April 1, 2025 | Issue #13
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April 2025 Featured Agency Highlight

Child Development Associates San Diego

Public and private community-based organizations known as Alternative Payment Programs (APPs) support the needs of working moms and dads with access to child care and other supports earmarked to lift families up from poverty. During the pandemic, these programs have distributed emergency essential worker child care vouchers, family child care and center stipends & PPE, diapers, food and clothing. Throughout California, these APPs may also support parental choice to CalWORKs Stages 2 & 3, preschool and center-based programs, general child care, After School Education and Safety (ASES), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Family Child Care Home Education Networks (FCCHENs), transportation, behavioral & mental health services, respite, regional centers, health and safety, 21st Century, resource libraries, and Trustline.

CDA Empowers Families Toward Economic Stability

 

Economic stability is more than just financial security—it’s about creating opportunities, building resilience, and achieving long-term self-sufficiency. Pathways to Positive Change, CDA’s latest pilot program, is designed to support families enrolled in our Child Care Payment Program by equipping them with the tools, guidance, and resources needed to create a secure and thriving future. This initiative provides one-on-one coaching to help families strengthen five key areas of their lives: family stability, well-being, financial management, education and training, as well as employment and career goals.


Modeled after EMPath’s (Economic Mobility Pathways) Mobility Mentoring approach, this science-based coaching model recognizes that chronic stress and poverty can impact executive functioning skills, making decision-making and long-term planning more challenging. Using EMPath’s “Bridge to Self-Sufficiency” framework, families can assess their current situation, set personalized goals, and take actionable steps toward self-reliance.


At the core of CDA’s Pathways to Positive Change is a strengths-based, collaborative partnership between participants and coaches. Twelve families are currently participating, receiving tailored support in career development, budgeting, education, and accessing community resources. Coaches serve as mentors and advocates, helping families break down large goals into manageable steps, overcome barriers, and celebrate progress along the way.


By focusing on economic mobility and resilience, CDA’s Pathways to Positive Change is building confidence, financial independence, and a stronger community. As families gain stability, they create lasting change for future generations. CDA is a multiservice community-based nonprofit, with 50 years of experience, committed to supporting clients every step of the way—helping them build a foundation for success, one goal at a time. To learn more about CDA and our programs, visit cdasd.org.

California State Budget, Legislature & The Capitol

California Budget Updates



To support our field keeping up with budget related information, TFC will host updates and information on our Budget Page. any questions.


Upcoming Child Care Budget Hearings:

Click here to go to TFC's Budget Page.

LAO Report - The 2025-26 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool


Key Recommendations:


Consider Developing a Child Care Budget Plan in Case Legislature Does Not Receive Key Information Prior to Budget Deadline - It is possible the Legislature will have little or no time to review the details of the new rate structure prior to the June 15 deadline to pass a budget. The Legislature could consider planning for costs associated with the new rates in 2025‑26. The Legislature could also consider developing its own specific transition plan for non‑represented child care centers if the timeline for implementing the alternative methodology by July 1 is not feasible.


Recommend Reducing State Preschool Funding to Align With Contracted Costs - Under the Governor’s proposal, State Preschool funding would exceed projected costs in 2025‑26—consistent with a trend over the last few years where the budgeted amount has exceeded actual costs. We recommend reducing ongoing State Preschool funding by $355 million Proposition 98 General Fund and $71 million non‑Proposition 98 General Fund to better align funding with anticipated costs.


Click here to read the LAO report.

TFC's Featured Bill of the Week

AB 752 (Avila Farias) Child daycare facilities


Author: Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías


Anamarie Ávila Farías proudly represents California’s 15th Assembly District, which includes parts of Contra Costa County and the East Bay. A lifelong public servant and advocate for working families, Ávila Farías brings decades of experience in affordable housing, economic development, and educational equity to her role in the State Assembly.


As the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants who came to the United States through the Bracero Program, Ávila Farías’s personal story reflects the resilience and contributions of immigrant communities. Raised by a single mother after her father’s passing, she overcame significant socioeconomic challenges, inspiring her lifelong commitment to addressing poverty and inequities. These experiences drive her dedication to policies that support housing security, workforce development, and family well-being.
Click Here to Read the Factsheet

How to Support a Bill


As bills move through California’s legislative process, they are presented to and heard by several committees who may recommend amendments and vote on whether or not the bill should continue through the legislative process.


As legislators decide how to vote, they consider public opinion as expressed through position letters. To support a bill, you can submit your letter through the California Legislature Position Letter Portal.


If you have any questions, contact TFC staff!

