Schools and Libraries
About the Schools and Libraries Program:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Outreach and Training
- Site Visits
- Filing Appeals
- Understanding Audits
Schools and Libraries Tools:
Site Visits - Overview
As part of its expanded outreach initiative, USAC conducts site visits of a significant number of recipients, in order to see Universal Service Fund support in use, assess USAC's outreach and education efforts, observe best practices in the field, and ensure that program funds are being used in compliance with regulatory requirements.
USAC Site Visit Outreach – Schools and Libraries Site Visits
The site visits provide USAC with valuable feedback about ways to improve the program, to identify "best practices" for use by other program participants, and to verify the receipt and function of invoiced schools and libraries products and services while ensuring that program funds are being used in compliance with FCC rules. Under this initiative, USAC plans to visit approximately 700 sites per year selecting an average of 60 school and library sites each month.
Participants in the program rely on USF support for public safety, better communication between faculty and parents, distance learning opportunities, preparing for state-mandated tests, and for technologies that allow students with disabilities and disadvantaged students to participate in classrooms in the same fashion as other students. The links to the right contain helpful information for schools and libraries regarding site visits associated with this initiative.
BearingPoint, Inc. was selected to conduct the site visits on behalf of USAC. BearingPoint will interview people at the applicant site involved with administration of the Schools and Libraries Program to get a better sense of their experiences and will examine applicant documentation, and physically check delivery, installation and maintenance of equipment and services related to a specific invoice. Under FCC regulations, USAC and BearingPoint have an obligation to report any instances of potential noncompliance with FCC rules.
