Title I Compliance Staff Training
August 31, 2018
Fraud, Waste, Abuse, Corruption and the Title I Complaint Process
Link: https://www.smore.com/n5pws
The presentation is available:
- Check your FCS Email – Emailed
- On the Elkins Pointe website, under the "Resources" tab.
Evaluation QR or Link: https://tinyurl.com/EPMS-31AUG2018
Using your cell phone you can scan QR code to sign-in and take the evaluation.
or type in this link: https://tinyurl.com/EPMS-31AUG2018
Presenters include:
- Assistant Principal Nancy Lahey
- Title I Parent Liaison Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles
COMPLETE EVALUATION AT THE END OF THE TRAINING.
Agenda
I. Thank you for attending Training on “Fraud, Waste, Abuse, Corruption, and the Complaint Process”
II. Elkins Pointe Middle School - Title I School
- Title I School Designation
- Title I Eligibility
- Title I Qualifications
III. FRAUD, WASTE, ABUSE, and CORRUPTION
- Guidelines
- Definitions
IV. Fulton County Board of Education “Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Reporting”
- What can you report?
- How to Report?
V. Steps to Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
- Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Resolution Process
- Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting Form
VI. TITLE I COMPLAINT PROCESS
- Formal Complaints
- Procedures for Filing a Complaint
- Why File a Complaint?
VII. GADOE Resources
- Cross-Functional Monitoring Process Special Education Services and Supports – PowerPoint
- Beyond Compliance 26SEP2017.pdf
- GADOE Website Link
Important Reminder:
- Please Sign-in on Sign In Sheet
- Evaluation – Please take an Evaluation, click HERE.
Additional Reminder:
Fulton County Schools has a Fraud, Waste and Corruption video too.
- Oct. 31, 2018 - Deadline for Review
- Review Instructions from Talent Division, Fulton County Schools
ELKINS POINTE MIDDLE SCHOOL - TITLE I SCHOOL
Title I School
Elkins Pointe Middle School is a Title I School, and therefore qualifies to receive federal funds under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), formerly the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).
Title I Eligibility
EPMS is eligible for the following: Schoolwide Title I Program: Schools may utilize funds under Title I, together with other federal, state, and local funds, in order to upgrade the entire educational program in schools in which meet the threshold for the percentage of students who are from low-income families.
Question: What qualifies EPMS as a Title I School?
Answer: We qualify because our students participate in the "Free and Reduced Lunch Program" at or above 40%. Because of this, we receive approximately $224K in funding. This funding is intended to help even the playing field.
At EPMS, we apply the funding to add:
- Teachers and staff (majority of the funds are applied)
- PD training (i.e. AVID), resources for our Parent Resource Center and some Technology (i.e. Rosetta Stone for Parents)
FRAUD, WASTE, ABUSE, and CORRUPTION
- A violation of local, state, or federal law, rule or regulation;
- Fraud;
- Misappropriation of resources;
- Substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety; or
- Gross mismanagement, a gross waste of monies, or gross abuse of authority.
All employees, board members, consultants, vendors, contractors and other parties maintaining a business relationship with the District shall act with integrity and due diligence in matters involving District fiscal resources.
Further, it is the rule of this school district that employees be free of intimidation or harassment when reporting to public bodies about matters of public concern, including offering interviews or testimony before appropriate investigative, legislative, judicial, or quasi-judicial authorities.
DEFINITIONS:
Fraud:
- Behaving in a dishonest or false manner in relation to District assets, including theft of funds, securities, supplies, or other District properties.
- Forging or altering financial documents or accounts illegally or without proper authorization.
- Improper handling or reporting of financial transactions.
- Personally profiting as a result of insider knowledge.
- Disregarding confidentiality safeguards concerning financial information.
- Violating Board conflict of interest policies.
- Mishandling financial records or District assets (destroying, removing or misusing).
