National Center for Systemic Improvement

Helping states transform systems to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities

Fiscal Support Team

Fiscal Support Team

The National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) has a team designated to support states with fiscal issues. The Fiscal Support Team (FST) was established in spring 2015 to support state educational agencies (SEAs) in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) fiscal analysis, problem solving, and identification of opportunities as they relate to the implementation of the SEA’s work. The FST’s objectives include: (1) providing SEAs with technical assistance regarding fiscal issues to support local educational agencies (LEAs) to improve outcomes for children with disabilities; and (2) collaboration across national technical assistance centers to ensure state access to a continuum of support in unpacking fiscal questions.

Fiscal Team

The following NCSI staff are available to assist your state.

Questions

If you have a fiscal question for the FST team, submit your request to Ask the NCSI. For additional information about FST and potential connections to the work, please contact your state’s NCSI Technical Assistance Facilitator or the FST team member, listed here, who is aligned with your state or territory.

Fiscal Resources

State Request for Prior Approval of Participant Support Costs

When IDEA funds are used to pay for non-state employee participation in conferences or training projects, prior approval must be granted by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). This worksheet, created by NCSI, includes all of the required elements for prior approval of participant support costs and can be completed by an SEA to and submitted to OSEP. Contact the NCSI Fiscal Support Team with questions about and for assistance completing the form.

Key Differences between IDEA Local Educational Agency Maintenance of Effort and Excess Cost Requirements

IDEA contains two separate requirements to ensure that local educational agencies are funding special education programs sufficiently: maintenance of effort and excess cost. While the requirements have similarities, they are calculated differently. This document developed by NCSI and the Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CIFR) describes key differences between the requirements and methods for calculating them.

Other National Technical Assistance Centers that Address Fiscal Issues

The FST regularly collaborates with the Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CIFR) and the IDEA Data Center (IDC) on intensive on-site visits when comprehensive fiscal questions are addressed. As a team, NCSI’s FST, CIFR, and IDC staff break down fiscal concepts for state teams, review fiscal policies and procedures, and support the state team in rethinking fiscal as a way to conduct the work. To maximize fiscal resources and systems, collaboration across the SEA is key in making sure all state needs are met and a plan developed for moving forward.

The Cross Center Fiscal Flyer can assist you in identifying which center can best meet your needs. If you are unsure, feel free to contact the NCSI FST team member for your state (above) or any of the other centers. They will all be sure to get your question answered and connect you with those in the best position to assist with your needs.