New State Funding Could Expand LA County’s Community School Network to Over 1,600 Schools

New State Funding Could Expand LA County's Community School Network to Over 1,600 Schools

Mon Aug 24 10:47:00 PDT 2026

New ongoing state investment creates an opportunity to significantly expand and sustain community schools serving students and families across Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County could see its network of community schools grow from approximately 500 to over 1,600 under a new ongoing state funding opportunity announced for the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP).

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, eligible schools will have access to ongoing funding to establish and sustain the community school model, which brings schools, families and community partners together to address barriers to learning and strengthening student success.

The California state budget trailer bill (AB 126) provides a historic and permanent investment in community schools through $1 billion in ongoing funding to expand and sustain the community school model across California. The funding will be distributed through a new ongoing state funding model for eligible schools.

Eligible school sites with more than 65% unduplicated pupil count and at least 10 enrolled students may qualify for annual funding ranging from $75,000 to $400,000 per site, depending on enrollment.

Los Angeles County is already home to the nation's largest community school network, with approximately 500 community schools. With the new funding, over 1,600 schools countywide could potentially be eligible to implement and sustain the community school model.

"Community schools create conditions for student success by supporting the whole child and strengthening connections among schools, families and community partners," said Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools. "This ongoing state investment gives Los Angeles County an extraordinary opportunity to build on the work already underway and bring the community school model to more students and families. LACOE stands ready to help schools and districts build strong, sustainable community schools that respond to the needs of the communities they serve."

Funding Timeline

To receive funding for the 2026-27 school year, local educational agencies (LEAs) must opt in by Nov. 1, 2026, for any eligible sites not already receiving the community schools grant, or for any LEAs who are not current grantees. Eligible schools that opt in will be notified and will receive funding during the 2026-27 school year.

Additional details on CCSPP funding beyond the 2026-27 school year are still under development at the state level. For schools already receiving CCSPP funding, eligibility for additional funding begins after the sunset of current CCSPP grants.

How LA County Schools Can Prepare

LACOE encourages district leaders to take immediate action to prepare:

• Review the CCSPP Information (PDF) to learn more about eligibility criteria, funding levels, key deadlines and steps LEAs can take now to prepare.
• Register for LACOE's Community Schools Initiative Welcome to Community Schools Informational Webinar on Monday, Aug. 31, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to learn how L.A. County schools can access CCSPP funding and meet LACOE's Greater Los Angeles Regional Transformational Assistance Center (R-TAC) team, who can assist LEAs with the preparation process.
• Register for the state's CCSPP Informational Webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Plan to opt in by Nov. 1, 2026. LEAs seeking funding for eligible sites in the 2026-27 school year should be prepared to complete the state's opt-in process by the deadline.

Available Support for LA County Schools

The Greater Los Angeles R-TAC, led by LACOE's Community Schools Initiative, will continue to provide guidance and technical assistance to schools and districts throughout their CCSPP implementation process.

Eligible schools and districts are encouraged to connect with LACOE's Community Schools Initiative at [email protected] or (562) 401-5472 with questions and to remain mindful of key deadlines. LACOE's Community Schools Initiative will continue to share updates and host additional informational opportunities as new information becomes available from the state.

LACOE looks forward to continuing its partnership with schools and districts across the County to advance the community schooling model and strengthen support for students, families, staff and communities.

About the Greater Los Angeles Regional Transformational Assistance Center (R-TAC):
Led by LACOE's Community Schools Initiative, the Greater Los Angeles Regional Transformational Assistance Center (R-TAC) supports all public schools and local educational agencies that receive California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) funding in L.A. County. It is led in partnership with The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health and the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. As one of eight technical assistance centers designated by the California Department of Education, the Greater Los Angeles R-TAC transforms educational practices and reduces disparities at community schools across the County by partnering, guiding and co-learning with schools and districts to leverage the CCSPP framework.