California Budget Updates

To support our field keeping up with budget related information, TFC will host updates and information on our Budget Page. If you have information you would like to have hosted, click here.

Upcoming Budget Hearings

• Wednesday, August 5, 2026
• Budget Subcommittee 2 on Human Services @ 1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 437
• Department of Developmental Services: Deferred Governor’s Budget Trailer Bill Proposals:
• Budget Subcommittee 7 on Accountability and Oversight @ 9 a.m. - State Capitol, Room 126
• Part 2: State Leadership Accountability Act and Audit Reporting Trailer Bill

TFC's Highlighted Bills

SB 902 (Grayson) Childcare: Electronic signatures

Authorizes the use of electronic signatures in child care programs, aligning child care processes with longstanding practices already used in county-administered programs and everyday life.

Status: Passed the Assembly Education Committee

Next Hearing: 8/5/2026 Assembly Appropriations Committee 9 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 1100 WICKS, BUFFY

Click here to sign the SB 902 (Grayson) coalition support letter

• 30+ organizations signed on in support

Click here for a template support letter

• Click here for how to submit a position letter through the Advocacy Portal

Have questions about this bill or the support materials? Please email mckenzie@thrivingfamilies-ca.org

AB 2258 (Ávila Farías) Keeping Dollars in Child Care

Maximizes use of existing child care funds to serve families, ensuring child care dollars that are unspent at the end of a fiscal year are re-directed back to child care programs rather than going back to the General Fund.

Status: Passed the Senate Human Services Committee

Next Hearing: 8/3/2026 Senate Appropriations Hearing 10 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 2200 CERVANTES, SABRINA, Chair

Have questions about this bill or the support materials? Please email mckenzie@thrivingfamilies-ca.org

AB 2314 (Rogers) "The Child Care Stability and Modernization Act"

Maximizes use of existing child care funds to serve families, ensuring dollars are spent efficiently to reduce delays and reach families waiting to receive care.

Status: Passed the Senate Human Services Committee

Next Hearing: 8/3/2026 Senate Appropriations Hearing 10 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 2200 CERVANTES, SABRINA, Chair

Click here to sign the AB 2314 coalition support letter

Click here for a template support letter

• Click here for how to submit a position letter through the Advocacy Portal

Have questions about this bill or the support materials? Please email mckenzie@thrivingfamilies-ca.org

SB 1051 (Menjivar) Emergency Child Care Bridge: No Wrong Door

Permits Bridge Navigators to submit referrals to county welfare agencies to approve vouchers for an eligible foster child as another trusted partner and strengthen the original intent of the Bridge program.

Status: Passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee

Click here for a template support letter

• Click here for how to submit a position letter through the Advocacy Portal

Have questions about this bill or the support materials? Please email JTerry@ccrcca.org.

TFC's Featured Bill of the Week

AB 2258 (Ávila Farías): "Early childhood education and childcare: alternative payment programs."

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.

Ávila Farías’s leadership spans local, county, and state levels. She made history in 2012 as the first Latina elected to the Martinez City Council and later served on the Contra Costa County Board of Education. Her accomplishments include launching affordable housing programs, championing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for multi-generational housing, and creating green housing developments that transform environmental threats into sustainable solutions. She also spearheaded workforce initiatives, such as pre-apprenticeship programs for at-risk and incarcerated youth.

A proud third-generation Contra Costa County resident, Ávila Farías earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of San Francisco, becoming one of the first in her family to earn an advanced degree. She lives in Martinez with her husband, an architect, and their two children.

