2023 Grants Management Fall Forum
A live, in-person event September 25, 2023, at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix, AZ.
Join us for the Grants Management GME Sandbox, at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix, AZ. The GME Sandbox is a comprehensive; in-person training designed for LEA staff who are new to using the Grants Management Enterprise (GME) or new to their positions. Participants will gain an understanding of the grant cycle and the fiscal processes within by working in a test environment to practice navigating key pages, sections, and features within GME.
- September 25, 2023, 1:00 – 4:30pm
Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions!
A live, in-person event September 26-27, 2023, at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix, AZ.
Join us for the Grants Management Fall Forum, at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix, AZ. The Forum is a multi-day, in-person event designed to give LEA grants professionals key information on a wide-range range of grant topics.
Learn about updates and recent developments on federal grant regulations during a special opening session provided by Bonnie Graham, federal grants management and education attorney with The Bruman Group, PLLC. Many changes are coming so stay in compliance and gain the information and resources you need to confidently manage your grants and protect your funding.
Grants Management staff will present up-to-date information on fiscal processes, share best practices to avoid common grants management pitfalls, and answer attendee questions.
There will be several opportunities for discussion, planning, and collaboration throughout the Fall Forum. Bring your grants team to maximize your experience!
- September 26, 2023, 8:00am – 4:00pm
- September 27, 2023, 8:00am – 2:00pm
Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions!
UGG and Edgar Updates
Over the next few months, new guidance and regulation changes will be announced that will impact compliance requirements and program implementation for LEAs as well as ADE’s oversight as the pass-through entity for federal funding. Bonnie Graham, The Bruman Group, PLLC, will be providing two general sessions to guide LEAs in navigating new Office of Management and Budget grants guidance rules (UGG) and revisions to the Department of Education’s General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).
ESSER Compliance Issues and How to Fix Them
Got ESSER compliance issues? Who doesn’t! Bonnie Graham, The Bruman Group, PLLC, will review the top challenges and compliance concerns facing LEAs and discuss best practices to try to make corrective actions before you get monitored or audited. Bonnie will cover areas like timely obligation, Davis-Bacon compliance, lack of prior approval, procurement issues, and more! Often self-correction can avoid or limit potential liability – so this is a session you can’t afford to miss!
Fall Forum Featured Speaker
Bonnie L. Graham, Esquire, CGMS
Bonnie Little Graham joined The Bruman Group, PLLC in 2009. Ms. Graham actively represents federal education grantees and subgrantees in the resolution of adverse audit and program review determinations, false claims act investigations, and other administrative legal actions. Ms. Graham has successfully resolved significant audit findings for her clients through administrative appeal proceedings, as well as through settlement negotiations and cooperative audit resolution techniques. Ms. Graham also works closely with clients on issues pertaining to “high risk” grantee and subgrantee designations, and on cost allocation matters, including indirect cost rate development, negotiation, and application. Ms. Graham regularly assists her clients with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) and other administrative statutes and regulations, such as the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), providing workshops and trainings, developing compliant policies and procedures, and reviewing contracts and other grant-related documentation for compliance with federal requirements. Ms. Graham also works with clients on the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and Title IV of the Higher Education Act, conducting mock-reviews of program implementation and advising on federal requirements, best practices and allowable flexibilities. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Graham worked as an associate at a corporate firm in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2021, she became a Certified Grants Management Specialist. |
Be in the Know with Grants Management
Please join us for all things Grants Management! Learn about the teams within our Grants Management unit, our coordination with program areas, and how we all are working together to provide you with comprehensive resources and support. In addition, we will also discuss hot topics and upcoming opportunities for support.
Charter Smarter, Not Harder!
This session is beneficial to those new to managing grants at an Arizona charter location. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Navigate the basics of Federal and State grants requirements for charter schools.
- Utilize best practices as shared by those familiar with active regulations and guidance.
- Implement strategies and identify weaknesses to maximize LEA management of funds.
Cracking the Code: The Chart of Accounts
If your district or charter receives state and/or federal funds, and you share in the responsibility for ensuring the proper use of those funds, then this session was made for you! ADE Grants Management has teamed up with the Attorney General’s Office to provide an overview of the Chart of Accounts. The Chart of Accounts (COA) is a structure of codes used for the classification, budgeting, recording, and reporting of financial transactions. Join us today and crack the code!
