This program works to ensure the enrollment, attendance and the opportunity to succeed in school for homeless children and youth. This program collaborates with other state agencies and community providers to support homeless families and their students.
Important: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures, Congress allocated funding to cover the loss of school meals for students. However, many families who are homeless have not been able to access those funds. Homeless liaisons are encouraged to work with the district's SIMS contact and reach out to your families who have not activated their P-EBT benefits. Guidance and details on how to reach out are provided in:
For technical assistance, complaints or other questions please contact our Problem Resolution Services staff at 781-338-3700 or compliance@doe.mass.edu.
Regional Liaisons have considerable experience and are available to provide local district liaisons with technical assistance on cases, best practices, and resources, assist with district trainings and mentor new homeless liaisons.
Funding is available to school districts with significant numbers of homeless students and can be used to provide tutoring and academic support, professional development, engagement of homeless parents in their children's education, and access to mentoring, after school and summer programming. The current RFP for this grant provides further details.
Information about future trainings will be posted here when confirmed.
Last Updated: May 6, 2021
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.