Important Dates, Deadlines,

Hearings, and Bills

Dates & Deadlines:

• August 3 - Legislature reconvenes from Summer Recess
• August 14 - Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills 

Upcoming Hearings for TFC-Tracked Bills:

• Monday, August 3, 2026
• Senate Appropriations Committee - 10 a.m. @ 1021 O Street Room 2200; Calendar
• Click here to view the bills heard
• AB 880 (Bennett) - State government grants and contracts: payment of claims and grantees’ indirect costs.
• AB 1039 (Hart) - State-funded assistance grants and contracts: advance payments.
• AB 1746 (Davies) CalWORKs childcare request forms
• AB 1914 (Schiavo) General plan elements: childcare
• AB 2006 (Rodriguez, Michelle) - State government: office buildings: daycare centers.
• AB 2258 (Avila Farias) Early childhood education and childcare: alternative payment programs.
• AB 2314 (Rogers) "Child Care Modernization and Stability Act"
• AB 2429 (Rubio, Blanca) - Childcare: mental health consultation services.
• Wednesday, August 5, 2026
• Assembly Appropriations Committee - 9 a.m. @ 1021 O Street, Room 1100; Calendar
• Click here to view all of the bills heard
• SB 299 (Cabaldon) - California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: day care center: zoning.
• SB 902 (Grayson) - Early childhood education and childcare: electronic signatures.
• SB 1200 (Menjivar) - Family daycare homes.
• SB 1240 (McNerney) Office of Nonprofit Empowerment.

Legislative Resources:

• See the tentative 2026-27 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.

Major Changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards Coming Soon

A message from Head Start California

The Administration is expected to release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled Modernize the Head Start Program by Reducing Requirements and Enhancing Alignment with State and Local Systems as early as August, although the timing remains uncertain. Once released, there will likely be only a 30-day public comment period. While the proposal has not yet been made public, recent statements and reports suggest it could substantially reduce the Head Start Program Performance Standards, shift many requirements to state and local systems, and eliminate significant portions of the current Standards. Head Start California is concerned these changes could weaken program quality, reduce comprehensive services, and limit support for children with disabilities, dual-language learners, immigrant families, and other vulnerable populations.



Head Start California is working alongside state and national partners to prepare a coordinated response. When the NPRM is released, we will provide timely updates, analysis of the proposed changes, sample comments, advocacy resources, and opportunities to participate in webinars and other collaborative efforts. Because the public comment period is expected to be brief, we encourage anyone interested in protecting high-quality Head Start services to sign up for our advocacy mailing list now so you can receive action alerts and resources as soon as they become available.

Did You Know?

Child Care Q&A's

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

Question: TFC's recent newsletter stated that the early care and education trailer bill strengthens eligibility stability by clarifying that families are not required to report income or other changes during their 24-month eligibility period. Does this provision apply to all subsidized child care programs?

Answer: For California's subsidized child care programs administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), families generally receive 24 months of eligibility and are not required to report changes in income during that period unless their adjusted monthly income exceeds 85 percent of the State Median Income (SMI). (WIC 10271(h)(1-3))

The trailer bill AB 150 clarifies that, for CSPP, a family's initial income eligibility remains in effect throughout the 24-month eligibility period, regardless of subsequent increases in income. To accomplish this, the bill removes the requirement that CSPP families must report increases in income that exceed 85 percent of the State Median Income. As a result, CSPP families are no longer required to report increases in income during their 24-month eligibility period. The bill also clarifies that these protections continue when a family transfers to another California State Preschool Program or voluntarily disenrolls a child during the eligibility period.

Reach out to TFC if you have additional questions.

Federal Update

Updates on CCDF and Federal Proposed Rules Posted to TFC's Webpage

Click here to be directed to our website page that will be continually updated with the latest news.

• Federal Public Charge Final Rule - The final rule will take effect on September 18, 2026. Go to our website to learn more about the timeline and effects of this rule.

Federal Update

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

US Congress Update

Before leaving DC for the August recess, House Republican leaders passed a clean continuing resolution (CR) that would keep federal agencies funded through December 4, past the November 3 midterms. Of note, the CR contains no policy riders, omitting the SAVE America Act and any guardrails for ICE. Speaker Johnson (R-LA), Majority Leader Scalise (R-LA), and Appropriations Chair Cole (R-OK) are selling it as the antidote to a pre-election shutdown, with Cole arguing the bill “takes partisan politics and posturing off the table, denying anyone the opportunity to manufacture leverage from the calendar before elections.” When they return at the end of August, there will only be a few weeks to act before the September 30 fiscal deadline.

