Happy Holidays From CFRA!
12.20.2018
Our office will be closed for our Holiday Break from December 22 nd to January 1 st
Mental Health Bills introduced
On December 3, Senator Beall announced three mental health related bills. The three bills are SB 10 Peer Provider Certification, SB 11 Mental Health Parity, and SB 12 Youth Mental Health Drop-In Centers.

  • SB 10 - Peer Provider Certification: This bill has two primary goals. First, it requires DHCS to establish a certification program for peer providers with four distinct categories: peer, parent, transition-age, and family support specialist. Second, the bill expresses the intent of the Legislature that the program will provide increased family support, a fuller continuum of wraparound services. The fact sheet has more information regarding this bill. If you would like to write a letter of support, you can see a sample.
  • SB 11 - Mental Health Parity: This bill prohibits a mental health plan or insurer that provides prescription drug benefits for the treatment of substance use disorders from imposing any prior authorization requirements on FDA-approved prescriptions. The fact sheet has more information regarding this bill. If you would like to write a letter of support, you can see a sample.
  • SB 12 Youth Mental Health Drop-In Centers: This bill directs the Legislature to establish a series of at least 100 youth drop-in centers across the state to address the mental heath needs of CA youth. This bill also encourages the Legislature to allocate funding to establish these centers. The fact sheet has more information regarding this bill. If you would like to write a letter of support, you can see a sample.
FRC Funding Advocacy Letter
We are asking you to sign on to a very important letter that focuses specifically on our Family Resource Centers . To transform and preserve the future of California families, we must fund our future through public resources that reflect primary prevention and early interventions, community-driven practices, frameworks of equity rooted in service delivery, and holistic models of care which integrate whole child, whole family  and whole community  values. 

CFRA is working with a dedicated group of FRCs throughout California to urge legislators to invest in Family Resource Centers and other primary prevention and early intervention child abuse prevention strategies by leveraging federal funding and state and county level resources. The specific actions include:
  • The Families First Prevention Services Act
  • State-Level Funding and Priorities
  • County-Level Funding Mechanisms and Priorities

Additionally, we are urging legislators to invest in promising practices of prevention implemented by Family Resource Centers, increase investment in Family Resource Centers' workforce, and increase investment in Family Resource Centers' infrastructure. 

Before we distribute our recommendations to legislators, we are asking our CFRA members to give us input on our recommendations, as well as help us gather support for our letter. To find out more information about our recommendations, read about the policy recommendations . If you have any questions, feedback, or would like to sign on as a supporter, please contact Jennifer Santos . 

Thank you for your continued support of children and families throughout the state, and your valued partnership with CFRA. CFRA values your investment and dedication to child abuse prevention, and together we can make a difference.
Kids' Day at the Capitol
Thursday, April 11, 2019
The California Department of Social Services, Office of Child Abuse Prevention, in partnership with the Child Abuse Prevention Center woud like to invite you to participate in the second annual "Kids' Day at the Capitol, event on april 11, 2019 from 10am to 2pm. They are asking that family resource centers, nonprofit organizations, piblic agencies, child abuse prevention centers, healthcare providers, and other working to strengthen families to join the event. By hosting a booth complete with child-friendly activities and resources for families and community members.

The event's program will include guest speakers, awards, and interactive performance. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about our work in the family strengthening field during Child Abuse Prevention Month, provide outreach to families, meet other organizations from throughout the sate, and, most importantly, celebrate California's kids, who we work to keep safe and healthy every day.

For those interested in reserving a booth, you can access the registration or by visiting the website.
CFRA's Monthly Policy Calls
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, register here.

There will be no update call in December.
Our next call is on Friday, January 25 at 9AM.
Strategies 2.0 Learning Communities
Connecting members and allies of the child abuse prevention field
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
Southern California Learning Community
  • 3/8/19
  • 5/17/19
Valley Learning Community
  • 2/22/19
  • 5/10/19

Click here for more information about Strategies 2.0 and to register for the Learning Communities above. Sign up for their newsletter.