February 9, 2026 | Issue #6

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Standing Strong in Uncertain Times: Supporting and Protecting Family Child Care Providers

by Rev. Gina M. Fromer, Ph.D.; TFC Foundation President


During times that may feel uncertain, stability, trusted partnerships, and clear information matter more than ever. Thriving Families CA (TFC) Foundation remains deeply committed to standing alongside child care providers, families, and employers who rely on a strong and stable child care system.

 

Licensed family child care providers open their homes every day to care for children, support working families, and strengthen communities. Your home is both a place of care and a private residence—and you deserve clarity, respect, and protection in how that space is treated.

 

On February 5, TFC hosted a “Licensed Child Care Providers — Know Your Rights” training featuring valuable legal information from Public Counsel. This training was designed to help providers better understand who is legally authorized to enter a licensed family child care home and how to confidently protect the safety of children, their families, and their own homes.

 

TFC believes providers should never feel uncertain about their rights. You have the right to ask questions, the right to deny access when it is not legally authorized, and the right to feel safe and informed in your own home. The resources being shared alongside this message are intended to support providers with clear, practical guidance.

 

We also want families and employers to know that community-based Alternative Payment Programs and Resource & Referral agencies remain available partners in helping families access care, supporting provider success, and strengthening workforce stability.

 

During uncertain times, TFC’s commitment remains steady. We will continue working to lift up providers, support families, and strengthen the child care system that our communities and economy depend on.

Supporting California's Licensed Child Care Providers


Last Wedensday, TFC was partnered with Public Counsel to deliver an online training to over 675 interested in the topic of Licensed Child Care Providers - Know Your Rights.


Family child care providers open their homes to care for children, and that work is both deeply personal and highly regulated. While you are licensed to provide care, your home remains your private residence under California law. Licensing does not turn your home into a public building, and it does not remove your rights to privacy, safety, or due process.


This presentation was recorded in English and translated into Spanish. All recordings, PPT presentations and references are hosted here.

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.


Upcoming Budget Hearings

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.

Advocacy 101 Presentation THIS Thursday


Join us for a live Advocacy 101 training on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 1:00–2:00 pm (PT) via Zoom in preparation for the "Lifting Up Families" hybrid advocacy day. Click here to register for the presentation.


This session will be co-presented by Andrew Avila (Early Edge California) and Dubrea Sanders (Black ECE), both former Capitol staff, who will walk attendees through the fundamentals of effective advocacy. The presenters will cover what to expect when meeting with legislators, best practices for using supportive materials such as the information packets, and practical tips for having clear, confident, and productive meetings with legislators and their staff.


The final 20 minutes will be reserved for live Q&A. The presentation will be recorded and posted on the website for those who are unable to attend live or who want to revisit the material.

February 18, 2026 7th Annual Hybrid 
"Lifting Up Families" Advocacy Day

Advocacy Day Registration is Live!

Click here to register your virtual or in-person attendance.



Join us on February 18, 2026 for the 7th annual "Lifting Up Families" Advocacy Day at the State Capitol and online. This is our statewide day of action to spotlight the real needs of families, elevate solutions that work, and show lawmakers the strength of the coalition behind child care and family-support services. The 2026 Advocacy Day webpage has full details.



Join as a Partner Organization for Advocacy Day!

Nearly 70 organizations partnered with us last year, amplifying a unified message across all 120 legislative offices. Partner organizations are highlighted on event materials—including information packets with district-specific data delivered to every legislator—showcasing their leadership and the strength of our shared work. We welcome partners from all industry sectors.


To join this year’s growing coalition and get involved in upcoming partner meetings before February 18, please reach out to mckenzie@thrivingfamilies-ca.org.



Become a Sponsor for Advocacy Day!

Sponsoring Advocacy Day puts your organization in the spotlight, showing your commitment to families while connecting you with hundreds of advocates and legislators. With options like supporting participant buttons, legislator packets, the morning coffee program, or lunch, sponsors gain visibility, recognition on event materials, and a tangible way to help make the day a success. Click here for the sponsorship form.

Important Dates, Deadlines,

Hearings, and Bills

Dates & Deadlines:

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


Upcoming Hearings:


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.

Former Crystal Stairs CEO and LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell Gives Powerful Statement at Assembly Hearing on Child Care

During the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight hearing on the impacts of the 2026 federal child care funding withholding, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell clearly laid out what is at stake for families, providers, and local governments if the Legislature does not build a plan of action if federal child care funds were frozen.


