California Expands Educational Support: Guaranteed Food and Transportation Through 2026

cali Secures Funding to Continue Vital School Food and Transportation programs Through 2026

August 5, 2025

Santiago de Cali, Colombia – Students in Cali’s public schools will continue to receive essential food and transportation assistance through the end of the 2026 school year, thanks to a recent decision by the Council Budget Commission to approve exceptional future validity for funding these programs.

This financial commitment ensures the continuation of key strategies designed to keep students in school, including school transport and the School Food Program (PAE).Secretary of Education, Sara Rodas, highlighted the PAE’s commitment to exceeding national standards. “The rule requires a 50% nutritional load, and in Cali, we are delivering 62%, which represents a more robust food complement to our children and young people,” she stated.

catalina Zambrano, Undersecretariat of Educational Coverage, added that the food portion sizes have increased by 27%. School transport will remain a priority for students with disabilities and those living in rural areas, guaranteeing safe and timely access to education.

These programs are considered essential to student success. Adequate nutrition directly impacts concentration, academic performance, classroom engagement, and overall physical and cognitive development. Moreover, they contribute to reduced absenteeism and improved student well-being.

School transport is a critical tool for ensuring equal opportunities, especially for students with disabilities and those in rural communities. Currently, the service covers 51 public schools – 13 in rural areas and 38 in urban and hillside areas – reaching 78% of rural students and 10% of urban and hillside students.

With funding secured through 2026,the programs are projected to benefit 22,777 students: 7,484 in rural areas,4,864 in hillside areas,6,220 in urban areas,and 2,842 attending schools undergoing infrastructure improvements. The plan also includes 307 specialized routes for students with disabilities, 60 individualized transport options, and 1,000 spaces for transport via the mine system.

Mayor Alejandro Eder’s governance is also expanding the single school day initiative, which aims to provide students with a nutritious lunch featuring healthy fruits, vegetables, and roasted foods, promoting a balanced diet and further supporting their well-being and continued enrollment.

what steps should families take to confirm their application for food or transportation assistance has been received?

Expanding Access to Learning: A New Era for California Students

California is making a important investment in its students’ success with a landmark expansion of educational support programs. Through legislation passed in early 2025, the state is guaranteeing access to both food and transportation for eligible students through the end of 2026. This initiative aims to remove key barriers to attendance and academic performance, especially for students from low-income families and those attending schools in underserved communities. This builds upon existing California school lunch programs and expands support to encompass broader transportation needs.

Who Qualifies for Food Assistance?

The expanded food program builds on the existing free and reduced-price lunch eligibility criteria. Key qualifying factors include:

Income Guidelines: Households meeting federal poverty guidelines are automatically eligible. Specific income thresholds vary based on household size.(Refer to the California Department of Education website for the most up-to-date figures: https://www.cde.ca.gov/)

Direct Certification: Students directly certified for free meals through participation in programs like CalFresh (SNAP) or Medi-Cal are automatically enrolled.

Foster youth: All foster youth are eligible, regardless of household income.

Homeless Students: Students experiencing homelessness qualify for free meals.

Migrant Students: Qualifying migrant students are also included in the program.

This expanded access to student nutrition programs is designed to combat food insecurity, a major obstacle to learning.

Transportation Assistance: Getting Students to School

Recognizing that transportation can be a significant hurdle, especially in rural areas and for students with long commutes, California is providing guaranteed transportation support. This includes:

School Bus Expansion: Funding will be allocated to expand existing school bus routes and add new routes where needed.

Public Transportation Vouchers: Students who live far from bus routes or have limited bus service will receive vouchers for public transportation.

Mileage Reimbursement: In certain circumstances, families might potentially be eligible for mileage reimbursement for transporting their children to school. (Specific guidelines are being developed by individual school districts.)

Safe Routes to School Initiatives: Increased investment in infrastructure improvements like sidewalks and crosswalks to promote safe walking and biking routes.

This initiative directly addresses school transportation challenges and aims to improve student attendance rates.

Funding and Implementation details

The program is funded through a combination of state and federal resources, totaling over $2 billion allocated for the 2025-2026 school years.

Funding distribution: Funds are distributed to school districts based on student enrollment and the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Local Control: School districts have the flexibility to determine the best way to implement the transportation assistance program to meet the unique needs of their communities.

Monitoring and Evaluation: The California Department of education will monitor the program’s implementation and evaluate its effectiveness in improving student outcomes.

Benefits of the Expanded Support

The benefits of this expanded support are far-reaching:

Improved Attendance: Removing barriers to food and transportation will lead to increased student attendance.

Enhanced Academic Performance: Well-nourished and reliably transported students are better able to focus on their studies.

Reduced Inequality: The program helps level the playing field for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Stronger Communities: Investing in students strengthens communities and promotes economic growth.

* Increased equity in education: This initiative directly addresses educational equity concerns, ensuring all students have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Real-World Impact: The Stockton Unified School District Example

The Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) piloted a similar program in 2024, providing transportation vouchers to students experiencing homelessness. Preliminary data showed a 15% increase in attendance rates among participating students. SUSD Superintendent John Smith stated, “The ability to get to school consistently is a basic need. This program has made a tangible difference in the lives of our students.” This success story informed the statewide expansion.

navigating the Application Process

While the program is largely automatic for students already enrolled in free or reduced-price meal programs, families may need to take action to access transportation assistance.

1. Contact Your School District: The first step is to contact your local school district to learn about the specific application process for transportation assistance.
2. Complete the Application: Fill out the required application form and provide any necessary documentation.
3. Submit the Application: Submit the completed application to your school district by the designated deadline.
4. Follow Up: Follow up with your school district to ensure your application has been received and processed.

Resources for families are available on the California Department of Education website and through local school districts. Search terms like “California student support services” and “school meal applications” will yield helpful results.

Looking Ahead: Sustainability and Long-Term Solutions

While the current funding is guaranteed through 2026, advocates are working to secure long-term funding for these vital programs. Discussions are underway regarding potential permanent funding mechanisms, including dedicated state revenue streams and increased federal support. The goal is to