Thus far, House appropriators have moved all 12 FY27 bills through committee and three on the floor, where they have stalled. With the Senate yet to clear a single appropriations bill, a short-term patch seems to be the only realistic vehicle to keep the government funded through the end of the fiscal year. Tactically, the CR can be viewed as a procedural shield rather than a policy bill. Top House Republicans hope that moving the funding measure so early in the process will put Democrats on the defensive in the impending government spending fight before voters head to the polls this fall. Republicans plan to highlight Democrats’ votes against federal funding in the midterm campaigns.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where top appropriators are already discussing a different government funding approach: moving a stopgap with “anomalies” to prevent disruptions to key services that would otherwise result from flat funding.

The White House sent a list of these special exceptions Monday, but they are not included in the House’s measure.

Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) on Tuesday laid out his plans to put a short-term stopgap funding bill on the chamber floor before the August recess incorporating anomalies — while also threatening to pursue another party-line bill to fund the whole government if Democrats don’t get on board with a compromise.

More: House passes stopgap funding bill, months before shutdown deadline - Live Updates - POLITICO 

We continue to urge Congress to invest more than the $10 million increase in CCDBG and Head Start that the House proposed for FY27.

Administration Update

On July 16, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a final public charge rule, effective September 18, 2026. The public charge inadmissibility test applies when a person applies for a green card or for a visa. Many immigrants are exempt from public charge by laws that cannot be changed by regulations.

The final rule does not include a list of programs that can – or cannot – be considered in determining whether a noncitizen is likely to become a public charge. This removes the clarity that had been provided by the previous rule, which was consistent with decades of agency practice and policy. This analysis is based on the final rule, and mostly on language in its preamble, which is not legally binding. We will update this document when DHS publishes related forms and guidance.

This DHS rule applies to people applying to adjust status to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status from inside the U.S.

More: Public Charge Regulation Toolkit - Protecting Immigrant Families 

Fraud Narrative

Resources:

• What Congress Gets Wrong About Child Care Fraud | UnidosUS 
• Why the Alleged Fraud Narrative is Detrimental to Child Care Programs, Educators, and Families | NAEYC 
• Child Care Fraud Is a False Narrative | Home Grown Child Care 
• TPs on CCDF Accountability Measures & Fraud Claims (NWLC)
• Spring 2026 Message Guidance for Attacks on Child Care (CCEFN)
• Program Integrity and Accountability in the Child Care and Development Fund Program | CLASP 
• Attacks on Somali Communities and Fraud Claims Fact Sheet (CLASP, NILC, ACT)

Most Viewed Bills of the Week

1. H.R.4818 [118th] Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023
2. H.R.8800 [119th] National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
3. H.R.6509 [119th] SAFE Drugs Act of 2025
4. H.R.1229 [119th] United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025
5. H.R.7008 [119th] Stop Insider Trading Act
6. H.R.22 [119th] SAVE Act
7. H.R.3633 [119th] Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
8. S.139 [119th] FASD Respect Act
9. S.2296 [119th] National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
10. H.J.Res.29 [119th] Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times.

R&R Network and Thriving Families CA Foundation 2026 Joint Annual Conference

2026 Conference

Save the Date and join your peers for an amazing 2026 Joint Conference!

After thoughtful consideration and reflection on participant and committee feedback, we will be moving to a 100% in-person format for 2026, rather than offering a hybrid option as in previous years. In-person gatherings continue to provide the highest levels of engagement, connection, and overall satisfaction—and we want to ensure the best possible experience for all attendees.


Registration Now Open!

 An email was sent to your agency's ED/CEO, AP Contact and R&R Contact on June 15th from TFC and Network staff with more information on how to register. Once again, there will be a cap on in-person attendance. This approach ensures a fair and equitable opportunity for participation across the memberships and allows agencies of all sizes to be represented. If you are needing the registration link again, please let us know.

Exhibitor and Sponsor Information- Now Available!

