CA Homeless Education Technical Assistant Centers | | π Happy New Year from the HETAC! π As we step into 2026, weβre grateful for the continued collaboration and shared commitment to supporting students and families experiencing homelessness. Thank you for the dedication and care you bring to this work, we look forward to another year of learning, connection, and impact. π | | | β¨Spotlight: New Basic Needs Directories on the HETAC website
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Everyone deserves access to the essentials that support health, safety and stability.
This new webpage offers direct links to trusted webpages that connect youth and families to vital resources like food assistance, housing support, childcare, mental health services and more. Whether you're navigating a tough time or helping others find support, this webpage is designed to make it easier to find local assistance.
The webpage is organized by type of assistance, including child care, clothing, food, healthcare, housing and mental health. There also is a section entitled "multiple services," which links to service providers who can help address more than one basic need.
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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. | | | |
HETAC Webinar: Homeless Education 101: Foundations for Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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.
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SchoolHouse Connection Webinar: Holding Steady to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness: Strategies for Building Compassion Resilience
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 12 p.m.
Description: This session supports homeless education professionals in managing emotional fatigue, staying grounded in purpose, and sustaining effective, law-aligned practice while supporting students experiencing homelessness.
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HETAC Webinar: Data and Donuts - Homeless Education and the Consolidated Application and Reporting System (CARS)
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m.
D&D Flyer
Description: Learn how CARS supports McKinney-Vento requirements and the role of homeless liaisons in accurate reporting. Key topics include training, board policy, housing questionnaires, and Title I.
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SchoolHouse Connection Webinar: Understanding Immigration Status and Financial Aid Eligibility
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time: 12 p.m.
Description: This webinar explores how immigration status affects access to financial aid, highlighting key similarities and differences for refugees, immigrants, mixed-status families, and unaccompanied homeless youth.
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SchoolHouse Connection and JBAY Webinar: FAFSA/CADAA Office Hours
Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Description: Drop-in office hours to get FAFSA/CADAA guidance and support for assisting students experiencing homelessness.
| | | πCA 2026 Homeless Education Conference (CAL HEC)! | |
CA HEC 2026 Registration is Now Open!
Date: ο»ΏMarch 18-20 Location: Town and County San Diego
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Theme: Full Sail Ahead: Supporting Students
Navigating Smooth and Stormy Waters
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π Registration is Now Open! π
Join the California Homeless Education Conference to learn practical strategies, hear inspiring stories, and connect with educators and advocates supporting students experiencing homelessness across California.
Rates:
- Advance (until 2/15/2026): $665
- Standard until 3/20/2026): $715
Secure your spot and take advantage of discounted rates before the deadline!
| | | π° Upcoming Expenditure Report (ER 2) due on January 31, 2026
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The Upcoming Expenditure Report (ER 2), covering the period from October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, is due on January 31, 2026.
The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) fiscal forms are now live on the California Department of Education website.
| | | π County Offices of Education and Local Education Agencies
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County Offices of Education Reminders
- Below is a list of items that LEAs should focus on. Your role is to remind your LEAs of these tasks and provide support through technical assistance and training.
- Support could include:
- Training and guidance for supporting 12th graders as they prepare for post-secondary experiences.
- Training on reviewing the Housing Questionnaire.
- Training around attendance strategies.
- Providing samples of needs assessments.
Local Education Agencies
January Tips
Focus: PostβWinter Break Reconnection and Identification
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Monitor Changing Living Situations: Be aware that studentsβ living situations may have changed over winter break or at the start of the new year.
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Student Outreach: Partner with school staff to reach out to students experiencing homelessness on the last day of winter break. Let students know staff are excited for their return, ask about any barriers to returning to school, and connect them with resources as needed.
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Staff Communication: Send a reminder to staff reviewing referral procedures when there is a concern about a studentβs living situation.
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Family Communication: Send a text and email to all families reminding them about McKinney-Vento eligibility and checking in on current living situations. Consider including:
- A housing questionnaire or Google Form for self-referral
- A phone number or text line to contact the liaison or point of contact
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Youth Outreach: Connect with youth who may have been kicked out over winter break. Strategies may include targeted social media messaging, school video announcements, or other student communication platforms.
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Classroom & Advisory Connections: Partner with teachers who lead advisory, homeroom, or social justice, focused classes to share information about homelessness in the broader community and how students or families can connect with the homeless liaison or school point of contact.
February Tips
Focus: Attendance, Planning and Preparing for Spring
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Attendance & Identification Review: Review attendance data and cross-reference students with high absenteeism and those identified under McKinney-Vento.
- For identified students, contact families to address barriers and develop attendance plans in accordance with district policy.
- For unidentified students, check in regarding living situations, as homelessness or mobility may be impacting attendance. Identify eligible students and initiate services as needed.
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Needs Assessment & Funding Planning: Conduct a needs assessment using qualitative and quantitative data to inform advocacy for Title I, Part A homeless set-aside funds for the 2026-27 school year. Begin coordination with business or federal programs staff to plan the amount and use of funds.
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Early Enrollment & Identification: Include housing questionnaires and homeless education information in Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten enrollment processes.
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Staff Training & Refreshers: Provide or schedule refresher trainings for site liaisons and other relevant staff, including onboarding for new personnel.
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Secondary & Senior Supports: Begin planning supports for high school seniors experiencing homelessness, including senior activities, transitions and postsecondary preparation.
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Statewide Trends for Homeless Youth 2024β25
Check out the latest statewide data on homeless youth, now on the CDE website.
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CA School Dashboard and DataQuest: 2024β25 EOY Data
Find the latest accountability, enrollment, and outcome data for the 2024β25 school year. Click to images to view.
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CALPADS Certification Deadlines
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Fall 1: January 23, 2026 β official deadline for certifying Fall 1 data
Fall 2: February 27, 2026 β deadline for certifying Fall 2 data
Census Day enrollment data determine the Unduplicated Pupil Count (UPC) and Unduplicated Pupil Percentage (UPP), which affect 2025β26 LCFF supplemental and concentration grant funding.
Data approved by December 12, 2025 used for the First Principal Apportionment (P1)
Data approved by January 23, 2026 used for the Second Principal Apportionment (P2)
ο»ΏAny changes after these dates must be made through the local audit process.
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ο»ΏCA Preschool Data Collection
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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:
- Majority of data collection by July 2026
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Remaining collection starting January 2027
Annual certification windows will follow the CALPADS schedule, with the first Fall certification window scheduled for October 2027 β January 2028.
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ποΈ Resources and Tools
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Learn best practices in McKinney-Vento for COE and LEA staff supporting students experiencing homelessness through three HETAC courses.
| | | π§ Sprinkle of Wellness and Self-care
| | βΉοΈ 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 monthβs HETAC Newsletter! We appreciate your commitment to supporting students experiencing homelessness.
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