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 . If you have information you would like to have hosted, click here.

Use this Excel document to help you track budget actions as it is updated in real time. Click here to see the 2026-27 budget summary.

This Week's Budget Hearings

• February 17, 2026 (Tuesday)
• Assembly Budget Committee @ Upon adjournment of Session - State Capitol, Room 437- Calendar
• 2026 Early Action
• Joint Hearing Assembly Budget Subcommittee 3 Education Finance and Education - @ 9:00 a.m. - State Capitol, Room 447 - Calendar 
• Overview of the Governor’s Budget and Segments Leader’s Perspective
• February 18 (Wednesday)
• Assembly Budget Sub 3 - Accountability & Oversight @ 9:00 a.m. - State Capitol, Room 126 - Calendar
• Homeless Housing and Prevention Program; Funding Accountability
• Senate Budget Committee @ 9 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 1200 - Calendar
• Review of California's Reserve Policies - Looking to the Future

Child Care Hearings to Put on Your Calendar

• March 12 (Thursday)
• Senate Budget Subcommittee 3 on Health and Human Services @ 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session - 1021 O Street, Room 1200 - Add to Calendar
• Child Care
• CalWORKS
• March 24 (Tuesday)
• Joint Hearing Assembly Budget Subcommittee 2 on Education Finance and 3 on Human Services @ 9:00 a.m. - State Capitol, Room 447 - Add to Calendar
• January Budget proposals for Early Childhood Education
• State of Universal Preschool Oversight

TFC's Featured Bill of the Week

AB 902 (Grayson) Childcare: electronic signatures



Author: Senator Tim Grayson

Tim Grayson was previously elected to serve in the California Assembly in November 2016 and to represent the 15th Assembly District, which encompassed portions of Contra Costa County. He is the son of a Teamster father and his mother was a public transit worker. He is the first in his family to earn a college degree. In 2010, Grayson was elected to serve on the Concord City Council, winning reelection in 2014 and serving on the Council until his election to the Assembly. He also served as Concord’s Mayor from 2014-2015.

As a co-founder of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, Grayson has a long and proven history of advocating for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and child and elder abuse. Since his election to the Assembly, Grayson has secured $20 million in state funding for Family Justice Centers throughout California to expand services, reach new communities and streamline services for victims of interpersonal violence. In 2018, Governor Brown signed into law a Grayson bill (AB 998) to allow victim support specialists to work collaboratively to help victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.

Championing the beliefs that higher education should be both accessible and affordable, then-Assemblymember Grayson authored laws to ensure that our qualified California students are not denied admission at UC institutions in favor of less qualified out-of-state students (AB 1674) and to require greater transparency from the University of California Office of the President in UC cost reporting (AB 1655). Grayson also introduced legislation to bring $7 billion in funding for new higher education campus construction and repair of existing facilities.

In order to help protect the state against the boom and bust economic cycles of the past decades, Grayson was at the forefront of creating a new budget reserve to complement the constitutionally-capped Rainy Day Fund. Grayson fought to create the new Budget Deficit Savings Account, and helped secure an initial deposit of $1.75 billion, in the hope that we will be able to avoid devastating and debilitating cuts to education and social and government services should a recession strike again.

Important Dates, Deadlines,

Hearings, and Bills

Dates & Deadlines:

• February 16 - President's Day
• February 20 - Last day for bills to be introduced

Upcoming Hearings:

• February 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
• Assembly Human Services Committee @ 1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 437 - Calendar
• State of Hate in California: Progress on Addressing Hate in California
• March 10, 2026 (Tuesday)
• Assembly Human Services Committee @ 1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 437 - Calendar
• Click here to see the bills being heard
• Letters of support due by 5:00 p.m. on March 4

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.

New Report on the Economic Impact of the Child Care Crisis

Did You Know?

Child Care Q&A's

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

Question: Is California's federal child care funding going to be frozen?

Answer: No, at least for now, California’s federal child care funding is not frozen. A federal court order from Vernon S. Broderick last week has blocked the federal government from withholding the funds, meaning money must continue flowing to states including California while the legal challenge moves forward. Visit TFC's federal page to learn more.

Federal Update

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

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

• Federal judge orders ACF to release CCDF funds
• Government shutdown averted; DHS funding in negotiations

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

02/06 Federal Government Update 

On Tuesday, February 3rd, Congress passed a crucial funding bill that retains the increases to the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Head Start and Early Head Start, as proposed by the Senate Labor, HHS bill over the summer. Specifically:

• $8.8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, an increase of $85 million above FY25. ($8.746 billion)
• $12.4 billion for Head Start, an increase of $85 million above FY25. ($12.72 billion)

Two programs that were slated for elimination in the original House version maintain level funding:

• $315 million for Preschool Development Grant
• $75 million for Child Care Access Means Parents in School

While these increases are welcome after flat funding in FY25, we remain concerned that they are not as robust as in the past several years and remain nowhere close to fully funding these critical early childhood programs.

Congress must still address funding for the Department of Homeland Security by February 13th. Due to intense advocacy over ICE, Congress separated DHS funding from the rest of the appropriations bills.