There are a variety of ways to sponsor The Joint Conference or show your support. Whether you are interested in one of our many sponsorship opportunities, purchasing ad space in the Conference program or hosting an exhibit booth to showcase new products or launch promotions, there will be ample opportunity for your company to be recognized as a contributor to the early learning and child care field and for you to build visibility and connect with senior management and key decision makers.

See the Exhibitor and Sponsor Packet Here.

Visit the Conference Webpage for more information as it becomes available.

CDSS & CDE Upcoming Events

SAVE THE DATES: 2028-30 CCDF State Plan Input Session

Dear California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) Community Members, 

This email serves as a save the date for the first three upcoming input sessions for the development of the 2028-2030 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan. The goal of these input sessions is to gather regional community input from our partners on various topical sections of the 2028-2030 CCDF State Plan.  

CCDF State Plan Input Sessions: 

• Thursday, August 6, 2026, 10:00am – 12:30pm (in-person)   
  Supportive Services: 5090 N. West Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711  
• Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 10:00am – 12:30pm (in-person) 
  Sacramento CDSS Headquarters: 744 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 – 2^nd floor OB8 Conference Rooms 235 & 237. Upon arrival check-in at the security desk for a visitor pass before proceeding to the conference rooms.  
• Thursday, September 3, 2026, 10am-12:30pm (in-person) 
  Los Angeles County of Education: 10100 Pioneer Blvd Ste 325,  
  Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 

Thank you for your interest in participating in these input sessions. Future listserv announcements like this will be sent out with more information about future sessions in August, September and October, once locations are secured in other regions of the state. The future sessions will be either in-person or virtual.  

Upcoming Desired Results Developmental Profile (2025) Statewide Informational Webinar

Greetings,

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the California Department of Education (CDE), in partnership with WestEd, are pleased to announce to programs serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and Transitional Kindergarten–Grade 3 students the full implementation of the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) 2025 on July 1, 2026.

To support this transition, the CDSS and WestEd has already hosted a 1‑hour webinar on July 22^nd and will host another three webinars to share key updates and new requirements for the DRDP (2025) for California child care and education workforce. Participants will receive guidance on implementation, including access to resources and recommended steps for a successful rollout.

Join us to stay informed and contribute to the advancement of early childhood assessment in California!

Dates and Times:

• Wednesday, August 5, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Register 

Registration: Registration is required. Please select the registration link above for your preferred date and time.

CDSS & CDE Information & Updates

RELEASED July 27, 2026: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 26-14: Implementation of Assembly Bill 2806 - Suspension and Expulsion Requirements, Notice of Action and Appeal Process

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) has recently published the following document: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 26-14: Implementation of Assembly Bill (AB) 2806 - Suspension and Expulsion Requirements, Notice of Action and Appeal Process

The purpose of this Child Care Bulletin (CCB) is to provide guidance to contractors who hold Family Child Care Home Education Network (CFCC) contracts, General Child Care and Development (CCTR) programs, Migrant Child Care and Development (CMIG) programs, Child Care for Children with Severe Disabilities (CHAN) program, and CCTR and CMIG programs that operate through Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN), regarding requirements of the Notice of Action (NOA) and parent appeal process in the event of a suspension and/or expulsion of a child in the above programs pursuant to Welfare and Institution Code (WIC) sections 10491 and 10491.1.

RELEASED JULY 24, 2026 CCLD has released a new Provider Information Notice (PIN), PIN 26-09-CCP - Child Care Licensing Webinar

Primary Audience:

ALL CHILD CARE FACILITY LICENSEES

Summary:

PIN 26-09-CCP Provides Zoom registration information for the statewide Child Care Program webinar on September 22, 2026.

This PIN is an informational resource offered to assist licensed child care facilities and providers in ensuring the health and safety of children in care.

