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California

McKinney-Vento Support for California School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison, you likely juggle multiple responsibilities within your California district. Our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while making your complex job more manageable.

California (1)
students

The Challenge in California

California presents a dynamic and challenging landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing major urban centers, sprawling suburban communities, and vast rural areas, all grappling with a severe housing affordability crisis.

246,480 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was over 5.85 million; California's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 4.2%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across California, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. The state faces a significant housing shortage, particularly within urban coastal communities, driving high costs and widespread cost burdens for renters.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations with other families due to economic hardship or loss of housing. This represented 83.3% of those identified in the 2022-2023 school year.2
  • In urban areas housing costs are exceptionally high due to intense competition for limited housing. Homelessness is highly visible here, with students residing in shelters, motels, or other temporary accommodations.
  • Rural communities face unique, often "hidden," housing challenges despite making up 55% of the state's land. They struggle to secure subsidies and labor for development, face high construction costs leading to a shortage of affordable housing.
  • Coastal communities demonstrate the extreme impact of housing unaffordability, with high per-capita percentages of unhoused individuals. These areas often attract people seeking resources from less supportive regions, overwhelming local services.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across California contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students. 
 
  • In urban centers like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, challenges can include the expense of public transit, navigating complex and extensive transportation networks, and managing long commutes to maintain school stability, particularly for students whose temporary housing is far from their school of origin.
  • In rural areas, the primary obstacles are the lack of public transportation options and vast distances between temporary residences and schools. Reliance on limited school bus routes or the absence of city systems compounds barriers to consistent school attendance, affecting access to education and other essential services.
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California's Native American Student Homelessness

Native American students in California face disproportionate homelessness, creating unique educational challenges.

  • Hidden Homelessness: Cultural views of "home," historical mistrust, and stigma make identification difficult.
  • Rural/Reservation Barriers: Lack of shelters and limited services in these vast areas exacerbate the problem.
  • Culturally Responsive Support: Effective homeless education requires culturally competent outreach and strong tribal partnerships to build trust and provide meaningful assistance aligned with unique community needs.

The BIE Bureau of Indian Education and BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs coordinate efforts to ensure students in tribal communities have access to the educational supports and services they need.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3 California identified 4.2% during the 2022-2023 school year, above the national average.

people looking at board

How McKinney-Vento.org Supports California Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

We help you meet federal regulations with up-to-date checklists, policy templates, and annual audit preparation tailored for California schools.

Enhanced Identification: Your "Army of Awareness"

Custom training materials and awareness campaigns adapted for rural and urban districts help staff recognize housing insecurity early.

Comprehensive Training

Live webinars and on-demand modules-covering trauma-informed practices, transportation logistics, and rural outreach-available year round.

Data Management and Funding Support

Tools to track students, manage eligibility, and access local/federal funding (e.g., Title I, II) help boost resource allocation.

Expert Guidance and Advocacy Support

Subject Matter Experts with many years of McKinney-Vento implementation are ready to provide support on challenging cases, work through situations and help you connect with resources to support your work.
Testimonial

Success with McKinney-Vento.org

Personalized student care - cropped

 

 

Featured

“ As I changed school districts this last year, I have become more aware of the homelessness in the school systems. I have moved to a district with many newcomers and most have come with out parents or guardians. This information is very helpful. I am going to pay more attention to situations and help when needed. ”

Cynthia J.

California

Why California Districts Choose McKinney-Vento.org

check-mark McKinney-Vento Expertise

McKinney-Vento.org delivers specialized training and compliance tools for identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness under federal education law.

 

check-mark Proven Results Since 2014

Our track record speaks for itself – from small rural districts to large urban systems, we've consistently delivered measurable improvements in homeless student support and educational stability.

 

check-mark The Only Turnkey Solution Available

Stop piecing together incomplete solutions. We provide the industry's only comprehensive, turnkey McKinney-Vento implementation system designed specifically for today's educational environment.

State Coordinator Contacts

Janet Abdelsayed, State Coordinator for Homeless Education
Phone: (866) 856-8214
 
Heidi Brahms, Education Programs Consultant
Phone: (866) 856-8214
 
Karmina Barrales, Education Programs Consultant
Phone: (866) 856-8214

Citations

1,2,3 Child and Youth Homelessness Data Profiles powered by University of Michigan Poverty Solutions and SHC
  https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/schoolhouseconnection/viz/ChildandYouthHomelessnessDataProfiles/National 

Ready to Better Support California's Homeless Students?

Join the California districts already using McKinney-Vento.org to improve outcomes for students experiencing homelessness.

Or sign up for our Free Liaison Portal to access essential resources.

We'll help you find the funding and build internal support to make this program successful in your district.

Book your personalized demo
Liaison Portal