Missouri’s Early Learning Blended Funding Model

1. Missouri’s Early Learning Blended Funding Model 2017-2018 2018 National Title I Conference

2. Special Education – Finance Angie Nickell 573-751-4385 Angie.Nickell@dese.mo.gov Presenter Information Early LearningLana Brooks​573-526-3874Lana.Brooks@dese.mo.gov Title IJulie Cowell​573-751-3468Julia.Cowell@dese.mo.gov

3. 2016-17 Missouri Demographics • 516 public school districts • 2 – 507 square miles per district • 51.2% Free and Reduced Price Lunch • 34,716 preschool enrollment

4. 2016-17 Missouri Demographics 516 public school districts • 395 serving pre-K Special Education students • 206 serving pre-K Title I students • 70 serving pre-K students through the Missouri Preschool Program (MPP)

5. 2016-17 Missouri Demographics 34,716 preschool enrollment • 13,026 pre-K students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) • 19,910 pre-K Title I students • 2,354 pre-K MPP students

6. Presentation Overview • Model • Funding • Electronic Planning and Electronic Grants System (ePeGS)

7. The Early Learning Blended Model Existing programs • Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) • Title I • Missouri Preschool Program (MPP) • Local Funds

8. The Early Learning Blended Model Occurs when two or more existing funding sources are pooled to support consistent educational costs and services for all participating children.

9. The Early Learning Blended Model Early Learning Blended Funding Webpage • Early Learning Blended Funding Guidance • Frequently Asked Questions • Resources

10. Model Requirements • Eligible Children • Class Size and Staffing • Curriculum • Parent Involvement • Parent Advisory Committee • Licensure and Accreditation

11. Early Learning Blended Funding A mechanism that allows school districts to pool existing funds, including local dollars, to support a quality educational program that is consistent for all children.

12. Early Learning Blended Funding

13. Electronic Planning and Electronic Grants System (ePeGS) • Collect plan and budget information • Reimburse for allowable costs • Manage State and Federal funding cycles

14. ePeGS - Grant Summary page

15. ePeGS - Blended Funding Plan • District reported information • System calculations

16. ePeGS - Budget Application • Identifies the funds contributed by parent programs • Identifies the funds contributed based on the Plan • Calculates percentage to be paid from each parent program • Collects FTE’s included in the budget • Collects projected expenditures by allowable funding category

17. Title I Budget

18. MPP Budget

19. ePeGS - Payment Requests • Reflects a year to date report of expenditures • Payment is based on calculated percentages • Access to the Blended Funding Details

20. ePeGS - Blended Funding Details

21. ePeGS - Final Payment Request • Due May 15th • Payment shifts from calculated percentages to a priority list (MPP, ECSE, Title I and Local) • Final payment of state funded pre-K program (MPP)

22. ePeGS - Final Expenditure Report • Due September 30th • Continues to pay out based on priority (ECSE, Title I and Local funds respectively)

23. Why? • Provide a consistent learning environment • Reduce or eliminate unnecessary transitions • Eliminate labeling children based on eligibility • Support transition to K-12

24. Challenges • Change in practice/mindset • Staffing • Determining blended costs

26. Time for Reflection

27. Special Education – Finance Angie Nickell 573-751-4385 Angie.Nickell@dese.mo.gov Presenter Information Early LearningLana Brooks​573-526-3874Lana.Brooks@dese.mo.gov Title IJulie Cowell​573-751-3468Julia.Cowell@dese.mo.gov