Governor Paterson And State Education Department Announce American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Funding For Education Of Homeless Children And Youth

New York State Governor David A. Paterson and the New York State Education Department announced today that 28 school districts are being awarded a total of $6.1 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to support eligible activities under the federal McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Act.

Governor Paterson said, "Homeless children face many barriers to success. By helping them, we increase their chances for success in education and in life. By increasing their opportunities to become productive citizens, we invest in a stronger future for New York. I thank the Obama Administration and the New York Congressional delegation for ensuring that New York has funding for these important projects."

Recipients may use McKinney-Vento AARA funds to improve the identification of homeless children and youth and to assist them in enrolling, attending and succeeding in school.  Some examples of how the funding may be used include:

• Educational services (including tutoring),
• Expedited evaluations,
• Awareness training,
• Health services,
• Excess cost of transportation,
• Early childhood programs,
• Record keeping,
• Parent programs,
• Coordinating services,
• Violence prevention, and
• Providing supplies, services and learning environments at shelters and other temporary housing facilities.

Based on the numbers of homeless students reported to the Education Department, the New York City Department of Education will receive $4.9 million, with the remaining $1.2 being allocated to districts throughout the state, including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers, Albany, Hempstead, Wyandanch, Kingston, and others.  A complete list of districts receiving funds is available at:

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/nclb/programs/homeless/