KENTUCKY — The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced plans to distribute $800 million to help support the needs of students experiencing homelessness as part of funding from the American Rescue Plan. Kentucky is set to receive $13,656,376.

Distribution of part of the funds will begin Monday, according to the ED. The remaining funds will be allocated to states as soon as June.

Alongside the announcement, the Department issued a letter to Chief State School Officers underscoring the urgent need to use this funding to identify homeless children and youth, provide wraparound services in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide assistance to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities.

“The pandemic made the inequities in our education system even worse, especially for students experiencing homelessness,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “As districts and schools return to in-person learning, we must act with urgency to provide all students, including students experiencing homelessness, equitable access to high-quality learning environments and the resources to help meet their basic needs which schools often provide.”

The announcement received praise from members of Congress from both sides of aisle, including Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Sen. Joe Manchin (WV).

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional burdens for everyone but especially our students currently experiencing homelessness,” Manchin said. “I am pleased Secretary Cardona is moving quickly to get the first round of the $800 million I successfully fought to include in the American Rescue Plan to school systems so they can identify and assist homeless students in their schools. If we can’t find these students, we can’t provide the essential support and services they need. I won’t stop fighting to put a roof over every student’s head and ensure they have the tools to succeed. I look forward to continue working with my bipartisan colleagues as well as Secretary Cardona to help every student thrive.”

“It is significant that every single one of my colleagues recognized the importance of supporting homeless youth and children by unanimously agreeing to my amendment twice on the Senate floor earlier this year,” Murkowski said. “I thank President Biden and Secretary Cardona for working with me and my colleagues to get this funding out the door as quickly and effectively as possible. By releasing this first round of funding, we can start to provide much-needed relief to the most vulnerable - homeless youth and children.”