The Office of Early Learning and Family Supports has devoted a team of individuals to support the implementation of GSRP at the state-level. This team is comprised of the Director, a Manager, Lead Education Consultants, Education Consultants, Data Analyst, Fiscal Analyst, and Secretary. In addition, a Fiscal Auditor has been assigned to monitor ISD fiscal practices. These roles are defined further below:
- Director of Early Learning and Family Supports oversees PreK for All, GSRP, Strong Beginnings, and Early Childhood Special Education. As the division leader, this person is responsible for working closely with the Deputy Director for Early Education on final approval of all GSRP related documents and decisions.
- Manager has direct oversight of the GSRP team and provides administrative guidance to ISDs while maintaining an open line of communication to leadership. The GSRP Manager also is heavily involved in all PreK for All initiatives.
- Lead Education Consultants are responsible for working collaboratively with the GSRP Manager and Consultant team, with some decision-making responsibilities. The Lead Education Consultants have a smaller ISD caseload and work on projects as assigned by the GSRP Manager.
- Educational Consultants are responsible for working directly with ISD staff associated with GSRP, including key contacts at each ISD. They provide clarification on GSRP requirements, assist in problem solving, and review/monitor submitted documentation provided by the ISD. Their role is consulting, with ultimate decision making occurring at the ISD level.
- Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, distributing, and analyzing GSRP data. The data analyst is instrumental in NexSys development, creating legislative reports, and providing data to leadership both at the state and national level.
- Fiscal Analyst is responsible for reviewing submitted fiscal reports by the ISD including Final Expenditure Reports (FERs), Curriculum Budgets, Carryover Budgets, and Allocation requests. The Fiscal Analyst provides guidance to ISDs and is responsible for uploading GSRP payments in the State Aid Management System (SAMs). The fiscal analyst also supports the Fiscal Auditor during monitoring, including but not limited to risk analysis.
- Fiscal Auditor is responsible for reviewing and auditing ISD’s fiscal policies and practices. The auditor completes either desk or on-site reviews based on the risk analysis completed by the fiscal analyst.
- Secretary is responsible for coordinating and communicating with ISDs via the weekly update. Internally, the Secretary creates team meeting agendas, answers the GSRP phone line, and supports the GSRP team as needs arise. The GSRP Secretary manages the MiLEAP-GSRP email account and sends out communications on behalf of the team.
MiLEAP allocates funding to Intermediate School Districts (ISDs). ISDs are the sole grantee of GSRP and can either directly operate or subcontract with entities to provide GSRP. It is required that ISDs designate an Early Childhood Contact (ECC), however MiLEAP recognizes that the ISD Superintendent, ECC, Fiscal Office, and other ISD designated staff all play an instrumental role in ensuring the success of GSRP.
- ISD Superintendent, as the ISD leader is ultimately responsible for ensuring all legislative and program requirements are being met. The ISD Superintendent may be required to sign reports submitted to MiLEAP and/or meet with MiLEAP GSRP staff. The ISD Superintendent should be in regular communication with the Early Childhood Contact and ISD Fiscal team supporting GSRP.
- Early Childhood Contact is an early childhood leader at the ISD and as the leader, should be the primary contact and decision maker regarding GSRP programming and expenditures. The ECC role is defined further in the ISD Administration of GSRP section.
- ISD Fiscal Office is responsible for ensuring the GSRP funds are used in accordance with GSRP requirements and ISD fiscal policies and practices. The fiscal office works collaboratively with the ECC to align program and fiscal practices, supporting the expansion of GSRP, with the ECC having final expenditure approvals.
- Additional ISD staff may include pupil accounting, Early Childhood Specialist, data analyst, Special Education, etc. who support the operations of GSRP. Their roles are vital in ensuring all children are accounted for, classrooms are supported through coaching, and data is analyzed at the local level to ensure program effectiveness.
MiLEAP has the authority to require GSRP grantees to attend professional learning and training opportunities provided by the department. ISDs, as the sole grantee, are required to attend to ensure compliance with grant requirements. This may require attendance by ISD Superintendents, Early Childhood Contacts, ISD Fiscal personnel, and other ISD staff.
In the event a situation occurs at the ISD in which a change in ECC or MiLEAP’s point of contact occurs, it is required the ISD inform their assigned consultant immediately.