Drawing on her experience as former Chief Executive Officer of Crystal Stairs, and her time as a State Senator from 2013 to 2020, she emphasized that California already has strong oversight and fraud prevention systems and warned against assuming issues in one state apply to all. Supervisor Mitchell underscored the fiscal instability counties face as federal, state, and local funding sources all come under strain, noting that uncertainty is untenable for child care providers serving both subsidized and private-pay families. She noted that a federal freeze would affect 16,000 families and 10,000 providers through Crystal Stairs alone. She also cautioned that the ripple effects would extend far beyond child care, disrupting access to CalWORKs, housing, and other essential supports, and urged the Legislature to adopt an action plan to prevent long-term economic fallout. Referencing the lasting damage from past Stage 3 cuts, Mitchell warned that failing to act now would once again defer families’ dreams—and ultimately cost the state far more down the line.


Fabulous job, Supervisor Mitchell! We’re so proud of you for powerfully lifting up our field and the families served by community-based organizations.


Click here to watch the hearing recording.

Click here to learn more about Crystal Stairs.

Child Care in the News

Why child care could be 'at a standstill' as California plans not to expand financial assistance | LA Times

Key Points:


"Locke, like thousands of other families and providers, is confronting the effects of stalled progress to expand in California’s child-care industry after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget — with an estimated $3-billion deficit did not fund his promised expansion of subsidized child care for the second straight year.


The proposal is a blow for low- and middle-income working parents who were hoping that affordable child care would be in their future. But the demand is so high among eligible families that they remain on waitlists for years, and many children age out before they secure a spot. Leaders in the child-care industry are disappointed that Newsom, who has championed early childhood education, has not fulfilled his pledge."


"In 2021, Newsom pledged to open 206,800 additional subsidized child-care spaces. Roughly 129,000 have been funded. A 2024 trailer bill had promised to open an additional 44,000 child-care slots in the 2026-27 fiscal year, but funding for those slots was omitted in the current budget proposal, and no language was included indicating funding was deferred to a future year."


"California is home to 2.1 million children whose families qualify for child-care subsidies based on income and need. The state funds enough slots to subsidize 16% of those who are eligible, according to 2024 estimates. If the 44,000 additional slots pledged for this fiscal year were funded, the supply would expand by 2%. In Los Angeles County as of 2024, 18% of children eligible were enrolled in subsidized care."


"Currently, 366,700 children are enrolled in subsidized child care, up from 210,000 in 2020, thanks to Newsom’s 2021 budget, which came as California navigated an unprecedented surplus and $5 billion in one-time federal pandemic aid meant for child care."


“California families and child-care providers are waiting on promises that haven’t been kept yet,” Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, said in a statement. “For many, many years, we were told there would be 200,000 new child-care slots and fairer provider rates that cover the true cost of care — and that work is far from done.”"

Did You Know?

Child Care Q&A's


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


Question: Does California have an obligation to continue paying child care providers based on per-child enrollment, instead of based on per-child attendance?


Answer: Senate Bill 120 funded payment to child care providers based on a family's certified need (i.e. enrollment) until June 30, 2026, and CCB 25-20E clarified that the state will continue to pay providers based on enrollment until June 30, 2028 in compliance with the Child Care Providers Union bargaining agreement.

Federal Update

Federal Judge Orders ACF to Release CCDF Funds | Updates on CCDF and Federal Proposed Rule Posted to TFC's Webpage


A federal judge has ordered the Administration for Children and Families to release billions of dollars in child care and social service funds after New York and several other states sued the federal government for withholding the money. U.S. District Judge Vernon Broderick ruled that the funds must continue flowing to avoid disruptions to child care, family support, and other safety-net programs. The block remains in place for the duration of the lawsuit until the court reaches a final decision or a higher court changes the order, meaning the funding freeze cannot be enforced for now.


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.


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:


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

Most Viewed Bills of the Week:

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

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

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

4.H.R.22 [119th] SAVE Act

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

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

7.H.Res.996 [119th] Impeaching Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

8.S.1382 [110th] ALS Registry Act

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

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

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

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. 

New Module Series: Trauma-Informed Practice: Culturally Responsive Strategies for Working with Adults


The California Department of Social Services is pleased to announce that a new module series, Trauma-Informed Practice: Culturally Responsive Strategies for Working with Adults, is now available! This new module series expands upon the 2-hour module Safe Spaces: Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice for Educational and Care Settings (0–5), with additional concepts and strategies designed to support those whose work is primarily with adults.


