Jan. 21st
Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools

I'm proud that LACOE is now front and center in the fight against COVID!

Our Education Center West facility in Downey was selected by LA County officials as one of five large vaccination sites across the region that started up this week. We are excited to be a resource for our community, and we're doing whatever we can to support vaccine distribution.

LACOE also is working with the California Dept. of Public Health and Valencia Branch Labs to establish a partnership to set up surveillance and outbreak response COVID-19 testing for LA County school districts. We hope this will be viable option for districts to conduct COVID testing when schools return to in-person instruction.

Today, we heard a Public Health official say he was "optimistic" in regard to COVID. As so many have said, there's a light at the end of this long tunnel.

Know that LACOE is here to support our education community in successfully navigating the next phase of this crisis.
Public Health Update
  • Vaccines for education staff: When Phase 1B is opened for education staff to get vaccinated, staff will have several options:

  • Check with their healthcare provider to see if they are administering the vaccine.
  • Register through the LA County Dept. of Public Health website to obtain the vaccine at a POD (provided by DPH, Fire Dept., community clinics and hospitals or pharmacies)
  • A school district-facilitated vaccine clinic. 
 
  • District-facilitated clinic: A district may partner with a community agency (Fire Dept., hospital or clinic) to provide a mobile clinic for vaccine administration at a school/district. Or, a district may implement its own vaccine clinic, although this is not recommended by County Public Health. To obtain a vaccine, the community partner or school must be registered with Public Health to be approved as a vaccine provider.  LAC | DPH | Health Facility COVID-19 Vaccine Checklist
 
  • The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandated by the state or county for staff, students or preschool children.

  • COVID-19 School Guidance Checklist: Last page “For LEAs in Purple Tier” date of approval is seven days from date submitted to County Public Health.

Accountability, Support & Monitoring
CDE LCAP trainings:

The California Department of Education has expanded its “Tuesday’s @ 2” webinar series for January and February 2021 to provide LEA support around the development of the 2021-22 LCAP.

Webinars will be held on Tuesdays at 2 pm and Thursdays at 3 pm through February. They will cover topics ranging from stakeholder engagement and setting goals, to a review of the required template and instructions for this year’s LCAP.

CDE provides these webinars free of charge. See details on the CDE website.
Foster Youth
LACOE Foster Youth Services has been working since Oct. 1 to ensure that 100% of high school seniors in foster care complete their FAFSA application. The team has partnered with many stakeholders and together they have created successful online FAFSA events. Below is information about upcoming FAFSA events, virtual college tours and tutoring. For more information, contact Foster Youth Services.  
 
Students who are noncitizens without a Social Security card or who have had one issued through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program should fill out the California Dream Act Application. 
 
California deadlines for student financial aid:
March 2, 2021 (date postmarked): For many state financial aid programs 
March 2, 2021: Cal Grant required submission of school-certified GPA 
Sept. 2, 2021 (date postmarked): Additional community college Cal Grants  
 
Upcoming events for high school seniors in foster care:
Please click on the links to find out the dates and times of these events: 
FAFSA Events   
 
Free tutoring for students in foster care:
Learn to Be: English Flyer 
Learn to Be: Spanish Flyer
Nutrition & Meal Service
Funding opportunities:

  • The CDE Nutrition Services Division will award competitive grants of up to $15,000 per school site to initiate or expand a School Breakfast Program or Summer Meal Program. The online application closes at 4 pm on Monday, March 1, 2021. Click for more information.

  • The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) is now accepting applications for the 2021 Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. Grant application must be submitted by 5 pm on Feb. 16, 2021. Click to review the 2021 RFA.
Safe Schools for All Plan
As previously reported, the California Department of Public Health released the COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework & Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-21 School Year on Jan. 14.

The COVID-19 Safety Plan and the COVID-19 School Guidance Checklist documents can be downloaded from the Safe Schools For All Hub. The Hub consolidates key resources and information related to COVID-19 and schools. New resources will be added to the Hub on a routine basis, including information on vaccination implementation, a portal for school leaders to request technical assistance from the State Safe Schools for All team, a portal for school staff and parents to report concerns for potential state intervention and enforcement and other resources to create safe working and learning environments.
Student Support Services
LA County School Counseling Symposium, Jan. 28:

Day two of the LA County School Counseling Symposium will be held Thursday Jan. 28, from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Attendance at day one of the symposium is not required to participate in day two. There is no cost for the event but registration is required.


The theme of the symposium is "Rebuilding Counseling Communities" during a pandemic and community tragedy. In partnership with community educators from throughout LA County, the symposium will provide an interactive and collaborative professional development experience for counselors and other school-based mental health professionals.
Resources for Districts & Schools
Child Abuse Reporting Electronic System (DCFS) click here

Hot Topics in Technology & Pedagogy (Distance Learning Consortium) click here

The Field Guide: Accelerating Learning, Equity & Well-Being (CCEE) click here

Leading Forward in 2021: Self-Paced Education Series (CCEE) click here
African American teen girl wearing headphones learning language online_ using laptop_ looking at screen_ doing school tasks at home_ writing notes_ listening to lecture or music_ distance education