California Funding for School Counseling
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Current California budget deficits will likely impact most school districts' discretionary spending in 2024-25. However, it's also important to note that there are still several sources of one-time funding that could potentially support your school counseling program, enhance professional development, and bolster student services.
We’ve created this California Funding for School Counseling document to provide a comprehensive list of these one-time grants, their respective deadlines, and the resource codes necessary to inquire about the remaining funds in your district. We recommend requesting a budget report for each of these resource codes from your business department so you can gain a clearer understanding of how your district is utilizing these funds and what is still available. With this knowledge, you'll be better equipped to advocate for these funds to be allocated to support your school counseling program.
Grant Funded Programs
1. ESSER III ($13.6 billion) SACS Resource Code 3213, 3214
Ends September 30, 2024
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, aka ESSER III funds, are available for obligation by LEAs through September 30, 2024. Although funds must be encumbered by September 30, 2024, grant activities carried out may continue beyond that date. ESSER funds must be liquidated within 120 calendar days (January 2025). In a letter sent to state education agencies, school districts can request up to 14 months extension for liquidation of funds. For additional information, see Department of Education's FAQs.
2. In-Person Instruction (IPI) Grant ($2 billion) - SACS Resource Code 7422
Ends September 30, 2024
IPI Grant funds may be used for … “salaries for certificated or classified employees providing in-person instruction or services, and social and mental health support services provided in conjunction with in-person instruction.”
3. Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Grant ($4.6 billion) - SACS Resource Code 7425, 3218 & 3219
Ends September 30, 2024
ELO Grants shall be expended for any of the following purposes: extending instructional learning time, accelerating progress to close learning gaps, intensive support on pupils’ needs for academic, social-emotional, and other integrated pupil supports, supports for credit deficient pupils, additional academic services, and training for school staff. LEAs may amend their ELO Grant Plan, including the planned expenditures, based on changes in student needs identified as part of the LEAs ongoing assessment of the needs of students identified for supplemental instruction and support.
4. Educator Effectiveness Block Grant ($1.5 billion) - SACS Resource Code 6266
Ends June 30, 2026
Professional development of certificated and classified staff.
Coaching systems organized around social-emotional learning, including self-management, social awareness, relationships, responsible decision making skills, improving teacher attitudes and beliefs about self and others, and supporting learning for educators to engage in a meaningful classroom
5. A-G Completion Improvement Grant ($694 million) - SACS Resource Code 7412, 7413
Ends August 30, 2026
Providing teachers, administrators, and counselors with professional development opportunities to improve the LEA’s A–G completion rate.
Developing comprehensive advising plans and pupil supports, including tutoring programs, to improve the LEA’s A–G completion rate.
Expanding access to coursework or other opportunities to satisfy A–G course requirements
Advanced Placement and International
Baccalaureate fees for unduplicated pupils.
Encourages LEAs to direct A–G Success Grant funds towards pupils in danger of not achieving a grade of “C” or better in A–G courses.
6. Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant ($6.3 billion) - SACS Resource Code 7435
Ends June 30, 2028 (No LEA Plan required)
Funds are intended to support academic learning recovery and staff and pupil social and emotional well-being
Integrating pupil supports to address other barriers to learning, and staff supports and training, such as the provision of health, counseling, or mental health services, or programs to address pupil trauma and social-emotional learning, or referrals for support for family or pupil needs.
Access to instruction for credit-deficient pupils to complete graduation or grade promotion requirements and to increase or improve pupils’ college eligibility.
7. Career Technical Education Implementation Grant ($300 million) - SACS Resource Code 6387
Ends June 30, 2024
Career Technical Education Incentive Grant RFA - Grant applications ended January 12, 2024. Matching funds for the CTEIG must be encumbered (committed) by June 30, 2024. Final reports must be submitted to the CDE by January 31, 2026.
Funds provided under the CTEIG may be used for the following:
Training and planning meetings between district CTE Advisory Committee personnel, including counselors, parents, college faculty, and business leaders;
Pupil support services for career, academic, and social and emotional needs
8. California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) ($16.7 billion) - SACS Resource Code 6332
Ends June 30, 2025 (with extension grants through 2031)
The California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) supports schools’ efforts to partner with community agencies and local government to align community resources to improve student outcomes. These partnerships provide an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement.
Ongoing State Funding
LCFF/LCAP Supplemental & Concentration Funds - SACS Resource Code 0000 (Unrestricted)
The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) creates funding targets based on student needs and provides districts greater flexibility to use these funds to improve student outcomes. The LCFF funding targets consist of grade span-specific base grants plus supplemental and concentration grants that are calculated based on student demographic factors. The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is intended as a comprehensive planning tool to support student outcomes. School districts are required to prepare an LCAP, which describes how they intend to meet annual goals for all pupils, with specific activities to address identified local priorities.
Ongoing Federal Funding for School Counseling
1. CA Title I ($2.1 billion) - SACS Resource Code 3010
Title I - Use of Funds - The purpose of Title I, Part A federal funds is to help to meet the educational needs of students, support educational strategies that close the achievement gap, and enable the students to meet the state's challenging academic standards. ESSA Schoolwide Guidance specifically includes school counselors as an allowable expense - (see top of page 5).
2. CA Title II ($217 million) - SACS Resource Code 4035
The purpose is to:
improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders;
increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools;
provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.
3. CA Title IV ($19 million) - SACS Resource Code 4127
The purpose of Title IV, Part A funds is to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of schools to (among other items):
Improve school conditions for student learning; Foster safe, healthy, supportive, and drug-free environments that support student academic achievement, which may include expanding access to school-based counseling and mental health programs
