Fresno County Office of Education: Programs and Services

The Fresno County Office of Education (FCOE) is dedicated to providing a wide array of programs and services designed to support students, educators, and families throughout Fresno County. These initiatives aim to enhance educational opportunities, promote career readiness, and ensure access to vital resources for individuals of all ages. From early childhood education to adult career training, FCOE plays a crucial role in fostering a thriving educational ecosystem within the region.

Career Technical Education (CTE) and Fresno Regional Occupational Program (ROP)

The Career Technical Education department oversees the Fresno Regional Occupational Program (ROP), a program that empowers students to make informed career decisions. It provides them with opportunities to explore their interests, develop essential career skills, and reinforce academic knowledge through hands-on career technical education.

A Wide Variety of Programs: Fresno ROP offers programs in a multitude of fields, including:

Agriculture and Natural Resources
Arts, Media, and Entertainment
Building and Construction Trades
Education, Child Development, and Family Services
Energy, Environment, and Utilities
Engineering and Architecture
Fashion and Interior Design
Finance and Business
Health Science and Medical Technology
Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation
Information and Communication Technologies
Manufacturing and Product Development
Marketing, Sales, and Service
Public Services
Transportation

The specific offerings can vary from school district to school district, ensuring that programs are tailored to meet local needs and industry demands.

Educational Benefits: Fresno ROP provides students with a wide range of educational benefits, including:

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College credit for qualifying courses
Industry certifications
Internships (when appropriate)

These benefits enhance students' employability and prepare them for further education and career advancement.

Programs for Educators:

CTE Credential Program: The Career Technical Education (CTE) Credential Program is tailored for educators aspiring to teach career and technical education courses. This program equips instructors with the necessary credentials and training to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant education. It supports educators in developing and enhancing their skills to better serve students pursuing technical careers.
Family and Consumer Sciences Education: This program focuses on preparing students for careers in family and consumer sciences, covering areas such as nutrition, human development, and consumer education. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage their personal and family lives effectively while also opening doors to related professional opportunities.
Designated Subjects Program (DSP): The Designated Subjects Program (DSP) is designed for professionals transitioning into teaching from industry-specific careers. It provides the necessary training and credentials for individuals to teach specific subjects within ROP courses, ensuring that students benefit from instructors with real-world experience in their fields.

Educational Services for At-Risk Youth

FCOE is committed to providing educational services to students who are facing significant challenges. These services are designed to meet the unique needs of students in various circumstances.

Court Schools: The Court Schools provide educational services to students under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and in custody at the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Center. These schools offer a supportive and structured learning environment to help students continue their education while addressing their individual needs.

Community Schools: The Community Schools serve students in grades 7-12 who are referred by the Probation Department, Juvenile Court, Department of Social Services, and school districts. These schools provide a comprehensive approach to education, addressing students' academic, social, and emotional needs.

Migrant Education Program (MEP)

The Migrant Education Program (MEP) is a federally funded supplemental program that provides education and support services to identified migrant students ages 3-21. The goal of MEP is to ensure that migratory students are provided with appropriate academic support that addresses their unique needs. This program recognizes the unique challenges faced by migrant students and aims to provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed academically.

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Special Education Department

The Special Education Department provides specialized classes and services for students with disabilities who reside in school districts within the Fresno County SELPA. Services are available to eligible students with disabilities from birth to 22 years of age and are provided in a variety of settings, including home, school, and the community.

Low-Incidence Services: Low-incidence services are available for students who are deaf, blind, or orthopedically impaired. These services are tailored to meet the specific needs of students with these disabilities, ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

Instructional Programs: Instructional programs provided in Special Education classes are designed to meet the individualized learning, functional, and social-emotional needs of students. These programs are developed based on each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), which outlines their specific goals and objectives.

Fresno County SELPA: The Fresno County SELPA is divided into four regions with representation from 31 Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Special Education Operated Programs. The SELPA ensures the delivery of special education programs and services to the students with disabilities residing within our regional boundaries.

