These courses are now available on the Individualized Professional Development (iPD) Portfolio, where continuing education units (CEUs) are awarded upon course completion. You can also use the Financial Essentials series as a training tool with program boards, Tribal Councils, Policy Councils, or community partners.
Use the Financial Essentials courses to create fundable applications and develop the fiscal systems needed to effectively manage Head Start grants.
The five practical courses in this series will help you:
- Gather information required for the Head Start grant application
- Build a budget that is aligned with program goals and federal budget categories
- Classify direct or indirect costs and allocate shared costs to appropriate cost centers
- Develop systems for internal controls, closeout, and federal reporting
- Prepare for audits, procure audit services, and interpret and act on the results
Watch this video to learn about the features and benefits of the Financial Essentials series and how its five courses can help in creating fundable grant applications and building strong fiscal management systems.
Financial Essentials Overview
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Financial Essentials Overview
Narrator: The Financial Essentials series is designed to help you create fundable grant applications and build strong fiscal management systems.
Because strong Head Start programs equal strong Head Start children and families.
Financial Essentials includes five practical courses to help you:
1. Complete the grant application process.
2. Build a budget aligned with your program goals.
3. Classify and allocate costs.
4. Develop systems for internal controls, closeout, and reporting.
And 5. Prepare for an audit and take action on the results.
All five courses feature: Management Minute videos with pro tips, interactive scenarios with real-life examples, hyperlinks to critical information, and activities to practice what you have learned.
You can take these courses individually or use them as training tools when you want to meet with your board, Tribal Council, Policy Council, or community partners.
Remember, strong Head Start programs equal strong Head Start children and families.
Sign up today on the ECLKC.
CloseCourse 1: The Grant Application Process
Learn how to identify and gather the data and documents needed to complete a Head Start grant application. This course explores the five-year program planning cycle and how it informs program design and service delivery. It also provides an overview of foundational concepts for the remaining courses in the series.
Course 2: Phases of Budget Development
Learn about the key steps in developing and implementing a budget that supports program goals and priorities. This course covers planning, building a budget, review and submission, and approval and implementation.
Course 3: Cost Allocation and Cost Principles
Learn how cost allocation principles and practices help programs organize their funding sources and comply with federal regulations. This course also covers how to classify costs and build an allocation plan.
Course 4: Internal Controls, Closeout, and Reporting
Discover how internal controls support a program’s financial reporting and guide the closeout of its grant. This course will also examine federal reporting and the annual report to the public.
Course 5: Audit Preparation, Procurement, and Results
Find out how audits can help programs take corrective actions. This course will also explore audit regulations and guidelines, how to procure audit services, and how to prepare for an audit and interpret its results.
Read more:
Resource Type: Article
National Centers: Program Management and Fiscal Operations
Audience: Directors and Managers
Last Updated: September 12, 2024