Important Dates, Deadlines,

Hearings, and Bills


Dates & Deadlines:

  • April 10, 2025 - Spring recess upon adjournment.


Upcoming Bill Hearings:


Bills to Watch:

The following bills of interest have been introduced. You can follow these bills and more on TFC's State Legislation page on our website. Please note that TFC does not formally support nor oppose any bill listed unless explicitly stated.


Legislative Resources:

  • See the full 2025-26 Legislative Calendar here.
  • Visit TFC's Legislation Page to find a comprehensive list of bills of interest.
  • Visit TFC's Budget Page for full budget bill details, as well as budget hearing video archive links.
  • Click here to view all the bills that the Assembly and Senate introduced this legislative year.
  • Click here to view legislative committee information, rules, and position letter deadlines.

Did You Know?

Child Care Q&A's


NOTE: If you have a question you would like answered or researched, please email.


Question: Will child care provider Cost of Care monthly payments continue?


Answer: Yes. Enacted in the 2024-25 Budget and referenced to continue in the 2025-26 Proposed Budget, this monthly amount will continue.

Federal Update

New Report and Factsheet From the CA Budget and Policy Center


Report - Paperwork Over People: Why Republican “Work Requirements” Fail Families

Key Takeaway: Republican budget proposals would impose harsh and ineffective “work requirements” that restrict access to health care, food, and other necessities for millions of Americans. These “work requirements” are just paperwork barriers, not solutions. Federal policymakers should reject them.

Read the report here.


Factsheet - Republicans Are Pushing Medicaid Cuts — Here’s How They’d Affect California

Key Takeaway: This Fact Sheet outlines several of the strategies Congressional Republicans have suggested they could use to cut Medicaid funding and shows how Californians would be impacted. No matter the method, a cut is a cut. Reduced federal funding would lead to a significant budget shortfall, leaving state leaders with critical decisions about how to protect Medi-Cal and the Californians who depend on it.

Read the factsheet here.

Click here to read the most recent weekly federal update from the National Women's Law Center.


Federal Government Update

Congressional Republican leaders are eyeing a compromise budget resolution (passed via the reconciliation process) that would set very different floors for spending cuts from each chamber. The House baseline would be $1.5 trillion in cuts, versus $3 billion for the Senate. It’s a bid to give senators way more breathing room while mollifying spending hawks in the House who want massive changes. 

 

GOP congressional leaders want to set the Senate’s spending cut target low enough to make rank-and-file Senate Republicans comfortable and give them lots of options down the line.

 

At the same time, Republican leaders need to make the House instructions high enough to give conservatives hope that Congress will somehow enact trillions of dollars in spending reductions.

 

This two-tier approach may or may not expedite the passage of the compromise budget resolution. Senate Republicans are in a different place than their House GOP counterparts. But it delays the big fights over how much money Republicans are going to cut from the federal government — and where they will cut it. More: How Republicans are planning to structure their budget resolution - Punchbowl News

 

As a reminder, Congress is conducting two separate budget processes. They are concurrently working on annual appropriations for FY26, which determines discretionary yearly spending (e.g., CCDBG, Head Start), and a reconciliation bill to enact President Trump’s agenda, which affects mandatory spending (e.g., Medicaid, CCES, and SNAP).

 

Reconciliation/Budget Resolution 

 

What this means and why it matters:


What’s next:

  • As a reminder, each chamber passed its own distinct budget proposal. Agreeing to the same budget blueprint in both chambers is step one in advancing the President’s agenda via the fast-track reconciliation process—and we’re not even there yet. 
  • If Republicans are going to advance a bill that can become law, they’ll need to take a third step, one in which both chambers agree to the same budget proposal. 
  • Bottom line: There’s a long way to go before this agenda is even close to becoming law.
  • NEW: ‘Not how this works’: The GOP agenda is stuck amid House vs. Senate infighting - POLITICO
  • Please continue to speak out about the critical importance of maintaining access to federal funding, not cutting funding for children, families, & educators, and increasing those funds through annual appropriations.
  • More on reconciliation: Budget Reconciliation Talking Points and Background (Child Care for Every Family Network)

 

Executive Actions

 

NEW: The White House budget office has taken down its website where approvals of federal funding provided in appropriations laws are statutorily required to be posted for public viewing.

 

As of Monday afternoon, the Office of Management and Budget was no longer making “apportionments” of previously enacted appropriations available on the website it set up for that purpose after Congress mandated the requirement starting in 2022. The site now simply says: “Page not found.” More: White House scraps public spending database - Roll Call

 

Top Democratic appropriators, irate that the “apportionments” site has been offline since Monday, are united in accusing OMB of taking an “illegal” and “brazen” action “to hide this administration’s spending from the American people and from Congress.” 

