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.

ICYMI: 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

SB 792 (Arreguin) - Childcare: state median income threshold.

Author: Senator Jesse Arreguin

Elected to represent the 7th Senate District in November 2024, Senator Jesse Arreguín has spent his entire life fighting for social and economic justice and delivering results. He was previously elected Mayor of Berkeley in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, becoming the first Latino and youngest person elected to the office in a century.

The son and grandson of farm workers, Jesse was born in Fresno and raised in San Francisco. He grew up in a working-class household, where his parents instilled the values of hard work, public service, and giving back to others. When Jesse was young, his family was pushed out of their home in the midst of San Francisco’s skyrocketing housing market, due to owner-move-in evictions and rent increases. Jesse knows how disruptive and harmful evictions are to working families, and how essential housing security is for the success of families and children.

Since he began his public service, Jesse has made addressing homelessness, affordable housing, improving infrastructure and educational outcomes his top priorities and will continue to work on these and many other important issues in the California State Senate in the years ahead.  

Note - this bill is to clean up leftover language from the transition of CalWORKS Child Care from CDE to CDSS to align all WIC code to state that families must be at or below 85% of the SMI.

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:

• SEN Human Services Committee - Monday, April 7th, 2025 @ 3 p.m. or upon adjournment of Session - 1021 O Street, Room 2200
• SB 99 (Blakespear) Family childcare homes: United States Armed Forces.
• SB 560 (Smallwood-Cuevas) Public social services
• SB 778 (Limon) Migrant childcare and development programs
• SB 792 (Arreguin) - Childcare: state median income threshold.
• ASM Human Services Committee - Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 @ 1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 437
• AB 563 (Jackson) - Childcare: strategic planning councils.
• AB 363 (Bryan) - Community colleges: CalWORKs Recipients Education Program: eligibility and services.
• ASM Health Committee - Tuesday, April 8, 2025 @ 1:30 p.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 1100
• AB 804 (Wicks) Medi-Cal: housing support services
• ASM Appropriations Committee - Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 @ 9 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 1100
• AB 753 (Garcia) - Childcare: facility licensure: teacher requirements
• ASM Education Committee - Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 @ 1:30 p.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 1100
• AB 49 (Muratsuchi) - Schoolsites: immigration enforcement
• AB 1123 (Muratsuchi) - Commission on Teacher Credentialing: membership.

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

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

Federal Government Update

Friday night, Senate Republicans will forge ahead with the adoption of their revamped budget resolution necessary to proceed with drafting their party-line package — crafted under the assumption that the final score of that package will put a zero-dollar price tag on an extension of the 2017 tax cuts. 

Republican Sens. Collins (ME), Murkowski (AK), Curtis (UT), and Cornyn (TX) met Thursday night with Senate Majority Leader Thune. Those senators are warning that sidestepping the parliamentarian’s input on how to run the numbers could haunt them in the coming months if the final bill doesn’t meet strict budget rules. 

Senate GOP leaders claim they have the power to assert their own price tag for their “big, beautiful bill” to pass President Trump’s agenda. Off Capitol Hill, unlikely allies are sounding the alarm.

It’s not often that someone from the liberal Center for American Progress teams up with someone from the fiscally conservative Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. But top budget experts from those groups and 10 others penned a one-page warning Friday to Senate Republicans, who are on track to adopt a new budget framework during an all-night voting spree expected to spill into Saturday morning. More: Budget experts of all stripes howl about Senate Republicans’ price tag ‘abuse’ - Live Updates - POLITICO

This pending Senate 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. 

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:

• 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.
• 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: Early Tuesday morning, the Trump Administration closed at least five of the Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) regional offices in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and New York. This means that there are currently no regional staff available to support programs funded through ACF, including Early Head Start and Head Start programs - ultimately, impacting children and families served by those programs. Please see item #2 for more information and to take action.

On Friday, Secretary Kennedy acknowledged that the chaos was part of the plan: "Personnel that should not have been cut, were cut. We're reinstating them. And that was always the plan. Part of the DOGE, we talked about this from the beginning, is we're going to do 80% cuts, but 20% of those are going to have to be reinstated, because we'll make mistakes.” More: RFK Jr. says 20% of health agency layoffs could be mistakes - CBS News

NEW: We Led Federal Agencies. Here Are 10 Ways That President Trump and Elon Musk’s Attacks on Federal Workers Will Hurt You - The Century Foundation

Updated trackers 

• Executive Action Watch | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• EducationCounsel - Executive Actions Chart.docx - Google Docs
• Attacks on the Federal Workforce: Risks to Women, Children, and Families - National Women's Law Center

Most Viewed Bills of the Week:

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

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

3.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.

4.H.R.22 [119th] SAVE Act

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

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

7.H.R.2002 [119th] MATCH IT Act of 2025

8.H.R.482 [119th] No Tax on Tips Act

9.H.R.1295 [119th] Reorganizing Government Act of 2025

10.H.R.38 [119th] Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

CDSS & CDE Information & Updates

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.

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 - NEXT 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!

April 2025 Monday Morning Update Sponsor

Social Media Spotlight

This week is NAEYC Week of the Young Child!

April 5 - April 11

"Week of the Young Child®, our annual event celebrates early learning, young children, their teachers, and families. Each day highlights a fun theme that you can make your own!

Make sure to use the hashtag #WOYC25

A few things you can do to prepare for WOYC:

* Click the link "Week of the Young Child 2025! via our bio

* Visit our WOYC Activity Resources page for inspiration

* Check out your local NAEYC Affiliate to see what they have planned for WOYC25

* Proclaim Week of the Young Child in your area by using the "Whereas & Therefore: #WOYC25Proclaim Week of the Young Child in your area by using the "Whereas & Therefore: #WOTC Proclamations to Advance the ECE Profession" toolkit

Click here to read more about NAEYC's week of the young child.

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 7- April 11, 2025:

Tuesday, April 8th:

• CalHR Monthly Forum from 10:00am-12:00pm.
• TFC Weekly Member Connections Meeting @ 1:00 pm. Email to register.

Wednesday, April 9th:

• TFC Board Meeting from 8:30am-10:30am

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.