The allocation of ARP-HCY funds to states was based on the proportion that each state received under Title I, Part A for the most recent fiscal year.  The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) was awarded $18,118,225 ($4.53 million in ARP Homeless I and $13.58 million in ARP Homeless II funding.) 

Allocations to all states can be found at US Department of Education (USDE) ESSER Fund State Allocations Table (PDF).

NJ DOE has calculated the allocations existing Regional Grantees and LEAs will receive in ARP-HCY I and the allocations for LEAs from ARP-HCY II funds.

Regional Grantee ARP-HCY I Allocations (PDF)

The USDE published a Notice of Final Requirements (NFR) on July 9, 2021, governing how a State education agency (SEA) must award ARP Homeless II subgrants to LEAs. As described in the NFR, an SEA must award ARP Homeless II subgrants to each LEA according to the following formula:

• 50 percent in proportion to the amount that each LEA received under Title I, Part A for the most recent fiscal year (i.e., fiscal year 2020), and
• 50 percent in proportion to the number of homeless children and youth identified by each LEA relative to all LEAs in the State, using the greater of the number of homeless children and youth in either the 2019-2019 or 2019-2020 school year in each LEA.

To calculate the first part of the formula, an SEA must consider the proportion of the State’s fiscal year 2020 Title I, Part A allocation that each LEA received. For an LEA that did not receive fiscal year 2020 Title I, Part A funds (either because it was not eligible under any of the Title I, Part A formulas or because it declined its Title I, Part A allocation), an SEA must input $0 for the first part of the funding formula. An LEA that did not receive a fiscal year 2020 Title I, Part A allocation may still receive an ARP Homeless II allocation under the second part of the formula based on the number of homeless children and youth identified by the LEA.

LEA ARP-HCY II Allocations (PDF)

• Region 1 - Bergen, Hunterdon, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Warren
• Region 2 - Essex, Hudson, Morris, Union
• Region 3 - Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean
• Region 4 - Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester
• Region 5 - Cape May, Cumberland, Salem

Funding under this program must be used for the purposes of identifying homeless children and youth and providing homeless children and youth with (A) wrap-around services in light of the challenges of COVID–19; and (B) assistance needed to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities. 

Funding provided under ARP Homeless II must follow the final requirements at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/07/09/2021-14705/final-requirements-american-rescue-plan-act-homeless-children-and-youth-program.   

Furthermore, funding under the ARP Homeless I and II programs must adhere to the allowable uses of funds described in Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act). Under section 723(d) of the McKinney-Vento Act, LEAs may use subgrant funds for activities that support the purposes of the program, including:  

1. The provision of tutoring, supplemental instruction, and enriched educational services that are linked to the achievement of the same challenging State academic standards as the State establishes for other children and youths.
2. The provision of expedited evaluations of the strengths and needs of homeless children and youths, including needs and eligibility for programs and services (such as educational programs for gifted and talented students, children with disabilities, and English learners, services provided under title I of the ESEA,20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq., or similar State or local programs, programs in career and technical education, and school nutrition programs).
3. Professional development and other activities for educators and specialized instructional support personnel that are designed to heighten the understanding and sensitivity of such personnel to the needs of homeless children and youths, the rights of such children and youths under this part, and the specific educational needs of runaway and homeless youths.
4. The provision of referral services to homeless children and youths for medical, dental, mental, and other health services.
5. The provision of assistance to defray the excess cost of transportation for students under section 722(g)(4)(A) of the McKinney-Vento Act, not otherwise provided through Federal, State, or local funding, where necessary to enable students to attend the school selected under section 732(g)(3) of the McKinney-Vento Act.
6. The provision of developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs, not otherwise provided through Federal, State, or local funding, for preschool-aged homeless children.
7. The provision of services and assistance to attract, engage, and retain homeless children and youths, particularly homeless children and youths who are not enrolled in school, in public school programs and services provided to nonhomeless children and youths.
8. The provision for homeless children and youths of before- and after-school, mentoring, and summer programs in which a teacher or other qualified individual provides tutoring, homework assistance, and supervision of educational activities.
9. If necessary, the payment of fees and other costs associated with tracking, obtaining, and transferring records necessary to enroll homeless children and youths in school, including birth certificates, immunization or other required health records, academic records, guardianship records, and evaluations for special programs or services.
10. The provision of education and training to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths about the rights of, and resources available to, such children and youths, and other activities designed to increase the meaningful involvement of parents and guardians of homeless children or youths in the education of such children or youths.
11. The development of coordination between schools and agencies providing services to homeless children and youths, as described in section 722(g)(5) of the McKinney-Vento Act.
12. The provision of specialized instructional support services (including violence prevention counseling) and referrals for such services.
13. Activities to address the particular needs of homeless children and youths that may arise from domestic violence and parental mental health or substance abuse problems.
14. The adaptation of space and purchase of supplies for any nonschool facilities made available under section 723(a)(2) of the McKinney-Vento Act to provide services under section 723(d) of the McKinney-Vento Act.
15. The provision of school supplies, including those supplies to be distributed at shelters or temporary housing facilities, or other appropriate locations.
16. The provision of other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to enable homeless children and youths to attend school and participate fully in school activities.