As a reminder, since January 1st, 2026, the administration has taken drastic measures that are already having devastating effects on the child care sector:

• Froze child care funding for 5 states: letters were sent to California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, and New York, suspending about $10 billion in funds for CCDF, TANF, and SSBG.
• TEMPORARILY BLOCKED thru 2/6: Trump can't withhold funds from 5 Democratic states yet, judge says | AP News
• Doubled down on “Defend the Spend” policy, requiring all 50 states to provide additional documentation and verification before receiving child care funds. This policy has led to delays in states' access to funding.
• HHS Proposes Major Rollback of Child Care Subsidy Regulations: HHS released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to undo key components of the March 2024 CCDF final rule, citing administrative burden and a desire to restore state flexibility. Proposed eliminations include:
• The 7% cap on family co-payments.
• The requirement for states to use grants or contracts for direct service delivery to underserved populations.
• The mandate that child care providers be paid prospectively and based on a child’s authorized enrollment rather than attendance.
• This will undo much of the progress in the sector.

⇒ See item #2 for resources and more information

• Reports are coming out of Ohio, Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Maine, and San Diego, California, that right-wing influencers have been harassing child care programs by showing up to and calling child care programs to try to interview employees and express suspicions of fraud, especially targeting child care entities run by people of Somali descent.
• Establishment of a new Department of Justice division for national fraud enforcement, which will investigate child care and Head Start programs around the country.

We call on federal leaders to immediately restore full child care funding, end intimidation and enforcement tactics that target child care communities, and halt the escalation of armed enforcement in our communities that has already resulted in tragic and preventable loss of life.

Families need stability. Providers need safety. Children deserve care environments free from fear, chaos, and political intimidation. Communities deserve better than reckless endangerment, intimidation, and violence. 

⇒ Take Action: Take action to restore child care funding! (CCEFN)

More:

• BACKGROUND: Trump Administration’s Withholding of Child Care Funding (CCEFN)
• Message Guidance_Child Care Funding Freeze (Community Change)

Protect Head Start & Early Head Start 

A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s attacks on Head Start, halting the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) ban on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, as well as mass office closures and layoffs at the Office of Head Start. These administrative actions had disrupted programs nationwide and hindered their ability to fulfil their mission of providing early education and care to young children from low-income families. More: Federal Judge Grants Second Preliminary Injunction Blocking Attacks on Head Start | American Civil Liberties Union

More: Judge blocks purge DEI-related terms in Head Start grant applications | AP News

Take Action

• Take Action: Take action to restore child care funding! (CCEFN)
• Find in-person and online events here: CHN/partner events joint calendar
• Messaging Guide for Child Care (c3 version) (c4 version) (CCEFN)
• Toolkit: Protecting Immigrant Families - Children Thrive Action Network
• Join us at the Children Thrive Action Network! CTAN is a new network of advocates and service providers at the national, state, and local levels. Our mission is to defend and support children in the United States in immigrant families. Organizations interested in a network to further this goal can join CTAN here.
• Protecting & Supporting Immigrant Children & their Families in Early Learning Spaces | MomsRising
• Meals and Snacks - CACFP Federal Advocacy Toolkit 2025
• CHN budget and tax toolkit for local groups (Coalition on Human Needs)
• To help local and state advocates raise their voices to protect and strengthen key nutrition, housing, early childhood, and other assistance, we’ve created this toolkit with resources to use for requesting a District (or DC) meeting with members of Congress, organizing site visits for policymakers, conversations with members of Congress and/or their staff (which you can use at a local town hall), emails to Congressional staff, getting letters published in local newspapers, and more. See our state data resource library, along with our general poverty and budget libraries, for additional resources. 

Most Viewed Bills of the Week:

1.H.R.4405 [119th] Epstein Files Transparency Act

2.H.R.7148 [119th] Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

3.H.R.22 [119th] SAVE Act

4.H.Res.353 [119th] Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

5.H.R.4818 [118th] Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023

6.H.R.1 [119th] An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.

7.H.Res.1032 [119th] Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 7148) making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 142) disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4090) to codify certain provisions of certain Executive Orders relating to domestic mining and hard rock mineral resources, and for other purposes.

8.H.Res.537 [119th] Impeaching Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

9.H.R.6938 [119th] Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026

10.H.R.3633 [119th] Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025

Upcoming TFC Events

Thriving Families CA Foundation, in partnership with DSS Child Development Fiscal Services and Baker Tilly (formerly Moss Adams), will be delivering a virtual training for our field focused on Fiscal and Audit topics. During the first part of the training, DSS will be presenting on Fiscal Essentials and provide in-depth reporting information for both direct service and AP contractors.

There will also be time set aside for a Q&A session. 

During part 2, there will be a training from an independent auditor on how agencies should be preparing and complying with the different audit requirements.



We hope you can join us!

CDSS & CDE Upcoming Events

Reminder: CCDD Monthly Contractor Meeting – Thursday, February 19th, 10am - 11am

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care & Development Division (CCDD) will host the next CCDD Contractor Meeting on Thursday, February 19th, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. This meeting series is open to CCDD contractors only. The tentative agenda is provided below.

