,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cibc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #i1 #bjbj,ms4 ,murkowski 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,manchin1 and ,ms4 ,sinema7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to provide emergency relief to youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness1 in light of the health and economic consequences of ,,covid-#ai4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,emergency ,family ,stabilization ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipient ,the term current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipient means an ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal organization1 local educational agency1 or a local public1 private1 or ,indian nonprofit agency or organization 7including culturally specific community-based and faith-based organizations7 that1 as of the date of application for a grant under section #c1 is also receiving another grant or subgrant administered by the ,administration for ,children and ,families4 7#b7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,office of ,community ,services of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#c7 ,direct services 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the term direct services does not include providing referrals or operating a coordinated entry system or homeless management information system1 by itself4 7,b7 ,indian tribes or tribal organizations ,an ,indian ,tribe or ,tribal organization that provides referrals or assists other service providers with direct services shall be considered as providing direct services for purposes of this ,act4 7#d7 ,family stabilization agency ,the term family stabilization agency means-- 7,a7 a current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipient2 7,b7 an ,indian ,tribe or ,tribal organization2 7,c7 an urban ,indian organization2 7,d7 a local educational agency2 or 7,e7 a local public1 private1 or ,indian nonprofit agency or organization 7including community-based and faith-based organizations71 with expertise and demonstrated experience providing direct services to one or more of the following populations3 7i7 ,children experiencing homelessness1 including children under age #f4 7ii7 ,unaccompanied homeless youth under the age of #ah4 7iii7 ,unaccompanied homeless youth between the ages of #ah and #be4 7iv7 ,pregnant women1 and pregnant or parenting youth1 experiencing homelessness4 7v7 ,families experiencing homelessness4 7vi7 ,survivors of dating violence1 domestic violence1 family violence1 or trafficking4 7#e7 ,indian ,tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe means an ,indian tribe1 as defined in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#f7 ,local educational agency ,the term local educational agency has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#g7 ,rural ,the term rural means a unit of local government with a population of less than #ej1jjj4 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#i7 ,tribal organization ,the term ,tribal organization means a tribal organization1 as defined in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#aj7 ,urban indian organization ,the term urban ,indian organization has the meaning given the term ,urban ,indian organization in section #d of the ,indian ,health ,care ,improvement ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afjc74 7#aa7 ,youth1 child1 or family experiencing homelessness ,the term youth1 child1 or family experiencing homelessness means-- 7,a7 a homeless child or youth1 as defined in section #gbe7b7 of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a7#b771 who is under the age of #be2 7,b7 an unaccompanied youth1 as defined in section #gbe7f7 of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a7#f771 who is under the age of #be2 or 7,c7 a household of not less than #b people that includes not less than #a person under age #bb who is a homeless child or youth1 as defined in section #gbe7b7 of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a7#b774 #c4 ,grants to family stabilization agencies 7a7 ,grant program authorized 7#a7 ,in general ,from amounts made available under section #d and not reserved under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director1 shall1 on a competitive basis in accordance with subsection 7d71 award grants to family stabilization agencies 7including current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipients and entities that have not previously received grants from the ,administration for ,children and ,families7 to enable the family stabilization agencies to carry out the activities described in subsection 7e74 7#b7 ,distribution ,timing 7,a7 ,current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipients ,the ,secretary shall award grants under this section1 in accordance with subsection 7d71 to family stabilization agencies that are current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipients by not later than the date that is #de days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7,b7 ,additional grantees ,the ,secretary shall award grants under this section1 in accordance with subsection 7d71 to family stabilization agencies that are not current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipients by not later than the date that is #acj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,dissemination of applications ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 ensure the application for grants under this ,act is broadly disseminated1 including through public posting on the website of the ,administration for ,children and ,families and sharing with current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipients2 and 7,b7 make special dissemination efforts to rural areas and among ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations4 7b7 ,reservation ,the ,secretary shall reserve not less than #a percent and not more than #a4e percent of the amount appropriated under this ,act to be used for administration1 oversight1 and technical assistance activities through the ,administration for ,children and ,families4 7c7 ,application ,a family stabilization agency that desires to receive a grant under this ,act shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing or accompanied by such information as the ,secretary may reasonably require4 ,such application shall include the following3 7#a7 ,a description of the housing1 education1 health1 mental and