2011 E-rate and CTF for Beginners

In October and November 2011, CDE and K12HSN will conduct four Beginner E-rate/CTF Training sessions throughout the state.

This training was developed and will be presented by the California E-rate Focus Group to assist California school districts, libraries, and county offices of education in the E-rate & CTF application processes.

The agenda will include the following topics and allow plenty of opportunity to ask questions:

• Pre-Application Process – What is needed before an entity can apply for E-rate funding?
  
  
• Walk-Through of the Program/E-rate Timeline – The use of the USAC web site and how to navigate and file forms. In addition, other topics relating to the E-rate application process will be discussed such as terminology and key dates.

• Technology Plans – When is a technology plan needed for E-rate.

• Discount Calculations – What is the E-rate discount matrix and how is it calculated?

• Overview of Forms – A brief overview of the forms necessary to the process.

• Application Review and Funding Commitments – What is PIA review and how should I respond?

• Post Commitment Processes – What happens after funding is committed.

• Program Compliance –Common mistakes made by applicants and how to avoid those pitfalls. Guidance on the importance of documenting your work and decisions.
  
  
• Review of the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) – Review of the CTF process and the discounts it can provide school districts and libraries.
  
  
• THROUGHOUT THE TRAINING WILL BE SPECIFICS ABOUT UPDATED PROGRAM RULES DUE TO THE NEW RULES ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IN THE SIXTH REPORT AND ORDER AND THE NEW CIPA ORDER.
  
  

Who Should Attend?

- E-rate applicants from school districts (including private/charter schools) and libraries who are new to the E-rate process. This training will cover basic E-rate items. If you are new to E-rate, we would encourage you to take this training PRIOR to attending the Intermediate/Advanced trainings.

- E-rate service providers

Class Prerequisite:  Review all training materials sent out prior to the training.  Also to review online resources at the USAC and CDE/HSN E-rate training websites:

Specifically Review USAC Materials: USAC Program Overview: http://www.usac.org/sl/about/overview-program.aspx 

Review CDE/HSN Training Materials and Videos at: http://www.k12hsn.org/programs/erate/training_materials.php

We highly recommend attendance at an Intermediate/Advanced workshop also.

Note: A recording of the training will be available between 2 to 3 weeks after the first Beginners' training.

Presenter:
Russ Selken (Butte COE & K12HSN) and John Vardanega (CDE) will lead the training and expert panel members will focus on their areas of expertise.

Registration Process:
Please see the Training Dates and Locations at the bottom of this page. Click on the location of the training you would like to attend and complete the registration process as directed.

No training or conference fee will be charged for this training.

Presenters:
Russ Selken (Butte COE & K12HSN) and John Vardanega (CDE) will lead the training, and expert panel members will focus on their areas of expertise.

Training Materials:
Materials for these training sessions will be available online a week or two prior to the training.

Training Dates and Locations:

If you have questions related to registration, content, preparation, or what to bring with you to the training, please contact Cynde Landers at Butte County Office of Education, (530) 532-5678 or clanders@bcoe.org. Please do not contact the training site.

Note: These sessions are also available via live webcast for those of you who can't physically attend the videoconference or the face-to-face trainings.

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