2024 Catalyzing Action Exchange
About the Event
On September 17, 2024, the University of California Berkeley, in partnership with the California HETAC and California Department of Education (CDE), hosted a gathering of 125+ educators, civic leaders, policymakers, researchers, advocates, philanthropists, and youth leaders for the Catalyzing Action Exchange: Building an Equitable Educational System Centering Students Experiencing Homelessness symposium.
Just days before the obligation deadline for American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) funds, which represented an unprecedented federal homeless education budget appropriation, this event aimed to unite diverse stakeholders who have championed educational innovations for students experiencing homelessness since the passage into law of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021.
The event achieved three core objectives:
- Marking the moment with impactful presentations and research outcomes;
- Breaking isolation by fostering essential cross-sector collaboration across a variety of programs and systems supporting children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness; and
- Catalyzing a transformed future by charting a path forward focused on critical homeless education priorities.
Participants emphasized the need for continued collaboration, raising academic expectations for students experiencing homelessness, and ensuring local leaders champion this vital work.
Event Materials
Access materials from the Catalyzing Action Exchange: Building an Equitable Educational System Centering Students Experiencing Homelessness event:
- View the Catalyzing Action Exchange Storymap Webpage
(includes Highlights and Outcomes, Speaker Summaries, Feedback and Actions Ahead, Posters, Photo Gallery, and Resources) - View the Seen: Housing Insecurity Amongst K-12 Youth youth voice video