(105 ILCS 45/1-50)

Sec. 1-50. Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program.

(a) It is the purpose and intent of this Section to establish a State grant program that parallels and supplements, but operates independently of, the federal grant program allocating funds for assistance under Subtitle B of Title VII of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) and to establish a State grant program to support school districts throughout this State in facilitating the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants under an Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program to applicant school districts in accordance with this Section. Services provided by school districts through the use of grant funds may not replace the regular academic program and must be designed to expand upon or improve services provided for homeless students as part of the school's regular academic program.

(c) A school district that desires to receive a grant under this Section shall submit an application to the State Board of Education at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the State Board of Education may reasonably require.

(d) Grants must be awarded on the basis of the need of the school district for assistance under this Section and the quality of the applications submitted.

(1) In determining need under this subsection (d), the State Board of Education may consider the number of homeless children and youths enrolled in preschool, elementary school, and secondary school within the school district and shall consider the needs of such children and youths and the ability of the district to meet such needs. The State Board of Education may also consider the following:

(A) The extent to which the proposed use of funds will facilitate the enrollment, retention, and educational success of homeless children and youths.

(B) The extent to which the application (i) reflects coordination with other local and State agencies that serve homeless children and youths and (ii) describes how the applicant will meet the requirements of this Act and the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001.

(C) The extent to which the applicant exhibits in the application and in current practice a commitment to education for all homeless children and youths.

(D) Such other criteria as the State Board determines is appropriate.

(2) In determining the quality of applications under this subsection (d), the State Board of Education shall consider the following:

(A) The applicant's assessment of needs and the likelihood that the services presented in the application will meet such needs.

(B) The types, intensity, and coordination of the services to be provided.

(C) The involvement of parents or guardians of homeless children or youths in the education of these children.

(D) The extent to which homeless children and youths are effectively integrated within the regular education program.

(E) The quality of the applicant's evaluation plan for the services.

(F) The extent to which services provided will be coordinated with other services available to homeless children and youths and their families.

(G) Such other measures as the State Board considers indicative of high-quality services, such as the extent to which the school district will provide case management or related services to unaccompanied youths.

(e) Grants awarded under this Section shall be for terms not to exceed 3 years, but are subject to annual appropriation for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program. School districts shall use funds awarded under this Section only for those activities set forth in Section 723(d) of Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 (42 U.S.C. 11433(d)).

(f) The State Board of Education may use up to 5% of the funds appropriated for the purposes of this Section for administrative costs, including the hiring of positions for the implementation and administration of the grant program, provided that if no appropriation is made to the State Board of Education for a given fiscal year for the purposes of the grant program, then the State Board of Education is not required to make any expenditures in support of the program during that fiscal year.

(Source: P.A. 96-1229, eff. 1-1-11.)