Some good news to kick off the school year in Duluth. ISD 709 is getting $43,000 in grant money from the state to support students experiencing homelessness.

The Minnesota Department of Education announced that 22 districts are splitting $1 million dollars.

For Duluth’s Families in Transition program, FIT for short, it’s a big relief.

Kaitlyn Jamar, FIT coordinator, said, “It’s more than we even expected. Which is exciting. There’s such a need, especially after COVID.”

She told us the money will be used to hire a part time community social worker, to help connect students with resources.

“A lot of teens are doubling up and staying with friends, and they might not know this qualifies them as unhoused. Transportation is one of the biggest barriers, so if we can get them bus passes or a bus routed to them, that’s important,” Jamar added.

Last year, the FIT program served 280 kids.