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:

• Wednesday, April 23, 2025 - Joint Hearing - Assembly Budget Subcommittee 2 on Human Services & Budget Subcommittee 3 on Education Finance @ 1:30 p.m. - State Capitol Room 444 (may change)
• Department of Social Services
• Education
• The State of Preschool and Child Care
• Universal Transitional Kindergarten Enrollment and Ratios
• Child Care and Preschool
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
• Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) State Plan Update
• Quality Plan Overview
• Fire Code for Child Care Facilities Oversight
• Department of Social Services Child Care Budget Change Proposals

Click here to go to TFC's Budget Page.

TFC's Featured Bill of the Week

SB 33 (Cortese) Homeless pupils: California Success, Opportunity, and Academic Resilience (SOAR) Guaranteed Income Program

Author: Senator Dave Cortese

Senator Dave Cortese was elected in November of 2020 to represent State Senate District 15 which encompasses much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Along with his accomplished career as an attorney and business owner, the Senator previously served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for over a decade, with four years as Board President, on the San Jose City Council for eight years, including two years as Vice Mayor, and as a trustee for the East Side Union High School District for eight years.

He grew up in San Jose as part of a family that has been active in civic, cultural, and business activities for generations. Dave graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory then University of California, Davis where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. He earned his Juris Doctorate at Lincoln University Law School in San Jose. He has four children and is married to his wife Pattie Cortese who is currently a Trustee on the Eastside Union High School Board.

During his nearly three decades in public service, Dave has brought the community together to address and reduce homelessness, combat climate change, expand public transit options, reform the Santa Clara County’s jail custody operations, and fight for the rights of immigrants.

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 21, 2025 - Legislature reconvenes from Spring Recess.

Upcoming Bill Hearings:

• SEN Appropriations Committee - Monday, April 21st, 2025 @ 10:30 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 2200 No deadline to submit letters
• SB 271 (Reyes) - Public postsecondary education: students with dependent children: childcare services, resources, and programs
• SB 290 (Smallwood Cuevas) CalWORKS
• SB 778 (Limon) Migrant childcare and development programs
• SB 792 (Arreguin) - Childcare: state medium income threshold
• SEN Human Services Committee - Monday, April 21st, 2025 @ 3 p.m. or upon adjournment of Session - 1021 O Street, Room 2200 Letters must be submitted by noon on 04/15
• SB 99 (Blakespear) Family childcare homes: United States Armed Forces.
• SB 33 (Cortese) Homeless pupils: California Success, Opportunity, and Academic Resilience (SOAR) Guaranteed Income Act
• ASM Revenue and Taxation Committee - Monday, April 21st, 2025 @ 2:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 126
• AB 1428 (Muratsuchi) California Affordable Childcare Act: Personal Income Tax and Corporation Tax

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.

• AB 1528 (Committee on Human Services) Child care

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 from Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA)

Child Care Aware of America is excited to share our newest report, An Uneven Start: 2025 State Funding for Child Care & Early Learning. CCAoA conducted a study of recent child care and preschool funding from 42 states and Washington, DC focusing on investments from state general funds above federally required matching and maintenance of effort (MOE) funds. The report includes key findings and recommendations in addition to detailed state profiles that came from experts at state finance and budget divisions and at state policy and budget organizations. Click here to read the report.

The report examines where states are falling short in investing in child care at levels needed to support families and strengthen local economies. Some key findings include: 

• States are coming up short: On average, state funding for child care or preschool is just $1,300 per child from birth to age 5, while the lowest per child K-12 investment is $4,200. 
• Stark disparities exist: FY 2025 investments range from under $500 to over $4,600 per child under age 5—DC stands out at over $8,000. 
• Fragmented systems limit transparency, making it difficult to track and compare state funding. 
• Innovative strategies are emerging, but more is needed to strengthen both demand-side (family supports) and supply-side (provider stability and quality) efforts. 

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

Federal Government Update

The House finally approved a budget resolution Thursday, uncorking the filibuster-skirting power Republicans need to build and enact President Trump’s dream bill along party lines this year.

