The New Jersey Department of Education announced in an advisory that all eligible local educational agencies that accepted American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth II funds in March 2022 will receive a supplement to existing allocations via the electronic web-enabled grant system no later than Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
The supplement for LEAs that refused funds, or joined a consortium, will go directly to the respective LEA consortia fiscal lead agent/regional grantees. Eligible LEAs that accepted ARP-HCY II funds, and consortia fiscal lead agents, must create an amendment in EWEG to budget the additional funds by Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Please note, ARP-HCY II funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2024, and liquidated by Oct. 15, 2024.
Activities allowable under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act are also allowable under the ARP-HCY program. ARP-HCY funds, however, are uniquely flexible to support the identification, enrollment and school participation of children and youth experiencing homelessness, including wrap-around services.
The National Center for Homeless Education has provided a Use of Funds Tip Sheet as additional guidance for LEAs to determine whether a proposed use of funds for ARP-HCY grants may be allowable. The tip sheet clarifies that ARP-HCY funds may be used for emergency motel stays, transportation needs including the purchase of vehicles, food assistance, early childhood education and other uses.
Regional grantees provide technical assistance and office hours on fund usage for McKinney-Vento and ARP-HCY. Please contact the respective regional director with any questions. Additional information may also be found at NJDOE’s McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth webpage or by reaching out via email.