Waste:
Corruption:
Conducted by those in power, typically involving bribery, dishonest or fraudulent dealings
synonyms: dishonesty, unscrupulousness, double-dealing, fraud, fraudulence, misconduct, crime, criminality, wrongdoing
Abuse:
Dishonest proceedings, bribery, debasement, alteration, or perversion of integrity which threaten equal access, quantity, and quality of education. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Neglect of duty or responsibility
- Bribery
- Concealing, facts or events regarding fraud, waste or abuse
Formal Complaints
A formal complaint is a written signed complaint alleging the violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) procedures. Any organization or individual may file a signed written complaint. The complaint must include:
- A statement that a public agency has violated a requirement of the IDEA; and the facts on which the statement is based.
- In addition, suggested resolutions to the problem are requested
- The violation must have occurred within one calendar year of receipt of the complaint.
The rule for formal complaints can be found in the State Education Rules at 160-4-7-.12 Dispute Resolution.
Procedures for Filing a Complaint
- Formal complaints are filed in writing and sent to the local system and the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), Division for Special Education Services (DSES.) The form found below may be used to submit a complaint. Supporting documentation should be provided if available.
Formal Complaints Form - Upon receipt of the written complaint, the school system must contact you to propose a resolution to the complaint.
- Once this complaint is received by the GaDOE, a team will determine that the allegation(s) can be investigated and begin its investigation as appropriate. Once the complaint is received by the local system, they will contact you to present a proposal to try to resolve the complaint. If you accept their proposal to resolve the complaint, the GaDOE will discontinue the investigation. If you do not reach an agreement, the investigation will continue.
- In addition to the system having the opportunity to present a proposal, you have available to you the mediation process. Mediation is also available to you at no cost. Mediation is a nonadversarial process conducted by a qualified and impartial mediator who is trained in effective mediation techniques to resolve disputes. If you choose to participate in the mediation process, your complaint investigation may still proceed. The timeline for the complaint may be extended if you and the system agree to partake in mediation. If you reach an agreement in mediation, a written agreement will be developed and implemented. Mediation is legally binding in a State or District court. If you reach agreement, the complaint will be closed. If agreement is not reached, the complaint investigation will continue and a decision of compliance made by the GaDOE.
- Upon receipt of the first written complaint, the LEA will provide a copy of procedural safeguards to the parents a child with a disability.
- If you indicated on the complaint form that you are interested in mediation, and the local agency agrees to participate in mediation, then the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) will assign a mediator. Mediation is an option among members of the Individualized Education Program Team.
- The school system should respond to the DSES within ten days of receiving the notification and also send a copy to the person filing the complaint.
- The DSES will conduct an investigation to confirm details and to get clarification of the issues.
- The investigation may include interviews with the parties, observations, on site visits and other activities as indicated by the nature of the allegation.
- The DSES will give the complainant the opportunity to submit additional information in writing about the allegations of the complaint once they have seen the response from the school system.
- If you and the local system reach an agreement and resolve the complaint before the GaDOE investigation is complete, the complaint will be closed without making a determination regarding compliance.
- If you and the system go to mediation and reach agreement, then the complaint will be closed without a decision regarding compliance.
- If you and the system go to mediation and do not reach an agreement, then the complaint investigation will continue.
- Within 60 days of the receipt of the complaint, the DSES will issue a written decision to the complainant that addresses each allegation in the complaint and contains findings of fact and determinations of compliance or noncompliance. The timeline may be extended to accommodate for mediation or other exceptional circumstances with respect to a particular complaint.
- If there is a violation of the law or regulations, then a resolution will be required. The resolution may include technical assistance activities and corrective actions to achieve compliance.
- The party filing the complaint must forward a copy of the complaint to the local education agency or public agency serving the child at the same time the party files the complaint with the state education agency.
Why File a Complaint?
Filing a formal complaint will give you the opportunity to express your concerns regarding possible IDEA violations. The DSES will review your complaint and will assist the parties in coming to a resolution. The process is simple and user friendly. Most individuals who file a complaint are not represented by legal counsel.
REPORTING
FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION “FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE REPORTING”
What You Can Report
Any employee of the Fulton County School System may report information, in good faith, concerning the possible existence of any activity constituting fraud, waste, inappropriate conduct, and abuse in or relating to any School System program or operation. The assessment and investigation of such a report shall be managed by the Internal Audit Department.