 

***

 

Recently, the Department of Education announced a significant reduction in force (RIF) that, together with other recent employment actions, reduces the agency’s workforce by nearly 50%. 

 

Additionally, about 20% of staff at the Office of Head Start and Office of Child Care have been fired. 

 

Updated trackers 
Read the Full NWLC Update Here

Most Viewed Bills of the Week:

1.H.R.1968 [119th] Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025

2.H.R.10127 [118th] Restoring Trade Fairness Act

3.S.1006 [119th] A bill to prohibit Federal employees from organizing, joining, or participating labor unions for purposes of collective bargaining or representation, and for other purposes.

4.H.R.899 [119th] To terminate the Department of Education.

5.H.Con.Res.14 [119th]Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

6.H.R.22 [119th] SAVE Act

7.H.Res.7 [119th] Recognizing the importance of access to comprehensive, high-quality, life-affirming medical care for women of all ages.

8.H.R.8281 [118th] SAVE Act

9.H.R.1161 [119th] Red, White, and Blueland Act of 2025

10.H.R.2102 [119th] To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for concurrent receipt of veterans’ disability compensation and retired pay for disability retirees with combat-related disabilities, and for other purposes.

CDSS & CDE Information & Updates

Child Care Providers, we want to hear about your experience with the CalWORKs Child Care program!


Join our focus group to share your thoughts on how to make the program better for families and child care providers. We’re looking to hear from Family Child Care Home providers and Child Care Center directors and staff who handle subsidy payments, and who have served children receiving CalWORKs subsidies. 

If you are selected:

  • You’ll join a 60-minute online focus group with six other child care providers to talk about your experiences in May.
  •  You may be compensated $125 for the time and expense of participation.

Here is what you need to do to join:

To apply to participate in the focus groups access the Child Care Provider Focus Group Application by April 15.

For more information:

Visit our CalWORKs Child Care Consolidation Webpage

Email: CWconsolidation@dss.ca.gov

Parents, we want to hear about your experience with the CalWORKs Child Care program! 


Join our focus group to share your thoughts on how to make the program better for everyone. We’re looking for parents from different parts of the state who’ve been in the program for different lengths of time. This will help us understand what works well and what areas of the program are not working.

If you are selected:

  • You’ll join a 60-minute online focus group with six other child care parents to talk about your experiences in May.
  •  You'll be eligible to get $125 for the time and expense of participation.

Here is what you need to do to join:

To apply to participate in the focus groups access the Parent Focus Group Application by April 15. 


For more information:

Visit our CalWORKs Child Care Consolidation Webpage

Email: CWconsolidation@dss.ca.gov

CCB 25-04: Program Self-Evaluation for Fiscal Year 2024-2025


The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) has recently published the following document: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25-04: Program Self-Evaluation for Fiscal Year 2024-2025

The purpose of this Child Care Bulletin is to describe the requirements for the Program Self-Evaluation of California Department Social Services (CDSS) subsidized child care and development contractors. Within the bulletin, guidance is provided on the submission requirements for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Program Self Evaluation (PSE) as well as a list of all the required documents to be maintained onsite by contract type.

One survey per contractor is required, regardless of the number of contract types held. Individual Family Child Care Providers do not complete a PSE survey.

The CCDD PSE Webinar is scheduled for March 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please register for the PSE Webinar.

CCB 25-03: Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children Intercounty and Interstate Placements


The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) has recently published the following document:  Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25-03: Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children Intercounty and Interstate Placements

The purpose of this Child Care Bulletin (CCB) is to provide guidance to counties participating in the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children (Bridge Program) on intercounty or interstate claiming processes.

If you have any questions or need additional guidance regarding the information in this letter, please contact the County Child Care Operations Section at ChildCareBridge@dss.ca.gov.

Upcoming Thriving Families CA (TFC) Events

Thriving Families CA (TFC) is excited to announce an informational training event in Anaheim, CA designed to empower our community and foster collaboration.


This Statewide Meeting presents a unique opportunity for participants to come together, share valuable insights and experiences, and explore innovative ideas that will shape policies and enhance best practices in our field.


Over the course of two enriching days, attendees will have the chance to engage in a multi-track workshop format, catering to diverse interests and ensuring that every stakeholder finds relevant and impactful content.


Together, we can strengthen our collective efforts to create THRIVING environments for children and families.


We hope you can join us!


Learn More and Register Here!