How to Access:

The module series is available on California Early Childhood Online (CECO). You can find it by scrolling to “What’s New” on the CECO homepage or using the Module Catalog

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

Family Child Care at Its Best: Training of Partner Facilitator Topics


With generous funding from the California Department of Social Services, WestEd continues to expand the reach of Family Child Care at Its Best (FCCB) curriculum by training partner facilitators to offer FCCB workshops for their communities. This year we will offer three courses for individuals who have completed the Introduction to FCCB for Partner Facilitators course.

 

Topics Offered for 2025–2026:

  • Child Observation: January 11, 2026–February 21, 2026
  • Serving Children with Disabilities or Delays & Their Families (English): April 12, 2026–June 1, 2026
  • Serving Children with Disabilities or Delays & Their Families (Spanish): April 26, 2026–June 7, 2026

 

For more information on FCCB Partner Facilitator opportunities and registration links for each course, visit the FCCB website.

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.

CCLD QUARTERLY FORMS UPDATE – January 28, 2026


Primary Audience: ALL COMMUNITY CARE LICENSED PROVIDERS

Message:

In order to keep our external partners duly informed on form updates published by the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), we would like to provide you with the following list of published CCLD forms that have been created or updated in the last quarter. The following list includes forms that are specific to individual Programs: 

 

Forms impacting specific Programs:

Adult and Senior Care Program

  • LIC 610E: Emergency and Disaster Plan for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly

Child Care Program

  • LIC 613A: Personal Rights – Child Care Program

Home Care Services

  • HCS 9201: Home Care Organization Inspection Checklist

Note: No form updates were published in the last quarter that impact multiple Programs.

 

The following list includes forms that have been discontinued in the last quarter:

  • LIC 300D: Removal Confirmation – Non-Exemptible
  • LIC 300C: Removal Confirmation – Rescinded

RELEASED JANUARY 23, 2026: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25-21EIII: ERRATUM TO THE ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ALLOCATION


The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) has recently published an updated Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25-21EIII: ERRATUM TO THE ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ALLOCATION


Purpose: This erratum Child Care Bulletin is to provide revised communication to child care and development contractors regarding administrative allocation appropriated in Assembly Bill (AB) 102 for the administration and support costs associated with implementing ongoing provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding with Child Care Providers United.

RELEASED JANUARY 23, 2026: Management Bulletin 26-01: California State Preschool Program Cost of Care Plus Rate Allocations and One-Time Stabilization Payments for Family Childcare Providers and Centers


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

The California Department of Education (CDE), Early Education Division (EED) has released Management Bulletin (MB) 26-01: California State Preschool Program (CSPP) Cost of Care Plus Rate Allocations and One-Time Stabilization Payments for Family Childcare Providers and Centers. This MB revises and replaces MB 25-11 and was updated to provide clarification on the allowable use of Cost of Care Plus Rate Allocations for CSPP contractors.

Specifically, this MB was updated to align the allowable uses for Cost of Care Plus Rate Allocations with the Legislative intent and allows for these funds to be used for bonuses, incentive and retention payments, or any other one-time payments to CSPP staff.

MB 26-01 can be accessed on the CDE MB 26-01 web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/mb2601.asp.

If you have programmatic questions regarding the information in this MB, please contact your assigned EED Program Quality Implementation Office Regional Consultant. The CDE, EED Consultant Regional Assignments directory web page can be accessed at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/assignments.asp.

Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25-34E: Errata to Mandatory Transition to the Updated Desired Results Development Profile (DRDP) 2025


The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) has recently published an updated: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25-34E: Errata to Mandatory Transition to the Updated Desired Results Development Profile (DRDP) 2025

The purpose of this erratum is to correct the contact information provided to child care and development contractors in Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25‑34 regarding the additional contact information associated with the CRRP@dss.ca.gov email address. This additional contact information has been deleted, and the deletions are marked within brackets and with a [strikethrough]. Contractors need to contact their assigned Program Quality and Improvement Consultant. Questions about the CCB should be sent to your assigned consultant. The list of assigned consultants can be found on the Child Care and Development Contacts webpage. Aside from the deletion communicated in this erratum, all guidance and information contained in the original CCB 25‑34 remains accurate and in effect.

