McKinney-Vento Educating Homeless Children and Youth Subgrant

Overview

The McKinney-Vento subgrant supports LEAs in identifying, enrolling, and ensuring the consistent attendance, academic success, and well-being of students experiencing homelessness. LEAs that receive this subgrant must also provide support for public preschool students and unaccompanied youth, as outlined by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Access the Department’s webpage about supports for students experiencing homelessness to learn more. 

Future Forward Ohio, the state's strategic priorities for education, focuses on three interrelated strategies: (1) overcoming obstacles to learning, (2) accelerating learning, and (3) preparing students for future success. The McKinney-Vento subgrant supports these priorities by empowering grantees to remove obstacles to learning and better prepare students for future success.

Current Grantees 

The Fiscal Year 2025 Grantee List contains grantee information for fiscal year 2025 recipients.  

Click here to access a recording of the FY25 grant kickoff meeting, where grantees discussed the grant timeline, guidelines, monitoring process, and next steps with the Department.

Allowable Uses

The McKinney-Vento Act outlines sixteen allowable uses of funds, which include covering the excess cost of transportation for students experiencing homelessness, paying stipends for staff members fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of a homeless education liaison, and providing school supplies to students experiencing homelessness. Grantees can reference the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)’s Use of Funds Tip Sheet to determine whether a proposed expenditure is allowable. Indirect costs to administer the grant are allowable with an approved rate. Grantees can email IndirectCost@education.ohio.gov for more information.  

It is important to note that while all allowable uses of funds under the ARP-HCY program also apply to the Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program, there is one key exception: the provision of short-term, temporary housing (e.g., several nights in a hotel) was permissible only during the COVID-19 pandemic. For further clarification, this exception is discussed on slide six of the accompanying PowerPoint from the U.S. Department of Education webinar titled “Maximizing Unobligated ARP-HCY Funds.” 

Click on an activity below for clarifications about the allowable use:

Cell phones, Devices, and Wi-Fi	College and Career Readiness Supports	Coordination with Community-Based Organizations	Early Childhood Education
Emergency Assistance Not Expressly Stated in Other Allowable Uses	Engagement Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness	Hygiene and Cleaning Supplies	Medical, Dental, and Mental Health Referrals
Obtaining Records	Paying Staff	Professional Development	School Supplies
Space Adaptation in Schools or Shelters	Specialized Instructional Services	Store Cards	Summer Learning, School Year Preparation, and Mentorship Programs
Supplemental Transportation for School Activities	Supports for Students Affected by Domestic Violence or Parental Mental Health or Substance Use Challenges	Training and Resources About McKinney-Vento Rights for Families	Transportation to and from School and Activities
Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction	Wraparound Services

 

Cell phones, Devices, and Wi-Fi

Allowable Uses and Clarifications:

• Purchasing cell phones or other technological devices or equipment, mobile hotspots, wireless service plans, or installing community wi-fi hotspots (e.g., at homeless shelters) to support school participation, especially in underserved communities, for unaccompanied, homeless children and youth to enable such children and youth to attend school and fully participate in school activities. 

Examples:

• Laptops for students to take home 
• Cell phones and prepaid minutes for parents to communicate with the school 
• Wi-Fi hotspots for students to complete their homework 

College and Career Readiness Supports 

Grantees can reference pages three and four of the Dear Colleague letter for more information. 

Examples: 

• Assisting youth and their parents or guardians with completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and other college readiness and college access activities  
• Adding staff hours to provide such assistance, and providing transportation so that homeless youth may participate in these activities 
• Paying for college application expenses such as registration fees, preparation materials, entrance and placement exams, and other fees associated with college applications 
• Hiring graduation coaches or paying stipends to counselors to conduct transcript audits to help award partial credits and ensure students are on track for graduation 
• Covering any additional fees to participate in early college/dual enrollment programs or career and technical education programs 

Coordination with Community-Based Organizations 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The development of coordination between schools and agencies providing services to homeless children and youth to provide services and supports, as described in section 722(g)(5) of the McKinney-Vento Act. 

Examples: 

• Contracts with community organizations to mentor students experiencing homelessness 
• Contracts with community partners to refer students experiencing homelessness to enroll in school 
• Contracts with community partners to distribute book bags and information about the McKinney-Vento Act to students experiencing homelessness 

Early Childhood Education 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The provision of developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs for preschool-aged children experiencing homelessness, especially for parenting students, when not otherwise funded through federal, state, or local sources. 