Social Media Spotlight
View the Post Here

Follow TFC on social media!

We would love for you to tag us in your posts and use the hashtag #TFC2025

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On Our Reading List

Resource: How did childcare in the US become so absurdly expensive? | The Guardian

"Childcare is the job that makes the world go round. It’s the work that makes all other work possible" - Stephanie Schmit, Center for Law and Social Policy


To access [child] care, families pay a national average of nearly $1,000 every month per child, with families in high cost-of-living areas paying much more. In Idaho, for instance, families pay just over $750 per month for infant care, but in California, infant care averages $2,000 per month.


This exacerbates the financial strain families already experience with rising housing costs and grocery store prices. As a result, few families can manage with only one income – and more two-working-parent families means greater need for childcare.


According to [Elliot] Haspel, the system also wrongly treats childcare like a market good, akin to a gym membership or a meal at a restaurant, instead of a social good, like a fire department or public school. “The economic model doesn’t work for anyone involved because we’ve miscast the service as a purely individual commodity,” he said.


The most impactful solution would be a universal system that provides easy options for childcare to all parents in their neighborhoods that are either free of charge or highly subsidized, experts and advocates say. That system would be well-resourced, with an abundance of choices so that families can pick the childcare solution that is right for them, whether it be at a center, in a home or with a family member. Educators would be well-paid; culturally accessible options would exist for families who don’t speak English as a first language; and parents and community members would be able to participate in a school board-like accountability process.


Estimates put the cost of nationwide childcare at around $140bn annually, which Haspel admits is a big number, but one that is in line with what is spent on other major social programs, like K-12 education, which costs roughly $800bn per year.
Read More

Homelessness Rates Spike for Families, Putting Young Children at Risk | Early Learning Nation

"Homelessness has seen a sharp uptick across the country in recent years, but the increase has been the most dramatic for families with children age 5 and younger, multiple data sources suggest. “The most common age that someone is in shelter nationally is under the age of 5,” said Henry Love, vice president for public policy & strategy at Win, the largest provider of family shelters in New York City. This trend means more and more families with young children are scrambling to find somewhere to live.


This housing instability can have a lasting impact on children, affecting their cognitive and social-emotional development and leading to learning delays and academic challenges. Those challenges are likely to follow them throughout their education and even later into their lives.


In its most recent estimate of homelessness in America, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that the number of homeless people increased by 18% last year, reaching the highest level ever recorded. The problem is even more acute for families with children: They experienced the largest single-year increase, with a rate that climbed by 39% between 2023 and 2024. That came after a 16% increase in homelessness for families with children in 2023."
Read More

Information & Updates

Happening This Week, March 31- April 4, 2025:


Tuesday, April 1:

Wednesday, April 2nd:


Thriving Families California is committed to supporting our field with a coordinated calendar. Click here to see our current calendar of events. If you have an event to add, email us and it will be added.

The Weekly Good

An uplifting way to start the week, for those of us who need a break from the chaos that is our lives.

During this time where we are all stressed, it would be great to celebrate the positive. Each week we will celebrate everyday heroes, inspiring movements and great things happening in our field. 

Thank You to Our Generous 2024-25 Thriving Families CA (TFC) Champions!


We appreciate the tremendous support from our 2024-25 TFC Champion Members. These members have stepped up, making it possible for TFC to support our field with more tailored support of individual organizations, ability to pay for legal, advocacy and social media supports, enhanced regional trainings, improving data collection, and more.

Quick Links



- Join TFC Today!

-Legislative Information

-Job Announcements

-TFC Website

-Support TFC

April 2025 Monday Morning Update Sponsor

TFC Member Only Benefits


Not a member?

Find out how to join today!

Helping Thriving Families CA Members Make a Bigger Impact

Thriving Families CA’s new look was crafted by the team at Creative Noggin - Branding, Marketing & Advertising Agency, our partner for evocative nonprofit branding that drives results. TFC members will receive a discount on services. Reach out today!

TFC Weekly Member Connections via Zoom:

Our commitment to you is to have scheduled at least once per week a call wherein we can all connect. As questions arise, forward them to TFC so that we can address them on these calls. Look for a weekly email to register. Recording and Q&A will also be posted on the Member's Only page. 

Job Descriptions and Salary Information

TFC has collected more than 85 job descriptions from member agencies that you can view and use when you create your agency's next job posting!



Visit the Member's Only website to view today!

Best Practices

TFC has been working on Best Practices and policies to support you.



Visit the Member's Only website to view today!

TFC's 2024-25 Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Gina Fromer, Ph.D.

