Budget and Financial Guidelines
Braided Funding

Braided Funding

As outlined in Section 32d(21)(e), materials and supplies purchased for GSRP may be used by other activities within an ISD or Community Based Organization (CBO) program facility receiving funding from other state, local, or regional awards. The provision applies to materials and supplies only; equipment purchases, salaries, or other services are excluded. Examples include activities funded by Section 31a, local government funding, or scholarship sources. Materials and supplies purchased for GSRP may not be utilized to supplant federally funded activities

In addition to the above provision in legislation and to further support expansion occurring through the braiding funds, the following additional flexibilities are allowable: 

When even one child in a classroom is funded through GSRP, all GSRP requirements must be followed including staff credentialing, curriculum, assessment, family engagement, etc. It is imperative that if braiding with other state or federal funded programs, the ISD and subrecipient review those program requirements as those program standards must also be upheld. Therefore, GSRP funds can be used to pay for the cost of implementing the GSRP requirements, including:

• Professional learning for classroom staff and administrators, outside of what is necessary for child care licensing. Specifically, professional learning for curriculum, child assessment, and screening, and any professional learning required for GSRP by the ISD. Costs may include registration, travel, staff time, and substitutes. 
• Purchase of curriculum or assessment materials approved for GSRP.
• The documented difference between the salaries for GSRP-qualified teacher and associate teacher compared to the salaries for other program teachers and associate teachers. 
• An additional portion of administrator salaries for GSRP-specific duties. 
• Program operational costs such as roofing, plowing, hot water heaters, playgrounds, kitchen facilities, etc. 

Additionally, a tuition program offering GSRP may experience lost revenue because of the requirement to limit group size to 20 children.

The Lost Revenue Calculation Template can be used to calculate the proportionate rate that includes a percentage for lost revenue.