Important & Required
ONWRD Learning recommends that you act now.
Don’t delay as this simple but necessary action is required.
To comply with SHARS and MAC regulations, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) requires all LEAs to delegate at least two RMTS Program Contacts to undergo and receive annual RMTS training.
Each LEA is required to have a trained RMTS Primary Program Contact and trained RMTS Secondary Program Contact listed for their ISD in the Fairbanks system. There are NO EXCEPTIONS!
Training sessions are conducted by HHSC beginning in May of the previous year and for each quarter when a time study takes place.
Remember, once an RMTS contact has successfully completed one training for the current fiscal year (May 2023 – February 2024), they have met the annual requirement. Annual training reminders will continue to be sent to districts throughout the entire fiscal year.
By signing up and attending early training, you will complete your RMTS Program Contact training requirement before the federal fiscal year even begins! How great is that! Remember, the 2024 FFY spans the dates of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024…. meaning NEXT school year.
Who should attend RMTS Training and serve as a Program Contact for my district?
Annual training is mandatory for at least two district employees (Primary RMTS contact and Secondary RMTS contact) designated by the entity as a RMTS Contact. A third-party vendor, SSA or Co-op training credit will not be counted as fulfilling a districts annual training compliance.
The primary RMTS Contact is responsible for ensuring the district complies with all RMTS requirements and serves as a communicator between HHSC and their district participants.
Often, LEAs will have their Director of Special Education, a SHARS Coordinator or Clerk, the Business Manager/CFO and the Superintendent trained in RMTS. There is no limit as to how many educated and trained Program Contacts a district can have in Fairbanks. The more the better as it is good to have a back-up plan in place.
When does RMTS Training begin for the 2024 FFY?
Early FFY 2024 RMTS training begins in May 2024. A Primary RMTS Contact is required to complete annual training (May 2023 – August 2023) before the 1st quarter participant list closes.
A Secondary RMTS Contact will now be required to complete annual training (May 2023 – November 2023) before the 2nd quarter participant list closes. If a district has multiple secondary RMTS Contacts, the primary contact may select one person who will be responsible for completing the annual training.
It is crucial to understand that compliance with the RMTS annual training requirement is mandatory. Districts will not be given full access to the online time study system for FFY 2024 until the annual training requirement is met. In addition, the district will be ineligible to participate in RMTS, MAC and SHARS or submit a MAC claim or Cost Report for the quarter and/or entire fiscal year.
RMTS contacts may check training status in STAIRS, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by simply:
- Logging into Fairbanks @ Fairbanksllc.com
- Enter your username and password
- Select the “Manage” tab and
- Select “Manage Training Status”.
The below link will take you to the HHSC Provider Finance ISD training information webpage. Districts will find details about training requirements, training registration and a list of contact information.
Upcoming Training Sessions for FFY 2024:
It is now easy to register for training for fiscal year 2024. To register for the training of your choice, click the training date in the “registration link” column of the training date of your choice and fill out the form. Please make sure the selected training date is adhering to the deadline date for the primary or secondary RMTS contact role.
| Date | Program | Mode | Type | Start | End | QTR | Registration link |
| 5/11/2023 | ISD | Webinar | Initial | 8:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 1st | Register 5/11 |
| 5/18/2023 | ISD | Webinar | Refresher | 1:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 1st | Register 5/18 |
| 8/3/2023 | ISD | Webinar | Refresher | 1:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 1st | Register 8/03 |
| 8/15/2023 | ISD | Webinar | Refresher | 8:30 AM | 11:00 AM | 1st | Register 8/15 |
| 8/17/2023 | ISD | Webinar | Initial | 1:00 PM | 4:30 PM | 1st | Register 8/17 |
| 11/7/2023 | ISD | Webinar | Initial | 8:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 2nd | Register 11/7 |
| 11/9/2023 | ISD | Webinar | Refresher | 1:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 2nd | Register 11/9 |
| 2/13/2024 | ISD | Webinar | Initial | 8:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 3rd | Register 2/13 |
| 2/15/2024 | ISD | Webinar | Refresher | 1:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 3rd | Register 2/15 |
*If you are more than 15 minutes late to any training, you are automatically ineligible to receive training credit.
What is the difference between an Initial versus Refresher training?
Training requirements can be met by one of two methods.
RMTS Contacts who have never attended an RMTS LEA training must attend “initial” training first before being eligible to attend a refresher training.
Those who have successfully completed an initial training in the past years may attend either initial or refresher training. See above website link for additional details.
The training for RMTS Contacts is separate and different from the training for MAC Financial Contacts and SHARS Cost Report Contacts. Although an overview of the MAC Financial and SHARS Cost Report will be provided during the RMTS training it is not intended to meet the financial training requirements.
Training for the MAC Contacts and SHARS Contacts is also separate and different and will be offered near the actual financial reporting periods. It is mandatory for the MAC Contact to attend the MAC Financial training and the SHARS Contact to attend the SHARS Cost Report training in order to have access to the online financials.
Who can I contact for help with RMTS questions?
Information about the MAC Financial and SHARS Cost Report training session is available at the links provided below.
SHARS – https://pfd.hhs.texas.gov/acute-care/school-health-and-related-services/shars-training
If you have any questions, please contact your ONWARD Learning Account Manager or the VP of Client Relations, Stasia Viator for assistance at toll free 1-877-897-8283 or via email. You may also contact the Texas HHSC Time Study Unit at Timestudy@hhs.texas.gov or at (737) 867-7794.