Fiscal Year-End Closeout
Participants will receive reminders about all the things to make for a successful and timely fiscal year-end closing. Information will be provided on budget revisions, liquidating funds, completion report processing, and tips for keeping on schedule.
FUND-a-mentals
Words, words, words! Overwhelmed by all the acronyms and terminology? We are here to help. Grants management encompasses such tasks as applying for grants, accepting, or disbursing funds, adhering to requirements, and all the steps in between. Come learn the language of grants and what it means for you.
GME Requests and Resource Roundup
Review solutions to several common hang-ups that organizations may face while interacting with GME and relevant systems. Obtain a general understanding of available resources related to grant funding and support for the Arizona Department of Education's program areas and business units.
Hot Topic!!
Description coming soon!
Let's Play - Finding or No Finding
In game format, attendees will be provided scenarios in which they must decide whether it would result in a finding during a Fiscal Monitoring Review conducted by Arizona Department of Education Fiscal Monitors.
Leveraging the Superpower of Internal Controls
Do you want to know if your policies and procedures are audit-proof? Reduce administrative burden by creating and implementing effective systems. Join us in this breakout session where attendees will learn the value of maintaining strong policies and procedures. Participants will also be provided with strategies and best practices for evaluating their current systems.
Missed Opportunities
Protect your grant funds and don’t miss out! Join us to learn more about the risk of expiring funds, holds for noncompliance, common fiscal pitfalls, and other issues that can impact your funding. Presenters will also share critical deadlines and tips and tools available to help you stay on track and reduce your risk of a missed opportunity.
No Risky Business - Just Risk Assessment
Participants will receive information about the annual comprehensive risk assessment ADE is required to conduct for all subgrantees. Attendees will be taken on a data walk as they look at their own LEA's risk assessment report. Tips and strategies to improve scores, risk indicators, along with discussion topics to take back to sites will be shared.
Procurement Best Practices
This session will review recent and top findings in procurement that could have been avoided had internal controls been in place! Procurement issues outweigh any other area in federal grants management. Join Bonnie Graham, The Bruman Group, PLLC, to learn about the Uniform Grants Guidance rules and best practices to avoid noncompliance. In addition, the Arizona Auditor General’s Office will be on hand to provide guidance on state procurement questions.
Streamlining the Planning Tool
In this session, presenters will discuss upcoming revisions of the Planning Tool including the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), LEA Integrated Action Plan (LIAP), and School Integrated Action Plan (SIAP). ADE teams are working to streamline these requirements for FY25 to reduce the burden on LEAs in completing the Planning Tool and focus on the essential funding requirements and the specific elements to support continuous improvement planning.
The Grants Cycle: Embark on an Unforgettable Journey!
Unite with other grant professionals to conquer the grant cycle one fiscal action at a time! This session is designed to help participants improve their grants management knowledge from pre-award to closeout. Join the fun and chart the course to successfully administer state and federal grant funding.
Time & Effort
In this session, Bonnie Graham, The Bruman Group, PLLC, will discuss the time and effort requirements for employees paid with federal funds. The discussion will include the requirements for maintaining time and effort, flexibilities for documentation, and federal guidance on compliance. Additionally, presenters will discuss internal controls that grantees can implement to avoid common pitfalls.
Unwinding Findings: The Ins and Outs
This session is open to anyone looking to expand or reinforce their knowledge of Fiscal Monitoring findings with a range of topics including:
- Types of findings
- Where most findings come from
- Common findings and how to avoid them
What to Expect When You Expect to be Monitored
Fiscal monitorings review the internal controls developed and implemented by your LEA to demonstrate compliance with applicable State and Federal funds. So, how do you prepare? This session will review monitoring expectations, types of documentation that may be requested, and share strategies for completing a fiscal monitoring by Grants Management.
Hotels Nearby
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Phoenix Airport South
- Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at the Buttes
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites Phoenix Airport, an IHG Hotel
- Double Tree Suites by Hilton Hotel Phoenix
- The Legacy Golf Resort
- Home2Suites
- Double Tree by Hilton
- Hilton Phoenix Airport
Restaurants Nearby
- COMING SOON!
Cost to Attend GME Sandbox
$90 per person
September 25, 2023, 1:00 – 4:30pm
Cost to attend Fall Forum
$300 per person
- September 26, 2023, 8:00am – 4:00pm
- September 27, 2023, 8:00am – 2:00pm
Desert Willow Conference Center 4340 E Cotton Center Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85040