American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) Technical Assistance Center
A bipartisan amendment to the American Rescue Plan Act provided an historic $800 million to support the identification, enrollment, and school participation of children and youth experiencing homelessness, including through wrap-around services. While these funds (known as American Rescue Plan – Homeless Children and Youth, or ARP-HCY funds) are one-time funds which must be obligated by September 2024 and spent by January 2025, they have the potential to create lasting changes in how our nation’s public schools and communities respond to student homelessness, while at the same time meeting urgent needs. Learn more about New York’s ARP-HCY funding here.
SchoolHouse Connection is partnering with New York State to provide practical assistance to LEAs throughout New York. Our goal is to help LEAs effectively utilize ARP-HCY funds and other available funding sources to address the academic, social-emotional, and mental health needs of students who are experiencing homelessness.
We Want to Hear From You!
Please fill out this short survey to give SHC a better sense of what support would be most beneficial for you in your role.
Our Work
Webinars
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, we will host a series of webinars on topics ranging from allowable uses of ARP-HCY funds, how to access and leverage multiple funding sources, best practices, creating and maintaining partnerships with community based organizations and more!
Getting Acquainted: An Introduction to ARP-HCY and Technical Assistance at SchoolHouse Connection
Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 10-11AM Eastern
- Gain a high-level overview of ARP-HCY/ allowable uses
- Understand the many ways SHC can support LEAs across New York in effectively using ARP-HCY
- Grant LEAS across New York an opportunity to meet key SHC staff and share feedback/ input to guide SHC practical assistance
CoP's Practitioner Community Conversations
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, we will provide opportunities for LEAs to learn from colleagues across the state. These shared learning communities are designed to discuss challenge, receive feedback, and potential solutions on issues in your community as they relate to students and families experiencing homelessness.
Getting Acquainted: An Introduction to Practitioner Community Conversations
Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 10-11AM Eastern
- Participants will understand the format and purpose of Practitioner Community Conversations.
- Participants will have the opportunity to discuss challenges and successes as they relate to ARP-HCY with their peers across New York State.
- Overview of U.S. Department of Education Guidance on American Rescue Plan Act Homeless Children and Youth Funding (July 2021)
- (*NEW!*) Flexing the Flexibility of ARP-HCY Funding Series: Making the Most of Federal Relief Dollars to Help Students Experiencing Homelessness
- American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) Planning and Spending Timeline Tool
- How to Use American Rescue Plan Act K-12 Education Funds to Identify and Support Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (March 2022)
- Meeting the Transportation Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness in the Pandemic and Beyond (May 2022)
- ARP-HCY Spotlights – Examples of how states and districts are using American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) funds
On-Demand Technical Support
Do you have questions about ARP-HCY? Send us and email! For all other questions related to the McKinney-Vento Act and the rights of students experiencing homelessness, please contact the New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS).
Meet the Team
SchoolHouse Connection is a national non-profit organization working to overcome homelessness through education. We provide strategic advocacy and practical assistance in partnership with early childhood programs, schools, institutions of higher education, service providers, families, and youth.
Pearl Strategies (Pearl) is a small, woman-owned education and human services consulting firm based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Pearl provides services to small, medium, and large publicly funded agencies and privately funded organizations focused on the design, delivery, and evaluation of education and human services. Pearl primarily supports the homeless education sector and its human service partners — including child welfare, housing, homeless response, and workforce development — with the goals of strengthening single-program and single-system design and function, school-community partnerships, and client-level outcomes.