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Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.

Federal Funding Threatened: Here's How Homeless Liaisons Fought Back

March 13 · 21 min · Season 5 · Episode 28 · 15.3 MBBonus
0:00-21:11

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In Part 2 of my Schoolutions conversation, Erin Patterson from SchoolHouse Connection returns to detail legislative wins for families experiencing homelessness, showcasing how advocacy works amid federal budget cuts. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • How $129 million in homeless education funding was zeroed out in the President's FY26 budget, and how SchoolHouse Connection got it restored through nonpartisan grassroots advocacy
  • What the McKinney-Vento Act actually guarantees for homeless students
  • The Homeless Children and Youth Act: the signature legislation that would align federal definitions so families in motels and doubled-up housing finally qualify for housing assistance
  • How the Thrive from the Start Coalition is mobilizing state-level action on infant and toddler homelessness, and why 48 states applied for just 10 grants

Mentions:
➡️Barbara Duffield
➡️Thomas J. Lucas (TJ)
➡️Thrive from the Start Coalition
➡️Advocacy Page
➡️Federal Policy Tracker
➡️Homeless Children and Youth Data Map
➡️McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
➡️Every Student Succeeds Act
➡️Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program
➡️Homeless Children and Youth Act 
➡️Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
➡️Resources for Homeless Education Liaisons

🎧 Watch Part I! Erin paints the full picture of what hidden homelessness looks like for children across America.

CHAPTERS 

0:00 When the Budget Shows a Zero 

1:45 FY26 Budget & Homeless Education 

6:00 $129 Million Restored 

7:30 McKinney-Vento Explained 

10:00 Undocumented & Homeless 

11:45 Dedicated Funding vs. Block Grants 

13:00 Thrive from the Start 

15:15 Homeless Children & Youth Act 

16:30 How to Get Involved 

Next Week:  Dr. Kris Nystrom left retirement to tackle the world's lowest literacy rates in sub-Saharan Africa, one community at a time. This one will change how you see what's at stake when a child can't read. 

When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.