McKinney Education for Homeless Children

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has announced the McKinney Education for Homeless Children grant opportunity under the funding title “McKinney-Vento Homeless, McKinney Education for Homeless Children.” The program is supported by federal funds and aligns with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which aims to ensure educational access and stability for children and youth experiencing homelessness. ISBE administers this funding to help school districts and educational agencies provide services and programs to remove barriers to enrollment, attendance, and success in school for homeless students. The purpose of this grant is to support local education agencies (LEAs) and other eligible entities in developing and implementing strategies that facilitate the identification, enrollment, attendance, and academic success of homeless children and youth. The funding is expected to supplement—not supplant—existing programs and services, and it focuses on activities that improve school stability, address basic needs, and support academic achievement. Grant funds may be used for various purposes, including transportation, tutoring, counseling services, supplies, and outreach to identify and serve homeless students. The total estimated program funding available for this opportunity is $5,180,855. The number of awards is not specified, and there is no defined award ceiling or floor. However, cost-sharing or matching is required, and applicants must comply with federal supplement-not-supplant requirements. Indirect costs are not allowed unless specifically approved, as this program is subject to federally restricted indirect cost rates. Applications will be accepted between August 6, 2025, and September 22, 2025, with a closing time of 4:00 PM Central Time. While a technical assistance session is available, it is not mandatory. The webinar will take place on August 22, 2025, at 9:00 AM. Interested applicants must register using the provided webinar registration link. More detailed application materials and submission instructions can be found through the Illinois State Board of Education’s Request for Proposals page. This opportunity is open to entities operating within the state of Illinois, although the specific eligible applicant types are not detailed in the provided notice. Based on standard practice for McKinney-Vento programs, applicants typically include local educational agencies (LEAs), school districts, and possibly nonprofit educational organizations. Eligibility criteria should be verified directly with the program contact. For questions and technical support, applicants may contact Katherine Ulmer at kulmer@isbe.net. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend the optional webinar for further guidance on completing the application and understanding the grant requirements. Applications must be submitted by the deadline to be considered for funding.