| Abstract: |
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), Congress' most recent package for COVID-19 relief, includes billions of dollars dedicated to infants, toddlers, and children under the age of six. In addition to the $800 million in education funding included for identifying and supporting children and youth experiencing homelessness, there are opportunities across other funding streams to target supports for young children and families experiencing homelessness: (1) $150 million for home visiting programs (available through September 30, 2022); (2) $1 billion for Head Start (available through September 30, 2022); (3) $15 billion for the Child Care Development Block Grant (federal obligation through FY21; state obligation by September, 2023, and state liquidation by September, 2024); and (4) $24 billion to stabilize child care providers (obligated through 2022; liquidate 2023) COVID Relief Navigation Tool. For more information about the various funding streams available through the American Rescue Plan, refer to SchoolHouse Connections' COVID Relief Navigation Tool. ARP also provides nearly $123 billion in aid for K-12 education through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), including several reservations to support students experiencing homelessness and other groups. Child care providers, Head Start programs, and SEAs and LEAs should strategically use and leverage all available funds to locate, engage, maintain connection, and support young children experiencing homelessness and their families. This document provides recommendations for home visiting, child care providers, head start and early head start programs, and local educational agencies. |