Homeless schoolchildren across Iowa benefit from American Rescue Plan Act funds

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa school children experiencing homelessness are getting some help in the form of $424,000 in federal funding.

But now the shocker: it’s headed to 25 different school districts.

“I bet it would baffle you,” says Jen Durham, who battled homelessness with her young children after fleeing domestic abuse a decade ago.

She will tell you firsthand, homelessness is everywhere.

“I don’t think it really comes up at school,” she says. “So how do you know? Who’s homeless, who’s not? You wouldn’t have guessed that we were.”

Schools become the most common and effective connection with families.

“School can be a refuge,” says Andrew Allen, CEO of Youth Shelter and Services in Des Moines. “It can be a place where they can be fed, where they can be encouraged, where they can be lifted up and so we’re grateful that the state is putting some money towards ensuring that homeless youth are recognized and getting the resources they need.”

Recognition. Allen says that’s how this money will help most.

“Any funding that’s especially bringing awareness to this issue I think is important,” he says.

It will go towards food, clothing, and supplies, but also toward transporting homeless students to and from school. A major component in helping rural kids.

“There are times,” Allen says, “that young people who are homeless are displaced and they may actually move out of a community or a county and be far away from their home school district.”

“And even if they’re bussed, the busses can’t keep up with that,” Durham adds. “‘Where’s Johnny this week?’”

A half-million dollars divided 10,000 ways — but all towards children with nothing.

“It’s exciting to see anything happening with it,” says Durham.

The Des Moines, Ames, Creston, and Newton districts were among those who got the maximum $10,000 grants for food, clothing, and personal hygiene supplies. Nodaway Valley was one of eight districts that got the maximum $30,000 award for transportation.

You can view all the districts that received grants as part of the program here .

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