CA AB27

Local educational agencies must ensure each school identifies all homeless children, youths, and unaccompanied youths enrolled, and administer annual housing questionnaires to all parents/guardians and unaccompanied youths based on state-developed best practices.

School districts, charter schools, and county offices of education must post on their websites the names and contact information for local educational agency liaisons for homeless youth, along with information about educational rights and resources for persons experiencing homelessness.

The California Department of Education must develop best practices and a model housing questionnaire for identifying homeless and unaccompanied youth, and post these materials on its website.

Up to $1,500,000 may be allocated to three county offices of education in different regions to establish technical assistance centers that provide training, develop best practices, and foster partnerships between schools and community organizations supporting homeless youth, operating through June 30, 2024.

The bill takes effect immediately as an urgency statute and authorizes the Department of Education to use federal McKinney-Vento funds, American Rescue Plan funds, or General Fund moneys to implement provisions beginning in the 2021–22 school year.