(The following is excerpted from the January issue of the Single Audit Information Service.) To reduce monitoring weaknesses in the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) program, two federal agencies plan to clarify the program’s requirements and better track grantees’ progress toward achieving program goals.

Talk about a hard act to follow! Next year, Department of Education Inspector General Kathleen Tighe will take over as the chair of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board following current chair Earl Devaney’s retirement on Dec. 31.

It's that time of year -- when the need to buy a new calendar practically compels reflection on the year that has almost passed.  In addition to thanking you for your interest in Funding Attractions during 2011, I wanted to share the most popular posts for the year.  It's not an original concept, but hey -- who doesn't like a good list?

(The following excerpt is from an article in the January Federal Grants Management Handbook.) The Government Accountability Office has sent Congress a proposed prototype formula that would adjust the federal share of Medicaid funding to offer states more assistance during periods of national economic downturn.

Because this is my last blog post before Christmas, I thought I’d offer up the top 10 items on my grants management and auditing wish list. However, in this year of government cutbacks, I have been forced to reduce my wish list to only five. So here goes.

(This guest post was written by Karen Norris, the grants manager for Montgomery College in Rockville, Md. She has more than 20 years experience supporting educational institutions in the state of Maryland and as a grants consultant.) The U.S. Department of Education (ED) offers eight grant opportunities under the Federal TRIO Programs that provide outreach and student services for targeted populations, including disadvantaged, first-generation college, veterans and other at-risk populations. Depending on the specific program, eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and community-based organizations. Within TRIO, the Upward Bound programs include regular Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science and Veterans Upward Bound. A growing area of national need and focus relates to services for veterans. The fiscal year 2012 allocation for Veterans Upward Bound is estimated at $13.6 million for 48 new awards.

Just when you thought that Congress might actually manage to push through its year-end policy agenda and adjourn for the holidays, there’s been yet another twist in the story.

(This guest post was written by Karen Norris, the grants manager for Montgomery College in Rockville, Md. She has more than 20 years experience supporting educational institutions in the state of Maryland and as a grants consultant.) I have to agree with Adrianne Fielding, in her November 28 posting, that gratitude is a practice worthy to be demonstrated throughout the year. It has value within our grant-related work and generally as part of daily life. In addition to being a positive practice, gratitude also allows us to be open to recognizing the good that surrounds us, including the benefits derived from the grant projects we help create and implement. Even when we are tested, gratitude can help us find value in our challenges.

So, Cinderella may to make it home before the clock strikes midnight and her carriage turns into a pumpkin, but it remains to be seen whether she’ll manage to do so without leaving something behind. Substitute Congress for Cinderella and that’s about where things stand at the moment.

(The following is an excerpt from an article in the January 2012 issue of the Single Audit Information Service.) Despite receiving audit findings over the last 16 years that have shown a pattern of fiscal irresponsibility, the Oregon Commission for the Blind continues to have numerous oversight problems, according to report from the Oregon Audits Division.