GLIDE


VICE PRESIDENT

Michelle Graham

Children's Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County 


SECRETARY

LaVera Smith

Supportive Services, Inc. Fresno


TREASURER

Beth Chiaro

Child Care Resource Center


PAST PRESIDENT

Rick Richardson

Child Development Associates


PUBLIC POLICY CO- CHAIR

Teri Sedrick

North Coast Opportunities, Inc.


PUBLIC POLICY CO- CHAIR

Phillip Warner

Children's Council of San Francisco


MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

Jeanne Fridolfs

Napa County Office of Education


MEMBER AT LARGE

Joie Owen

Valley Oak Children's Services


MEMBER AT LARGE

Karen Marlatt

Valley Oak Children's Services 


MEMBER AT LARGE

Adonai Mack

Child Action, Inc.


MEMBER AT LARGE

Tina Barna 


MEMBER AT LARGE

Jessica Kranz

Go Kids, Inc.


MEMBER AT LARGE

Mike Michelon


Denyne Micheletti

TFC CEO


The representation of the TFC board spreads across all agency types and sizes, and represents voices from nearly every region in California.

Click Here to see.

DSS & CDE Updates



March 18, 2025 CCB 25-04: Program Self-Evaluation for Fiscal Year 2024-2025


March 18, 2025 CCB 25-03: Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children Intercounty and Interstate Placements


January 22, 2025

CCB 25-01: Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children


December 20, 2024

Management Bulletin 24-12:

Guidance on the required family childcare provider data elements to be reported.


December 16, 2024

Management Bulletin 24-11:

Guidance on Cost of Care Plus Rate Allocations and Transitional Payments for the California State Preschool Program


December 13, 2024

Management Bulletin 24-10:

Guidance on Suspension and Expulsion in California State Preschool Program Family Childcare Home Education Networks



December 2, 2024

CCB 24-23: Suspension and Expulsion Policies in Family Child Care Home Education Networks

Job Openings

Is Your Organization Hiring?

Post your job announcement here for thousands to see!

There is no charge for TFC members.



Non-members will be charged a fee of $75.

Please email us your posting!


Chief Financial Officer

Children's Home Society of California


Executive Director

FIRST 5 San Benito


Executive Director Infant Child Enrichment Services (ICES)


Center Director

Early Development Services, Santa Barbara County


Family Engagement Supervisor

Children's Council San Francisco


-Director of Programs

4Cs Sonoma County 


-Health Specialist

-Sub Teacher-Child Dev

-Associate Teacher-Child Dev

-LPC Coordinator

-Home Base Educator

Colusa County Office of Education


-Program Services Assistant III

-Local Child Care Planning Coordinator

-Teachers - Child Development

Colusa County Office of Education 


-Finance Director

-Center Director at Roosevelt

Davis Street


-Child Care Case Manager & Support Specialist

-Child Care Case Manager

Glenn County Office of Education


Family Advocate

YMCA of San Diego County


Pathways LA- Multiple Job Openings

Nutritional Aid, Child Care Provider Training Coordinator, Child Care Case Worker,

Preschool Associate Teacher, Child Care Professional Dev. Coach and Payment Processor

Of Interest

America’s child care crisis is holding back moms without college degrees


California is rolling out free preschool. That hasn't solved challenges around child care


Preschool? Transitional kindergarten? Is there a difference? Parents are stressing out


Seven Facts About the Economics of Child Care


CHIPS Act Child Care Requirements Already Showing Promise


California lawmakers vote to reduce deficit by $17 billion, but harder choices lie ahead


4 Shocking Stats About Child Care Costs in America

Field Happenings and Resources


Recognizing how our agencies continue to engage and communicate with families and providers.


Del Norte Child Care Council March Newsletter


CocoKids January 2025 Newsletter


4Cs of Alameda Current Newsletter

Upcoming Valley Oak Children's Service Events


4Cs Sonoma Upcoming Events


Connections for Children Upcoming Events



Hively Upcoming Events

Become a Monday 

Morning Update Partner! 

Our Monday Morning Update supports our Early Learning & Child Care field with timely information about what is going on in California and nationally; as well as dates to be aware and upcoming events. 


Our weekly Monday morning distribution is to nearly 10,000 federal and state local agencies, resource and referrals, contractors, legislators and their staffs', centers, parents, providers, state departments and advocates. 


To help support the continuation of this resource and or advertise in the Monday Morning Update, click HERE.


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The Thriving Families CA Foundation is a non-profit organization (501(c)3), Taxpayer Identification Number is 03-0521444. Your generous donation is tax deductible.
 
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