Los Angeles County Education Foundation Launches Wildfire Recovery Fund to Support Affected Students

Los Angeles County Education Foundation Launches Wildfire Recovery Fund to Support Affected Students

Fri Jan 10 18:22:00 PST 2025

The Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation has launched a dedicated Wildfire Recovery Fund to provide crucial support to students, families and educators impacted by the devastating wildfires.

The Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation (GLAEF), the only regional education foundation serving all 80 school districts across Los Angeles County, has launched a dedicated Wildfire Recovery Fund to provide crucial support to students, families and educators impacted by the devastating wildfires.

"In times of crisis, our schools serve as anchors of stability and hope for our communities," said Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools. "As the leader of the largest regional education agency in the nation, serving nearly 1.3 million students, the Los Angeles County Office of Education is uniquely positioned to coordinate emergency response efforts across all our public-school districts to help students, educators and families recover from devastating losses. These wildfires have disrupted thousands of lives, and we must act swiftly to ensure our students and educators can return to teaching and learning in safe, supportive environments."

As the intermediate education agency between the state and local districts, the Los Angeles County Office of Education is uniquely positioned to coordinate regular communications with district leadership and public agencies across the county. This central coordination enables rapid needs assessment, resource allocation and emergency response deployment across all affected districts. LACOE's established partnerships with county departments, emergency services and community organizations further strengthen this collaborative approach to recovery.

The Los Angeles County Education Wildfire Relief Fund will deliver immediate and long-term assistance through several key initiatives:

• Basic Needs Relief: Providing essential items including food, clothing, school supplies, clean water, household necessities, infant care products, transportation assistance and emergency relief grants.
• Counseling Support: Expanding access to school-based counseling services to help students, families and staff process trauma and manage stress related to the fires.
• Legal Advocacy: Offering resources and guidance to help families navigate complex bureaucratic and legal challenges during recovery.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Installing air filtration systems, distributing KN95 masks and implementing campus improvements to ensure safe learning environments.
• Student Enrichment: Supporting programs and providing educational materials that help restore normalcy and joy to affected students' lives.

One hundred percent of donations will support regional recovery efforts and assist those displaced or impacted by the fires. "Every dollar donated to this fund goes directly to helping our school communities rebuild and recover," said Kerry Franco, President and Chief Deputy of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation at the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation. " As the only foundation with the capacity to serve all public-school districts in Los Angeles County, we're working closely with the Los Angeles County Office of Education to ensure resources reach those most in need and to maximize our impact."

The fund will complement existing recovery strategies while addressing the most urgent needs facing affected communities, serving as a central hub for partners wanting to support education recovery efforts across multiple districts efficiently. Visit the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation's website to support the Los Angeles County Education Wildfire Relief Fund.