behavioral health1 employment1 and other needs of youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness1 in the area served by such agency1 specifically including youth1 children1 and families who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing1 economic hardship1 or a similar reason4 7#b7 ,available data on the extent of youth1 child1 and family homelessness in the area served by such agency1 including data available from local educational agencies and data on child poverty in the area4 7#c7 ,a description of barriers youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness face in accessing services1 including barriers related to dating violence1 domestic violence1 family violence1 poverty1 lack of employment1 lack of transportation1 lack of telephone and internet connectivity1 educational needs1 and language accessibility4 7#d7 ,a description of such agency's direct service expertise and experience with youth1 child1 or family homelessness1 specifically including youth1 children1 and families who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing1 economic hardship1 or a similar reason4 7#e7 ,a description of the area served by such agency1 including whether the service area is urban1 suburban1 rural1 or ,tribal4 ,if the applicant claims to cover a ,tribal service area but is not an ,indian ,tribe or ,tribal organization1 the applicant shall provide evidence of having consulted with the ,indian ,tribe or ,tribal organization whose service area the applicant claims to cover and provide proof that the ,indian ,tribe or ,tribal organization supports the applicant's application4 7#f7 ,a description of such agency's existing partnerships with other agencies or organizations with experience serving youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness4 7#g7 ,a description of how funds received under the grant will be used to provide emergency relief to youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness1 specifically including-- 7,a7 youth1 children1 and families who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing1 economic hardship1 or a similar reason2 and 7,b7 youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness who are not receiving services through the ,continuum of ,care program under subpart ,c of title ,,iv of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacha et seq47 as of the date of the application4 7d7 ,award basis 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award grants under this section on the basis of-- 7,a7 the need in the area served by each applicant2 7,b7 the quality of each application2 and 7,c7 the distribution and priority requirements under paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e74 7#b7 ,need ,in determining need under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,secretary shall consider-- 7,a7 the extent of children1 youth1 and families experiencing homelessness in the area served by the family stabilization agency1 including data available from local educational agencies and data on child poverty2 7,b7 the extent to which the proposed uses of funds will provide emergency relief to meet unmet needs of youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness1 specifically including youth1 children1 and families who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing1 economic hardship1 or a similar reason2 7,c7 the extent to which the proposed uses of funds will provide emergency relief to youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness who are not currently receiving services through the ,continuum of ,care program under subpart ,c of title ,,iv of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacha et seq472 and 7,d7 the extent to which the application addresses the particular needs of pregnant women1 pregnant and parenting youth1 ,indian women1 children under age #f1 children with disabilities1 families experiencing domestic violence1 survivors of sexual assault or human trafficking1 or historically marginalized and underserved communities of color4 7#c7 ,quality ,in determining quality under paragraph 7#a77;,b71 the ,secretary shall consider1 for both current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipients and not current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipients1 the following3 7,a7 ,the family stabilization agency's needs assessment under subsection 7c77#a7 and the likelihood that the program presented in the application will meet such needs4 7,b7 ,the types1 intensity1 and coordination of the emergency relief to be provided under the program to youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness4 7,c7 ,the extent of the family stabilization agency's demonstrated expertise and experience providing direct services to youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing1 economic hardship1 or a similar reason4 7,d7 ,the robustness of such agency's plan to reach youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing1 economic hardship1 or a similar reason1 including those who have lost a caregiver or family member to ,,covid-#ai4 7,e7 ,the extent of such agency's demonstrated expertise and experience in providing direct services to youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness specifically4 7,f7 ,the extent to which the program presented in the application represents a multi-generational approach to supporting youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness4 7,g7 ,the extent to which the application reflects coordination with local educational agencies and public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations with experience serving youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness4 7,h7 ,the extent to which the family stabilization agency is1 has been1 or has specific plans to partner with1 a recipient of a grant or subgrant administered by the ,administration for ,children and ,families4 7#d7 ,distribution of awards 7,a7 ,distribution among types of communities ,in awarding grants under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall ensure that funds are distributed according to the following allocation percentages3 7i7 ,not less than #aj percent of the funds available for grants under this section shall be awarded to family stabilization agencies that are ,indian ,tribes or ,tribal organizations serving youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness4 7ii7 ,not less than #cf percent of the funds available for grants under this ,act shall be awarded to family