CA Homeless Education Technical Assistant Centers

Monday, November 10, 2025

✨ Spotlight on Homeless Youth: This Month and Beyond

The California Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC) and the California Department of Education (CDE) join with others in recognizing November 2025 as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month (NHYAM). The HETAC and CDE, in particular, wish to acknowledge the important role education can play in preventing and ending homelessness among young people, and provide the resources below to help you be part of bringing attention to this important issue.

Wear GREEN on November 13, 2025, to support Homeless Education Awareness Month.

Explore the HETAC NHYAM toolkit and resources below:

HETAC Toolkit

NHYAM Calendar

Book & Movie List

📅 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: Beyond the Basics: Strategies to Support Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

Date: Wednesday, November 12, 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.

CDE Webinar: Caring for Those Who Care for Students: Building Wellness Together in Our School Communities

Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Time: 2 p.m.

Description: This webinar focuses on supporting the physical, mental, social and emotional well-being of educators. When educators are well-supported, they are better equipped to create positive learning environments and help students thrive.

Participants will: Learn practical self-care strategies, discover wellness resources, examine the impact of educator well-being on students, and collaborate to promote a culture of care.

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.

HETAC Calendar

🌊 Mark Your Calendars

Theme: Full Sail Ahead: Supporting Students

Navigating Smooth & Stormy Waters

Dates: March 18-20, 2026

Location: Town and County San Diego

The California Homeless Education Technical Assistance Centers (HETACs), SchoolHouse Connection (SHC), and the California Department of Education (CDE) are partnering once again to provide you with the fourth annual statewide homeless education conference.

Throughout the conference, participants will network with one another, build capacity during these challenging times and learn strategies to navigate their roles and responsibilities for serving and supporting our children and youth experiencing homelessness. Practitioners and other experts will share practical strategies and innovative programs to support children and youth from birth through college/career. The conference will also provide:

Multiple opportunities to relate and reconnect.
Inspiration to reimagine and transform your programs and practices.
Creative moments to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate.
Informative and interactive sessions on homeless education basics and beyond.

Take a look at the schedule at a glance. Registration information coming soon!

📖 Recommended Reads

What I wish more adults understood about children without housing

Anat Leonard-Wookey of LifeMoves highlights the hidden challenges faced by children experiencing homelessness in California, who make up about 4% of students. She emphasizes the importance of predictable routines, empathy, and dignity in schools, and offers guidance for teachers and parents to help children feel seen, safe, and supported. The piece underscores that stability, routine, and caring adults are critical for students’ learning and well-being.

🗂️ 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.

Explore More Trainings!

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.

HETAC Training Series

📸 Captured Moments

September 2025: County office leaders and administrators gathered at the HETAC Rural Summit in Redding, CA.

💧 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.

For Questions Reach Out Here!