Texas Even Start Administrative Manual

June 2004, (Revised January 2008, September 2008)

Accountability

Fiscal

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The Even Start budget year begins September 1 and ends on August 30. Building and maintaining the budget for an Even Start program requires continuous attention. The budget reflects the resources needed to deliver all four components of Even Start, including the 15 elements. Even Start partners often contribute to the budget by providing services, materials or other program support. It can be useful to create a spreadsheet with columns for each funding source and a row for each line item.

The budget should also reflect the program design. For instance, if pre-service training for new teachers occurs in August, funds should be allocated to cover the expense. Additionally, the program will need to reserve the funds for use in August.

Program expenses are forecasted in the grant application. There are times when changes occur. For example, a program gains a new community partner in the middle of the year. The new partner provides a portion of staff salaries. Meanwhile, the program’s computer crashes and needs to be replaced. The Even Start program may move funds from Payroll Costs to Supplies and Materials and replace the computer. This small budget change generally would not meet the requirements for an amendment to the application.

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