1. The 115th Congress and Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Homeless children’s education fund
2017 Government relations briefing

2. About SchoolHouse Connection
A national organization promoting success for children and youth experiencing homelessness, from birth through higher education. We provide strategic advocacy and technical assistance in partnership with early care and education professionals.

3. Context: National Data
1.3 million children and youth, preK-12, identified and enrolled in school in the school year.
7% increase over 4 years.
111,753 unaccompanied youth: a 42% increase over 4 years.
Infancy is the period of life when a person is most at risk of living in a homeless shelter.
Over 1.26 million children under 6 years old were estimated to have experienced homelessness over the school year.
School data source: National Center for Homeless Education. (2016). Federal Data Summary, School Years to : Education for Homeless Children and Youth. Greensboro: University of North Carolina.
Young child data source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. (2016). Early Childhood Homelessness in the United States: 50-State Profile.

4. Context: Pennsylvania Data
23,164

5. Context: Pennsylvania Data
School data source: National Center for Homeless Education. (2016). Federal Data Summary, School Years to : Education for Homeless Children and Youth. Greensboro: University of North Carolina.
Young child data source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. (2016). Early Childhood Homelessness in the United States: 50-State Profile.

6. Context: The 115th Congress
A partisan political climate impacts everything in Congress, but….
Homelessness among children, youth, and families is not a partisan issue
Citizen engagement – i.e. involvement by constituents - is the only way positive policy change will occur

7. Pending Legislation FY2018 Budget (funding for homeless programs)
Hurricane Harvey Supplemental Funding
Career and Technical Education
Higher Education Act (including FAFSA)
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act
HUD Homeless Assistance Reform

8. FY2018 Budget: Context
Unless Congress acts, sequestration (across the board cuts to all federal programs) returns
Advocates: Replace the scheduled sequestration cuts through a package that is balanced between defense and non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs
ADVOCACY RESOURCES:
These numbers are already included in the

9. FY2018 Budget: Current Status Homeless Programs
ED: $77 million (House) for Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program. Same as FY17 level.
HHS: $ million for Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) (House). Same as FY17 level.
HUD: $2.383 billion (House) and $2.46 (Senate) for Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG).
HUD: $55 million (Senate) for 3rd round of Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project grants.
These numbers are already included in the

10. Hurricane Harvey Relief
Tens of thousands of newly homeless children and youth in Texas
Lessons from past disasters: McKinney-Vento program is a critical first responder and relief program
Advocacy request: include line-item for funding for McKinney-Vento system to meet emergency needs
These numbers are already included in the

11. Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act Reauthorization (CTE)
Academic, career, and technical skills for secondary and postsecondary students in career and technical education programs.
HR 2353 passed the House in July unanimously
Adds students who meet the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless to the definition of “special populations”
States and eligible entities must describe how grants will benefit “special populations,” report on special populations, etc.

12. Higher Education Act Reauthorization (HEA) Report: Government Accountability Office
Key findings of May 2016 report:
Burdensome program rules can hinder the ability of homeless and foster youth to access federal supports.
Extensive documentation requests can impede access to aid for homeless youth.
Annual re-verification of homelessness poses barriers for unaccompanied homeless youth.
Limited academic preparation, family support, and awareness of resources make it harder for homeless and foster youth to pursue college.

13. Higher Education Act Reauthorization (HEA): Two Bills to be Introduced This Month
Higher education is the best opportunity for economic independence and healthier lives.
Two complementary bills will help homeless and foster youth transition successfully to higher education and receive the financial aid and other supports they need to complete their degrees.
Introduction expected next week; stay tuned for action alerts and endorsements

14. Bill #1: Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth
Sponsored by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in the U.S. Senate, and by U.S. Representatives Katherine Clark (D- 5th/MA) and Don Young (R At Large/AK) in the U.S. House of Representatives
Easing the verification and determination process for financial aid
Developing a plan to access housing options during academic breaks
Designating a single point of contact to assist homeless and foster youth to access and complete higher education

15. Bill #2: The Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2017
Sponsored by U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis (D-7th/IL) in the House, and U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) in the U.S. Senate
Authorizes a new grant program to:
Establish or expand transitions between K-12 and higher education for foster and homeless youth, including summer bridge programs, through statewide initiatives
Develop “institutions of excellence” committed to serving foster and homeless youth from entrance to completion via robust support services and by covering the remaining cost of attendance beyond federal and state grants.

16. The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act
Expected to be re-introduced this fall
Makes updates to Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs:
Includes new provisions to combat trafficking and discrimination
Increases the length of stays in Basic Centers from 21 to 30 days.
Requires RHYA grantees to assist youth with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

17. HUD Homeless Assistance Reform: Homeless Children and Youth Act
Overall purpose: allow communities to more flexibly and effectively use federal funding to meet the unique developmental needs of children, youth, and families.
Bipartisan bills:
Senate bill S. 611 introduced by Senators Portman (R- OH) and Feinstein (D-CA)
House bill H.R introduced by Rep. Stivers (R-OH) and Rep. Loebsack (D-IA)

18. The Homeless Children and Youth Act: What Does it Do?
Amends HUD’s definition of homelessness to include children and youth verified as homeless by school liaisons, RHYA programs, Head Start, Health Care for the Homeless programs, etc.
Prohibits HUD from prioritizing one group, or one program model, over another; communities would be guided by local needs assessments and performance
Aligns HUD Homeless Assistance with child- and youth- serving systems

19. The Homeless Children and Youth Act: Action Needed
1. Urge your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to sign on as co-sponsors:
2. Add the name of your organization as an endorser:

20. “Citizen-Centric Advocacy:” Congressional Management Foundation Report
1. Direct constituent interactions have more influence on lawmakers’ decisions than other advocacy strategies.
2. Congress places a high value on groups and citizens who have built relationships with the legislator and staff.
3. Citizen advocates are more influential and contribute to better public policy when they provide personalized and local information to Congress.

21. Congressfoundation.org

22. Congressfoundation.org

23. Congressfoundation.org

24. Contact and Resources Barbara Duffield, Executive Director
SchoolHouse Connection
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