Education for homeless children and youth

Federal Grant Award Summary: Education for Homeless Children and Youth

The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) received a $396,787 formula grant award effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program (CFDA 84.196). This grant supports comprehensive services designed to ensure homeless children and youth in Montana have equal access to free, appropriate public education while minimizing educational disruption.

Under this award, OPI delivers and coordinates services including identification and enrollment of homeless students, transportation assistance, academic support, and professional development for educators to remove barriers to school participation. As the state educational agency, OPI distributes the majority of these formula grant funds through sub-awards to local educational agencies, school districts, and community organizations across Montana to provide direct services to homeless students. The grant operates under a 14-month performance period consistent with the standard structure of the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, which provides formula-based awards to state education agencies nationwide.