SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the selection of 82 grantees that will receive $8.2 million in Education for Homeless Children and Youth grants.  For the list of grantees, please visit Funding Results: Education for Homeless Children and Youth.

"There are about 149,000 students in California that I am sad to say don't have a place to call home," said O'Connell.  "We are obligated morally and legally to help these kids and give them a free education that we hope one day will lift them out of their unfortunate situation.  These grantees were selected because they had the best plans to help these students succeed in school."

The Education for Homeless Children and Youth program is funded through a federal grant authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.  The program is designed to facilitate the enrollment, attendance, and success in school of homeless students up to age 21.  The program helps ensure they have equal access to the same free, appropriate, public education as provided to all other students.  Services cannot replace the regular academic program and must be designed to expand upon or improve services that are part of the school's regular academic program.

Eligible applicants were local educational agencies that include school districts, county offices of education, and direct-funded charter schools. Under federal law, the money must be used to implement the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Every local educational agency, whether or not it receives this funding, is required to designate a liaison for homeless children. The liaison's duty is to ensure the students have access to education and support services, identify students for services, and inform them of their rights. The parents of the homeless students may request their children be kept in the same school of origin through the duration of their homelessness and may request transportation for the students to the school. Schools must enroll these students immediately, even if they do not have the proper enrollment papers. 

Of the total 137 applicants, the 82 grantees were selected based on their need for homeless services, the quality of their program, how well they collaborate with other organizations to provide homeless services, and how they would evaluate their services.  For more information on the Education for Homeless Children and Youth grants, please visit Past Funding Profile (ID 675): Education for Homeless Children and Youth.