February 2026 Agenda:

Topical Updates

• Professional Development

Standing Updates

• Child Development Information System
• Child Care Resource and Referral Program
• Child and Adult Care Food Program 
• Program Quality and Improvement​ Branch
• Fiscal 
• Voluntary Temporary Transfer of Funds Process
• Funding Opportunities
• Community Care Licensing 
• Policy and Guidance

Please use this Zoom link to register for the meeting.

Early Childhood Policy Council Meeting Notice and Agenda

Please join us for our February meeting of the Early Childhood Policy Council.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Physical Meeting Information: 

1000 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

WestEd, 5th floor, Capitol Room

Virtual Meeting Information:

Please use this Zoom link to register in advance for the meeting

Family Child Care at its Best Rural Cohort

Family Child Care at Its Best (FCCB) is pleased to offer a collection of workshops just for family child care and family, friend, and neighbor providers who work in rural communities. 

Following the Rural Workshop series model launched in 2025, these workshops are 1.5-hour excerpts from our regular FCCB workshop curriculum and are held virtually. Each workshop is separate, and attendees will receive a professional growth certificate after completing each one. 

• Learning Through Relationships with Infants and Toddlers (English and Spanish) 
• Supporting Young Dual Language Learners (English) 

Please visit the FCCB Rural Cohort Flyer (flyer in English and flyer in Spanish) for more information and to register. 

Open Registration for Family Child Care at its Best Workshops

In addition to workshops hosted by local training agencies, Family Child Care at Its Best (FCCB) is offering three workshops this winter that will be held virtually and are open to family child care providers and family, friend, or neighbor caregivers across the state.  

• Serving Children with Disabilities or Delays and their Families (English) 
• The Power of Play (English) 
• Setting the Stage for Social Competence (English) 
  

Please visit the FCCB Workshops Flyer for more information and to register. 

Early Education Division California State Preschool Program Office Hours

The California Department of Education (CDE), Early Education Division is pleased to offer weekly office hours as a system of support for California State Preschool Programs. Each week, we will focus on a different topic relevant to your work.

For the week of February 11, 2026, the topic will be: Interactions

These office hours are designed to provide a space for open dialogue and support. Our goal is to answer any questions you may have related to the week’s topic. Participation is optional, and sessions will not be recorded to encourage candid conversation. Attendees will vary based on the presented topic.

Please take a moment to register for the Interactions office hour occurring on February 11, 2026, from 3 to 4 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) using the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2j3zIHg5TLagUb5QTI0i8w

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Upcoming Topics Include:

·      February 18, 2026, from 3 to 4 p.m. PT: Family Engagement

·      February 25, 2026, from 3 to 4 p.m. PT: Racial, Cultural Equity & Belonging

CDSS & CDE Information & Updates

RELEASED February 4, 2026 CCB 26-02:  Implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 792

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) has recently published the following document: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 26-02 IMPLEMENTATION OF SENATE BILL (SB) 792

The purpose of this Child Care Bulletin (CCB) is to provide guidance to counties and child care and development contractors regarding changes enacted in Senate Bill (SB) 792 (Chapter 234, Statutes of 2025), including a new definition of “Attendance” to expand the categories of excused absences, technical revision to policies related to CCB 26-02 Page Two state median income (SMI), and extension of the family fee exemptions for vulnerable populations.

If you have any questions or need additional guidance regarding the information in this letter, please contact your assigned Program Quality Improvement Consultant.

RELEASED February 3, 2026: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 26-01: Revisions to California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Stage One Child Care Forms: CCP 7 and NA 832

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) has recently published an updated: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 26-01: Revisions to the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Stage One Child Care Request Form and Child Care Payment Rules (CCP 7) and Notice of Action – Child Care Services Approval (NA 832)

The purpose of this Child Care Bulletin (CCB) is to provide County Welfare Departments (CWDs) and child care and development contractors with policy guidance and instructions regarding the revised California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Child Care Request Form and Child Care Payment Rules (CCP 7) and the revised Notice of Action – Child Care Services Approval (NA 832).

If you are a Stage One administrator and have any questions regarding the information in this letter, contact the Integrity, Training, and County Support Bureau at StageOneChildCare@dss.ca.gov.

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, February 16 - 20, 2026: 



Monday, February 16th:

• President's Day Holiday

Tuesday, February 17th:

• TFC Foundation Weekly Member Connections Meeting @ 1:00 p.m. Email to register.
• TFC Foundation Board Meeting from 2:00pm-4:00 p.m.
  

Wednesday, February 18th:

• Lifting Up Families Hybrid Advocacy Day. Email if you'd like to join.
  

Thursday, February 19th:

• TFC Foundation Membership Committee Meeting @ 9:00 a.m.
• CCDD Monthly Contractor Call @ 10:00 a.m. Register Here.

Friday, February 20th:

• TFC Foundation Workgroup - Prospective pay, CalWORKs, and more! @ 1:00 p.m.
  

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.