Economic Recovery and Reinvestment

Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY)
Frequently Asked Questions

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Q. How will the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) affect the EHCY program in Wisconsin?
A. The ARRA is providing $70 million dollars to assist school districts across the United States to implement the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is receiving $900,000.

Q. How will ARRA funds be distributed to Wisconsin LEAs?
A. ARRA funds will be distributed through competitive EHCY grant applications. The following two EHCY grant applications are available under Forms, Applications, and Guidance.

• ARRA EHCY Grant Application. All public school districts are eligible to apply.
• Three-Year EHCY Application. Districts with an annual average of 31 homeless students over three years are eligible to apply; districts already receiving Three-Year grant funding will benefit by applying for ARRA funds through the Three-Year grant application if available.

EHCY grant applications are due to the DPI by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2009.

Q. How will the EHCY grant program work with ARRA funds?
A. The ARRA EHCY grant application is a one-time competitive grant. Any Wisconsin public school district may apply for an ARRA grant since there are no minimum requirements regarding the number of students identified as being homeless. The purpose of the ARRA grant is to encourage districts who have never received EHCY funds to apply and provide additional services to students who are homeless in their schools. Districts have until September 30, 2011, to obligate funds.

Prior Three-Year EHCY grantees may apply for ARRA funds through the Three-Year EHCY grant application. ARRA funding for Three-Year grant applicants is dependent upon funding availability.

Q. Will the ARRA EHCY grant have greater reporting requirements than the Three-Year EHCY grants?
A. Yes. The U.S. Department of Education is expecting quarterly financial reports from school districts who are receiving ARRA funds.

Q. Will the standard EHCY grant application continue to be due on April 30?
A. No. Traditionally, EHCY grant applications are due on April 30 of the third year of the grant cycle. However, this year the Three-Year EHCY grant application will be available at the same time the ARRA EHCY grant application is announced. Both the ARRA and Three-Year EHCY grant applications will be due to the DPI by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2009.

For questions about this information, contact Mary M. Maronek (608) 261-6322

Last updated on 5/12/2009 7:49:42 AM