State Programs:Education of Homeless Children and Youth

The Education for Homeless Children Act (105 ILCS 45/1-1 et seq.) authorizes the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program for the education of homeless children and youth. The Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program is 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 supports school districts throughout Illinois in facilitating the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth. 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. Activities eligible for assistance under this grant program 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, but not limited to, prevention and strength-based safety and housing approaches.
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)), which includes the following:
A. The provision of tutoring, supplemental instruction, and enriched educational services that are linked to the achievement of the same challenging state academic standards as the state establishes for other children and youths.
B. The provision of expedited evaluations of the strengths and needs of homeless children and youths, including needs and eligibility for programs and services (such as educational programs for gifted and talented students, children with disabilities, and English learners; services provided under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 or similar state or local programs; programs in career and technical education; and school nutrition programs).
C. Professional development and other activities for educators and specialized instructional support personnel that are designed to heighten the understanding and sensitivity of such personnel to the needs of homeless children and youths, the rights of such children and youths under this part, and the specific educational needs of runaway and homeless youths.
D. The provision of referral services to homeless children and youths for medical, dental, mental, and other health services.
E. The provision of assistance to defray the excess cost of transportation for students under §
11432(g)(4)(A), not otherwise provided through federal, state, or local funding, where necessary to enable students to attend the school selected under § 11432(g)(3).
F. The provision of developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs, not otherwise provided through federal, state, or local funding, for preschool-aged homeless children.
G. The provision of services and assistance to attract, engage, and retain homeless children and youths, particularly homeless children and youths who are not enrolled in school, in public school programs and services provided to non-homeless children and youths
H. The provision for homeless children and youths of before- and after-school mentoring and summer programs in which a teacher or other qualified individual provides tutoring, homework assistance, and supervision of educational activities.
I. If necessary, the payment of fees and other costs associated with tracking, obtaining, and transferring records necessary to enroll homeless children and youths in school, including birth certificates, immunization or other required health records, academic records, guardianship records, and evaluations for special programs or services.
J. The provision of education and training to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths about the rights of, and resources available to, such children and youths, and other activities designed to increase the meaningful involvement of parents and guardians of homeless children or youths in the education of such children or youths.
K. The development of coordination between schools and agencies providing services to homeless children and youths, as described in § 11432(g)(5).
L. The provision of specialized instructional support services (including violence prevention counseling) and referrals for such services.
M. Activities to address the particular needs of homeless children and youths that may arise from domestic violence and parental mental health or substance abuse problems.
N. The adaptation of space and purchase of supplies for any non-school facilities made available under subsection (a)(2) to provide services under this subsection.
O. The provision of school supplies, including those supplies to be distributed at shelters or temporary housing facilities, or other appropriate locations.
P. The provision of other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to enable homeless children and youths to attend school and participate fully in school activities. Beneficiaries: N/A Administered by the Illinois State Board of Education via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 586-18-4058).