§ 1-50 — Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program

(a) It is the purpose and intent of this Section to establish a State grant program that parallels and supplements, but operates independently of, the federal grant program allocating funds for assistance under Subtitle B of Title VII of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) and to establish a State grant program to support school districts throughout this State in facilitating the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth. (b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants under an Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program to applicant school districts based on the percentage of students experiencing homelessness in an applicant school district in accordance with this Section. Services provided by school districts through the use of grant funds may not replace the regular academic program and must be designed to expand upon or improve services provided for homeless students as part of the school's regular academic program. (c) A school district that desires to receive a grant under this Section shall submit an application to the State Board of Education at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the State Board of Education may reasonably require. (d) To award grants for assistance under this Section, the State Board of Education may consider all of the following: (1) In determining need under this subsection (d), the State Board of Education may consider the number of homeless children and youths enrolled in preschool, elementary school, and secondary school within the school district and shall consider the needs of such children and youths and the ability of the district to meet such needs. The State Board of Education may also consider the following: (A) (Blank). (B) (Blank). (C) The extent to which the applicant exhibits in the application and in current practice a commitment to education for all homeless children and youths. (D) Such other criteria as the State Board determines is appropriate. (2) In determining the quality of applications under this subsection (d), the State Board of Education shall consider the following: (A) The applicant's assessment of needs and the likelihood that the services presented in the application will meet such needs. (B) The types, intensity, and coordination of the services to be provided. (C) The involvement of parents or guardians of homeless children or youths in the education of these children. (D) The extent to which homeless children and youths are effectively integrated within the regular education program. (E) The quality of the applicant's evaluation plan for the services. (F) The extent to which services provided will be coordinated with other services available to homeless children and youths and their families. (G) Such other measures as the State Board considers indicative of high-quality services, such as the extent to which the school district will provide case management or related services to unaccompanied youths. (e) Grants awarded under this Section shall be for terms not to exceed 3 years, but are subject to annual appropriation for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program. Activities eligible for assistance under this Section may include, but are not limited to, all of the following: (1) Rental assistance, which shall include utilities, security and utility deposits, first and last month's rent, rental application fees, moving expenses, and any other eligible expenses to be determined by the State Board. (2) Transportation assistance, including school bus transportation, public transportation passes, and gasoline assistance for a student or family with a vehicle or to a family member with a vehicle who can transport the student. (3) Emergency shelter, including temporary hotel stays. (4) Housing stability case management and housing locator services. (5) Other collaborative housing strategies, including prevention and strength-based safety and housing approaches, including, but not limited to, school supplies, clothing, academic enrichment, tutoring, and parental involvement programs. (6) Activities set forth in Section 723(d) of Subtitle B of Title VII of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11433(d)). (f) The State Board of Education may use up to 25% of the funds appropriated for the purposes of this Section for administrative costs, including the hiring of positions for the implementation and administration of the grant program, provided that if no appropriation is made to the State Board of Education for a given fiscal year for the purposes of the grant program, then the State Board of Education is not required to make any expenditures in support of the program during that fiscal year.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 103-744, eff. 1-1-25 .)