A Guide to the Homeless Liaison Role in California: Legal Guidelines and Implementation Strategies
This California Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC) resource
- outlines the responsibilities of local educational agency (LEA) homeless liaisons and LEAs under federal education statute and California Education Code,
- highlights additional responsibilities specific to the role of the county office of education (COE) liaison, and
- recommends strategies for implementing these responsibilities effectively.
This resource was developed in partnership by the California HETAC and SchoolHouse Connection.
Context
Homeless education liaisons (hereafter liaisons) play a vital role in the identification and support of students experiencing homelessness, enabling them to fully participate and succeed in school. Under the federal Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (hereafter McKinney-Vento Act), all local educational agencies (LEAs) must designate an appropriate staff person to serve as the LEA liaison [42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)]. This person must be able to carry out the liaison duties required by law [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)].
In addition to fulfilling statutorily required liaison duties, homeless liaisons often oversee the implementation of broader LEA homeless education responsibilities. This California Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC) guide outlines the responsibilities of homeless liaisons and LEAs under federal education statute and California Education Code and recommends strategies for implementing these responsibilities effectively.
California County Offices of Education
In California, an LEA is defined as a school district, county office of education (COE), nonprofit charter school, or a special education local plan area [Cal. Educ. Code § 56026.3]. Given the inclusion of COEs in the definition of LEA, and the important intermediary role COEs play in a state the size of California, COEs must appoint a COE homeless liaison. COE liaisons fulfill responsibilities specific to their location within a COE in addition to those required of school district liaisons. See the Additional COE Liaison Responsibilities and Implementation Strategies section below.
Homeless Liaison and LEA Responsibilities and Implementation Strategies
The table below outlines the responsibilities of homeless liaisons and LEAs (as often overseen by the homeless liaison), and strategies for their implementation.
Homeless Liaison and LEA Responsibilities | Strategies for Implementation |
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IdentificationLiaisons shall ensure that homeless children and youth are identified by school personnel through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(i); Cal. Educ. Code § 48851(a)]. LEAs shall administer a housing questionnaire annually to all parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youth within the LEA for purposes of identifying homeless children and youth, including unaccompanied youth (Cal. Educ. Code § 48851). |
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EnrollmentLiaisons shall ensure that homeless children and youth are enrolled in school immediately, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in schools within the LEA [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(3)(C); 42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(ii); Cal. Educ. Code § 48850(3)(A)]. |
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Referrals for Early ChildhoodLiaisons shall ensure that homeless children, youth, and families have access to and receive educational services for which they are eligible, including services through Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs), early intervention services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and other LEA-administered preschool programs [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(iii)]. |
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Referrals for Health, Housing, and Other ServicesLiaisons shall ensure that homeless children, youth, and families receive referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health and substance abuse services, housing services, and other appropriate services [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(iv)]. |
Identify local contacts and partners to ensure seamless referrals and provision of services that consider the varied and unique needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. Key partners to collaborate with include providers of services to children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, such as
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Parent InvolvementLiaisons shall ensure that the parents or guardians of homeless children and youth are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(v)]. |
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Posting Public NoticeLiaisons shall ensure that the public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youth is disseminated in locations frequented children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, including schools, shelters, public libraries, and soup kitchens. Public notice shall be posted in a manner and form understandable to students and families experiencing homelessness [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(vi); Cal. Educ. Code § 48852.5(a)]. |
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Resolution of DisputesLiaisons shall ensure that enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(vii); Cal. Educ. Code § 48852.7(e)(1)]. |
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TransportationLiaisons shall ensure that the parent or guardian of a homeless child or youth, and any unaccompanied youth, is fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin, and is assisted in accessing needed school transportation [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(viii); Cal. Educ. Code § 48852.7(e)(1)]. |
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Training and Technical AssistanceLiaisons shall ensure that school personnel providing services to children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness receive professional development and other support [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(ix); Cal. Educ. Code § 48852.5(c)]. |
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Meeting the Needs of Unaccompanied YouthLocal liaisons shall ensure that unaccompanied youth are enrolled in school, have opportunities to meet the same challenging State academic standards as the State establishes for other children and youth, and are informed and receive documentation of their status as independent students on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(x)]. |
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Additional COE Liaison Responsibilities and Implementation Strategies
In California, COEs provide a support infrastructure for local school districts and schools. This infrastructure is generally comprised of student, administrative, and instructional services. COE liaisons play an invaluable role in supporting the capacity of all districts and schools (including nonprofit charter schools) in their county as they seek to identify and address the educational and related needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. The table below outlines the responsibilities of COE liaisons specific to their county-level role and strategies for their implementation.
COE Liaison Responsibilities | Strategies for Implementation |
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Facilitating Communication and CollaborationCOE liaisons shall facilitate communication and collaboration between CDE, the COE, and districts within the county to ensure the effective planning and implementation of LEA homeless education programs and provision of educational and related services to children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. |
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Training and Technical AssistanceCOE liaisons shall provide training and technical assistance to all district liaisons within the county, including those designed by charter schools, on the McKinney-Vento Act and the rights of students and families experiencing homelessness.
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Meeting Reporting RequirementsCOE liaisons ensure the timely and accurate reporting to CDE of required homeless education data by the COE and districts within the LEA. |
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Assisting with the Resolution of DisputesCOE liaisons ensure the timely and effective resolution of homeless education disputes within their county, including any appeals of district-level decisions to the COE. |
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Building School-Community PartnershipsCOE liaisons shall work collaboratively with school, district, and community partners in their county to assist with the development of mutually beneficial partnerships that support children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. |
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