Activities under both ARP Homeless I and II may include any expenses necessary to facilitate the identification, enrollment, retention, or educational success of homeless children and youth in order to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities, such as:  

• providing wraparound services (which could be provided in collaboration with and/or through contracts with community-based organizations, and could include academic supports, trauma-informed care, social-emotional support, and mental health services); 
• purchasing needed supplies (e.g., personal protective equipment, eyeglasses, school supplies, personal care items); 
• providing transportation to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities;  
• purchasing cell phones or other technological devices for unaccompanied, homeless children and youth to enable such children and youth to attend school and fully participate in school activities; 

• providing access to reliable, high-speed internet for students through the purchase of internet-connected devices/equipment, mobile hotspots, wireless service plans, or installation of Community Wi-Fi Hotspots (e.g., at homeless shelters), especially in underserved communities; 
• paying for short-term, temporary housing (e.g., a few days in a motel) when such emergency housing is the only reasonable option for COVID-safe temporary housing and when necessary to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities (including summer school); and 
• providing store cards/prepaid debit cards to purchase materials necessary for students to participate fully in school activities. 

LEAs must ensure that all costs are reasonable and necessary and that these uses of funds align with the purpose of, and other requirements in, the McKinney-Vento Act. In addition, when considering funding decisions, we want to emphasize that section 723(d)(16) of the McKinney-Vento Act allows the use of funds for “other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to enable homeless children and youths to attend school and participate fully in school activities.” Accordingly, when considering funding decisions, LEAs should analyze the needs of students experiencing homelessness in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its extraordinary impact.  

NJDOE ARP-HCY Allowable Uses Examples (PDF)

ARP HCY II sub-grants may not be less than $5,000 under the funding formula; however, LEAs may combine as a consortium for the purpose of meeting the $5,000 threshold and accessing ARP HCY II funding.

NOTE: A public school district with an ARP HCY II allocation greater than $5,000 may elect to join a consortium, thereby, contributing its allocation to the consortium, and working cooperatively to provide programs and/or services for the identification, enrollment, retention, and educational success of children and youths experiencing homelessness. The consortium shall be in effect throughout the duration of the ARP HCY II award cycle. See section (c) of the Notice of Final Requirements for these rules.

Regional Grantees have agreed to act as Lead LEA/Fiscal Agents. Responsibilities include:

1. The Lead LEA/Fiscal Agent assumes the responsibility of completing and submitting the ARP HCY II application, reimbursement requests, interim reports, and the final expenditure report on behalf of the consortium.
2. The Lead LEA/Fiscal Agent is the point of contact with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for all communication regarding the ARP HCY II application.
3. The Lead LEA/Fiscal Agent is responsible for ensuring the member (participant) school districts comprising the consortium fulfill their programmatic and fiscal responsibilities under ARP HCY II funding.

Responsibilities of the Member (Participant) LEA (School District) include:

1. The member (participant) school district will comply with all ARP HCY II requirements.
2. The member (participant) school district will collaborate with the Lead LEA/Fiscal Agent to develop and implement the ARP HCY II program plan and budget to meet the specific needs of children and youths experiencing homelessness in the consortium.
3. The member (participant) school district will fulfill their programmatic and fiscal responsibilities under ARP HCY II funding.

A detailed list of the roles and responsibilities can be found here:

ARP-HCY Program Roles and Responsibilities (PDF)

• Start Period: Funds may be used for allowable costs incurred on or after April 23, 2021;
• Obligated through: September 30, 2024, which includes the Tydings period (General Education Provisions Act §421(b)(1)); and
• Liquidated by: October 15, 2024.

Email questions to: ESSER@doe.nj.gov 

For additional resources that address the needs of students experiencing homelessness, please see the United States Department of Education’s COVID-19 Handbook Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools and Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students’ Needs.