Now Republicans on both sides of the Capitol can begin the even-heavier lift of writing — and then whipping support for — the behemoth package of tax cuts, military spending, energy policy, border security investments and more. That process will pit fiscal hawks against moderate Republicans as GOP leaders try to square their conflicting demands to protect safety-net programs like Medicaid while cutting trillions of dollars from that slice of the federal budget. More: House GOP adopts budget framework, paving the way for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ - POLITICO

This House vote moves the process forward, 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. Learn more in the Reconciliation section below.

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:

• Using a special legislative process called reconciliation that requires only 50 votes in the Senate, Congressional Republicans plan to enact massive policy changes along party lines. Republican majorities in both chambers are planning to eliminate and cut funding to programs that families, children, and early educators rely on to pay for harsh immigration policies and tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. With less revenue available, CCDBG, Head Start, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, the Social Services Development Block Grant (SSBG), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and many others remain at risk.
• What proposed federal budget cuts and policy changes will cost children | First Focus on Children
• Cuts to SSBG, TANF Would Eliminate Child Care for 40K Children, Disrupt Care for Millions More | CLASP
• How Would Children Fare Under Proposed Cuts to Federal Spending? | Urban Institute
• We know that federal funding for programs serving our communities is woefully inadequate, and further cuts would be devastating.

What’s next:

• The House and Senate have given different instructions to their respective committees, and must resolve their differences before getting a bill signed into law. 
• GOP leaders have delayed a reckoning, but they have not avoided one. Resolving their budget disputes could prolong the next steps in the reconciliation process—and that could be a big problem for the entire enterprise.
• The passage of time alone does not guarantee a reconciliation push fails: it’s how people use that time.
• Bottom line: the longer Republicans in Congress take to move their reconciliation package, the more time there is to defeat it.
• 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: NWLC released a statement following reporting that Donald Trump and DOGE fired the entire staff at Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (APSE), which is essential to distributing basic need support for tens of millions of women and children across the country. 

“Donald Trump and DOGE’s total disregard for how the federal government works isn’t just ignorant — it’s dangerous,” said Jasmine Tucker, Vice President of research at NWLC. “These HHS staffers are absolutely essential to ensuring that basic need programs, such as Medicaid, child care, and food and housing assistance get to the people who need it the most. Without their expertise, which includes data analysis to set poverty guidelines, children will go hungry, more families will face homelessness, and lives will be lost. Gutting this work isn’t about efficiency — it’s reckless, heartless, and flat-out stupid.” More: NWLC Slams Cuts to Anti-Poverty Office at HHS, Threatening Vital Assistance for Women & Children - National Women's Law Center

On April 1st, federal regional office staff arrived at work only to find out that they were locked out of their offices and terminated. Five of the Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) regional offices in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and New York, which serve 23 states and territories were closed without notice. 

Update - Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

From Home Grown:

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), created by Congress in 1968, is an essential federal support for young children.  The Child Nutrition Act, the law that authorizes CACFP, was last reauthorized in 2010. During the pandemic, temporary investments and policy flexibilities made a difference but those interventions expired in 2023. 

The early childhood workforce in Early Head Start, Head Start, child care centers, family child care programs, and at-risk afterschool programs are working tirelessly to ensure children do not go hungry and continue to have opportunities to learn and grow, all while one out of three child care providers themselves is food insecure.

News: CACFP bills reintroduced April 10, 2025! 

We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Blumenthal (D-CT) and Smith (D-MN) and Representatives Bonamici (D-OR), Mackenzie (R-PA), and Landsman (D-OH), and for the support of more than 100 organizations endorsing the bills. 

In this toolkit you will find: 

• Quick guide to all four CACFP bills 
• Bill summaries and links to bill text
• Online action center links coming soon!
• Organization endorsements ←more than 100 groups!
• Endorsement form for national, state and local organizations ←you can still join us!
• Original cosponsors in the House and Senate updated April 8
• Sample social media posts
• How Does CACFP Work?

