A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

October 19, 2011

 

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

 

SUBJECT:  Department of Grants and Fiscal Compliance

                    

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of some recent changes to the organizational structure at the Texas Education Agency that took effect September 1, 2011.

 

Some agency functions that were previously carried out by the Office for Planning, Grants and Evaluation, such as administering all discretionary and formula grants and ensuring the agency’s compliance with federal grant requirements, are now housed in the new Office for Grants and Fiscal Compliance (OGFC). In addition, OGFC has incorporated the Division of Financial Audits and is responsible for conducting audits and reviews of all local educational agencies (LEAs).

 

OGFC includes three divisions that are responsible for the specific functions described below.

 

Division of Grants Administration

 

The Division of Grants Administration facilitates discretionary and formula funding, as authorized by state and federal law, to LEAs and other grantees. The division

• Determines entitlements and allocations for formula-funded grants
• Collaborates with program divisions to determine the use of discretionary funds
• Develops and publishes grant applications
• Conducts the competitive review process for competitive, discretionary grants
• Negotiates submitted grant applications
• Manages all fiscal matters related to grants, including cash management, expenditure reporting, and grant close-out
• Maintains data in online systems used by grantees, such as eGrants, the Integrated Statewide Administrative System (ISAS), the TEA Grant Interface (TGIF), and the Expenditure Reporting (ER) system

 

Division of Federal Program Compliance

 

The Division of Federal Program Compliance manages all aspects of subrecipient monitoring and federal reporting, ensuring that the agency complies with federal grant requirements. The division focuses on compliance related to

• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) reporting
• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting
• Grant subrecipient monitoring
• No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) comparability

 

• State maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements (including Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA], Perkins, and adult education programs)
• Local maintenance of effort (MOE) (including IDEA and NCLB programs)
• Indirect cost rates for LEAs

 

Division of Financial Audits

 

The Division of Financial Audits works closely with LEAs to ensure that they account for public school funds in an accurate and appropriate manner. The division manages all aspects of

• Annual financial report reviews
• Attendance audits
• Transportation audits
• Grant audits
• CPA audit workpaper reviews
• Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) administration
• Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG) updates
• Special and criminal investigations
• Superintendent buyout contract reviews
• New depository bank contract reviews
• LEA financial solvency and stability

 

If you have questions or need more information about the Office for Grants and Fiscal Compliance, please contact us at (512) 463-8992.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Nora Ibañez Hancock, EdD

Associate Commissioner

Office for Grants and Fiscal Compliance