On Thursday, February 4th, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Senators Murkowski (R-AK), Manchin (D-WV), Sullivan (R-AK), Collins (R-ME), Sinema (D-AZ), Shaheen (D-NH), Schatz (D-HI), Hassan (D-NH), Casey (D-PA), Hirono (D-HI), Kelly (D-AZ), and Rosen (D-NV) re-introduced the Emergency Family Stabilization Act (EFSA), S. 220.
EFSA provides flexible funding directly to community-based organizations to meet the needs of children, families, and unaccompanied youth who are experiencing homelessness (as defined by the education definition of homelessness) during the COVID-19 pandemic. These children, youth, and families have been largely left out of previous coronavirus legislation – yet they are highly mobile, stay in crowded places, and are at high risk of transmission, illness, and other harms. EFSA fills the gap by providing flexible emergency funding to the agencies that are closest to children, youth, and families. Helping children, youth, and families through the systems to which they are most connected will stabilize them quicker and more effectively, and prevent long-term homelessness.
The Emergency Family Stabilization Act was first introduced in the 116th Congress to address the growing needs of homeless children, youth, and families as a result of the pandemic, and has since gathered additional Congressional support. Companion legislation in the U.S. House is expected to soon follow.
- Provides $800 billion in flexible funding directly to community agencies (including local educational agencies) to respond to the emergency needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness in the wake of the coronavirus, using the broader definition of homelessness.
- Provides that in awarding grants, special consideration is given to meeting the needs of pregnant women, pregnant and parenting youth, children under age 6, children with disabilities, families experiencing domestic violence, survivors of sexual assault or human trafficking includes set asides for tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and urban, rural, and suburban areas.
- Funds may be used for a wide range of emergency housing, health, education, and safety-related activities.
- Even prior to COVID-19, youth and family homelessness were at record levels. The current economic crisis and family stress are creating new waves of youth and family homelessness, and exacerbating trauma, isolation, mobility, and vulnerability.
- Most families and youth experiencing homelessness are outside of the formal shelter system due to lack of capacity and/or fear of seeking shelter. They are forced to stay with others in crowded situations and to move frequently, putting them at great risk of coronavirus transmission, infection, and illness — as well as predation, violence, and trafficking. The coronavirus outbreak has created even more barriers to their survival, and to accessing the programs and services they need to regain their footing. Now more than ever, these children and youth need our attention.
- While previous coronavirus relief legislation included some funding related to homelessness, many children and youth experiencing homelessness are not eligible for it, or prioritized for it, because they are not eligible for most services provided by HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). They also have additional needs that the ESG program does not meet. Dedicated and flexible funding is needed for the programs and systems that are uniquely positioned to help children, youth, and families immediately, and ensure their long-term stability.
- EFSA creates a new emergency funding stream through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to provide flexible funding for community-based organizations to meet the unique needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness (as defined by the education subtitle of the McKinney-Vento Act) in the wake of the coronavirus.
- Local agencies that currently receive ACF grants, or have experience in serving children, families, and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness would be eligible to receive funds, including local educational agencies, and community-based, faith-based, and culturally-specific organizations.
- Special consideration is given to programs serving pregnant women, pregnant and parenting youth, children under age 6, children with disabilities, families experiencing domestic violence, survivors of sexual assault or human trafficking, historically marginalized and underserved communities of color, and families and youth in rural areas.
- Funds may be used for a wide range of emergency housing, health, education, and safety-related activities.
Please take action today to ensure that prolonged child and youth homelessness does not result from the COVID-19 outbreak.
NOTE: If you have existing relationships with your U.S. Senator or their staff, please reach out directly.
2. Endorse the legislation (local, state, or national organizations) by completing this google form.
3. Share on social media. (See below)
- Fact Sheet on the Emergency Family Stabilization Act (EFSA)
Endorsing National Organizations
A New Path (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing)
A Way Home America
American Association of School Superintendents – AASA
Alliance for Excellent Education
Alliance for Period Supplies
Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking – ATEST
American Art Therapy Association
American Federation of School Administrators
American Federation of Teachers
American Medical Student Association
American School Counselor Association
Bethany Christian Services
Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice
Child Care Services Association
Child Welfare League of America
Children’s Health Fund
Children’s Home Society of America
Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
Covenant House International
Family Focused Treatment Association
Family Promise
First Focus Campaign for Children
Foster Club
Low Income Investment Fund
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
National Association of Elementary School Principals
National Association for Children’s Behavioral Health
National Alliance to End Homelessness
National Association of Counsel for Children
National Association of School Psychologists
National Association of Secondary School Principals
National Center for Housing & Child Welfare
National Children’s Alliance
National Community Action Fund
National Crittenton
National Diaper Bank Network
National Education Association
National Head Start Association
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
National League of Cities
National Network for Youth
National Partnership for Juvenile Services
National Runaway Safeline
National Safe Place Network
Polaris
Psychotherapy Action Network
Rights4Girls
Safe Horizon
SchoolHouse Connection
StandUp for Kids
Strategies for Youth
The Forum on Youth Investment
The McCain Institute for International Leadership
The Next 100
Third Way
Vital Voices
Youth Homes of Mid-America
YouthBuild USA
Zero To Three
Thread (1/2):
We are so excited that the Emergency Family Stabilization Act is re-introduced by a group of bipartisan senators. This legislation will ensure that prolonged child and youth #homelessness does not result from the #COVID19 outbreak. https://bit.ly/2MuSL5H
Thread (2/2):
Huge thanks to: @lisamurkowski, @sen_joemanchin, @SenatorSinema, @SenatorCollins, @SenatorShaheen, @SenBrianSchatz, @SenatorHassan, @SenBobCasey, @MazieHirono, and @SenDanSullivan! Your advocacy will help break the cycle of #homelessness for children, youth and families.
Sample Tweet #2
Tell your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor the Emergency Family Stabilization Act.
- Fill out this simple form
- Share on social media with sample tweets
Sample Tweet #3
The Emergency Family Stabilization Act provides new flexible funding through systems to which #homeless children, youth, and families are most connected: schools, early childhood programs & community-based organizations. Learn how to support: https://bit.ly/2MuSL5H
Sample Tweet #4
In the wake of #COVID19, children, youth, & families experiencing #homelessness face new barriers. Crowded living situations, along with the highly mobile nature of their homelessness, puts them at increased risk of transmission, illness, trafficking, etc. https://bit.ly/2MuSL5H
Sample Tweet #5
The Emergency Family Stabilization Act meets families and youth experiencing #homelessness WHERE THEY ARE, and provides flexible funding through @ACFHHS, an agency with long-standing history of administering programs that serve this vulnerable population: https://bit.ly/2MuSL5H
Sample Tweet #6
Most #homeless children and youth aren’t eligible for @HUDgov’s #homeless programs (Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)), or may have needs that ESG programs cannot meet. The Emergency Family Stabilization Act helps fill this gap. Take one minute to support: https://bit.ly/2MuSL5H
Sample Tweet #7
Children, youth, & families experiencing #homelessness have been largely left out of previous #COVID19 legislation. This bill fills the gap and provides funding through systems to which families are most connected with. Support them: https://bit.ly/2MuSL5H
Sample Tweet #8
The Emergency Family Stabilization Act includes set-asides for tribes, urban, rural, and suburban areas. Funds may be used for housing, health, education, and safety-related activities. This bill will help prevent long-term #homelessness. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2MuSL5H