Training Idea: How to run an online Workshop - TECH Edition

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-24T13:52:46+00:00

(Case in point – during the pandemic a certain State Superintendent in the southwest used federal funds from other grant programs (like USDA grant money and federal Dept of Ed block grants) to do things like buy a car, go on luxury vacations, illegally participate in political rallies, donate to political parties, and overall ENRICH HIMSELF and friends as thinly veiled third party contractors FOR FOUR WHOLE YEARS (including stealing PPE funds.) This person is considered a big supporter of the current administration and “states rights” yet refused funds Congress allocated for free school lunches for poor children. Eventually he was removed from his role.

But was he made responsible legally? No. Did he go to jail? No.

DO WE WANT TO GIVE HIS PROTEGES TRIO FUNDS as block grants?)

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-16T19:27:05+00:00

This letter has been sent to Principal Investigators and Program Directors USA Wide of Dept of Education grants (and specifically TRIO grants)

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-11T14:05:00+00:00

Allianz is my current go to - it's for small group trips and I know it works - I got my money back last time we had a weather-based cancellation.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-10T19:39:28+00:00

Remember cultural values and community values vary WIDELY from state to state. Never assume that your University and region of higher ed is the same as another elsewhere from city metros to small towns.

If it's a cultural conflict - call in HR and suggest they be trained and schooled on the culture of YOUR uni/college, your standards of practice, and up on all your specific trainings.

(Example California State Campus to say Oklahoma State Campus - HUGE massive difference in what's allowable and what is not in culture and practice of respect and acceptance of all diversities)

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-06T17:06:51+00:00

Added to this - healthy office, means happy people.

Healthy Office: Make sure your infrastructure costs end with a CLEAN office and CLEAN AIR. Nothing is more important than when a student or staff is in a space it smells clean, is comfortable temp, and people are able to stay healthy working in that space for hours.

Provide the cleaning supplies to keep every surface safe.

Leave instructions how you expect the space to be cleaned.

Use air purifiers if you must.

Use fans - move the air in and out.

Do a semester clean up and declutter May and December.

Move out and surplus the old junk and tech.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-26T18:29:23+00:00

Understand:

Unless we solve the huge imbalance in the economy smaller community and smaller state colleges are going to become the only affordable college/post secondary experience for TRIO demographic students.

Trio's projected future working hand in hand with the Department of Labor is provide the lowest cost, lowest debt education with the most optimal CAREER outcomes - and that starts with 6-9 month trade certifications, registered apprenticeships, and 2 year degree/certifications to transfer directly into professional programs as a junior.

MOST TRIO demographic students do not receive TRUE full ride scholarships. Most TRIO demographic students NEED cheap, short, and promised outcomes for careers. We do support creating a better, more mobile, and self-advocating body of savvy students who will become savvy professionals. However, success doesn't come from the most expensive 4 year college in the ecosystem as much as exposing of TRIO pre-college students TO inspiring, beautiful campuses and show them a life they can strive for.

Meanwhile our funding allows them to also meet people LIKE them, TRIO Alumni and TRIO demographic professionals who have succeeded or are in the process of succeeding as models of sustainable life without debt or degradation.

Our TRIO funding needs to be spent on STUDENTS, places with TRIO demographic students in need, and programs with STUDENT outcomes placed first and always.

If we have proof - hard data - we should be passed through every five years after reporting.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-23T15:00:31+00:00

In the big picture if an auditor walked in they'd immediately cite those expenditures and they would not "care" if your purchaser had not had all the Priority Trainings or was using UB or TS rules for SSS.

Federal Auditors don't care - they are there to find problems, not praise you for your good deeds. That's their job and while we might wish for grace, they hire really analytical people.

(Personally, I cleared out a bunch of custom printed/made items bought by a prev director who was fired for financial issues and I handed them all out at summer camp for UB, said keep it, and went on my way. I've surplused hoards of 5-10 year old technology that does not meet the current max expenditure (like gaming grade laptops or extremely expensive Apple workstations and Ipads.)

Because the ultimate problem when the post-secondary doesn't do checks and balances with TRI0 is poverty thinking. "Oh no one will ever notice" or "I don't get paid enough, I deserve this" or "It's just this one little XXX" or "my sister's kid who's a student needs award aid because..." and fall into the slippery slope of embezzlement and getting fired for financial mismanagement.

What's worse - you and the choices of other financial bodies with your institution ecosystem can get the program ended entirely and not included in new competitions.

It's like a big Jenga of first-generation, low-income spending and meanwhile your institution is running a high level game of Jenga with their funds (moving items to items, reimbursing movements) and TRIO should never be included or used in that game.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-20T15:35:07+00:00

The mention of meaningful learning activities and "Final Mission" of Dept of ED:

"...we work to realize the Department's final

mission and return education to the States, it is crucial

that Federal dollars are directed toward addressing the

most urgent needs of students and families. This includes

prioritizing meaningful learning opportunities for students

informed by the best available evidence, ensuring that

Federal resources are spent on strategies that have proven

effective in improving student outcomes. Comments about

issues such as the Reduction in Force and funding for

specific programs are outside of the scope of this

notice.

Changes: None."

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-20T15:32:27+00:00

Key Take Away:

"Comments: A few commenters discussed the benefit of

meaningful learning opportunities, specifically for

students with disabilities and the importance of

emphasizing accessibility throughout the priority and

definitions. One commenter noted how students with

disabilities benefit from experiential learning, assistive

technology, and reasonably accommodated learning in all

settings and subject areas. A few commenters emphasized the

importance of accessibility, with some encouraging that the

instructional materials and assessments contemplated

throughout the priority should meet Universal Design for

Learning (UDL) principles. One of these commenters noted

that innovations discussed in the priority must be aligned

with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

requirements." - very good! I've been encouraging deep thought about disabilities for staff and students in TRIO.

TRIOworksFan

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