How to Report
Fulton County Board of Education
Internal Audit Department
6201 Powers Ferry Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
- Or email to: fraudwasteabuse@fultonschools.org
- Or fax to: 470-254-4592
In person, please contact the office listed above
Over the telephone, call the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Reporting Line at: 470-254-6780
Steps to Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
II. Reporting via Telephone - Please use the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Reporting Line. Detail all pertinent information on the automated recording (Names, Dates, Locations, Frequency of occurrence, and if you wish to remain anonymous). The information will be transcribed onto the reporting form by office staff and forwarded for further processing.
III. Reporting via Fax/Email - Please utilize the FWA Reporting Form that will be available on the district website and fax/email to the above contacts. All pertinent information must be included in the report (Names, Dates, Locations, Frequency of occurrence, and if you wish to remain anonymous). The receiving office will forward the report for further processing.
Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Resolution Process
II. The Office of Employee Complaints and/or Audit Department will assess the provided information and ensure it pertains to the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse scope of reporting.
III. The report will also be evaluated to ensure pertinent and necessary information has been provided to allow an investigation/review to continue if needed.
IV. The Office of Employee Complaints and/or Audit Department will begin an investigation/review based on the matters of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse to either substantiate the claim or close the matter as unsubstantiated.
V. Upon completion, the Office of Employee Complaints and/or Audit Department will provide a comprehensive investigative/review report to the Chief of Human Resources and any other “need to know” Executive Staff.
Fulton County School System’s employee disciplinary/termination process or
possibly by criminal prosecution.
FULTON COUNTY REVIEW OF FRAUD, ABUSE & CORRUPTION
Oct. 31, 2018 Deadline for Review
FCS First 30 Day Requirements
FCS expects that all employees review some essential policies/training materials annually, so that there is an awareness of the serious expectations outlined in each. The list of this information is sent and accessed electronically in order to establish a record of receipt. It is not an exhaustive list. Also, when policy revisions are made or new ones created, a systemic alert is made to notify district personnel of the policy change(s). (If you are a new hire this is part of your “First 30 days” requirements; please review the instructions listed on the New Employee portal page link).
In order to complete this review,
- Please go to www.fultonschools.org, Human Resources/Talent Department the bottom of the page
- Click on Access Personnel Records/Forms link (at bottom right of page)
- Log in using your FCS email address and click on Forgot Password to have the information sent to you if you don’t recall the password (it may not be your normal network password) OR to receive your initial password
- Click on Forms tab, New Form, go to Employee Policy Code/Review-FY19
- Click on Start Form to begin your review
- Review the information, electronically sign and Submit Form (at the bottom)
Several of the essential trainings are housed in Edivate. Watch this brief tutorial to see how to access required trainings and other trainings/courses: Edivate Basic Navigation
It is important that all read and consistently be mindful of:
- Policy GAM (Staff Rights and Responsibilities).
Failure to report an arrest within the stated timeline (5 days) can result in the immediate termination of one’s employment with FCS. The electronic Notice of Employee Arrest form is on the Human Resources/Talent portal and is to be used for submitting an official notice to the Employee Relations department.
- Social Media Use
The use of social media, even off duty and off premises, must not violate any Board/District policies or otherwise interfere with the employee’s ability to effectively perform his/her job duties. The District expects all employees to exercise professionalism and good judgment in any social media activities, district-related as well as non-district related. Furthermore, any social media activities must comply with all applicable laws including, but not limited to, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), copyright, trademark, defamation, privacy, securities, and any other applicable laws and regulations. Social media should always be viewed as a public space; thus, any communication which is unprofessional or prohibited in any other form/forum is also unprofessional or prohibited on social media. Employees should be mindful that any social media post, even from an employee’s personal, non-district account, may be interpreted as being made on behalf of/a reflection of the district.
Again, the above checklist is not exhaustive, and it is expected that employees are aware of all FCBOE policies/procedures that inform their work. Board policies, procedures, and operating guidelines are accessible via the district’s website.
Lastly, for the first time, the district has established an employee wellness program that is called FULTON C.A.R.E.S! The program is founded on four principles of wellness (Physical, Mental, Nutritional, and Financial) from which will come a variety of activities, course offerings, and events for interested FCS employees. Stay tuned for coming announcements/more information on FULTON C.A.R.E.S.