEP’s review process for the state’s general supervision system and single line of responsibility related to the use of Part C funds.

The Fiscal Part C SLOR Protocol examines how the statewide system implements fiscal elements of the single line of responsibility under IDEA Section 635(a)(10) and other requirements.

Resources for Grantees Website – Grants

This U.S. Department of Education web page contains resources pertaining to the three OSEP-administered IDEA formula grants that are awarded annually to provide services to 1) infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, 2) preschool children ages 3-5, and 3) special education for children and youth with disabilities.

The site includes Part B and Part C grant award letters, annual grant application templates, application instructions and procedures, public participation topic briefs, and checklists.

State Considerations for IDEA Part C Subgranting

Developed in collaboration with OSEP and the Office of General Counsel, this guide from CIFR outlines key differences between contracts and subgrants for Part C, highlights questions for states to consider as they determine whether to pursue subgranting, and describes the initial steps of planning and decision-making.

Part C Fiscal 101 Modules: Federal Fiscal Requirements

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center developed 10 modules to help Part C lead agency staff understand the federal fiscal requirements associated with IDEA Part C funding as well as requirements that apply to all federal funding. Each module addresses a specific component of the fiscal requirements, providing an overview of each topic.

Module 4 covers use of funds, allowability and prior approval.

Module 5 covers the indirect cost requirements found in Subpart E of the Uniform Guidance and Sections III and IV of the state grant application.

Module 10 covers the MOE requirement, located in the supplement not supplant requirement under 34 CFR § 303.225(a)(2).