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Responsibilities of MEP SSA
Member Districts
LEAs should consider the needs of the migratory children and which supplemental services to provide when deciding whether to accept the Title I, Part C Migrant funds and implement an MEP, LEAs may decide to accept the MEP funds independently or as a member of an SSA through an ESC. Regardless of the number of migratory students identified, if the district elects to accept this funding, the responsibilities remain the same.
LEAs that choose not to accept the funds but have at least one migratory student identified in their districts are considered Non-Project Districts.
This section will address only the responsibilities of the SSA Member Districts. However, another vital partner within the SSA is the ESC serving as the fiscal agent, and those responsibilities are addressed in Responsibilities of ESCs Supporting SSA Member Districts. It is recommended that staff at SSA Member Districts and at ESCs serving as fiscal agents each review and understand both sections relating to SSAs. Responsibilities of Independent Project Districts and Non-Project Districts are addressed in separate sections.
The programmatic roles and responsibilities of SSA Member Districts are the same as the roles and responsibilities for an Independent Project District. However, in an SSA, these are shared between the SSA Member District and their fiscal agent, which is the regional ESC. When an LEA elects to receive their migrant funds as an SSA Member District and an ESC designates they will be the fiscal agent, both are agreeing to fully and appropriately implement the Title I, Part C Migrant Program. This makes the entities partners. A regional contract between the SSA Member District and the ESC outlines which entity is responsible for each of the various duties. In addition, as the fiscal agent, the ESC is responsible for all fiscal matters directly related to service implementation.
Across the state of Texas, migrant SSAs function differently. This is due to the needs of the districts, the migrant population, and the availability of resources in the region. Regional SSA Member Districts can pool and share financial and programmatic resources. This often enables SSA Member Districts to provide greater support for migratory students than if they elected to operate independently.
NOTE: For the purposes of this section of content, the term "ESC SSA MEP staff" will be used when referring to any ESC MEP staff member who supports or performs duties for SSA Member Districts (e g, recruiters, TX-NGS data specialists, Interventionists, counselors, coordinators, tutors). The term "SSAs" will refer to both the SSA Member Districts and the fiscal agent.
To implement an effective MEP, SSA member Districts and their fiscal agents must
- Follow the migrant CIC for an SSA which includes the LNA, SDP, and Program Evaluation. Throughout the CIC, SSAs must
- Oversee the effective implementation of the activities listed in the ESSA Consolidated Application PS3103 - Title I, Part C Migrant Education (SSA Perspective).
- Adhere to the Program Guidelines and Program-Specific Provisions & Assurances - SSA Perspective for the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application.
- Reference the MEP Program Guide for an overview of the Texas MEP.
- Maintain required documentation of compliance for an SSA.
- Ensure all MEP-funded staff members receive training and technical assistance from the ESCs.
- Conduct active, year-round identification and recruitment of all eligible students within the district boundaries in accordance with the Texas Manual for Identification and Recruitment of Migrant Children.
The primary difference for SSA Member Districts implementing the previously listed activities is that this is a coordinated effort with their fiscal agent. Neither partner can assume the other is implementing program requirements. Both are responsible for ensuring a successful migrant program and that migratory students receive the support they need.
Click here to access information on Identification and Recruitment for SSAs, since the responsibilities are the same for both Independent and SSA Project Districts.
