Summer Egrants Tour
This summer, the Federal Programs Unit will again be touring the state putting on the Summer Egrants Tour. These trainings will provide districts the opportunity to learn about the Egrant system, work on the grant applications, and get feedback from OPI staff to assist in the Egrant approval process. Below are the dates, times, and locations of the Summer 2023 Egrants Tour:
-
Laurel HS-July 17, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
-
Glendive HS-July 18, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
-
Glasgow HS-July 19, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
-
Lewistown HS-July 20, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
-
Glacier HS (Kalispell)-July 25, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
-
Missoula (Professional Learning Lab Rm 119, 909 South Ave)-July 26, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
May Webinar: Title I’s English Learner Requirements and Funding EL Programs
Does your district struggle to understand complicated English learner law, or provide adequate funding for EL programs? Did you know the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 moved significant responsibilities of English learner programs from Title III into Title I? This means Title I districts have additional requirements for making sure ELs are served effectively, while at the same time making Title I funding available to improve EL programs.
Dr. David Holbrook, a nationally-renowned expert on the administration of EL programs, has agreed to present “Title I EL Requirements for all Title I Funded Districts” for Montana educators. He previously gave the presentation at the national ESEA Conference. He currently works for TransACT Communications (MT purchases TransACT's ESSA ParentNotices Collection for all K-12 MT educators) and also serves as Executive Director of National Association of English Learner Program Administrators (NAELPA).
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to draw on his expertise to make sure your district not only complies with federal law but also provides an excellent education for some of your most vulnerable students.
The webinar will take place on Wednesday, May 24th from 4-5 pm. To register, please email destin.markland@mt.gov. All Montana educators are welcome!
Guide to Using Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) Funds
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) authorizes two Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) programs: the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program and the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) program. A local educational agency (LEA) may use SRSA funds to pay for activities that are allowable under Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; Title III; Title IV, Part A; and Title IV, Part B of the ESEA. RLIS funds may be used for any allowable activities under Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; Title III; and Title IV, Part A; as well as parental involvement activities. An LEA may only use REAP funds for allowable costs, as defined in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements (Uniform Guidance, 2 C.F.R. Part 200), which include, among other things, the requirement that costs be reasonable and necessary for the accomplishment of program objectives.
For information on obligating and drawing down REAP funds, see the REAP Grant Performance Period webpage. For information on how to access SRSA funds in G5, see the Guide for Accessing SRSA Grant Funds in G5.
How to Use this Guide
Below is a searchable list of examples of possible uses of REAP grant funds, subject to the requirements described above. The list is illustrative only, and not intended to be exhaustive, and applies only to funds awarded under REAP. Funds awarded under another ESEA Title program are subject to the rules and requirements of that program; for more information on individual programs, see the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education website. To use this webpage, you can filter by activity topic (e.g., “Technology Devices”) or by REAP program (i.e., SRSA, RLIS, or SRSA and RLIS). (Note: to see the most results, filter by “SRSA and RLIS” and then either SRSA or RLIS to see additional examples specific to the individual programs.) You can also search by word (e.g., “computer”) and get results containing that word. The examples listed below may be allowable uses of REAP funds. However, the question of allowability is fact specific (e.g., whether a use of funds is reasonable and necessary and supplements but does not supplant other uses of funds depends on the specific circumstances). If your State or LEA has additional questions related to cost allowability, please contact REAP at reap@ed.gov.
To access the Allowable Uses Guide please click here - https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement-programs/rural-education-achievement-program/quick-guide-using-small-rural-school-achievement-srsa-rural-low-income-school-rlis-funds/
Supplement and Not Supplant Requirement
Both SRSA and RLIS funds must be used to supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal, State, or local education funds. For information about the supplement and not supplant requirement, please see III-C-2 of the REAP Informational Document.
SRSA Eligibility
Below is the link to the current version of the REAP Master Eligibility Spreadsheet. Please review the information and contact your REAP State Coordinator with updates.
Click Here: Fiscal Year 2023 Master Eligibility Spreadsheet
- Please note that if your LEA has submitted a request to update its primary contact or other LEA information, it may take up to a week to see that change reflected on the Master Eligibility Spreadsheet here.
REMINDERS ABOUT ENROLLING STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESSNESS
- Students qualify for immediate enrollment, even without necessary documentation*
- Students qualify for free meals and immediate transportation
- Unaccompanied Youth, “a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian” may self-enroll
RESIDENCY QUESTIONNAIRES
- Enrollment, beginning of the year, winter, spring
- OUTREACH-newsletter, website, email/text blast
- Explain resources available and importance of updating information
-
Student Residency Form on TransACT HS-03
Students/families experiencing homelessness are already facing numerous challenges and are walking into your school feeling intimidated and scared. Most of the time, school is the safest place for these children. You are the first friendly, helpful, welcoming person they have experienced. Thank you in advance to all you do day after day to wrap around all our students and families who need a little extra love and positivity.
Questions-Please reach out, Serena 444-2036 serena.wright@mt.gov
HOMELESS LIAISON MEETING TUESDAY, April 18TH
Federal Grants Unit Contacts:
Jack O'Connor, Federal Programs Director, 406-444-3083
Angela Branz-Spall, Title I Part C MEP Director, 406-444-2423
Christy Hendricks, Federal Programs Coordinator, 406-444-0794
Destin Markland, Title III Coordinator, 406-444-0044
Serena Wright, State Coordinator for Homeless Education/Title I Specialist, 406-444-2036
Libby Snedeker, Administrative Assistant for Federal Programs, 406-444-5660
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
|
