Policy Update

May 2019
First 5 Alameda County Supports Governor Gavin Newsom's May Revise
First 5 Alameda County supports Governor Gavin Newsom's FY 2019/20 budget. Its prioritization of California's young children and their families demonstrates a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach to address children's health, education, and well-being across the state. 

The budget includes several notable expansions and new initiatives, including:  
 

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Triples the value of the California EITC and provides a $1,000 tax credit to all families with children under the age of six. 

 

Paid Family Leave (PFL) expansion. Expands PFL for each parent from six weeks to eight weeks, starting July 1, 2020. In addition, a task force will be convened to consider options and make a recommendation for achieving six months of PFL. 

 

Home Visiting expansion. $154.9 million to home visiting programs, including making the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) home visiting pilot permanent. 

 

Child Savings Account pilot. $50 million in one-time funding to pilot a Child Savings Account statewide. 

 

Childhood screening expansion. $60 million for developmental screens, $45 million for Adverse Childhood Experiences screens, and $25 million for training to providers on screenings. 

 

New Master Plan for Early Learning. $10 million to develop a plan for improving the early childhood education (ECE) system. 

 

New ECE investments. $245 million in one-time ECE professional development and an additional $245 million for one-time facilities expansion. 

 

Child care expansion. $40.7 million for CalWORKS stage 1 recipients to access up to 12 months of continuous child care and $38 million for CalWORKS stage 2 and 3 child care funding to reflect higher caseloads. Additionally, 10,000 full-day, full-year California State Preschool Program slots for four-year-olds will be created. 

 

After school care. Proposes using 75 percent, or $80.5 million, of the Proposition 64 Cannabis Legalization funds for subsidized child care for school-age children. 

 

The California Assembly and Senate have passed budgets and will reconcile the two in conference, before sending a final budget to the Governor by June 15.
Family of four. Mom holds baby girl and dad has preschool-aged son on lap.
Federal Rule Changes Affecting Immigrant Families

At a federal level, the Trump Administration is taking action that  could affect immigrant and mixed-status families in Alameda County.  

It is widely expected that the administration will soon finalize a rule change to public charge that would make it more difficult for some immigrants to get a green card or visa if they use public benefits or programs. It is also anticipated that the Trump Administration will propose additional public charge regulations that would permit deportation of lawful permanent residents and other immigrants if they utilize most public programs.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development also issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would prohibit mixed-status families from living in public housing and Section 8 programs. 

First 5 Alameda County opposes all policies that hurt immigrant families. The First 5 Alameda County Commission passed a resolution  supporting immigrant families in 2017 and a resolution  opposing the separation of immigrant families in 2018.   

For more information:
Support for Current Legislation

First 5 Alameda County is supporting various early childhood bills currently passing through the state Legislature. To see a full list, please visit our website.

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