1.  There are only two remaining 2007 SHARS Cost Report training sessions.  The last face-to-face training session is on Friday, February 29, 2008, in Austin, Texas, at the JJ Pickle Center  ( 10100 Burnet Road, Building 137, Room 1.102 (The Big Tex Room))  from 8 am - 5:00 am.  See the HHSC Rate Analysis SHARS website at http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/Medicaid/programs/rad/AcuteCare/Shars/Shars.html for online training registration information.  

If you have not attended a face-to-face training, it is highly recommended that you come to the last training in Austin.  The cost report is due on or before April 1, 2008.  With more than 900 school districts submitting 2007 SHARS Cost Reports, HHSC Rate Analysis cannot provide one-on-one training via telephone or E-mail.   

The last TETN is on Monday, March 10, 2008, from 8:30 - 3:30 (TETN Event #30512).  See the HHSC Rate Analysis SHARS website for documents that need to brought to the face-to-face training and TETN sessions.  Even if you have attended a face-to-face training session or previous TETN, it is recommended that you participate in the last TETN to be able to ask any questions that have arisen since the last session that you attended.  Remember that it takes several sessions to learn all the complexities of the cost report process. 

2.  Please check the HHSC Rate Analysis SHARS website (see #2 above) on Thursday morning, February 28, 2008, for updated training documents, including updated sample cost report, instructions, and PowerPoint training presentation.  There will also be a Question-and-Answer document posted at that time. 

3.  Cathy Rutherford is the new HHSC SHARS Rate Analyst effective February 18, 2008.  Her contact information is:  Cathy Rutherford, Rate Analyst (Telephone:  512-491-1361; E-mail:  cathy.rutherford@hhsc.state.tx.us).  Please forward all your questions regarding district-specific interim rates and the 2007 SHARS Cost Report to Cathy.  Nancy Kimble is Cathy's backup