U.S. Department of Education (ED) Announces Funding Flexibilities in Response to COVID-19
On April 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced several funding flexibilities to help states and local educational agencies (LEAs) respond to COVID-19 and school closures.
Of most relevance for children and youth experiencing homelessness are two waivers to allow funds from previous fiscal years to be spent over the next school year. Specifically, states can request waivers to allow LEAs to:
- Carry over more than 15 percent of their FY 2019 Title I, Part A funds into FY 2020 (to be used after September 30, 2020); and
- Extend the availability of FY 2018 Title I, Part A and McKinney-Vento funds until September 30, 2021. (This extension also applies to funds under: Title I, Part C; Title I, Part D; Title III, Part A; 21st Century; and several other ESEA programs.)
States can submit ED’s waiver request form to take advantage of this new funding flexibility. ED expects to approve waiver requests within one business day of submission.
HUD Homeless Assistance Waivers and COVID-19 Funding
On Thursday, April 2, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced waivers for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Continuum of Care (CoC) programs. HUD also announced the availability of the first $1 billion (out of $4 billion) in ESG funding from the CARES Act, including specific state and grantee allocations.
Administration for Children and Families Waivers (Head Start, Child Care, Others)
On Monday, March 30, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released an Information Memorandum (IM) that applies to all ACF programs, including Head Start, Child Care, Child Welfare, Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, and more. The IM provides short-term relief for administrative, financial management, and audit requirements.