TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:
Subject: Funding for Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Request For Application ESCR-10/H2001
As the number of Texas families living in poverty increases and the amount of low-income housing stock remains stagnant or even dwindles, an increasing number of Texans are threatened with homelessness. Homeless children and youth are among the neediest of students; however, the current climate of diminishing fiscal resources limits the capacity of schools to meet these extraordinary needs. The Region 10 Education Service Center is requesting applications for RFA ESCR-10/H2000 from education service centers and local education agencies in Texas. The RFA calls for the development of programs to provide comprehensive educational services (beyond those provided in the general education program) to facilitate the enrollment, attendance, and school success of homeless children and youth. These funds are an opportunity for local education agencies to bridge the gulf between their available resources and the myriad needs of homeless students.
The RFA for the Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness is designed to enable local education agencies to provide tutoring, counseling, social work, transportation, and other services that will improve the access of homeless children and youth to a free and appropriate public education. The application stresses communication and collaboration, both within and outside of the local education agency. Among other things, applicants must ensure that (1) communication and coordination exist between schools and other agencies that provide services to homeless children and youth, (2) homeless students are aware of district programs that may address their needs, (3) parents/caretakers of homeless children and youth receive training about the rights and resources available to their children, and (4) educators and other school personnel are aware of the rights and sensitive to the needs of homeless youth.
The projects will begin no earlier than September 1, 2000, and will end no later than August 31, 2001, for up to $135,000 per grant award. The number of grants awarded will depend upon the total amount applied for by applicants. Approximately $2.1 million in federal funds is available for this project. One hundred percent of project costs will be funded from federal funds. Awards will be granted for three years; continuance will be dependent upon a grantee's satisfactory completion of the first and second years of the award and the availability of federal funding.
To obtain a copy of the Request for Application, call (512) 475-9702 or write the Office for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, The University of Texas at Austin, The Charles A. Dana Center, 2901 North IH 35, Suite 3.200, Austin, Texas 78722-2348, which is disseminating applications on behalf of the Region 10 Education Service Center. To be considered for funding, applications must be received at the Region 10 Education Service Center no later than 5:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Savings Time) on Friday, April 7, 2000. Any person who would like clarifying information about the application may call 1-800-446-3142 or (512) 475-9702 (in Austin).
Sincerely,
Virgil (Ed) Flathouse
Associate Commissioner for Finance and Operations
For further information on this topic, call 1-800-446-3142 or (512) 475-9702 (in Austin).