California Family Engagement in Education
Spring 2026 Update
Highlights and Partnerships
Welcome to the latest California Statewide Family Engagement Center (CA-SFEC) update. As we move through an exciting 2026, California continues to emerge as a national leader in family engagement, creating new opportunities for educators, families, and community partners to shape student success together. From the upcoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidate Forums and the Family Tech & Empowerment Summit in Fresno to the National Assembly in San Diego this October and celebrating Family Engagement in Education month in November the months ahead reflect the growing momentum of this work. In this edition, you will find new resources, important updates, and opportunities to connect, learn, and lead. Thank you for being an essential part of this movement and for helping strengthen the partnership between home, school, and community across California and beyond.
Spring comes with some exciting opportunities to further advance our endeavors of family engagement in education. We are excited to announce that CA-SFEC representatives will be participating in the Peer Leading and Learning Network (PLLN) in-person convening, led by the Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) on April 30-May 1, in Anaheim, CA. In this gathering we will join and engage with education practitioners across the state by facilitating workshop sessions to help advance intentional alignment in education for effective Family Engagement strategies in education. We are excited to meet and engage with the CEI Cohort V & VI participants at our workshop sessions!
Next, the CA-SFEC is excited to participate in the upcoming National Statewide Family Engagement Center meeting this May in Washington, D.C., connecting with leaders from across the country to share learning and elevate family engagement efforts nationally!
Did you know?
- The California Association of Black School Educators (CABSE) Conference takes place in Napa, Ca in July? We are excited to return to this energizing and powerful gathering in hopes to advance our efforts to engage in critical conversations that support equity and student success for all students.
Important Announcement
- November has been adopted as Family Engagement Month in California! Explore the available toolkit to help you plan for the 2026–2027 school year and strengthen your family engagement efforts. We encourage all California Counties and districts to join the movement. Learn More from our partners at cdefoundation.org
Highlights and Partnerships
Expanding Impact Through National Partnerships and Collaboration
Highlights and Partnerships
Expanding Impact Through National Partnerships and Collaboration
This year, CA-SFEC deepened its national footprint through strategic partnerships and strengthening connections between local practice and national dialogue. These efforts positioned California as both a contributor to and beneficiary of cross state learning focused on family engagement, language access, and educational equity.
Building Capacity through Professional Development
The CA-SFEC in partnership with the National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) launched its first ever statewide Communities of Practice (COP), the virtual convenings created structured spaces for family engagement practitioners across California to collaborate, problem solve, and learn from one another across regions. CA-SFEC has hosted a total of six Communities of Practice to date, with the most recent sessions held on January 29, 2026, and March 26, 2026. Stay tuned for future professional development opportunities offered by CA-SFEC!
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the CA-SFEC is focused on:
- Expanding statewide alignment,
- Increasing practitioner training opportunities,
- Advancing policyrecommendations, and
- Serving as a trusted central resource hub for family engagement across California.
SAVE THE DATES!
Upcoming SPI Candidate Forums: Engaging with California’s Education Leaders
Family engagement practitioners and community members can join the upcoming Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Candidate Forums on May 14, in Fresno, Ca. This session aim to provide an opportunity to hear directly from candidates and engage with their visions for California’s education system. Register and join us in this important discussion for Californias future leader in education.
2026 Family Tech & Empowerment Summit in Fresno
PIQE will host its third annual Family Tech & Empowerment Summit on April 25, 2026, at Fresno State University, bringing together families, educators, and community partners for a day of learning focused on digital literacy, leadership, and civic engagement. The event will feature interactive workshops, a parent ambassador leadership panel, access to technology resources, and opportunities for families to connect with community partners, all designed to support families in navigating and thriving in today’s digital world.
Join the National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference This May
On the national stage, practitioners can participate in the National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference from May 27–29, hosted by IEL. This conference brings together educators, policymakers, and community leaders from across the country to share best practices, explore strategies for strengthening family and community partnerships, and engage in conversations that advance equity and student success.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Tools have arrived!
CA-SFEC participated in the Universal Pre-K (UPK) committee to provide expertise in the new communication resources for families that are now available. All materials are designed to be easy to share, culturally responsive, and free to use on the newly updated UPK website.
What’s Included
The toolkit includes customizable materials that can be used as is or adapted for your community:
- Flyers and posters
- Social media carousels and sample captions
- Parent testimonial videos and short clips
- Email and newsletter templates
- Talking points and key messages
- Referral and enrollment resources
- Links to translated materials Download the Toolkit
Contact Us
If you’re interested in signing up for a NAFSCE membership, we encourage any district leader to contact us using the button below.
