Understanding the Education Department of General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) July 2023
Understanding the Education Department of General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) Cindy Watson What exactly is the Education Department of General Administrative Regulations, also known as EDGAR? It is a complex set of regulations that governs how federal funds should be used in the education system. These regulations are crucial to maintaining transparency, consistency, and accountability in […]
Special announcement from TDEM
Special Announcement from TDEM! Cindy Watson Important Announcement! The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has announced monthly virtual training sessions on the procurement regulations that govern FEMA Public Assistance (PA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) awards. The training sessions are now a requirement as part of TDEM’s revised Grant Terms and Conditions. The […]
The Difference between Indirect Costs and Direct Administrative Costs
The Difference between Indirect Costs and Direct Administrative Costs: A Guide for LEAs Cindy Watson Direct Administrative Costs (DAC) and Indirect Costs are similar and can sometimes be confused for one another. Both terms refer to Administrative Costs (i.e. Management Costs) that a subrecipient (an LEA) incurs during the administration of a grant. However, the […]
IDEA-B Excess Cost Requirement, Part 1
IDEA-B Excess Costs Requirement – Part 1 of 2 Cindy Watson The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that meets their unique needs. Part B of IDEA (IDEA-B) specifically focuses on children with disabilities aged 3-21 years old. One […]
IDEA-B LEA MOE Exceptions Part 4
IDEA-B LEA MOE Exceptions Part 4: Termination of Costly Expenditures Cindy Watson The purpose of the IDEA-B LEA MOE allowable exceptions is to allow LEAs to reduce the level of their state and/or local expenditures below the level of those expenditures for the last compliant fiscal year. This means, that exceptions lower the total expenditure […]
Procurement in Grants
Procurement in Grants Mara Ash There is so much going on in grants theses days. Trillions of federal dollars awarded and more on the way. More money means more projects, more purchases and more ways to get into trouble. Procurement is the largest area of questioned costs in grants. The amount of information out there […]
Claim Eligible IDEA-B LEA MOE Exceptions Every Year
Claim Eligible IDEA-B LEA MOE Exceptions Every Year Cindy Watson The purpose of the IDEA-B LEA MOE allowable exceptions is to allow LEAs to reduce the level of their Special Education state and/or local expenditures below the level of those expenditures for the last compliant fiscal year. This means that exceptions lower the total expenditure […]
IDEA-B LEA MOE Exceptions Part 3:
Download Capabilities Statement IDEA-B LEA MOE Exceptions Part 3: Termination of Obligation 34 CFR 300.204(c) – Termination of Obligation Cindy Watson The purpose of the IDEA-B LEA MOE allowable exceptions is to allow LEAs to reduce the level of their state and/or local expenditures below the level of those expenditures for the last compliant fiscal […]
IDEA-B LEA MOE Exceptions Part 2:
IDEA-B LEA MOE Exceptions Part 2: Decrease in the Enrollment of Children with Disabilities. Cindy Watson The Decrease in Enrollment of Children with Disabilities is the most underutilized IDEA-B exception. This is because TEA automatically accounts for a decrease in enrollment when determining the LEA’s IDEA-B MOE by reducing any potential refund due by the […]
How does FFATA Improve Transparency?
How does FFATA improve transparency? Mara Ash. OMB released updated guidelines to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act with the aim of making it easier to see how tax dollars are being spent under memo M-22-02. While the updated guidelines are addressed to the heads of governmental agencies, it is important to point out […]