stabilization agencies serving predominantly rural areas4 7iii7 ,not less than #cj percent of the funds available for grants under this ,act shall be awarded to family stabilization agencies serving predominantly suburban areas4 7iv7 ,not more than #bd percent of the funds available for grants under this ,act shall be awarded to family stabilization agencies serving predominantly urban areas4 7,b7 ,distribution to experienced grantees ,in awarding grants under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall ensure that-- 7i7 #hj percent of the funds available for grants under this section are distributed to family stabilization agencies-- 7,i7 that are current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipients2 and 7,,ii7 which may apply in partnership with local educational agencies1 ,tribal educational agencies1 public housing agencies1 tribally designated housing entities1 community development financial institutions1 ,state housing finance agencies1 programs that provide shelter to youth experiencing homelessness who are pregnant or parenting1 public health agencies1 domestic violence1 dating violence1 and family violence organizations1 institutions of higher education as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja71 urban ,indian organizations1 or other community partners2 and 7ii7 #bj percent of the funds are distributed as grants to family stabilization agencies that are not current ,,acf grant or subgrant recipients4 7,c7 ,special exception for grants to ,indian ,tribes or ,tribal organizations 7i7 ,in general ,in awarding grants to family stabilization agencies that are ,indian ,tribes or ,tribal organizations pursuant to subparagraph 7,a77i71 the ,secretary may waive any requirements of paragraph 7#b7 or 7#c7 or subsection 7c74 7ii7 ,additional considerations ,in awarding grants pursuant to subparagraph 7,a77i71 the ,secretary shall consider family stabilization agencies that are ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations that provide services that address child abuse and neglect4 7#e7 ,priority in awards ,in awarding grants under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall give priority to applications that will provide emergency relief to youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing1 economic hardship1 or a similar reason1 while ensuring the distribution of awards in accordance with paragraph 7#d74 7e7 ,authorized activities ,family stabilization agencies may use funds awarded under this section to provide emergency relief to youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness1 including the following3 7#a7 ,the provision of personnel necessary to provide emergency relief and ensure services1 resources1 and assistance reach youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness1 whether such personnel are employees of the family stabilization agency or a nonprofit community partner4 7#b7 ,the provision of personal protective equipment1 hygiene supplies1 and other supplies determined to be necessary to mitigate the spread of ,coronavirus ,disease #bjai 7,,covid-#ai7 by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 the ,occupational ,safety and ,health ,administration1 a ,state1 an ,indian ,tribe or ,tribal organization1 or a locality for personnel delivering services and for youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness4 7#c7 ,payments to meet shelter and housing-related needs to support safety and health1 including payments for-- 7,a7 security deposits2 7,b7 eviction prevention2 7,c7 utility connection fees and payments2 7,d7 outstanding rental1 utility1 motel1 and other bills as needed to enter housing or connect utilities2 7,e7 motel or hotel stays2 7,f7 housing placement2 7,g7 records expungement2 and 7,h7 other assistance4 7#d7 ,the provision of food and equipment needed to prepare food4 7#e7 ,the provision of medical and dental health services1 including preventive care4 7#f7 ,the provision of mental and behavioral health services1 including preventive care4 7#g7 ,the provision of clothing1 access to laundry facilities1 clothes washers and dryers1 detergent1 and personal hygiene supplies4 7#h7 ,the provision of transportation1 including payments for gas1 emergency vehicle repairs1 required insurance1 driver's education and driver's license fees1 public transportation1 and other transportation appropriate for ,tribal and rural locations4 7#i7 ,the provision of support to meet communications and connectivity needs1 including internet connectivity1 outstanding internet or telephone bills as needed to connect communications services1 electronic and connected devices1 hotspots1 portable chargers1 pre-paid phone cards1 calling minutes and data plans1 and costs to ship items and supplies4 7#aj7 ,the provision of support to meet educational and employment needs1 including academic support1 distance learning support1 resources1 and access1 child care1 social and emotional supports1 career and technical education1 employment training and placement1 and similar supports4 7#aa7 ,the purchase and distribution of store cards1 gift cards1 prepaid debit cards1 and vouchers to allow youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness to purchase any items or services that constitute emergency relief4 7#ab7 ,the provision of mentorship and service coordination4 7#ac7 ,the provision of services and supports to meet the particular needs of pregnant women1 pregnant and parenting youth1 and children birth to age five1 experiencing homelessness4 7#ad7 ,the provision of services and supports to meet the particular needs of unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness4 7#ae7 ,the provision of services and supports to meet the particular needs of survivors of domestic violence1 sexual assault1 or trafficking4 7#af7 ,the provision of assistance in accessing advance refunds payable under section #fdbh7;f7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf 7commonly referred to as economic impact payments71 unemployment compensation1 and other benefits provided by ,federal1 ,state and local governments4 7#ag7 ,the provision of services and supports to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect4 7#ah7 ,the provision of other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to promote the safety and self-sufficiency of youth1 children1 and families experiencing homelessness4 7#ai7 ,other purposes as determined by the ,secretary4 #d4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act #hjj1jjj1jjj4