The Southern California System of Support (SoCal SOS) is a Geographic Lead Agency within California’s Statewide System of Support, serving Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. The Riverside County Office of Education and the San Diego County Office of Education serve as co-lead agencies, working collaboratively with regional partners to support continuous improvement, capacity building, and resource coordination across the region.

Guided by a shared Theory of Action, SoCal SOS fosters collaboration and provides resources, expertise, and support to strengthen outcomes for all students. In December 2025, the lead agencies’ grant renewal was confirmed, extending their leadership of the SoCal SOS through June 30, 2029.

Assembly Bill 1808 established the California Geographic Lead Agencies (Lead Agency) to build the capacity of county offices of education (COEs) to ensure that counties are equipped to build the capacity of their local educational agencies (LEAs) to support the continuous improvement of student performance within the state priorities as defined in California Education Code (EC) sections 52060 and 52066 and address the gaps in achievement between student groups as defined in EC Section 52052 in alignment with what is referred to as the California System of Support. 

The nine Lead Agencies will work together to support the following goals for all counties. The Lead Agencies will also connect COEs to the other initiatives within California's System of Support.

• Support the continuous improvement of student performance within the state priorities across student groups as defined in EC sections 52060 and 52066.

• Address the gaps in achievement between student groups as defined in EC Section 52052.

• Improve outreach and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that goals, actions, and services as described in school district and COEs Local Control and Accountability Plans reflect the needs of the community, especially for historically under-represented or low-achieving populations.

• Serve as a facilitator, resource connector, and capacity builder for COEs.