Fiscal Year 2025–26 Enrollment, Attendance, and Fiscal Reporting and Reimbursement Procedures for Early Education Contractors


Attention: All Executive Directors, Program Directors, and Other Interested Parties

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025–26 Enrollment, Attendance, and Fiscal Reporting and Reimbursement Procedures for Early Education Contractors has been posted to the California Department of Education (CDE) Early Education fiscal information web page. The Enrollment, Attendance, and Fiscal Reporting and Reimbursement Procedures for Early Education Contractors is commonly referred to as the Early Education and Nutrition Fiscal Services (EENFS) Fiscal Handbook.

 

The EENFS Fiscal Handbook is a manual that aids early education contractors in their enrollment, attendance, and fiscal reporting and explains reimbursement procedures and the role of the EENFS unit within the Fiscal and Administrative Services Division.

 

The updated EENFS Fiscal Handbook is available on the CDE Early Education fiscal information web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/cd/documents/fy2526fiscalhandbook.docx.

 

A listing of important changes is included at the beginning of the EENFS Fiscal Handbook each year. Please pay special attention to these changes and contact your assigned fiscal analyst with questions. The fiscal analyst directory can be found at https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/cd/faad.asp.

February 2026 Monday Morning Update Sponsor

Kindersystems

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On Our Reading List

New SNAP requirements started Feb. 1. What changed in California?

New federal restrictions and requirements to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) started Feb. 1. Here's what to know.


Key Points:

  • President Trump signed a bill that made his 2019 tax cuts permanent and cut SNAP funding by an estimated $186 billion through 2034.
  • The new law makes it more difficult to qualify for SNAP benefits by expanding work requirements and restricting states' ability to issue waivers.
  • The bill also passes some costs to states and eliminates eligibility for certain non-citizens legally present in the U.S.

What are the new changes to SNAP from Trump's spending bill?

The bill makes it more difficult to qualify for benefits and shifts some costs to the states.

  • Under the bill, able-bodied individuals ages 18 through 65 without dependents must work or participate in a work program, such as SNAP Employment and Training, for at least 80 hours per month to receive benefits. Previously, the top age was 55.
  • It also requires parents and household members to meet the additional work requirements if a dependent child is age 14 or older. Previously, those with a child under 18 were exempt from the requirements.
  • Veterans, people 24 and younger who recently aged out of foster care, and unhoused people are no longer exempt from work requirements.
  • It also restricts states’ ability to temporarily extend benefits beyond three months in areas where job availability is insufficient. Previously, states could more easily get temporary waivers based on employment rates to extend benefits. Now, they may only request a waiver if the unemployment rate in an area meets or exceeds 10%.

Information & Updates

Happening This Week, February 9 - 13, 2026: 



Monday, February 9th:


Tuesday, February 10th:

  • CalHR Monthly Forum @ 10:00am.
  • TFC Foundation Weekly Member Connections Meeting @ 1:00 p.m. Email to register.


Friday, February 13th:

  • TFC Workgroup - Prospective pay, CalWORKs, and more Meeting at 1:30pm.
    

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. 

Quick Links



- Join TFC Today!

- Legislative Information

-Job Announcements

-TFC Website

-Support TFC

February 2026 Featured Member Highlight

The Resource Connection

The Resource Connection provides a wide array of programs and services to the residents of Amador and Calaveras counties in the heart of California’s Gold Country. Many of the towns in the area started as mining camps.

But the unique and interesting history of the area reveals little about the actual lives of the 84,000 residents who today call the communities of Amador or Calaveras counties home. Residents of rural communities face challenges that are similar to, but also different from, those of their urban counterparts; they worry about safety, employment, housing, health, education, and the well-being of their families and communities.

The Resource Connection, which is rooted in many of these communities, is committed to working collaboratively to develop programs and services that address local and regional challenges in ways unique to the culture and traditions of the area.


Get to know them and the full scope of their work and how they are supporting the needs of family child care providers and families in Amador and Calaveras counties.

The Thriving Families CA (TFC) Foundation is dedicated to strengthening families via connections to child care and other essential services that are critical to breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving economic self-sufficiency. Our community-based programs and services are located in each of California’s 58 counties and are uniquely positioned to address the complex and evolving needs of underserved and marginalized populations. Every day, our membership verifies and provides subsidies for tens of thousands of impoverished working families to access child care needed to support employment and a robust workforce, as well as comprehensive wraparound supports—including food security, stable housing, transportation, mental health services, domestic violence intervention, home visiting, health care access, legal assistance, and immigration support. Learn more about our network of 70+ public and private community-based organizations here.

