60D Comment Response

Summary

On July 15, 2022, a Federal Register Notice requesting public comment was published (Vol 87, No 135, page 42449). The Department received one comment and responded to it in a separate document. Now the Department is publishing the applicable 30-day Federal Register notice to request public comment as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Background

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) included an unprecedented $800 million to support the specific needs of homeless children and youth via the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) Fund. State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) must use ARP-HCY funds to identify homeless children and youth, to provide homeless children and youth with wrap-around services to address the challenges of COVID-19, and to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and fully participate in school activities.  This is a one-time grant program administered as part of the American Rescue Plan. The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) is seeking to understand how funds under this one-time grant program are being used.

Specifically, the Department is seeking to learn about the distribution of ARP-HCY funds by SEAs, the characteristics of LEAs receiving funds, and the characteristics of LEAs who chose not to participate in the distribution of funds in each state. Additionally, the Department would like to gather information on how SEAs are using the funds that were set aside at the State level under this program. Information obtained in this survey will be used to inform technical assistance and support provided by the Department and the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE), resources developed by NCHE, and further studies. Therefore, to conduct this survey, the Department makes this new collection request.

Comment #1: General Comment

Comments placed here in this section are in regards to Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; ARP–HCY State Coordinators Survey. I agree on allowing the U.S. Department of Education gain more knowledge on how funds are being distributed to the State Educational Agencies as a well as the Local Educational Agencies. $800 Million dollar investment for a one time grant program can hold a lot of responsibility and stat management to gain confidence in changing the amount of homeless kids and youth that are not getting the right education nor engaging in activities that most kids have the opportunity of having. Children education and engagement they start off at a young age builds character, confidence, a sense of well being, and establishing who they are at a young age. Every quality named matters in that previous sentence matters in regards to understanding how this grant can change the lives of kids all over the U.S. The issues to address directly would be the spread of the program in every state of the U.S. without allowing specific states to be pardoned or excused of participation. Homelessness of the youth most often happen because of mishaps with parents or family, in which the child has no decision on such a heavy burden they begin to carry at such a young age. Due to this factor, every state should be able and willing to participate in working with SEAs and LEAs to provide the best opportunity to offering a school system and programs associated with. "A staggering 2.5 million children are now homeless each year in America. This historic high represents one in every 30 children in the United States." With this came the stats that with these high numbers almost 80% of youth that are homeless are in a constant worry or scare. You don't have to have children to see that the start of the fix of educating the homeless children which in this case happen to be the less fortunate to even have to gain an education in such mental state and environment is truly important and nothing but data and understanding on how these programs will be implemented is important. Is the funding only for homeless children staying in a shelter? Will this grant provide educational information on how to overcome poverty and the mindset that may be attached to poverty? Making sure that the funds are used to increase productivity on education with in the homeless youth in hopes to protect the mind of the youth in less influential environments while providing equal opportunity for those in need. Agencies working with the Department of Education should bring a healthier, happier, and more understanding population of homeless youth in hopes to cut back on that outstanding number in the united states. The children who are homeless can suffer from behavior issues, self respect, and many more characteristics involved in a lower self esteem. Understanding that with this proposal we can create change in a generation with providing an equal opportunity at a young age.

Discussion:

The Department agrees that collecting data on the ARP-HCY program will provide stakeholders with valuable information about the numbers of students experiencing homelessness and the programs and services that both states and local school districts are providing to meet their needs.

Change: none