RIDE Awards $410,000 to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness

Published on Wednesday, November 22, 2023

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green today announced that the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has awarded more than $410,000 to support students experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Education for Homeless Children and Youth funds have been awarded in subgrants to seven local education agencies (LEAs) including Middletown, Newport, North Kingstown, Providence, Warwick, West Warwick, and Woonsocket. 

“Students experiencing homelessness are some of our most vulnerable children, and with our McKinney-Vento grants we are taking action to make sure that they are not left behind,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Education is a top priority for my administration because the long-term success of our state depends on the success of all our students. No matter their background or circumstances, all students deserve a quality education and the proper support to succeed.” 

“Housing insecurity can be a barrier for students, but we are working diligently to ensure no matter the obstacles, the right systems are in place for all students to thrive,“ said Chair of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education Patti DiCenso. “Working together with our partners and in close coordination with school leaders and support staff, we will continue to prioritize equity in education and ensure all students get a fair chance to reach their full potential.” 

“McKinney-Vento grant funding is helping school communities across Rhode Island better serve the needs of students experiencing homelessness,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “As we look to improve academic outcomes and meet the social-emotional needs of students, we have to make sure that we have tailored support for our most vulnerable populations. We will continue to work closely with these seven school communities to ensure children in need have the assistance to move forward.” 

The Year Two subgrants, funded by a federal grant administered by the state, are the second awards for these LEAs as part of a three-year funding cycle. In 2022, $347,000 in these subgrants were awarded to the seven LEAs. Each LEA had to demonstrate a well-developed project that will facilitate the enrollment, attendance, and success in school of homeless students. The projects also had to show that LEAs provide temporary, special, and supplementary services to meet the unique needs of students experiencing homelessness.  

Other factors considered included the involvement of parents or guardians of homeless students in the education of their children; the extent to which homeless students will be integrated within the regular education program; the quality of the applicant’s evaluation plan for the program; the extent to which services provided under this grant will be coordinated with other services available to homeless students and their families; the extent to which the proposed use of funds will facilitate the enrollment, retention, and educational success of homeless students; coordination with other local and state agencies that serve homeless students; and other measures indicative of a high-quality program, such as the extent to which the district will provide case management or related services to unaccompanied youth.  

Funding decisions were made based on the needs of the LEA and the quality of the application. The successful districts and subgrant amounts are listed below:  

  • Middletown: $54,409  
  • Newport: $65,000  
  • North Kingstown: $51,788
  • Providence: $60,000
  • Warwick: $65,000  
  • West Warwick: $64,951
  • Woonsocket: $49,427  
  • Total: $ 410,575