Tips and Tools for Using ARP-HCY Funds to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness Webinar Mini-Series
Are you curious about how other school districts are using their American Rescue Plan–Homeless Children and Youth (ARP–HCY) funds – how they’ve overcome barriers to using funds, the tools and forms they’re using, and the impact they’re seeing? During this webinar mini-series, school district liaisons and administrators will share strategies and insights on how they are utilizing these one-time funds to enhance the well-being of students facing homelessness. 
 Presenters: 
Mini Series: Tips and Tools for Using ARP-HCY Funds to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness
Are you curious about how other school districts are using their American Rescue Plan–Homeless Children and Youth (ARP–HCY) funds – how they’ve overcome barriers to using funds, the tools and forms they’re using, and the impact they’re seeing? During this webinar mini-series, school district liaisons and administrators share strategies and insights on how they are utilizing these one-time funds to enhance the well-being of students facing homelessness.
November 1, 2023 Session   Watch the Recording | Download the PPT
 
November 15, 2023 Session   Watch the Recording | Download the PPT
Presenters:
  • Maritza Cabezas – Equity and Access Family Engagement District Counselor, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
  • Martha Calderon – Equity & Access Family Engagement Coordinator, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
  • Karen Rice – Senior Program Manager of Education Initiatives, SchoolHouse Connection
  • Erin Patterson – Director of Education Initiatives, SchoolHouse Connection

Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness with American Rescue Plan Funds
Date Recorded: September 26, 2023
In the wake of the pandemic—and in the midst of the current housing, addiction, and student mental health crises—schools and communities face unprecedented challenges. While often hidden, homelessness among children and youth is a significant factor contributing to declines in school enrollment, increases in chronic absence, and deepening student mental health struggles.
American Rescue Plan–Homeless Children and Youth (ARP–HCY) funds are one-time funds that can help meet this moment. ARP–HCY funds are uniquely flexible funds to support the identification, enrollment, and school participation of children and youth experiencing homelessness, including through wrap-around services. They must be obligated by September 30, 2024 and spent by January 31, 2025.
During the webinar, SchoolHouse Connection and the Learning Policy Institute presented key findings from their study, which focused on the allocation of federal and state education funding for students experiencing homelessness. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from school district liaisons and administrators who shared insights on how they are utilizing these one-time funds to enhance the well-being of students facing homelessness. This included initiatives to tackle chronic absenteeism, address mental health challenges, and meet other pressing needs to improve overall outcomes for these students.
Presenters:
  • Barbara Duffield – Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection
  • Erin Patterson – Director of Education Initiatives, SchoolHouse Connection
  • Daniel Espinoza – Researcher and Policy Advisor, Learning Policy Institute
  • Jessica Tremble – Supervisor of Counseling & Student Services K-8, Clifton Public Schools (NJ)
  • Quentina Brown, RSW – Homeless Liaison/Foster Care (POC)/Neglected & Delinquent Coordinator, Lafourche Parish School Board, LA
Watch the Recording
Download the PPT
​SUPPORTING THE EDUCATION OF UNACCOMPANIED STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Description: In this interactive webinar, presenters will review key concepts related to the education of unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness included in the McKinney-Vento Act. Presenters will cover:
  • The definitions of “unaccompanied” and “homeless”
  • K-12 educational rights and supports for unaccompanied homeless students
  • Supports for unaccompanied homeless youth transitioning to higher education
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with presenters, work through scenarios and participate in Q&A.
Handouts: You may download webinar handouts at https://nche.ed.gov/supporting-the-education-of-unaccompanied-students-experiencing-homelessness/.
Presenters: NCHE Staff
​UNDERSTANDING DOUBLED UP
Thursday, January 11, 2024 | 2:00PM-2:45PM ET
Description: In this 45-minute NCHE webinar, presenters explore the issue of doubling-up. Doubled-up is the informal wording used to describe a concept included in the McKinney-Vento Act’s definition of homeless. It refers to shared living arrangements, some of which may be considered homeless, while others may not be, depending on various factors. In this session, attendees will explore some of these factors in greater detail. Attendees also will have the opportunity to interact with presenters and fellow attendees and participate in Q&A/discussion periods.
Handouts: You may download webinar handouts at https://nche.ed.gov/understanding-doubled-up/. 
Presenters: NCHE Staff
DETERMINING MCKINNEY-VENTO ELIGIBILITY
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 | 2:00PM-3:00PM ET
Description: In this interactive webinar, presenters will review the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless children and youth. Presenters will cover:
  • Understanding the dynamics of family and youth homelessness
  • The McKinney-Vento definition of homeless
  • McKinney-Vento provisions on dispute resolution, including disputes related to eligibility
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with presenters and fellow attendees through scenarios and discussion periods.
Handouts: You may download webinar handouts at https://nche.ed.gov/determining-eligibility-webinar/.
Presenters: NCHE Staff