Most Viewed Bills of the Week:

1.H.R.22 [119th] SAVE Act

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

3.H.R.2315 [119th] Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025

4.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.

5.H.R.8281 [118th] SAVE Act

6.S.J.Res.37 [119th] A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada.

7.H.R.561 [119th] Overtime Pay Tax Relief Act of 2025

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

9.H.R.482 [119th] No Tax on Tips Act

10.H.R.1332 [118th] Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act

Upcoming CDSS Events

CCDD Monthly Contractor Meeting - April 2025

The Child Care and Development Division will hold a Contractor Meeting on Thursday, April 17th, 2025 from 10 am to 11 am.  

Please use this zoom link to register for the meeting.

SAVE THE DATE: Rate & Quality Advisory Panel

Greetings Executive Directors, Program Directors, Family Child Care Home Owners, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care Providers,

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is pleased to announce a special meeting of the Rate and Quality Advisory Panel. This meeting will serve to provide the latest updates on the single rate structure and the cost model for center-based programs. The meeting is scheduled on April 17, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. All meetings are open to the public so that community members can participate and share advice and ideas. The meetings will include interpretation and translation in Spanish, Chinese and American Sign Language (ASL) and additional interpretation support will be added to later meetings if needed.

Please save the following details for the next meeting:

• Thursday, April 17, 2025
• 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Zoom Registration

CDSS & CDE Information & Updates

CDSS – CDMIS Update #3: CDSS – CDMIS FY25-26 Updates

Attention: Program Directors, Executive Directors, Active CDMIS Users, and Software Vendors

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) would like to inform you of important updates to the CDSS – CDMIS system for the upcoming fiscal year (FY2025-26). These updates include the addition of three new fields, updates to five existing fields, and guidelines that will support accurate reporting.

Learn More Here.

CCLD has released a new Provider Information Notice (PIN), PIN 25-06-CCLD: EXTREME HEAT PREVENTION

Primary Audience:

ALL COMMUNITY CARE LICENSED PROVIDERS

REGISTERED HOME CARE AIDES

Summary:

PIN 25-06-CCLD provides information and resources to licensees and Registered Home Care Aides about the dangers of extreme heat and to introduce a webpage offering additional details, tips, and prevention on heat related illnesses.



Please post/keep this PIN in the facility where all persons in care and facility staff as well as families and representatives of persons in care in the facility can easily access it and distribute the PIN to persons in care and/or, if applicable, their representatives.

An electronic copy of PIN 25-06-CCLD: EXTREME HEAT PREVENTION is available for viewing/downloading by clicking on the following link:

PIN 25-06-CCLD: EXTREME HEAT PREVENTION

Previous PINs are available at the CCLD website.

Important Update: Desired Results Developmental Profile Portfolio App Sunsetting 

Greetings,

The Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) Portfolio is now integrated directly into the DRDP Online system. As a result, the DRDP Portfolio App will be discontinued and no longer supported after June 30, 2025.

We understand that the app has been a valuable tool for tracking and documenting children’s development. The DRDP Portfolio feature is now part of DRDP Online and is providing the same portfolio features in addition to the ability to create comprehensive reports and direct entry of actual ratings—all within one unified system.

To ensure that you retain your data, please export any notes, observations, or other records from the DRDP Portfolio App before June 30, 2025.

To export your data, please follow these steps:

1. Log in to the DRDP Portfolio App before June 30, 2025.
2. Select the Export section within the app.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to download your data.

We strongly recommend exporting your data as soon as possible.

If you encounter any issues or need assistance, please contact the WestEd support team at 1-800-770-6339, or email drdponline@wested.org.

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.

Upcoming Thriving Families CA (TFC) Events - THIS WEEK!

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

Follow TFC on social media!

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

On Our Reading List

Information & Updates

Happening This Week, April 14- April 18, 2025:

Tuesday, April 15th:

• TFC Statewide Meeting in Anaheim

Wednesday, April 16th:

• TFC Statewide Meeting in Anaheim

Thursday, April 17th:

• CCDD Monthly Contractor Meeting @ 10:00am. Register Here.

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.