Sacramento County Office of Education: Programs and Services for Student Success
The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) offers a wide array of programs and services designed to support students of all ages, educators, and families throughout Sacramento County. These initiatives address various needs, from early learning and literacy to support for foster youth and students experiencing homelessness. SCOE's commitment to collaboration and innovation ensures that every learner in the community has the opportunity to thrive.
Curriculum and Instruction Department (TK-12)
The TK-12 Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) Department provides high-quality professional learning, instructional coaching, expert technical assistance, and strong leadership to support improved outcomes in schools and districts. Department staff partner with paraprofessionals, teachers, instructional coaches, education leaders, county offices, statewide agencies, and community-based organizations to build the knowledge and skills needed for a systematic and sustainable improvement process. The department's focus is on empowering educators with the tools and knowledge necessary to create engaging and effective learning environments.
Early Learning Department
The Early Learning Department promotes a strong early learning community to support children, families, educators, and providers. This is achieved by enhancing quality and developing systems for continuous improvement through education, innovation, and collaboration. The department recognizes the critical importance of early childhood education in setting the foundation for future academic success.
Expanded Learning Programs
Expanded Learning Programs assist with developing and improving before-school, after-school, and summer expanded learning programs. Providing technical assistance, professional development, coaching, mentoring, brokering, and leveraging of resources for the Capital Service Region (Region 3) which includes 10 counties: Alpine, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba. These programs provide safe, structured, and enriching environments for students outside of regular school hours.
Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program
The Sacramento Countywide Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program is part of a statewide system of programs focused on improving education outcomes for students in foster care. Working collaboratively with local school districts, charter schools, public agencies, and community groups to provide training and resources on promising practices targeted to build capacity to improve the education outcomes of students in foster care. The program recognizes the unique challenges faced by foster youth and strives to provide them with the support they need to succeed academically.
Read also: Accreditation Details
Homeless Services (Project TEACH)
Project TEACH provides vital services to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to education and support. Working closely with schools, families, and community partners to remove barriers, offer resources, and create opportunities for academic success and stability. SCOE is widely recognized as one of the most effective homeless education programs in California.
Understanding the Scope of Homelessness in Education
In the education system, homelessness includes more than shelter stays. Families who are doubled up or temporarily living with others may also qualify for support. Not obtaining a high school diploma is one of the strongest predictors of future homelessness. Students who do not graduate are more than three times as likely to experience homelessness as adults.
Project TEACH: A Closer Look
Project Teach promotes the educational success of children and youth experiencing homelessness throughout Sacramento County. The program raises awareness about the education rights guaranteed under the McKinney-Vento Act, connects families to school district liaisons, and helps students access services like transportation and early learning programs. Through its Shelter Outreach Program, SCOE focuses on identifying and supporting young children living in shelters, who are often overlooked in traditional systems. Children ages 0 to 5 are some of the most prevalent in the shelter system, yet the hardest to reach. During the pandemic, many of these children were disconnected from school and early education. In the past few years, SCOE has worked to reverse that trend, increasing their identification rate for this group by 134 percent. The College Initiative Program, a partnership between SCOE and Lutheran Social Services (LSS), funded by the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, helps pregnant and parenting college students access housing and education support.
The Impact of Project TEACH
One participant, a single mother, shared concerns about her toddler’s speech development. Over nearly a year, SCOE staff provided referrals that led to an autism diagnosis. Her son is now enrolled in a special education preschool and receives weekly speech therapy. The family also received temporary housing through the program and is preparing to move into permanent supportive housing.
The Team Behind the Program
The program’s impact is driven by a highly experienced team with backgrounds in early childhood education, adult education, and more than two decades of leadership in homeless education. The team is present in shelters, schools, and housing networks throughout the county, working wherever families and systems of care intersect. The program also plays an active role in the Sacramento Continuum of Care. Project Teach’s coordinator has held the education board seat since the CoC’s formation and currently serves as Secretary on the Executive Committee.
Read also: Centerpointe Learning Institute Courses
Call to Action
SCOE invites community partners to help raise awareness. Need help connecting a student to school? Every district has a Homeless Liaison who can help.
Multilingual Education Programs
The Multilingual Education Programs support school districts in serving English learners, providing professional learning for educators, guidance on effective instructional practices, and resources that help schools meet state and federal requirements. Its programs also promote family engagement and collaborate with local partners to strengthen language development services across the county. The goal is to ensure that English learners have the support they need to achieve academic success while maintaining their cultural and linguistic identities.
Sacramento County READS Initiative
The Sacramento County READS initiative is a transformative approach to literacy and reading success. The mission is to foster a collaborative environment of teaching and learning, underpinned by the science of reading, to ensure every learner in our community thrives. Through partnerships, innovative programs, and supportive services, Sacramento County READS is dedicated to making literacy accessible and achievable for all. The initiative recognizes that strong literacy skills are essential for success in school and life.
State Transformational Assistance Center (S-TAC)
The State Transformational Assistance Center (S-TAC) is a statewide hub providing technical assistance, resources, and strategies for implementing community schools across California. Community schools are designed to integrate academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and family engagement.
Read also: Join Sacramento State
tags: #sacramento #county #office #of #education #scoe
