Federal Programs Financial Resources

✨ Spend it now. Impact kids today.
Grant funds are meant to meet student needs right away—every dollar makes a difference this year!

✨ Year 1 = Student First.
Funds support the school’s Comprehensive Needs Assessment so students get help when they need it most—now.

✨No delays. No waiting.
Using funds in Year 1 means students benefit immediately from extra support, resources, and opportunities.

Kickoff Opening & Closing Sessions

Presented by PCSD Staff

Intended Audience: 

All Programs & Finance Staff

Overview:

The opening session set the tone with important updates on School-Initiated Grants, Homeless Procedures, Inventory, and Non-Competitive Procurement, reminding everyone of the shared responsibility to align funds with student needs while keeping compliance on track. 

Finance Claims 101: Fine-Tuning Your Federal Funds Engine

Presented by PCSD Finance Staff

Intended Audience: 

New (2 years or less experience) Programs & Finance Staff

Overview:

Ready to pop the hood and get hands-on with the financial engine that powers your federal programs? This session is designed for staff who want to master the essentials of finance claims management and keep their reimbursement process running smoothly. We’ll cover key topics including reimbursement documentation requirements, how to spot and avoid common audit pitfalls, and proven strategies to prevent reimbursement rejections. Participants will leave equipped with practical tools, templates, and troubleshooting tips to optimize financial compliance and accelerate claim approvals—helping you keep your federal funds firing on all cylinders.

Finance Claims Deep Dive: What’s Under the Hood?

Presented by the PCSD Finance Staff

Intended Audience: 

Veteran (more than 3 years’ experience) Programs and Finance Staff

Overview:

This advanced session is designed for staff who want to go beyond the basics and take a closer look at the financial side of managing federal programs. Topics will include reimbursement documentation requirements, common audit findings, and strategies for avoiding reimbursement rejections. Participants will walk away with tools, templates, and examples that can be immediately applied at the school level. This session will also provide opportunities for troubleshooting current challenges and asking targeted questions to strengthen financial compliance and efficiency.

Federal Programs 101: Getting Up to Speed 

Presented by PCSD Federal Programs Staff 

Intended Audience: 

New (2 years or less experience) Programs & Finance Staff

Overview: 

Designed specifically for school-level Federal Programs and Finance staff with two years of experience or less, this session will provide a foundational overview of key programmatic and financial responsibilities. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of compliance requirements, timelines, documentation expectations, and the connection between program planning and fiscal decision-making.  Through real-world examples and practical tools, this session will help participants build confidence, streamline processes, and avoid common pitfalls. 

Federal Programs Deep Dive: Turbocharge Your Expertise 

Presented by PCSD Federal Programs Staff

Intended Audience: 

Veteran (more than 3 years’ experience) Programs and Finance Staff

Overview: 

You’ve been on the track long enough to know the basics—now it’s time to shift into high gear. This deep dive session is designed for veteran school-level Federal Programs and Finance staff ready to turbocharge their skills and master the complexities of compliance, budgeting, and documentation. Join us as we navigate advanced strategies, tackle real-world challenges, and fine-tune your program management to keep your federal funds running at peak performance. With expert insights, practical tools, and pit-stop troubleshooting, you’ll leave ready to accelerate your impact and lead your team confidently through the federal programs race.

Amendments: Keep Your Federal Grants Running Smoothly

Presented by Andrea Green

Intended Audience: 

All Programs and Finance Staff

Overview:

Just like a racecar needs quick and precise pit stops to stay in the lead, managing amendments to your federal grants requires timely and accurate adjustments to keep your programs on track. This session will guide you through the process of submitting amendments, understanding what changes need approval, and avoiding costly delays. Participants will get practical tips and tools to streamline amendment requests, maintain compliance, and ensure your grant funds keep racing toward your goals without unnecessary pit lane slowdowns. Keep your engines running strong and your programs moving forward!  

McKinney-Vento/Homeless: Staying on Track with Compliance & Claims for Student Support

Presented by Becky Huggins

Intended Audience:

All Programs and Finance Staff

Overview: 

When it comes to supporting students experiencing homelessness, every pit stop counts. This session is designed for all programmatic coordinators and finance staff who play a role in their school’s McKinney-Vento program. We’ll review what’s allowable under McKinney-Vento, how to steer funding requests in the right direction, and the process for submitting reimbursement claims. Participants will leave with a clear roadmap for compliance, tools to make timely requests, and the confidence to keep services running smoothly, ensuring no student is left behind on the track to success.

SC Educator & HR 

Presented by Jackie Snell 

Intended Audience:

All HR and Finance Staff

Overview:

This session is intended for any HR or finance representatives. This session will cover submitting information for SC Educator staff listing for schools. When to submit and how to submit the correct information based on the personnel action being submitted.   It will also cover HR updates such as benefits for new hires and open enrollment for state benefits that will be coming up in the month of October.  

Navigating Epicenter: Mastering the Dashboard for Federal Program Success 

Presented by Rianna Smith

Intended Audience:

All Programs and Finance Staff

Overview:

Just like every racecar driver relies on their dashboard to monitor performance, federal programs staff depend on Epicenter to track programmatic documentation and reimbursements. This hands-on session will teach you how to navigate Epicenter’s key features—locating submissions, submitting scheduled and unscheduled requirements, checking reimbursement rejection percentages, reviewing notes, and attaching claims. Get ready to rev up your skills and streamline your workflow so you can keep your federal program engine running smoothly. Whether you’re new to Epicenter or looking to sharpen your pit crew skills, this session will equip you with the tools to stay ahead in the race for compliance and funding.