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GA U.S. House District 4 issued the following announcement on Feb. 8.
Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), announced that more than $2.3 million is going to elementary and secondary schools in DeKalb, Rockdale, Gwinnett and Newton counties to help identify and provide support to children experiencing homelessness.
Under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund, the resources will help support identifying homeless children and youth, provide wraparound services in light of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), provide assistance needed to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities, and address the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students due to the impact of COVID-19.
“The virus has impacted our communities more than most,” said Rep. Johnson. “Whatever resources we can provide – especially to vulnerable children who are elementary-and secondary-school-age students to help them stay in school and thrive – we need to be doing all of that and more.”
Under the plan, DeKalb County Schools is receiving more than $960,000, Rockdale County Schools $200,000, Gwinnett County Schools $945,000, Newton County Schools more than $160,000 and Decatur City Schools $50,000.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, more than 45,500 children experience homelessness each year in Georgia, based on data from the Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness. In January 2020, 864 family households in the state experienced homelessness on any given day according the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Children who are homeless experience a range of traumatic stressors that can result in educational and developmental difficulties.
Original source can be found here.
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