News and Updates
New Federal Guidance Urges Expediting ARP-HCY Funds. Now What?
The U.S. Department of Education released a “Dear Colleague Letter” to Chief State School Officers asking States to consider modifying their administrative procedures to expedite spending American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) funds. Now what?
read more20+ Organizations Unite to Urge Education Secretary for Updated Guidance on ARP-HCY
More than twenty organizations joined SchoolHouse Connection in signing a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Cardona requesting updated guidance on the flexible use of American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) funds to support the school identification, enrollment, and participation of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
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Bipartisan Legislation to Help Homeless Children and Youth Reintroduced
Most children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness are shut out of homeless assistance because they do not meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) restrictive definition of homelessness, despite their great vulnerability. This bipartisan legislation fixes the problem.
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New Federal Guidance on Special Education: Implications for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
On July 24, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released updated guidance to improve educational opportunities for children and youth with disabilities.
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Act in August: Protect FY2024 Funding for Homeless Children and Youth
Urge your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to support the highest possible levels of funding for the EHCY and RHYA programs, and to protect against cuts to other key programs.
read moreSHC Statement on Supreme Court Harvard-UNC Decision on Race Conscious Admissions
The decision to prohibit race-conscious admissions policies is an impediment to our mission, and to the realization of our nation’s promise of equal opportunity for all. Overcoming homelessness through education therefore means relentlessly pursuing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all aspects of our work. Read SchoolHouse Connection's statement.
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Youth Voices: Homelessness, Hope, and the Road Ahead
In coordination with U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), SchoolHouse Connection is hosting a briefing where twelve youth and young adults who experienced homelessness will participate in a discussion to inform federal policies on education, mental health, and homelessness.
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What the Debt Ceiling Legislation Means for Child, Youth, and Family Homelessness
Legislation to suspend the debt ceiling for the next two years is expected to be passed this week. The legislation allows the nation to continue to borrow, and avoids the catastrophic consequences of a default. While this legislation has far-reaching implications across federal programs, below is a summary of some of the provisions with the greatest potential impact on child, youth, and family homelessness, and recommendations for action.
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Committee for Education Funding Budget Book: Education for Homeless Children and Youth
SchoolHouse Connection highlighted the critical significance of funding for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program in the Committee for Education Funding's FY 2024 education budget book. You can access the comprehensive resource on CEF's budget book webpage, which includes informative charts, videos, and a briefing video.
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Act by March 17 to Support Funding for Homeless Children & Youth
A bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letter is circulating in the U.S. House of Representatives that calls for $800 million for the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program and $300 million for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) program in the FY 2024 budget. Please urge your U.S. Representative to sign on to the bipartisan Davis-Bacon-Panetta letter.
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