On September 12th, 2023 the U.S. Department of Education released a “Dear Colleague Letter” to Chief State School Officers asking States to modify their administrative procedures to expedite spending American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) funds. These funds, that must be obligated by September of 2024, provide supports for students experiencing homelessness who have been especially impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. SchoolHouse Connection noted that their guidance responds to some of the concerns sent to the ED from 20 organizations, school district homeless liaisons, and state coordinators from last month.
By Harper Dilley, Policy Intern