Unlocking Federal Dollars: Making the Most of IDEA & Consolidated Grants

Description

This session equips charter school leaders with clear, practical guidance on navigating IDEA and Consolidated grant applications within CCIP. We’ll break down what is required, when it’s required, and—most importantly—why each step matters for maximizing your federal dollars. Participants will learn how to avoid the most common pitfalls that leave thousands of unclaimed funds on the table, how to align spending with program intent, and how to stay ahead of compliance expectations from NCDPI. We will also address how new CSI/ATSI designations impact planning, budgeting, and monitoring requirements so that schools can leverage federal funds strategically and confidently. 

Key takeaways:

• Understand the critical components of the IDEA and Consolidated grant applications—and how to complete them accurately in CCIP. 
• Learn the timelines: what is due, when it’s due, and why timing matters for funding access and compliance. 
• Identify common gaps that lead to under-utilized funding and learn strategies to ensure your district isn’t leaving thousands of dollars unused each year. 
• Gain clarity on NCDPI compliance expectations, including documentation, allowable uses, and monitoring. 
• Navigate new CSI/ATSI designations and understand how these statuses affect planning, budgeting, and reporting. 
• Walk away with actionable steps to maximize your federal resources and build stronger, more compliant programs for students. 

Alyssa serves as the Director of Federal Programs for Prestige School Solutions, bringing more than 10 years of experience in federal grants and eight years of supporting charter schools across multiple states. She specializes in navigating complex funding streams—including IDEA and Title programs—and is known for translating federal requirements into practical, actionable guidance that schools can actually use. Her deep background in grants, compliance, and program implementation helps schools maximize every available dollar while staying audit-ready. When she’s not diving into grant strategy, Alyssa can usually be found chasing after her kids, sipping an iced coffee, or trying to convince her raccoon to stop stealing her socks.

Cost:

- Free for NCAPCS Members

- $150 for non-members