Please join the NAFIS Family in support of Impact Aid as we gather for the 2019 NAFIS Spring Conference, Making an Impact. Attend at the NAFIS member rate of $500 – a savings of $225.
When: March 15-17, 2020
Where: The Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
The conference will feature high profile speakers, the latest funding and payment updates on Impact Aid, timely breakout sessions and the chance to connect with – and learn from – other members of the NAFIS Family. You will also have the opportunity to meet with U.S. Department of Education staff to ask questions specific to your district’s application and funding.
The conference kicks off with The Basics of Impact Aid, designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of the Impact Aid program, including its history, funding formulas and vocabulary. It will address common questions about the program, including: What is the Federal Property (Section 7002) program? Who are federally connected students? What is the Learning Opportunity Threshold?
Our opening keynote will be given by Education Week’s Andrew Ujifusa. He will discuss the current state of education policy, including as relates to the 2020 elections, recent Supreme Court education cases, the Department of Education and Congress, giving you the context needed to most effectively advocate for Impact Aid and lead back in your district.
Our luncheon speaker, Myrna Mandlawitz, will offer a deep dive into the history of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and current special education policy and funding issues that we’ve increasingly been hearing about form NAFIS members.
And our second general session will offer a look at an issue that will impact education – and housing, transportation, health and other domestic policy issues – for the next decade: the 2020 Census. Jocelyn Bissonnette, will discuss the connection between census data and education funding, available resources for education professionals and the importance of community engagement to ensure a fair and accurate count.
On Tuesday, attendees will head for Capitol Hill, engaging in important advocacy work in support of Impact Aid (if this is your first time on the Hill, do not worry – we will provide talking points and instructions on scheduling meetings).
For those who are new to Impact Aid or who would like a refresher, the conference opens on Sunday, March 15, with an orientation and a session on the Basics of Impact Aid. Sunday also includes a new to NAFIS welcome, where attendees can get to know some of the NAFIS staff and board while getting their questions about the conference and the Impact Aid program answered.
As always, the conference will also provide opportunities for attendees to connect with the US Department of Education Impact Aid Program Office, including an update during the second general session, opportunities to meet one-on-one with analysts to address individual questions and concerns and Department-led breakout sessions.
Don’t worry—it’s not all work and no play. There will be informal opportunities and activities to interact, including a meet and greet reception on Sunday evening and time to get in your steps with a walk on the National Mall on Monday after a busy conference day. As always, Tuesday night we will wrap up with our closing reception, which will celebrate the holiday on which it falls – St. Patrick’s Day!