DO NOT DELAY!  Register Now!

The first SHARS Cost Report Training session for federal fiscal year 2022 (October 2021 to September 2022) will take place on January 10, 2022.  In accordance with Title 1 TAC §355.102(d), it is the responsibility of the provider to ensure that each Cost Report preparer has completed the required state-sponsored cost report training.

Onward STRONGLY recommends everyone involved in the Random Moment Time Study and Cost Report processes attend Cost Report training.  This includes Business Managers, CFOs, Special Education Directors and SHARS Program District Managers.  There is no limit to how many staff can be trained in the Cost Report and although your position may not have any financial authority over the Cost Report, if you manage the Random Moment Time Study or help providers understand and respond to the time study samples, your actions affect the Cost Report.

The Random Moment Time Study has a direct and authoritative impact on the district’s annual Cost Report.  The decisions made when including or removing participants from the quarterly participant list directly affects the Cost Report.   Furthermore, with the numerous changes to the SHARS program that took effect in 2021 and 2022, these changes will significantly influence your 2022 FFY Cost Report and the potential settlement amount your district may receive.  Changes expected to impact the upcoming Cost Report include, but are not limited to: Medicaid parental consents and the impact on the IEP Ratio, providers listed on the quarterly RMTS PL and filing SHARS Medicaid claims, Transportation bus logs and one-way trips and so much more.

HHSC recommends that each ISD have no less than two trained SHARS contacts as to guard against problems that could occur due to employee turnover.  If your district is a part of a cooperative or SSA, each ISD should have at least two trained district employees (not just cooperative/SSA employees) although we strongly recommend your cooperative/SSA be trained in the Cost Report process as well.

Access within the STAIRS system is limited to view only until all training requirements have been met.

Please note SHARS Overview trainings may be presented at other related training sessions, however the SHARS Overview and RMTS trainings do not meet the SHARS Cost Report training requirement.

Cost Report training is provided at no charge by HHSC.  There will only be six (6) training seminars that HHSC and Fairbanks will be conducting this year.  Choose one (or more) sessions to attend that best fits your schedule:

Once the HHSC webinars have concluded no other training sessions will be conducted.  Failure to have enough staff attend, district turnover and technology issues will not result in HHSC allowing additional training opportunities.

To register simply follow these instructions:

1. Open the linkhttps://pfd.hhs.texas.gov/acute-care/school-health-and-related-services/shars-training
2. Find the Register for Training section.
3. Click Register for Webinar based training to expand the available dates.
4. Click the corresponding go to webinar link for the date you wish to attend.

DOWNLOAD the training materials provided by HHSC on the Cost Report.  Take notes on topics covered in training.

For more information contact Onward’s Director of Finance, Aprel Dobson at aprel@onwardlearning.com.

If you have any questions, please contact the SHARS team at ProviderFinanceSHARS@hhs.texas.gov or at 512-730-7400.