Pennsylvania E-rate Listserve
In order to provide Pennsylvania’s schools and libraries with updated information concerning program changes, pitfalls, filing reminders, funding announcements, and trainings, the Pennsylvania maintains an active one-way listserve. Typically, 4-8 messages are sent per month, depending on program activity. To subscribe, e-mail Julie Tritt Schell at jtschell@comcast.net with your name, organization and e-mail address (e-mail addresses are never shared).  A list of previous listserve messages dating back to the program’s inception can be found under Listserve Archives.

E-rate for Beginners Webinar - December 18 For schools and libraries that are new to the E-rate program and who were unable to attend the full-day 6-hour training that was conducted at regional sessions this fall, a shortened, 2-hour E-rate training session will be held on Tuesday, December 18 from 1 - 3 p.m. This training will be condensed from the 6-hour training and will only deal with Priority 1 (telecom and Internet) services. Pre-registration is not required, but applicants will be required to list their name and school or library entity upon entering the webinar. The presentation will discuss: • E-rate deadlines for FY 2013 • Eligible services • Form 470 competitive bidding • Bid evalations • Signing contracts • Form 471/Item 21 attachment submission • Form 486 submission and CIPA requirements • Discounted billing and Form 472 BEAR submi ssions • Gift rules • SPIN changes

INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEBINARS: Please go to http://vclass.cciu.org and click on the NAME OF MEETING link under the Meeting Name Column. (You may join the room 30 minutes prior to the start time). Connect your speakers, microphone and/or headset before joining the Webinar. Go to: http://vclass.cciu.org and locate the course. Use your First and Last Name as your Login Name and click "Log In" (there is no password for this session). You will automatically be taken to the Elluminate Session where the presentation will be held.

E-rate Training for Veteran Applicants - October 24 A 2-hour training webinar will be presented on Wednesday, October 24 from 10 am to noon to provide returning (veteran) Pennsylvania applicants with important changes to the federal E-rate program. This is a webinar you don't want to miss (if you're attending one of the full-day beginners sessions, these topics will be covered during those days.) The following topics will be presented: -- Changes to the FY 2013 Eligible Services List (exciting, applicant-friendly change made!) -- FY 2013 Form 471 Application Window Dates -- New Priority 2 Form 470 Requirements -- Outlook for Priority 2 Funding in 2013 -- Discussion of Possible Priority 1 Funding Proration -- VOIP Bundled Handset Eligibility -- Free Netbooks/Tablet Promotions -- When You Can and Can't Change Service Providers -- Filtering Update for Personal Devices and Off-Campus Usage of School-Owned Devices -- Telecom Brokers There is no fee to participate and registration is requested.

Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012E-rateVeterans

E-rate Tech Plan & Comprehensive Planning Webinar October 25 If you are a local education agency (LEA) in Comprehensive Planning Phase 1 and you will be applying for E-rate discounts on priority 2 equipment or services within the next three years, you will want to attend this webinar on using Pennsylvania’s new Comprehensive Planning Process to meet the E-rate requirements for technology planning. Similar to the Global Planning Process in the eStrategic Planner, the Comprehensive Planning Process assists LEAs in creating overarching, enterprise-wide goals and then identifying implementation strategies and action steps to effect the goals. Unlike eStrategic Planning, Comprehensive Planning does NOT provide a separate educational technology plan report; therefore, all of your technology-related activities must be addressed in your Comprehensive Plan. This webinar is designed to help you understand the differences between the two processes so that you can transition to Comprehensive Planning while still meeting federal E-rate requirements.

WEBINAR: Using the New Comprehensive Planning Process to Meet E-rate Tech Plan Requirements Thursday, October 25, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Register now at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/S/TECHPLANNING_IN_CPP

E-rate Beginners Training Due to the high numbers of school and library personnel new to the E-rate program, there will be three in-person, full-day training workshops presented in late October/early-November to assist new applicants. The training will contain details of current program rules, eligible services, CIPA, gift rules, bid evaluations, discount calculations, and each step and form of the program. Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the workshop running from 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Each training is identical and lunch will be provided. Also, each attendee will receive a comprehensive 3-inch E-rate Resource Manual that contains copies of the PowerPoint presentation, fact sheets, forms, sample letters, tips, etc. Seating is limited and you must register to attend (see below). There is no fee to attend, but you will be charged $50 if you cancel with less than 48 hours' notice.

1) Westmoreland Intermediate Unit 7 (Greensburg): Wednesday, November 7 Address of Training Location: 102 Equity Dr, Greensburg, PA 15601-7190

2) Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (Norristown): Monday, November 5 Address of Training Location: 1605 W Main St, Norristown, PA 19403

3) Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15 (Harrisburg area): Friday, November 9 Address of Training Location: 55 Miller Street, Enola, PA 17025-1640

CIPA Training- COMPLETED In order to assist applicants with complying with the new CIPA requirements and understanding their requirements (filtering) under the existing CIPA law, a special CIPA webinar has been scheduled for Thursday, May 17 at 1:00. To attend, go to http://vclass.cciu.org and click on the course entitled: CIPA: Complying with the Original and New Requirements. No pre-registration is required and this is a free event. Powerpoint Presentation

Priority 2 E-rate Training FY 2012 - A special webinar has been scheduled for PA schools and libraries on Wednesday, January 11 from 1 - 3 p.m. that will focus exclusively on Priority 2 issues. Priority 2 includes internal connections and the limited basic maintenance of internal connections and is funded with whatever monies remain after all Priority 1 request have been committed. Funding is awarded first to the 90% discount schools and libraries, then then 89%, 88%, and so on until no funding remains. In most years, Priority 2 funding has only been available to applicants in the 81-90% discount range; however in Funding Year 2010, the FCC found enough money to fund all Priority 2 requests which has prompted more interest in applying for Priority 2 funding this year. The specific issues that will be addressed during the webinar include: Eligibility of Internal Connections equipment, Eligibility of Basic Maintenance, 2/5 rule, Using State Master Contracts, What to expect during PIA Review, Deadlines, Equipment Transfer and Disposal, Technology Plan Requirements, Service Substitutions, Eligible Locations, Maximizing Discounts. Powerpoint Presentation

Each fall, the Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator conducts E-rate training sessions throughout the Commonwealth, providing training for beginners and veterans. Information on these training sessions is as follows:

Training and update sessions also are conducted at various technology conferences and education association conferences. If your organization is hosting a meeting of E-rate eligible applicants and you would like an E-rate update or training provided, contact Julie Tritt Schell.

SLD Training Materials

The School and Libraries Division (the E-rate Administrators) annually conduct training for applicants.  To download the training presentations, visit:  http://www.universalservice.org/sl/about/training-presentations/.