The Regional Office of Education (ROE) reported program staffing and curriculum updates and raised concerns about federal McKinney‑Vento homeless grant routing for the coming year.

Chris, the ROE speaker, said the ROE hired a parent educator, enrolled students in adult diploma programs and planned two new programs at the alternative school: a work‑based internship program and a vocational skills course covering budgeting, workplace communication and other practical skills. He described national professional development that he recently completed and said federal funding is being distributed for districts.

On the homeless grant, Chris said the U.S. Department of Education funding is flowing to Illinois, but state guidance appears to be allowing school districts to apply directly this year rather than routing funds through the ROE. “ISBE is not communicating with us,” he said, adding the change is “very frustrating” because his office historically administered the McKinney‑Vento grant for the northwest part of the state and an employee has long managed it. He said he will monitor the situation.

Ending: ROE programs will start in the coming days as school schedules resume; staff will monitor state grant routing and update affected districts and partners.