IDEA Flow-Through and Preschool Entitlement Budget Software

FY 2012 Budget Software Updates

The IDEA budget sofware for the 2011-2012 allocations are open. Below are the major changes made to the software:

Licensable positions employed by the district will require license numbers when added to the grant budget.
Non-licensable positions (such as bus drivers and clerical staff) will require a name when added to the grant budget. Click here to see when an individual's name is required rather than using a more generic "Various" in place of a staff name.
All non-capital equipment must now include a category of equipment, specific type of equipment, number of units and assurance that the non-capital equipment is for special education instruction or related services.

"FY 2012 IDEA Budget Tips & Reminders"
A very helpful two-page document with tips and reminders for working with the new fiscal year. If you are having issues with the budget software, check here first to see if it is addressed.

FY 2012 Budget Updates Recorded Webinar*** with Companion PowerPoint and Speaker Notes
A brief recorded webinar overview of the IDEA budget software and the minor changes that have been made to the software. The PowerPoint is a pdf with speaker notes of the presentation.

***Please note: there is an incorrect link in the recorded webinar that has been corrected in the companion PowerPoint. On slide 14, the correct link is http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/pdf/fy12-position-name.pdf.

WUFAR Functions

The following are a list of functions that are available in the IDEA budget software for flow-through, preschool and Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) by fiscal year. There were substantial changes to the functions available when switching from fiscal year 2011 to fiscal year 2012. The functions available are also slightly different depending on whether the budget is being entered by an LEA or if a budget is being entered by a third-party grant administrator (CESA or CCDEB):

LEAs - FY 2012:

Third Party Grant Administrators - FY 2012 (CESA and CCDEB):

ARCHIVED: FY 2011

Special Ed Web Portal Access

Directors of Special Education are provided a user name and set their own password in the Special Education Web Portal. In turn, district users must be provided access to the Special Education Web Portal through the Director of Special Education. The following link provides step-by-step instructions for adding district users access to the portal:

Instructions for providing district users access to IDEA budgets

Determining Staff FTE for Budget Purposes

In the IDEA budgets, LEAs are required to provide the amount of FTE charged to the grant. The following calculator will help the budget preparer determine the FTE amount to be entered per individual on the IDEA budgets.

Calculator for determining FTE for IDEA budgets

Requesting Equipment and Other Capital Objects through the IDEA Budget Software

This three-page document describes the information an LEA must provide through the IDEA budget when requesting funds for equipment and other capital objects. A brief description of monitoring property is included.

Instructions for Requesting Non-Capital Equipment and Items Under Capital Objects

Requesting IDEA Funds for Remodeling or Construction

Costs associated with remodeling due to the unique needs of a student or students with a disability are allowable under IDEA grants. A project is considered “remodeling” rather than “construction” if the alterations are to a previously completed building and the cost of the project is $100,000 or less. This is a short technical assistance document that provides the user with step-by-step instructions for requesting remodeling costs through the IDEA budget software.

Instructions for requesting remodeling projects in IDEA budgets

Costs for construction or alteration of facilities must be excess costs of special education. A project must meet the needs of one or more children with disabilities. Costs for the general purpose of bringing facilities into compliance with Section 504 and ADA requirements are not allowed. LEAs must have prior approval from DPI to use IDEA funds for construction. Approval is gained by submitting a completed application. A print only copy of the LEA application for construction (PI-3208) can be downloaded here or a fillable copy from here.

For questions about this information, contact Rachel D. Zellmer (608) 266-1787

Last updated on 9/20/2011 2:04:50 PM

IDEA Budget Software Resources