Fiscal Resources

Fiscal Contacts

Jennifer Thao, Fiscal Analyst
JThao@cde.ca.gov

• Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY)
• Homeless Education Technical Assistance Centers (HE TAC)

Cindy Rodriguez, Fiscal Analyst
CiRodriguez@cde.ca.gov

• American Rescue Plan - Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY I)
• Homeless Innovation Program (HIP)

Additional Resources

Indirect Cost Rates
Lists of department-approved rates for local educational agencies (LEAs), frequently asked questions, and letters.

ARP-HCY Resource Guide
This guide outlines suggestions and resources for effectively utilizing ARP-HCY funds. This includes ARP-HCY I and ARP-HCY II funds.

California Annual Homeless Education Data Collection

The United States Department of Education (ED) requires LEAs and grantees that receive EHCY funds and ARP-HCY I funds to compile and submit data to the California Department of Education (CDE). The CDE analyzes the data and submits it to the U.S. Department of Education through the Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR).

Grantees are asked to submit their data, electronically, through an online data collection system entitled the California Annual Homeless Education Data Collection. Typically, the online data collection system is launched, annually, in August with a due date in October. Required data consists of the number of homeless children and youth served by the grantee during that school year in age ranges of zero to two and three to five (not enrolled in school). The Data Collection also collects the services provided by grant funds and barriers that the grantee faced.

There is optional data that each grantee can provide to assist the CDE with program evaluation, technical assistance needs, and professional development planning. Examples of the optional data can consist of the number of homeless students served by grade level (Kindergarten through 12^th grade), the number of homeless students that are also in a subpopulation category, and other relevant program questions relating to current issues. Grantees are encouraged to submit the optional data or at least track the information for program evaluation, effectiveness, and professional development.

EHCY Authorized Activities

Activities authorized under EHCY are as follows:

1. The provision of tutoring, supplemental instruction, and enriched educational services that are linked to the achievement of the same challenging State academic standards as the State establishes for other children and youths;
2. The provision of expedited evaluations of the strengths and needs of homeless children and youths, including needs and eligibility for programs and services (such as educational programs for gifted and talented students, children with disabilities, and English learners, services provided under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [20 United States Code Section 6301 et seq.] or similar State or local programs, programs in career and technical education, and school nutrition programs);
3. Professional development and other activities for educators and specialized instructional support personnel that are designed to heighten the understanding and sensitivity of such personnel to the needs of homeless children and youths, the rights of such children and youths under this part, and the specific educational needs of runaway and homeless youths;
4. The provision of referral services to homeless children and youths for medical, dental, mental, and other health services;
5. The provision of assistance to defray the excess cost of transportation for students under section 11432(g)(4)(A) of this title, not otherwise provided through Federal, State, or local funding, where necessary to enable students to attend the school selected under section 11432(g)(3) of this title;
6. The provision of developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs, not otherwise provided through Federal, State, or local funding, for preschool-aged homeless children;
7. The provision of services and assistance to attract, engage, and retain homeless children and youths, particularly homeless children and youths who are not enrolled in school, in public school programs and services provided to non-homeless children and youths;
8. The provision for homeless children and youths of before- and after-school, mentoring, and summer programs in which a teacher or other qualified individual provides tutoring, homework assistance, and supervision of educational activities;
9. If necessary, the payment of fees and other costs associated with tracking, obtaining, and transferring records necessary to enroll homeless children and youths in school, including birth certificates, immunization or other required health records, academic records, guardianship records, and evaluations for special programs or services;
10. The provision of education and training to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths about the rights of, and resources available to, such children and youths, and other activities designed to increase the meaningful involvement of parents and guardians of homeless children or youths in the education of such children or youths;
11. The development of coordination between schools and agencies providing services to homeless children and youths, as described in section 11432(g)(5) of this title;
12. The provision of specialized instructional support services (including violence prevention counseling) and referrals for such services;
13. Activities to address the particular needs of homeless children and youths that may arise from domestic violence and parental mental health or substance abuse problems;
14. The adaptation of space and purchase of supplies for any non-school facilities made available under subsection (a)(2) to provide services under this subsection;
15. The provision of school supplies, including those supplies to be distributed at shelters or temporary housing facilities, or other appropriate locations;
16. The provision of other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to enable homeless children and youths to attend school and participate fully in school activities;
17. The provision of wraparound services (which could be provided in collaboration with and/or through contracts with community-based organizations, and could include academic supports, trauma informed care, social-emotional support, and mental health services);
18. The purchase of needed supplies (e.g., personal protective equipment, eyeglasses, school supplies, personal care items);
19. The purchase of cell phones or other technological devices for unaccompanied youth to enable the youth to attend and fully participate in school activities;
20. The provision of access to reliable, high-speed internet for students through the purchase of internet-connected devices/equipment, mobile hotspots, wireless service plans, or installation of Community Wi-Fi Hotspots (e.g., at homeless shelters), especially in underserved communities; and,
21. The purchase and provision of store cards/prepaid debit cards to purchase materials necessary for students to participate in school activities.

Maintenance of Effort

As a condition for receiving its full allocation in any fiscal year, for covered programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as reauthorized and amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, an LEA must maintain its own state and local fiscal effort in accordance with section 8521, ESEA. Section 8521 states:

1. An LEA may receive funds under a covered program for any fiscal year only if the State Educational Agency (SEA) finds that either the combined fiscal effort per student or the aggregate expenditures of the agency and the State with respect to the provision of free public education by the agency for the preceding fiscal year was not less than 90 percent of the combined fiscal effort or aggregate expenditures for the second preceding fiscal year, subject to the requirements of subsection (2)
2. REDUCTION IN CASE OF FAILURE TO MEET—
   • IN GENERAL—The SEA shall reduce the amount of the allocation of funds under a covered program in any fiscal year in the exact proportion by which a LEA fails to meet the requirement of subsection (a) of this section by falling below 90 percent of both the combined fiscal effort per student and aggregate expenditures (using the measure most favorable to the LEA, if such LEA has also failed to meet such requirement (as determined using the measure most favorable to the LEA) for 1 or more of the 5 immediately preceding fiscal years
   • SPECIAL RULE—No such lesser amount shall be used for computing the effort required under subsection (a) of this section for subsequent years
3. WAIVER—The Secretary may waive the requirements of this section if the Secretary determines that a waiver would be equitable due to—
   • Exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances, such as a natural disaster or a change in the organizational structure of the LEA; or
   • A precipitous decline in the financial resources of the LEA