Instructional Service Agreement Overview
Instructional Service Agreements (ISAs), such as the one between Barstow Fire Protection District (BFPD) and Victor Valley College (VVC), are typically funded through a combination of educational and agency resources. The funding structure can generally be understood as follows:
College Funding Sources
• Apportionment & State Funding:
Community colleges receive per-student funding from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (based on Full-Time Equivalent Students, or FTES). If BFPD provides instruction or supervised training, the college can claim FTES and reimburse costs. • Instructional Materials Fees:
Colleges may provide textbooks, simulation software, and course content through their own budget. • Reimbursements:
Colleges shall reimburse the partner agency (BFPD) for staff time or daily training activity hours.
Fire District/Agency Contributions
• In-Kind Support:
BFPD typically provides facilities, apparatus, equipment, and personnel acting as adjunct instructors. • Direct Costs:
The district may incur costs (fuel, wear-and-tear on equipment, backfill overtime) that aren’t always fully reimbursed. Sometimes these are absorbed as part of the agency’s workforce development or recruitment budget.
Special Programs and Grants
• Strong Workforce Program (SWP):
California’s community college system allocates funds for career technical education partnerships. • Perkins V (CTE):
Federal career education funds can sometimes support instructional service agreements.
Local or Regional Grants: Workforce investment boards or public safety foundations may contribute.
Cost-Sharing Agreements
Most ISAs are written so that the college covers instruction and academic compliance costs (curriculum, accreditation, insurance, enrollment), while the district provides facilities and field experience. Financial offsets (like reimbursement for daily training hours) help balance the load.
Summary
ISAs are primarily funded through the community college’s apportionment and CTE funding, with the fire district contributing facilities, equipment, and staff time (sometimes with partial reimbursement).
BARSTOW FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
861 Barstow Road, Barstow, California 92311