Public Act 096-1229
 
HB4755 EnrolledLRB096 16498 MJR 31768 b



    AN ACT concerning education.

 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
represented in the General Assembly: 



 
    Section 5. The Education for Homeless Children Act is 
amended  by adding Section 1-50 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 45/1-50  new)
    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.