Education for homeless children and youth

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded the Arkansas Department of Education a formula grant of $1,199,040 under the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program (CFDA 84.196) for the period July 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This grant supports comprehensive services designed to ensure homeless children and youth in Arkansas have equal access to free, appropriate public education. Key services include identifying and enrolling homeless students, providing transportation assistance, delivering academic support, offering professional development for educators, and coordinating with local education agencies (LEAs) to remove barriers to school participation and minimize educational disruption.

As the state educational agency, the Arkansas Department of Education administers this formula grant and distributes subgrants competitively to LEAs, community organizations, and educational service centers throughout the state to deliver direct services to homeless students. The grant funding supports educational continuity and wraparound services that address the unique challenges faced by students experiencing homelessness, enabling them to maintain consistent school enrollment and academic progress.