Information for schools and programs impacted by wildfires
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the California Department of Education’s Early Learning and Care Division, and Expanded Learning Division have recently released a variety of communications to provide information and support for those impacted by wildfires.
- Access communication from the Superintendent of Public instruction that outlines the Counties impacted by wildfires, and those that have had school closures related to air quality. Additionally, the department maintains a School Disaster Web Page and a California Wildfires Web Page. Approval of school closures and material decrease in attendance may be requested by submitting a Form J-13A. For more guidance on the J-13A submittal and approval process, see the CDE Form J-13A web page.
- The Early Learning and Care Division (formerly Early Education and Support Division) created access to Management Bulletin 10-09 (MB 10-09) and they encourage that programs are in contact with their Field Services Consultant, and to contact Lisa Velarde at 916-324-6164 or by email at lvelarde@cde.ca.gov or Erica Otiono at 916-319-0338 or by email at eotiono@cde.ca.gov with specific questions regarding reduced days of operation or attendance for early learning and care programs.
- The Expanded Learning Division (which administers After School Education and Safety, or ASES, programs and 21st Century Community Learning Centers, or 21st CCLC, programs) provided access to a Frequently Asked Questions document that outlines that Education Code allows program attendance credit when ELPs cannot operate due to natural disaster and other reasons. In order to receive attendance credit for closure, grantees are required to submit an Attendance Relief Request form (also attached) to the EXLD with evidence that justifies the closure of the program. Upon acceptance of that evidence, the EXLD will apply the program’s annual average daily attendance (by calendar year) to the days the program was closed. The Division recommends you contact your Fiscal Analyst or Regional Consultant with questions.