An electronic copy of PIN 26-09-CCP - Child Care Licensing Webinar is available for viewing/downloading by clicking on the following link:

PIN 26-09-CCP - Child Care Licensing Webinar

RELEASED JULY 13th: CHILD CARE BULLETIN (CCB) NO. 26-18: Emergency Closure Request

The purpose of this Child Care Bulletin (CCB) is to notify General Child Care and Development (CCTR), Migrant Child Care and Development (CMIG), Family Child Care Home Education Network (CFCC), and Children with Severe Disabilities (CHAN) contractors of the process for submitting an Emergency Closure Request Form. Learn More Here.

Recently Posted All County Information Notice

Office of Equity Division

The Department of Social Services (CDSS) has recently posted the following document(s) on its Internet website:

ACIN I-34-26 (July 20, 2026): Artificial Intelligence (AI) Translation Guidance

For reference or other information visit the CDSS Letters-and-Notices website.

Joint Statement from California Health and Human Services Leaders on New Federal Public Charge Rule

The California Health and Human Services Agency and its Departments are reviewing the federal government's final Public Charge Rule and assessing the potential impacts on California families and communities. As indicated in the federal government’s notice, the final Public Charge Rule will take effect 60 days after formal publication on the Federal Register. In other words, the final rule will take effect in mid-September. The federal notice also states that means-tested public benefits received before the rule's effective date will not be considered under the new rule. Previously, cash-assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization assistance were considered for public charge purposes and will continue to be considered. In addition, the federal notice explains that federal agencies will issue interim guidance soon. As we continue our review of the federal guidance and final rule, we will post information for Californians about what this rule means for them at chhs.ca.gov.

DSS Finance and Accounting Division Document Posted

The Department of Social Services (CDSS) has recently posted the following document(s) on its Internet website:

CFL 26-27-01 (July 3, 2026)

County Welfare Department (CWD) County Expense Claim Reporting Information System (CECRIS) Administrative Time Study And Claiming Instructions For The September 2026 Claiming Quarter

For reference or other information visit the CDSS Letters-and-Notices website.

Amended Fiscal Year 2026–27 California State Preschool Program Contract Terms and Conditions

Subject: Amended Fiscal Year 2026–27 California State Preschool Program Contract Terms and Conditions

Attention: Executive Directors and Program Directors of California State Preschool Programs

Dear Executive Directors and Program Directors of California State Preschool Programs (CSPP),

This message is to notify CSPP contractors that the California Department of Education (CDE) has amended the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–27 CSPP Contract Terms and Conditions (CT&C). The amended FY 2026–27 CSPP CT&C can be found under “Contract Terms” at https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/cd/ctc2026.asp.

RELEASED July 6, 2026: Announcing PIN 26-07-CCP - Notification of Available Early Start Service Offered Through the Department of Developmental Services

CCLD has released a new Provider Information Notice (PIN), PIN 26-07-CCP - Notification of Available Early Start Service Offered Through the Department of Developmental Services

Primary Audience:

ALL CHILD CARE FACILITY LICENSEES

Summary: PIN 26-07-CCP informs all Child Care Program (CCP) licensees, providers, and families about the statewide network of the Regional Centers overseen by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

This PIN is an informational resource offered to assist licensed child care facilities and providers in ensuring the health and safety of children in care.

An electronic copy of PIN 26-07-CCP - Notification of Available Early Start Service Offered Through the Department of Developmental Services is available for viewing/downloading by clicking on the following link:

PIN 26-07-CCP - Notification of Available Early Start Service Offered Through the Department of Developmental Services

On Our Reading List

Social Media Spotlight

Follow TFC on social media!

We would love for you to tag us in your posts and use the hashtag #TFC2026

Information & Updates

Happening This Week, August 3 - 7, 2026: 


Tuesday, August 4th:

• TFC Weekly Member Connections Meeting @ 1:00 p.m. Email to register.
  

Wednesday, August 5th:

• TFC Public Policy Meeting @ 2:00pm. Email for more information. 
  

Thursday, August 6th:

• CCDF State Plan Input Sessions @ 10:00am – 12:30pm (in-person). Supportive Services: 5090 N. West Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711     

Thriving Families CA Foundation 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.