Examples: 

• Childcare for parenting youth experiencing homelessness following Ohio Department of Job and Family Services guidelines (pregnant and parenting youth experiencing homelessness may need additional supports to complete schooling) 
• Childcare while parents are at events to discuss McKinney-Vento rights 
• Referrals for siblings of students experiencing homelessness to Head Start programs 
• Childcare expenses for young children experiencing homelessness within attendance area of LEA but not currently enrolled 

Emergency Assistance Not Expressly Stated in Other Allowable Uses 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The provision of other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to enable homeless children and youths to attend school and participate fully in school activities. 

This is an expansive category; reach out to HomelessEducation@education.ohio.gov for more information. 

Engagement Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The provision of services and assistance to attract, engage, and retain children and youth experiencing homelessness, particularly those who are not enrolled in school or in public school programs, and services provided to non-homeless children and youth. 

Examples: 

• Printing posters to distribute within the community 
• Events for the community with community partners to distribute information about McKinney-Vento rights 
• Coordination with homeless shelters and food banks to refer families to the district to bolster identification 

Hygiene and Cleaning Supplies 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• Hygiene products (soap, detergent, cleaning items, diapers/baby wipes) 

Examples: 

• Hygiene products in a district Care Closet
• Feminine hygiene products 

Medical, Dental, and Mental Health Referrals 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The provision of referral services to homeless children and youths for medical, dental, mental, and other health services. 

Examples: 

• Coordination with community partners to sponsor mobile health clinic visits 
• Some extraordinary medical expenses related to school success 

Obtaining Records 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• If necessary, the payment of fees and other costs associated with tracking, obtaining, and transferring records necessary to enroll homeless children and youth in school, including birth certificates, immunization or other required health records, academic records, guardianship records, and evaluations for special programs or services. 

Examples: 

• Payment for birth certificates and other records for families that were evicted and had to leave their possessions 
• Payment for records for families displaced through a natural disaster or a house fire 

Paying Staff 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• Hiring dedicated staff to identify and support students experiencing homelessness. 
• McKinney-Vento program improvement (professional development tools, needs assessment, building policy review, etc.) 

Examples: 

• Stipends for staff to review enrollment policies and procedures to remove barriers specific to homeless experience 
• Stipends for staff to review EMIS data and reporting procedures 
• Stipends to coordinate supports and services with local attendance officers 
• The difference of the homeless education liaison’s salary and benefits before and during the grant’s implementation (if the liaison spent 5% of time supporting students experiencing homelessness but now spends 15% of their time, this grant can cover 10% of salary and benefits) 
• Stipends for staff to conduct a needs assessment 
• Stipends for staff to audit transcripts to help students experiencing homelessness graduate on time and ensure earned partial credit for transfer students 

Professional Development 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• 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 youth under this part, and the specific educational needs of runaway and homeless youths. Consider including the following staff members in these trainings: 
  • Attendance officers 
  • Bus drivers 
  • EMIS administrators 
  • Enrollment personnel 
  • Front office staff 
  • Guidance counselors 
  • Nurses 
  • Nutrition personnel 
  • School and district leaders 
  • Student support specialists 
  • Teachers 

Examples: 

• Support for conference and professional development fees 
• Stipends for staff to participate in trainings outside of work hours 
• Payment for poverty simulations 

School Supplies 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The provision of school supplies, including those supplies to be distributed at shelters or temporary housing facilities or other appropriate locations. 

Example: 

• School supplies including colored pencils, books, pens, pencils, backpacks, protractors, and more to allow for students to meaningfully engage in their classes 

Space Adaption in Schools or Shelters 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The adaptation of space and purchase of supplies for any non-school facilities made available under section 723(a)(2) of the McKinney-Vento Act to provide services under section 723(d) of the McKinney-Vento Act. 

Examples: 

• Shelving and storage bins for a Care Closet stocked with clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and shoes (which are also allowable uses of ARP Homeless funds)
  • To reduce the stigma for students experiencing homelessness, housed students in need can also access the Care Closet. 
• Washers and dryers in a room for students to access between classes 
• Refrigerator within the Care Closet stocked with food provided from community partners 
• Adaptation of a room at a shelter to allow for students to have a quiet space to study, read, and play 

Specialized Instructional Services 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The provision of specialized instructional support services (including violence prevention and counseling) and referrals for such services. 

