Federal & State Programs

Office of Federal & State Programs Banner

Room 408 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 816-3966 | Fax: (716) 851-3968

Our Focus is Simple

We work year-round to secure supplemental, Title I funding to support various District and school-level initiatives to help Buffalo Public School students and families. 

Our Major Responsibilities:

  • Develop Title I budgets and program narratives.

  • Develop amendments and make funds accessible for school and program use.

  • Manage the Title I grant and assist with program implementation.

  • Monitor programs for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) compliance.

  • Provide fiscal and compliance oversight to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

  • Prepare for audits and New York State monitoring reviews of Federal program dollars and programs.

  • Serve as liaison between the District and the New York State Department of Education for Federal program matters.

Public Meetings & the Role of Stakeholders

The 2023-2024 meeting schedule (in Preparation for 2024-2025 program year) is below.

  • Please submit questions before the meetings to ConApp

Role of Our Valued Stakeholders

Much like the inclusive role of a School-Based Management Team in creating a school-based budget, school districts are required to consult with various stakeholder groups before they develop budgets and determine programs using Federal funds.

Buffalo Public Schools takes this responsibility seriously, and we solicit stakeholder involvement in a variety of ways. 

  • Online Surveys

  • In-Person Community Meetings

  • LiveSteam/virtual meetings, with digital stakeholder participation.

We Advertise Through:

  • Email notifications

  • District website notifications

  • Automated phone system

  • District Facebook and Twitter Accounts

  • Office of Federal & State Programs newsletters

  • Weekly bulletin to District Staff

Who Is a Stakeholder?
A District Stakeholder can be any of the following:

  • Parent

  • Student

  • Buffalo Board of Education member

  • City of Buffalo resident

  • Community based organization/District partner

  • Private school parent

  • Private school teacher

  • Representative of Higher Education

  • Support staff member

  • Teacher

  • Teacher aide/assistant

  • School Administrator

Administrators

Dr. Jaime L. Cohen

Director of Title I

Molly Halady

Supervisor of Title I

Program Support

Richard H. Dombkowski

Grants Coordinator II

Theresa Sirdevan

Transition Counselor - Transition Program

Kimberly Whelan

Administrative Secretary

Edward Klavoon

Research Aide - Transition Program

Patricia Lamb Walker

Transition Advisor - Transition Program

Ronique Workman

Community Education Leader - Transition Program