Copyright © 2021 Albuquerque Journal
Over $6 million from the American Rescue Plan will go toward helping students in New Mexico who are experiencing homelessness.
The money, which the state will receive over the next two months, aims to help those kids go to school and summer programs.
The state Public Education Department said the $6.4 million can go to such costs as transportation, temporary housing or mental health resources.
New Mexico’s allocation comes from $800 million included in the American Rescue Plan to support homeless children amid the pandemic.
“States will receive 25% of their total allocation immediately – that’s $1.6 million for New Mexico. That first distribution must be used to address urgent student needs, whether academic, social, emotional or mental health,” PED officials wrote in a news release. “The Public Education Department will reserve no more than 25% for state-level programs, including training, technical assistance and engagement with local educational agencies, which will receive the bulk of the new funds.”
The other 75% will follow a state plan that outlines how the dollars will be used and distributed.
According to the PED, there are 6,573 homeless students in New Mexico.
