Education for homeless children and youth

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded $2.17M to Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction (Department of Education) under the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program (CFDA 84.196) effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This formula grant supports comprehensive services designed to ensure homeless children and youth have equal access to free, appropriate public education. The state agency delivers or facilitates key services including student identification and enrollment assistance, academic support, transportation assistance, and professional development for educators, while coordinating with local education agencies to remove barriers to school participation and minimize educational disruption.

As the state educational agency recipient, the Superintendent of Public Instruction distributes sub-awards to local school districts, educational service centers, and community organizations throughout Washington to deliver direct educational services to homeless students. The program operates under McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requirements, with the state responsible for maintaining records for three years and complying with federal audit provisions. Sub-grants to local education agencies are awarded competitively by the state on the basis of need and application quality, ensuring targeted resources reach students experiencing homelessness across the state's K-12 educational system.