After$chool Funding: Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY)

Out-of-school time programs are essential pillars in their communities, providing a safe space for young people, support for working families, and access to nutritious snacks and meals. For young people experiencing homelessness, these supports are essential. The McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) is a federal program that provides funding for states and districts to better support students and families experiencing homelessness, with emphasis on promoting academic success and equal learning opportunities. Through EHCY, programs can tap into funding if they employ a teacher or qualified individual that offers tutoring, homework assistance, and other education activities for students experiencing homelessness.

Quick facts about EHCY:

• Who controls the money: The state education agency's coordinator for homeless education awards EHCY grants to school districts and charter schools.
   
• Who is eligible: Out-of-school time programs where a teacher or other qualified individual provides tutoring, homework assistance, and other educational activities; or support coordination activities between schools and agencies providing services to homeless children and youths.
   
• How do programs apply for assistance: Programs must partner with school districts that are applying for, or have, EHCY grants. For more information and to learn how to partner with school districts to support homeless children and youth, contact your state coordinator for homeless education.
   
• How much is a typical grant: Amounts vary. State education agencies award subgrants through competitive applications, based on need and the quality of the application.
   
• How long is the grant: Grants at the local level are 3 years.

Through EHCY, the HARNESS program in Portsmouth, Virginia provides essential resources to help homeless young people access equal education opportunities. The program, offered through Portsmouth Public Schools, provides after school tutoring, transportation to and from school, and other essential services necessary for youth to learn and thrive.

Further west in Virginia, Nottoway Public Schools leveraged EHCY grant funding to implement a structured program to better reach and support homeless youth and families. The OUTREACH program outlines eight key pillars: Offering support (to homeless families and children); understanding needs (through professional development and through counseling/support sessions); training others (by reaching beyond Nottoway schools staff members to other service agencies); recognizing signs (in order to identify the academic and affective needs of children); educating (through communicating the specific needs of children and provide appropriate education); and creating hope (by utilizing federal, state and local tools/programs to accomplish the goals of the program).

To learn more about EHCY and funding streams available to help you sustain your out-of-school time program, check out our new sustainability page!