WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all Md.) today announced more than $12.8 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to meet the academic, emotional, social and mental health needs of homeless students across the state.

“The COVID-19 pandemic took a massive toll on children and families, with vulnerable communities, such as homeless youth, disproportionately affected. This robust round of American Rescue Plan funding will provide critical aid and resources to homeless students in Maryland and help our public education system meet the needs of this important and underserved population of children,” the lawmakers said. “We will continue securing federal funding that lifts up Maryland students, expands educational opportunities and delivers vital support for Marylanders throughout our state.”

The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief-Homeless Children and Youth Fund. The level of funding is more than four times higher than the amount of federal funding typically provided for these kinds of homeless services.  These funds supplement the approximately $2.29 million the State receives under the existing McKinney-Vento Program, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act.

At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, Maryland schools educated more than 13,500 homeless students, nearly 1.5 percent of the total school population.

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