Protecting Funding for California School Counseling in 2025-26
Securing sustainable funding to grow and strengthen your school counseling program is always an important priority, especially during times of economic uncertainty. While state budgets may fluctuate year to year, strategic planning and proactive alignment can help ensure long-term stability for the essential services school counselors provide.
In January, California Governor Newsom projected school funding to remain relatively flat in 2025–26 at $118.9 billion, slightly below the 2024–25 estimate of $119.2 billion. With the May Revision of the California state budget expected around May 17, updated revenue estimates will provide a clearer picture of how current economic trends may impact school funding. (Source: Guide to the California State Budget Process)
Because California’s revenue is closely tied to income and capital gains taxes, largely influenced by stock market performance, there can be year-to-year variability. Nonetheless, Governor Newsom’s proposed January budget suggested a generally steady outlook for K-12 schools and community colleges.
Now is the time to invest in school counseling with intention. If your program is supported through federal funds or state grants, many of which are set to expire by 2026, aligning your school counseling budget with sustainable, ongoing funding sources is essential. For California districts, including school counseling expenses in your Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a critical step to help safeguard staffing and services for students, regardless of shifts in state or federal funding.
By planning now, you can ensure that your school counseling program remains strong, resilient, and ready to support students no matter what lies ahead.
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.
Extended Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) ($4 billion) - SACS Resource Code 2600, 8590
Ongoing ELO-P funds can be used to support student access to expanded learning opportunity programs, which may include, but are not limited to, hiring literacy coaches, tutors, school counselors, instructional day teachers, and aides to assist students. Beginning July 1, 2025, funds can be used to support attendance recovery when operated by a local educational agency. Attendance Recovery can result in an individual student being credited for up to 10 days of attendance in a school year, provided that the ELO-P operates on the same school site where the student attends school. Average Daily Attendance can be generated in 1-hour increments. Additional information can be found on the CA Afterschool Network website.
Grant Funded Programs Ending in 2026
Educator Effectiveness Block Grant ($1.5 billion) - SACS Resource Code 6266
Ends June 30, 2026
Educator Effectiveness funds may be used to support the professional learning for certificated staff, including school counselors, administrators, and paraprofessional educators.
A-G Completion Improvement Grant ($694 million) - SACS Resource Code 7412, 7413
Ends Aug. 30, 2026.
This grant provides teachers, administrators, and school counselors with professional development opportunities to improve the LEA’s A–G completion rate.
Grant Funded Programs Ending in 2028
Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant ($6.3 billion) - SACS Resource Code 7435
Ends June 30, 2028
The approved 2024 budget trailer bill, SB 153, now requires school districts to develop a needs assessment and be included in the LCAP regarding the use and expenditure of grant funds for the 2025–26, 2026–27, and 2027–28 school years. Funds are intended to support academic learning recovery and staff and pupil social and emotional well-being. Funds received must be used for purposes specified in EC 32526(c).
Grant Funded Programs Ending in 2031
California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) ($16.7 billion) - SACS Resource Code 6332
The California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) supports strong and intentional community partnerships ensuring pupil learning and whole child and family development, and including integrated support services; family and community engagement; collaborative leadership and practices for educators and administrators; and extended learning time and opportunities.
Federal Funding for School Counseling
CA Title I ($2.1 billion) - SACS Resource Code 3010 Use of Funds - The purpose of Title I, Part A federal funds is to help meet the educational needs of students, close the achievement gap, and enable students to meet the academic standards. ESSA Schoolwide Guidance specifically includes school counselors as an allowable expense (see top of page 5).
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) to 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.
