CFPA Legislative Update:
AB 191 & AB 290 Signed by the Governor!
AB 191 Update
AB 191 was signed by Governor Brown on Wednesday, October 9. AB 191 will improve alignment between CalFresh and Medi-Cal and help ensure that low-income households with a Medi-Cal recipient also receive CalFresh nutrition benefits. Together CalFresh nutrition benefits and Medi-Cal health benefits support the overall well-being of low-income Californians.
We want to thank Assemblymember Bocanegra for introducing this bill and his staff for their support throughout the process. We'd also like to thank the staff at the Department of Social Services for their technical assistance throughout the session. Lastly, we are grateful to our statewide partners whose commitment and leadership on this effort were essential. Our partners play a key role in advocating important policy changes like AB 191 that give eligible Californians better access to CalFresh nutrition benefits.
What does AB 191 do?- AB 191 will streamline eligibility for Medi-Cal recipients and their families. AB 191 will make low-income households with a Medi-Cal recipient categorically eligible for CalFresh. The CalFresh gross income test will be raised from the current limit of 130% FPL to 200% FPL for these households.
- AB 191 will improve alignment between CalFresh and Medi-Cal. Improved alignment has the potential to increase CalFresh participation, boost administrative efficiency, and increase the likelihood that low-income households have access to a package of benefits that support their overall health and well-being.
What does this mean for California?
- AB 191 will increase CalFresh participation among Medi-Cal recipients and their families.
- AB 191 is fiscally responsible and will inject federal benefits into the state and local economies.
- AB 191 emphasizes the central role that nutrition plays in supporting overall health and well-being.
What's next?
AB 191 implementation will begin on January 1, 2014. In the meantime, CFPA will work with key stakeholders and the Department of Social Services to ensure that implementation is timely and a successful transition for administrators and recipients. Stay tuned for more information as we outline next steps and opportunities to engage.
Read AB 191 as chaptered. link
More info on AB 191. link
Questions? Contact Alexis Fernandez at 510.433.1122 ext 111
AB 290 Update
We are thrilled to announce that AB 290 was signed into law this afternoon, Friday, October 11. This bill is an important step toward ensuring all children in child care are receiving healthy meals and snacks.
We especially want to thank the author of this bill, Aseemblymember Alejo, and his staff, as well as our child care nutrition partners at the Child Care Food Program Roundtable. We'd also like to thank the California Emergency Medical Services Authority for their ongoing support and unique contributions to this effort. Many thanks to our partners for all their letters of support, emails, testimonies, and phone calls.
As signed AB 290 will...
- Educate child care providers about early childhood nutrition.
- Ensure child care providers are informed about the resources available through the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
What does this mean for child care providers?
Individuals seeking child care licensure in California are required to take the Preventive Health and Safety Training. After January 1, 2016, as part of the training, these individuals will be educated about the importance of childhood nutrition and the benefits of CACFP. The addition of nutrition related content into the training will happen administratively and will not require child care providers to take any action.
What's next?
As we move toward implementation of AB 290 on January 1, 2016, there will be opportunities to work with partners in establishing the content of the nutrition training. CFPA will work with the Emergency Medical Services Authority to ensure that the implementation of AB 290 is seamless for providers. Stay tuned for more information from CFPA as we outlines next steps and opportunities to engage.
Read AB 290 as chaptered. link
More information about AB 290. link
Questions? Contact Elyse Homel-Vitale at 510.433.1122 ext. 206
