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This course introduces financial basics that everyone in Head Start needs to know. Participants will learn where Head Start funds come from, how they can be used, and the responsibilities staff and governing bodies have as stewards of federal dollars.

Fiscal management can be complex and challenging. Help set your organization up for success. Retired Office of Head Start Senior Advisor Belinda Rinker, JD, and her business- and life-partner Alan Baquet, PhD, bring decades of experience to this course and introduce learners to the basics that everyone in Head Start needs to know about money.

Topics include Head Start funding sources, common budget costs, non-federal matching, general fiscal requirements, fiscal management resources, and more! Participants can access the course anytime, anywhere they have internet access, and complete the work at their own pace.

Course Information:

• Start Date: On-Demand
• Course Level: Beginner
• Target Audience: Instruction and Effective Practice, Leadership and Management, Parents and Families, Program Operations, Support Services
• Requirements/Prerequisites: n/a
• Course Meeting Times: n/a
• Course Timeline/Duration: 3 hours

Topics:

• Why money matters.
• Where does Head Start’s money come from?
• How much money is in the national Head Start budget?
• What kinds of organizations can apply for Head Start funding?
• What’s unique about governance in Head Start and how does it impact fiscal operations?
• When is Head Start money available to apply for?
• What financial information is required for a Head Start application?
• We’ve gotten a Head Start award, now what?
• Can you tell us more about fiscal roles and responsibilities?
• Making the best and most efficient use of resources.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn where Head Start funds come from, how they can be used, and the responsibilities staff have as stewards of federal funding.

Head Start Alignment:

This course supports programs in meeting Head Start Program Performance Standard Part 1303 – Financial and Administrative Requirements, Subpart A: Financial Requirements.

Course Authors

Belinda Rinker, JD

Belinda Rinker, JD, is an attorney with over 35 years of experience working with grant-funded and nonprofit organizations. She recently retired from her position as a senior policy analyst at the Office of Head Start in Washington, D.C., where she led fiscal, facilities, and disaster recovery initiatives.

Alan Baquet, Ph.D.

Alan Baquet, Ph.D. spent his career on the opposite end of the educational spectrum as a college professor and administrator. He is an economist who is passionate about financial management and is nationally recognized for his research and teaching accomplishments.