Examples: 

• Implementation of the Handle With Care program to support the needs of students experiencing homelessness
• ​Stipends to train a social worker to specialize in violence prevention counseling to support students experiencing homelessness 

Store Cards 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• Providing store cards or prepaid debit cards to purchase allowable materials necessary for students to participate fully in school activities. 
   
  Consider providing food assistance if it is reasonable and necessary to assist homeless students to take advantage of educational and extracurricular opportunities when food is not available to the student through other sources (e.g. free school meals or  community-based resources).  

Examples: 

• Vouchers for laundromats 
• Store cards to purchase clothing, shoes, and school supplies 
• Store cards to purchase hygiene products  

Summer Learning, School Year Preparation, and Mentorship Programs 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The provision for homeless children and youth 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. 

Examples: 

• Summer programs to help students experiencing homelessness receive additional academic support 
• ​Stipends for staff to mentor and check in on students throughout the summer 
• Stipends for staff to go to food banks and shelters to host reading and learning events throughout the summer

Supplemental Transportation for School Activities 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• Providing supplemental transportation to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities. 
   
  Consider providing round-trip transportation to and from the school of origin or when necessary to enable children and youth experiencing homelessness to attend classes and participate fully in school activities. Transportation reimbursement is based on days of school attendance. 

Examples: 

• Transportation to before-school and from after-school club meetings 
• Transportation to and from club and sporting events that students participate in 
• Gas cards for families to transport their students are an allowable use. Grantees should adhere to local policies and procedures regarding gas cards 
• Reasonable and necessary car repairs 

Supports for Students Affected by Domestic Violence or Parental Mental Health Problems or Substance Use Challenges 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• Activities to address the particular needs of homeless children and youth that may arise from domestic violence and parental mental health or substance abuse problems. 

Examples: 

• Stipends for staff to provide tutoring and homework assistance at family shelters 
• Stipends for a family-community-liaison to establish relationships with families and check in on them 

Training and Resources About McKinney-Vento Rights for Families 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The provision of education and training to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youth about the rights of, and resources available to, such children and youth, and other activities designed to increase the meaningful involvement of parents and guardians of homeless children or youth in the education of such children or youth. 

Examples: 

• Stipends for staff to implement early literacy programs to train families experiencing homelessness how to educate and develop their young children 
• Events to provide families information about community resources available and their rights under the McKinney-Vento Act 
• Transportation for families to attend these events 
• Transportation for families to attend parent-teacher conferences 

Transportation to and from School and Activities 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• The provision of assistance to defray the excess cost of transportation for students under section 722(g)(4)(A) of the McKinney-Vento Act, not otherwise provided through federal, state, or local funding, where necessary to enable students to attend the school selected under section 732(g)(3) of the McKinney-Vento Act. 
   
  The cost of transportation for students temporarily residing outside district lines must be shared with the attendance area district. For more information about transportation, reference Transportation Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness. 

Examples: 

• Contracts with private companies 
• Purchase of (or combining funds to purchase) a van 
• Bus passes for students 
• Mileage reimbursement based on one round trip per day (more if extracurricular needs) and days in attendance. Grantees need to ensure a solid system when using this method of transportation support 
• Bus driver salary and benefits for additional time and mileage to transport students experiencing homelessness 
• Bicycles and helmets for students experiencing homelessness residing in a walk zone 

Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• 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 youth. 

Examples: 

• After- or before-school tutoring
  • To reduce stigma for students experiencing homelessness, these tutoring programs can include other students
• Stipend for staff to host homework help nights at shelters 

Wraparound Services 

Allowable Uses and Clarifications: 

• Providing 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). 

Examples: 

• Payment for an in-building counselor for students experiencing homelessness’ mental health needs 
• Contracts with community partners for tutoring supports and services within the shelter or place of nighttime residence 
• Contracts with housing navigators to help connect families to community resources 
• Stipends to train guidance counselors and school social workers to be informed about trauma unique to the homeless experience 

Related Resources 

• National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)’s Use of Funds Tip Sheet
• Ohio Department of Education and Workforce: Federal Programs 
• Ohio Department of Education and Workforce: Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness 

Last Modified: 5/5/2026 10:02:13 AM

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