Overview of American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth Funds
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), a COVID-19 relief act passed by Congress in 2021, provided Wisconsin with $10,097,813 in funding specifically dedicated to support the identification, enrollment, and school participation of children and youth experiencing homelessness, including through wrap-around services. Funds were intended to support the specific and urgent needs of homeless children and youth due to the extraordinary impact of the pandemic on students experiencing homelessness, including academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs due to decreased enrollment in school, interrupted classroom instruction, and challenges navigating services for shelter/housing, clothing and school supplies, food, and child care. This funding was referred to as American Rescue Plan - Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY). 75% of the total allocation was distributed to Wisconsin local education agencies (LEAs). ARP-HCY grant funds were available from April 23, 2021 to September 30, 2024.
ARP-HCY Grants
ARP-HCY Part I (discretionary grant)
DPI distributed $1,892,430 in ARP-HCY Part I funding to 49 LEAs around Wisconsin in August 2021 through a competitive grant process. The intent of the ARP-HCY grant was to distribute funds to LEAs with high numbers of students experiencing homelessness and high needs.
In October 2023 DPI distributed an additional $798,825 in ARP-HCY Part I funds to LEAs identified as either having a top percentage of students experiencing homelessness within their district or a top percentage of students experiencing homelessness within the state based on 2021-22 and 2022-23 data.
Use this link to see a list of ARP-HCY Part I grant recipients from August 2021
Use this link to see a list of ARP-HCY Part I grant recipients including recipients that received discretionary funds in October 2023
ARP-HCY Part II (formula grant)
In February 2022 DPI distributed $5,680,929 in ARP-HCY Part II funding to LEAs in WISEgrants. Allocations were determined by a formula set forth by the United States Department of Education (USDE) based equally on the proportional share of an LEA's allocation under Title I-A for 2020-21, and the LEA's proportional share of the number of homeless children and youth identified by each LEA relative to all LEAs in the State, using the greater of the certified number of homeless children and youth in either the 2018-19 or 2019-20 school year in each LEA.
Resources
Quick Guide for Using ARP-Homeless Children and Youth Funds
DPI ARP-Homeless Children and Youth Frequently Asked Questions
Information on ARP-HCY topics such as: fiscal and data requirements, consortia, allowability for specific costs, and more. The FAQ was last updated September, 2024.
Gift Card Allowability and Procedures
Please see this document if an LEA wants to use ARP-HCY funds to purchase gift cards.
USDE - Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
OESE ARP-HCY site: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/american-rescue-plan/american-rescue-plan-elementary-secondary-school-emergency-relief-homeless-children-youth-arp-hcy/