Fresno County Charter SELPA: The Fresno County Charter SELPA is composed of Charter LEAs located in Central California. The Charter SELPA ensures a quality educational program appropriate to the needs of each eligible child with a disability who is served by the Charter LEAs.

All 4 Youth Wellness Centers

All 4 Youth Wellness Centers are designed to support youth and families by linking them to resources and activities that promote a healthy environment for living and learning. These centers play a critical role in addressing the behavioral health needs of students in Fresno County.

Services Offered: Wellness Center staff and Family Partners provide a range of services, including:

Parent engagement activities
Workshops
Youth and parent groups
Other important services

Accessibility: Wellness Centers are strategically placed in Fresno County communities, open year-round, and accessible at:

Tarpey Elementary in Clovis
Fowler High School
Riverdale High School
Violet Heintz Education Academy

Behavioral Health Services: All 4 Youth is designed to enable youth and their families to access behavioral health services at school, in the community, or in the home. All 4 Youth serves all 32 school districts in Fresno County, though it is not available in all schools in Fresno and Clovis Unified.

Early Care and Education Programs

FCOE is deeply involved in enhancing the quality and accessibility of early care and education in Fresno and the Central Valley.

Early Stars: Early Stars aims to raise the quality and accessibility of early care and education in Fresno and Central Valley. Resources are available to families interested in learning more about Early Care and Education (ECE) programs, as well as to ECE programs interested in providing high-quality services to children and families.

Count Play Explore: Count Play Explore is a multi-agency effort led by the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Early Care and Education Department (FCSS-ECE) as part of Californiaâs System of Support. This initiative focuses on promoting early learning through play and exploration.

Fresno County Child Care and Development Local Planning Council (LPC): The Fresno County Child Care and Development Local Planning Council (LPC) is a forum that supports planning and actions to promote a quality early care and education system that meets the needs of all children and families. The LPC plays a crucial role in coordinating resources and advocating for policies that support early childhood development.

Pathways to Quality (PTQ): The Pathways to Quality (PTQ) program provides the opportunity to receive a stipend award to ECE professionals engaging in professional development. Additionally, all ECE professionals participating in PTQ will work with a Navigator that will work alongside them to support the successful completion of professional development goals. Learn more about the program eligibility criteria.

Lighthouse for Children: The Lighthouse for Children child development center provides Early Care and Education services to young children. The staff is committed to relationship-based, individualized care for each child, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The center also serves as a demonstration site for early childhood professionals and students.

Universal PreKindergarten (UPK): Technical assistance and support are provided for the planning and implementation of Universal PreKindergarten (UPK). This initiative aims to expand access to high-quality preschool programs for all children in Fresno County.

Early Educator Teacher Development Grant (EETDG): The Early Educator Teacher Development Grant (EETDG) program provides stipend opportunities to ECE professionals working directly with children ages 4-5 years. All ECE professionals that participate in EETDG will have access to a program navigator to support with their professional development goals.

Adult ROP

The Adult ROP program offers career preparation courses for adults looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. These courses provide practical, hands-on training in various industries, helping adult learners acquire new skills, earn certifications, and improve their employability.

County of Fresno Internship Program

The County of Fresno values education and believes that students bring new ideas, energy, and skills to the workforce. The County welcomes partnerships with local colleges and universities (schools) to offer students valuable work experience directly related to the student's academic field of study.

Master Student Internship Agreement: A Master Student Internship Agreement is a contract between Fresno County and a local school that allows the County to broaden its ability to acquire a diverse and innovative pool of intern candidates, while providing local college students opportunities for gaining valuable work experience and assisting them with fulfilling their academic requirements. These Agreements are only required for unpaid student internships, not paid student internships.

Internship Requirements: In order for the County to consider a student for an unpaid internship, the County must first have an approved Master Student Internship Agreement with the school in which the student attends before the internship can begin. A school may contact County Human Resources, Employment Division (559-600-1830) to inform the County that there is interest in establishing an Agreement with the County. County Human Resources will schedule an appointment with the school contact(s) to review and discuss the process of the internship program.

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