Homeless Children and Youth Transportation Mini Grant Competitive Grant Opportunity Total Amount of Funds Available: Up to $372,538 Purpose: The Iowa Department of Education is using the American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) state set-aside funds to offer mini grants for local education agencies (LEAs) to help defray the cost of transportation of students experiencing homelessness. Transportation continues to be a major barrier for LEAs in serving students experiencing homelessness.
This mini grant offers the opportunity for LEAs to provide PK-12 students with the necessary transportation needed to facilitate positive school attendance patterns of children experiencing homelessness. Examples of allowable purchases include:
Vehicle purchases (LEA assumes all liability and maintenance of the vehicle after initial purchase) Public transportation services Private transportation services Gas cards
Grant requests can be made for up to $30,000 per LEA.
Requirements:
Funds must be obligated by 9/30/24 and liquidated by 1/28/25 in accordance with the federal guidelines in ARP-HCY.
Assurances must be agreed upon by the LEA in the application.
Complete application submitted by the deadline.
Eligibility:
Any LEA that meets the definition of “rural,” as provided by the federal Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) , and has reported at least 1 homeless student in the 2022-23 Spring Student Reporting in Iowa (SRI) reporting period. Priority for awarding a grant will be based on the specific transportation needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness within the LEA, the plan the LEA has for meeting those needs, and the plan the LEA has for sustainability after relief funds expire.
Application Components Eligible LEAs interested in this grant opportunity must complete an application within IowaGrants and provide the following required information:
District Information and Implementation Plan
Demonstration of need through data. Description of how LEA intends to use these funds to meet the needs of their students and families experiencing homelessness. Plan for sustainability after ARP-HCY funds expire.
Budget
Completed budget worksheet that addresses needs.
Assurances
Completed program assurances worksheet.
Applications will be reviewed and points will be awarded according to the Scoring Rubric attached to this funding opportunity in IowaGrants .
Allocations: LEAs may apply for any award amount up to $30,000. Grants will be awarded until the funds are exhausted.
Additional Resources: Below are additional resources for uses of these grant funds for the specific purpose of transportation:
Submission of Application : The Department must receive the application through the IowaGrants online application system by the deadline stated in the funding opportunity description. Applicants must adhere to all requirements and instructions within each form of the application in IowaGrants . Any information submitted separately from the application will not be considered in the review process.
