CA-FEN Connect: Voices & Updates from CA-FEN

June 2025

What We’re Hearing from the Field

Courage, Care, and Commitment in Uncertain Times

During our June meeting, members shared heartfelt reflections that grounded us in both the weight of this moment and the hope that keeps us moving.

Across the state, many of our communities are experiencing fear and uncertainty, particularly immigrant families facing heightened ICE activity and those feeling the ripple effects of global conflict. Members described colleagues patrolling neighborhoods to share updates, educators organizing food drop-offs for families too afraid to leave their homes, and teams navigating how to continue family engagement work when fear and silence grow heavier by the day.

And yet, amidst the heaviness, there was also joy. Joy in graduations and new family milestones. Joy in building connections across organizations. Joy in the simple promise of summer rest, family visits, and shared hope.

From the Central Valley to Long Beach, from Northern California to San Bernardino, CA-FEN members are holding a complex truth: that this work is both urgent and deeply human. As one member reminded us, “Hope is good. It keeps us moving.”

“I’ve been spending my evenings patrolling with LA tenants… to make sure we’re able to keep people updated.”

“The drive home was filled with people texting about safe routes… and praying together. Still, we gathered, led workshops, and shared dinner like a big extended family.”

“My heart hurts every time I glance at the news… But I’m also excited about the commitment people are making to stay in community and keep moving forward together.”

CA-FEN June Meeting Recap

At our June 20th membership meeting, CA-FEN members reflected on recent challenges impacting families and educators, from immigration raids to global conflict, and recommitted to our shared purpose of equity and collaboration.

Members reviewed key updates, including findings from CA-FEN’s educator survey, which affirmed strong support for family engagement but revealed barriers in implementation. Policy discussions covered the state budget’s impact on literacy and math investments, while celebrating wins like full UTK funding and progress on the EL Roadmap.

The network also shared plans for upcoming training, expansion of partnerships with higher education, and December’s in-person convening.

Featured Meeting Information

NAFSCE Memberships Provided by CA-SFEC

CA-SFEC & NAFSCE Family Engagement Community of Practice

San Bernardino Superintendent of Schools: Family and Community Engagement Summit

California Mathematics Council

California COE FACE Practitioners Network Meetings

To read a view summary of the meeting, please click here.

CA-FEN Member Spotlight

Antoinette Hernandez

Founder, STEP Engagement Coaching

Antoinette "Toni" Hernandez is a lifelong advocate for family engagement, grounded in decades of experience across California and Mexico. With over 40 years in bilingual education and community leadership, Toni brings a deep, multilingual and multicultural perspective to everything she does, from professional development for educators to supporting families navigating complex educational systems.

Since launching STEP Engagement Coaching (Sustainable, Transformative Engagement Practices) in 2024, Toni has partnered with county offices of education, universities, and school districts across the state to elevate family voice and build capacity for culturally responsive engagement. Her work has directly supported more than 500 parents and over 100 family engagement staff, and includes partnerships with major publishers to design national resources that center community partnerships.

Toni has played a crucial role in CA-FEN’s educator survey initiative. She co-led survey outreach and coordination, personally reaching out to districts, facilitating relationships, and ensuring a spectrum of voices were included. Thanks to her persistence and relationship-building, the survey has reached over 220 respondents.

What makes Toni’s work stand out is her unwavering commitment to reciprocal relationships. “Everyone in the room should have a voice,” she says, a principle that drives her coaching, policy contributions, and on-the-ground parent support. In addition to her consulting work, Toni volunteers teaching ESL to Afghan refugees, a testament to her belief in shared humanity, healing, and hope.

Want to connect with Toni or learn more about her work?

Email: toni@stepengagement.com

Website: https://stepengagement.com/

"The work I do- is building capacity for families and school staff to feel confident and build trust to work together; creating a space for belonging, direction, and endless possibilities."

"Families flourish and thrive when we see their strengths and believe in their potential. Let’s challenge ourselves to expect more, not less."

"A special thanks to my lifetime mentor Dr. Maria Quezada and my appreciation for Araceli Simeón and CA-FEN Members for the opportunity to share with so many passionate family engagement advocates and practitioners" Toni

We’re Almost There- Help Us Reach Our Survey Goal!

Teacher and Administrator Engagement Survey

Thanks to your incredible outreach, over 220 educators have already responded to CA-FEN’s statewide survey on family engagement practices. We’re so close to our goal of 250 responses but we need your help to get there!

If you haven’t already, please share the survey link with educators in your networks. One-on-one outreach has made the biggest difference, and every additional voice strengthens our ability to push for meaningful, data-informed change.

Let’s finish strong, we’re keeping the survey open through the end of June!

Survey Link: https://bit.ly/4362iF1
Sample Email: CA-FEN participant survey email 2.3.25.docx
If you wish for PON to connect with potential participants, you can submit contacts via this LINK

Thank You!

Policy Update: CTC's Continuum of Practice

A key update shared at the May meeting is the anticipated release of a new Continuum of Practice rubric from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) this summer.

This tool is designed to support teacher preparation and induction programs in meaningfully integrating family engagement into educator training, a major step forward in aligning practice with California’s standards.

CA-FEN contributed to this work through member-developed recommendations submitted last year. Once released, CA-FEN will host a review session for members to unpack the tool, explore what may still be missing, and strategize around how to use the continuum as a unifying framework across the field, from teacher prep institutions to K–12 districts and advocacy spaces.

More information and dates for the review session will be shared soon.

To review what we shared with CTC last year, please download the document here.

CA-FEN's 2024 Family Engagement Rubric

Education News & Resources

News