Report 2019-104 Recommendation 39 Responses

Report 2019-104: Youth Experiencing Homelessness: California's Education System for K-12 Inadequately Identifies and Supports These Youth (Release Date: November 2019)

Recommendation #39 To: Education, Department of

To ensure that all LEAs receive necessary guidance and training, Education should Inform all LEAs of the requirement to disseminate information about the educational rights of youth experiencing homelessness in locations frequented by families of such youth, including schools, shelters, public libraries, and food pantries. Further, Education should encourage LEAs to inform families and youth about protections afforded to those experiencing homelessness. For example, it could encourage LEAs to accomplish this through their housing questionnaire.

6-Month Agency Response

Fully implemented. In February 2020, Education posted the letter, Educating Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness, on its web page, Resources for Homeless Children and Youths; a listserv announcement informing LEAs of this new addition to the web site was disseminated on March 11, 2020.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

60-Day Agency Response

Partially implemented. On December 18, 2019, Education informed LEAs of the requirement to disseminate information about the educational rights of youth experiencing homelessness through an email sent as a Listserv announcement. This information will also be posted on its website in a letter format. Specifically, the letter outlines the LEAs responsibilities under the McKinney-Vento Assistance Act and reminds LEAs to (1) review policies and procedures; (2) use a housing questionnaire for identification; (3) provide and receive professional development; and (4) disseminate educational rights of youth experiencing homelessness in locations frequented by families. Lastly, the letter offers LEAs the option to download the poster in a variety of languages or contact Education directly to request posters in English and Spanish. Education anticipates full implementation of the recommendation by May 2020.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2019-104

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.