TFC Member Only Benefits


Not a member?

Find out how to join 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 2025-26 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 CHAIR

Phillip Warner

Children's Council of San Francisco


MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

Adonai Mack

Child Action, Inc.


MEMBERS AT LARGE

Teri Sedrick

North Coast Opportunities, Inc.


Jeanne Fridolfs

Napa County Office of Education


Joie Owen

Valley Oak Children's Services


Karen Marlatt

Valley Oak Children's Services 


Jessica Kranz

Go Kids, Inc.


Mike Michelon


Daniel Johnson 

Davis Street Community Center


Denyne Micheletti

TFC CEO


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

Click Here to see.

DSS & CDE Updates



February 4, 2026

CCB 26-02: 
Implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 792


February 3, 2026


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)


January 23, 2026:

Management Bulletin 26-01: California State Preschool Program Cost of Care Plus Rate Allocations and One-Time Stabilization Payments for Family Childcare Providers and Centers

January 23, 2026

(CCB) 25-34E: Errata to Mandatory Transition to the Updated Desired Results Development Profile (DRDP) 2025

December 11, 2025

CCB 24-04E: ERRATUM TO IMPL OF THE NEW PART-TIME & FULL-TIME DEFINITIONS FOR REIMB


December 5, 2025

CCB 25-33: Collection of Social Security Numbers


CCB 25-30E:

Errata to Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) Overview


CCB 25-21EII: 

ERRATUM II TO ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT PROGRAM ADMIN SUPPORT ALLOCATION

November 21, 2025


CCB 25-32:

Requirements Regarding Technology And System Improvements Noticing And Provider Information Packet Distribution New Memorandum Of Understanding Provisions: Technology And Systems Improvement, And Provider Information Packet


CCB 25-29:

Cost Of Care Plus Rate Payments To Child Care Providers Pursuant To Senate Bill 151

November 19, 2025

CCB 25-31:

Clarification On The Business Relationship Between The State And Family Child Care Providers


November 19, 2025

CCB 25-24E: ERRATA FOR CONTINUATION OF REIMBURSEMENT BASED ON ENROLLMENT AND MAXIMUM NEED


November 18, 2025

CCB 25-28: One-Time Per-Child Stabilization Payments to Care Providers Pursuant to Senate Bill 151(Chapter 108 Statutes of 2025)

November 13, 2025

CCB 25-27: Processing Late Attendance Records or Invoices

October 27, 2025

CCB 25-27: Processing Late Attendance Records or Invoices

October 24, 2025

CCB 25-26: Cost of Care Plus Rate Payments to Child Care Centers Pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 120 (Chapter 13, Statutes of 2025)


September 26, 2025:

CCB 25-24: Continuation of Reimbursement Based on Enrollment and Maximum Authorized Need

September 22, 2025:


CCB 25-23

Fiscal Year 2025-26 Child Care and Development Budget Overview and Guidance

September 23, 2025:

CCB 25-18:
All Licensed Providers Displayed on Mychildcareplan.org Website

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!


Controller

CDA San Diego


Provider Specialist (Spanish Speaking)
Hively


Child Care Payments Director 4Cs of Sonoma County


Urgent Hire - Mental Health Associate - Los Angeles, CA 90041 - Indeed.com

California Children’s Academy



Advocacy Manager Catalyst Family Inc.


--Resource and Referral Specialist I

--Clerical Assistant – Front Desk

--Family Services Specialist I

--Provider Services Specialist I

Solano Family & Children's Services


Center Director

Early Development Services, Santa Barbara County


-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

Childcare Providers Begin Receiving Measure C Funds


California’s Persistent Poverty Crisis: 2024 Rates Remain Alarmingly High


Experts Talk Costs and Supply in California’s Child Care


Apprenticeships Aimed at Boosting Child Care Careers Have Been Flourishing


Childcare Costs and the Shifting Economic Landscape: Investment Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World


Field Happenings and Resources


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


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.


To advertise in the update, click here.


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.

Thank You to Our Generous 2024-25 Thriving Families CA Foundation Champions!


Thank you to the following Champions who stepped up in 2024-25, with funding to enhance our ability to serve the field. These agencies have made 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.

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