CA Homeless Education Technical Assistant Centers

Monday, December 1, 2025

Spotlight

basic-needs-directories-header image

The HETAC is excited to share that a Basic Needs Directories webpage has been added to the HETAC website. This page is designed for COE liaisons, LEA liaisons, community partners and individuals experiencing homelessness to easily find local resources. It will be updated regularly and focus on publicly funded sites, as well as national or state directories, not commercial products.

📅 Upcoming Webinars and Trainings

For all trainings, please register ahead of time for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link.

FAFSA and CADAA Office Hours with SchoolHouse Connection and John Burton Advocates for Youth


Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025

Time: 11 - 11:45 a.m.


Description: Get support to help students complete their FAFSA/CADAA. Staff will answer questions and provide guidance for homeless youth eligibility and verification.

HETAC Webinar: Data and Donuts


Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m.


Description: Join UCSF and HETAC for a session on the latest data about California youth experiencing homelessness. Learn where to access state and local data, review survey results from homeless education liaisons and explore a toolbox of videos and resources to support data-driven decision-making.

HETAC Webinar: Homeless Education 101: Foundations for Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness


Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2025

Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.


Description: Explores the unique challenges unaccompanied youth face under the McKinney-Vento Act and highlights effective strategies to support their educational stability and access to essential services.

Visit the HETAC Training and Event Webpage


Browse upcoming trainings and events for homeless education practitioners. Click events for details and registration. For COE Regional Meetings, see the HETAC Calendar or contact your HETAC Lead.

🔍 2025–26 Homeless FPM Review Instrument Now Available

The California Department of Education has released the 2025–26 Homeless Education Federal Program Monitoring (FPM) Review Instrument. For questions, please contact the CDE Homeless Education Team at homelessed@cde.ca.gov

💰 Upcoming Expenditure Report (ER 2)

The Upcoming Expenditure Report (ER 2), covering the period from October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, is due on January 31, 2026.

📌 County Offices of Education and Local Education Agencies

County Offices of Education Reminders


  • The California Department of Education (CDE) has released the CARS (Consolidated Application Reporting System) data to HETAC Leads. Your HETAC Lead should have already shared your district’s report with you. This data reflects information from the 2024–25 school year. If you need ideas on how to use this data, please reach out to your HETAC Lead.


Local Education Agencies


  • Send the housing questionnaire home with all students, reminding families to update their emergency contact information.
  • Winter break check-in: Connect with families and unaccompanied homeless youth before winter break to ensure they have a plan for where they will go while school is out.
  • Attendance review: Pull a report on student attendance and cross-reference students with high absenteeism with students identified under McKinney-Vento.
  1. For those already identified, reach out to the family to ensure there are no barriers preventing attendance and create an attendance plan per district policy.
  2. For those not identified, reach out to check on their living situation, as mobility or homelessness may affect attendance. Identify eligible families and set up services as needed.


📊 All About Data

CA School Dashboard and DataQuest: 2024–25 EOY Data

Find the latest accountability, enrollment, and outcome data for the 2024–25 school year:


Statewide Trends for Homeless Youth 2024–25

Check out the latest statewide data on homeless youth, now on the CDE website.


CALPADS Certification Deadlines

Fall 1: January 23, 2026 – official deadline for certifying Fall 1 data

Fall 2: February 27, 2026 – deadline for certifying Fall 2 data


Census Day enrollment data determine the Unduplicated Pupil Count (UPC) and Unduplicated Pupil Percentage (UPP), which affect 2025–26 LCFF supplemental and concentration grant funding.


  • Data approved by December 12, 2025 will be used for the First Principal Apportionment (P1)
  • Data approved by January 23, 2026 will be used for the Second Principal Apportionment (P2)


Any changes after these dates must be made through the local audit process.

CA Preschool Data Collection (CAPSDAC)

Beta testing has begun for the second version of the CA Preschool Data Collection (CAPSDAC) system for LEAs operating CA State Preschool Programs (CSPPs).


The system will launch in two phases:


  1. Majority of data collection by July 2026
  2. Remaining collection starting January 2027


Annual certification windows will follow the CALPADS schedule, with the first Fall certification window scheduled for October 2027 – January 2028.

🌊CA Homeless Education Conference Registration Now Open!

Dates: March 18-20, 2026

Location: Town and County San Diego

Theme: Full Sail Ahead: Supporting Students Navigating Smooth and Stormy Waters

We’re excited to announce that registration for the California Homeless Education Conference is just around the corner! This annual event brings together educators, advocates, policymakers, and community leaders dedicated to improving educational access and outcomes for students experiencing homelessness. 


The conference provides practical strategies, policy updates, and inspiring stories to help professionals better serve vulnerable youth across California and beyond.


Important Dates to Remember: 

🎤 Speaker Registration Opens: December 1

👥 Attendee Registration Opens: December 8 - two full weeks to save!

⏰ Early Bird Registration Ends: December 21 at 11:59 pm PT               


Mark your calendar and take advantage of discounted rates before the deadline.


Together, we can make a difference in the lives of students experiencing homelessness. We look forward to seeing you at this impactful event!

🗂️ Resources and Tools

Homeless Education Technical Assistance Centers Training and Education Videos

This 14-part series covers the McKinney-Vento Act and how it supports students experiencing homelessness. Supports staff in providing student access and stability.

McKinney-Vento Assistance Act Training Modules

Access the California Homeless Education Technical Assistance Centers Training Series, three courses designed to help COE and LEA staff understand McKinney-Vento laws, best practices and strategies to support students experiencing homelessness.

💧 Sprinkle of Wellness and Self-care

ℹ️ About the Homeless Education Technical Assistance Centers

The California Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC) network is funded by the California Department of Education to provide support and technical assistance to county offices of education (COEs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and other interested stakeholders to ensure educational access and success for children and youth experiencing homelessness.


The HETAC network is operated by the Contra Costa COE, Los Angeles COE and San Diego COE.


Visit the HETAC website for more information.


Thank you for reading this month’s HETAC Newsletter! We appreciate your commitment to supporting students experiencing homelessness.