Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
04/29/2024 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR17 | |
| SB24 | |
| HB382 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SJR 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 382 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SJR 17-EXTEND DEADLINE FOR ARP-HCY FUNDS
8:03:01 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the first order of business
would be SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17, Urging the United
States Congress to extend the deadline for the state to obligate
American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency
Relief - Homeless Children and Youth funds.
8:03:13 AM
SENATOR LÖKI TOBIN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor,
presented SJR 17 and read from the sponsor statement [included
in the committee packet], which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Alaska is experiencing an unprecedented rise in youth
experiencing homelessness, with 14 percent more
students identified as homeless in the 2022-23 school
year, totaling approximately 3,000 students statewide.
These numbers are most likely an undercount of the
students needing housing support. Housing instability
leads to dramatically higher dropout rates for these
students, impacting their future success in our
community dropping out of high school can lead to
not only higher unemployment and lower earnings, but
also worse health outcomes and higher rates of
criminal activity.
In 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed
into law and $2.3 million additional dollars were
provided to Alaska school districts to support
students experiencing homelessness. School districts
in Alaska can apply for grants to use these funds for
a wide variety of activities to support students
experiencing homelessness and improve their outcomes
in our schools. These activities range from direct
student tutoring to medical referrals to staff
training on how to identify and support students.
Under the current timeline, funds need to be obligated
by September 2024 and 40 percent of the American
Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY)
funds remain available. An extension will allow a
measured and thoughtful dedication of these funds,
instead of requiring schools to obligate them rapidly.
We urge your support in asking our congressional
delegation to allow school districts this necessary
additional time to obligate the remaining ARP-HCY
funds.
SENTATOR TOBIN added that a reading of the resolution could be
provided at the will of the committee.
8:06:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether other states were writing
similar resolutions, as she opined that [homelessness of youth]
was a national problem.
SENTATOR TOBIN replied that Ms. Duffield could talk about her
work with other states to submit resolutions to congressional
delegations as they navigate through the budget process to
provide for an extension of the fund usage.
8:07:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY sought understanding about where homeless
kids are living, what they are doing, and how the state would
spend the money and "implement all this."
SENTATOR TOBIN replied that the funds would be spent within the
school to provide support within the school context but were not
meant to help stabilize the children. Schools have used the
funds to provide various support services so students' education
is not disrupted, she said. She referred to page 2, lines 5
through 7, of the proposed legislation, which related what the
schools would specifically do with the funds.
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY asked whether the districts could use the
money for something other than for homeless students if they do
not have any.
SENTATOR TOBIN reiterated that invited testifier, Ms. Duffield,
could talk more about the stipulations tied to the particular
resources.
8:10:37 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:10 a.m. to 8:14 a.m.
8:14:09 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE welcomed invited testifiers.
8:14:29 AM
BARBARA DUFFIELD, Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection,
gave invited testimony and stated that she and her organization
strongly support SJR 17. She said that the funds were needed
now more than ever due to child homelessness being worse than it
was during the COVID-19 pandemic and it continuing to grow.
Delays in federal guidance, administrative restrictions and
processes, and lack of staff have created barriers, she
explained. She pointed out that the one additional year to use
the funds costs nothing and would allow the local school
districts to be the steward, and rather than spending to meet a
deadline, districts could use the funds as needs arise. In
closing, she urged the passage of SJR 17 to help ensure federal
dollars are maximized so that today's homeless children do not
become tomorrow's homeless adults.
8:17:10 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Ms. Duffield whether she could send the
most updated version of the regulation stipulating where funds
can be directed.
MS. DUFFIELD confirmed that she could.
8:17:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX noted that there was confusion regarding how
the American Rescue Plan funds were being spent.
MS. DUFFIELD clarified that there are two types of American
Rescue Plan funds, but the fund under discussion now is
specifically dedicated to students experiencing homelessness.
There are no concerns or investigations into how the funds are
being used, she stated. In response to a follow-up comment, she
assured Representative Prax that the requirements were clear and
well-understood.
8:20:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether other states are in the
same situation and are also writing resolutions asking for the
extension.
MS. DUFFIELD replied that she was not aware of other state
legislatures writing resolutions along the same lines but added
that there had been effort in the U.S. Senate with 32 Senators
signing on.
8:21:41 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked what would happen if the funds were not
spent by September. He further inquired what the funds would be
spent on.
MS. DUFFIELD responded that the funds need to be obligated by
September 30, 2024, and funds that are not spent or obligated go
back to the treasury. She illustrated the various ways
districts are allowed to spend the funds, all being locally
determined, and she added that schools have discretion and
flexibility on how funds are used.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked Senator Tobin for an example of how
funds are used locally.
SENATOR TOBIN replied that the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) received $2.35 million in homeless children
and youth funds from the American Rescue Plan and has directed
those funds to state level and district level activities.
8:25:07 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Senator Tobin whether she was aware of any
other extension in the country or whether Alaska was the only
state putting forth an extension.
SENATOR TOBIN explained that she worked with the congressional
delegation that requested she sponsor a resolution, and the
funds would be extended for every state. Other states are
requesting, but maybe not in the same form, she said.
8:25:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether efforts are coordinated with
other state agencies.
SENTATOR TOBIN confirmed that there was interagency activity,
which is why DEED put money towards the district homelessness
liaison.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX inquired about the plan for an ongoing
program.
SENTATOR TOBIN spoke to annual funds from a program associated
with homeless children and that there was a recent increase in
the funds; the nation receives approximately $800 million per
year. In response to a follow-up question, she reiterated that
DEED administers the funds.
8:29:37 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on SJR 17. After
ascertaining no one wished to testify, he closed public
testimony.
8:30:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated that she appreciated the resolution
coming forward.
8:30:55 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:30 a.m. to 8:31 a.m.
8:31:46 AM
SENTATOR TOBIN, in response to Representative Prax, said that in
regard to the program, the funds are not used for prevention but
for students to get access to education.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX sought to ensure that an added burden would
not be directed towards teachers.
SENTATOR TOBIN confirmed it would not.
8:34:24 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD moved to report SJR 17 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, SJR 17 was reported out of the House
Education Standing Committee.