A Win for California's Families
SB 436 Signed Into Law
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On October 2
nd, Family Resource Centers and the family strengthening field as a whole reached a critical victory, when Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 436 into law. SB436 built on the findings of the 2017 monograph
Family Resource Centers: Vehicles for Change, Volume II, the Evolving Field, as well as a recent study commissioned by the David & Lucille Packard Foundation, to establish in statute an inclusive and clear definition for Family Resource Centers. SB436 represents incredible progress for the field, from a time when legislators and administrators at the Capitol didn’t know what a Family Resource Center is, to legal recognition that can open doors for more resources and supports to families in the state.
This achievement has been the result of over a year of collaboration and good will among many partners. In particular, we want to recognize:
- State Senator Melissa Hurtado and her staff
- The Office of Child Abuse Prevention
- The County Welfare Directors Association
- First 5 Association of California
- SH Cowell Foundation
- The California Endowment
- The David & Lucille Packard Foundation
- Judi Sherman and Yvonne McQuaid, co-authors of Vehicles for Change, Volume II
- The CFRA Policy Committee, led by Katie Albright from Safe & Sound San Francisco
- CFRA/CAP Center Legislative Advocate Dawn Koepke
- CFRA members and their partners across the state
Along the way to this milestone, all of these partners built not only the foundation of an infrastructure of support for California families; we also created and deepened partnerships that will bear fruit for years to come.
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Families First Prevention Act
CA looking for recommendations
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The federal Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 included a major advance for the child abuse prevention field: the Family First Prevention Services Act. This legislation seeks to change the way Title IV-E funds can be spent by states, including California. These funds will go to programs that support at-risk families and would allow children to stay with their parents or relatives, instead of going into the foster care system. Sheila Boxley, the President and CEO of the Child Abuse Prevention Center is on the committee that advises the state on what types of programs that qualify for this funding.
The state is looking to receive input from Family Resource Centers about evidence-based practices that have been tested and shown to work. The standard they will use for being evidence-based hasn’t been fully defined, so we encourage Family Resource Centers to share examples of any programs and interventions you’ve implemented that have shown documented impact. If you like to give your input to send to the state, please send it to Jenn Santos at
[email protected]
no later than October 25.
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California Citizen Review Panels
Annual Report 2018-2019 Project Period
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Three Citizens Review Panels (CRPs), advising the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) on improvements for child welfare and abuse prevention policy and practice, have come out with a list of promising recommendations for change.
The Prevention CRP, Child and Family Services CRP, and Critical Incident CRP met and discussed what topics to focus their work on.
The report recognizes the critical roles Family Resource Centers play as community supports
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The recommendations included improving decision-making processes for when children are removed from and returned to their homes, as well as, building the collaborative county child abuse prevention planning that was launched in January at the Prevention Summit held in San Diego.
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Applications due October 25, 2019
The CalOES CT program aims to create a comprehensive coordinated community response that is victim-centered, enhances victim safety, provides confidential services to sexual assault victim, hold offenders accountable, and includes outreach activities.
Applications due November 4, 2019
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize honors U.S. communities working together in new ways so that everyone can live their healthiest life possible. The prize recognizes work that has already been accomplished, and awards whole communities rather than just individual organizations and initiatives.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until December 31, 2019
The Walmart Community Grant Program will award grants of up to $5,000 to local nonprofit organizations located within the service areas of individual Walmart stores in the areas of hunger relief and healthy eating, health and human services, quality of life, education, community and economic development, diversity and inclusion, public safety, and environmental sustainability.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
The Well Life Foundation accepts proposals for small community projects (up to $10,000) that benefit and improve the lives of women, with a particular focus on vulnerable women such as those recovering from domestic violence or are using non-shelter community services.
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CFRA's Monthly Policy Calls
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Every fourth Friday of the month, CFRA updates members to discuss state and federal legislation which impacts the family strengthening field. We have representatives throughout the state to give the varying perspectives of our diverse clients and regions. To participate in our next call, click
here.
The October call is canceled; our next call will be November 22.
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Strategies 2.0 Learning Communities
Growing knowledge and networks for professionals working with families
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You're invited to join us for any of the FREE Learning Community convenings listed below. Who should attend?
- Professionals from social service, health, mental health, child care, child welfare, housing, veterans service, education, family resource centers, law enforcement, and other helping agencies
- Advocates, parents, & community members who want to learn and make a difference for children and families in their region
Learning Communities Convenings
Click
here
for more information about Strategies 2.0 and to register for the Learning Communities. Sign up for their
newsletter.
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Capitol Area Learning Community
Southern CA Learning Community
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Sierra Learning Community
Valley Community
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