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. 

Governor Newsom Releases his Proposed 2026-27 Budget

Last Friday, Governor Newsom released his proposed 2026-27 budget. You can watch the recording of the budget release here. Click here to see the 2026-27 budget summary. More resources, including investments in child care, are posted on TFC's Budget page.

This Friday at 10 am: CalBudget Center Webinar on Governor's Budget

When: January 16, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.

Where: Zoom, click here to register

Description: Following Governor Newsom’s proposed 2026-27 budget, the Budget Center team will provide an overview of significant proposals and address critical questions about our state’s fiscal future.

Upcoming Budget Hearings

• Assembly Budget Committee - Tuesday, January 20, 2026 @ 11:00 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 1100
• Overview of Governor's 2026 Budget
• Senate Budget Committee - Wednesday, January 21, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 1100
• Overview of the Governor's 2026-27 Proposed Budget

Webinar and Report: Little Hoover Commission Urges Full and Timely Payment for California’s Nonprofit Partners

Join the Webinar Online or By Phone Via Zoom

URL: https://bit.ly/3YHIsfG

Webinar ID: 913 1789 2188

Passcode: 928433

Phone: (888) 788 0099

On Friday, January 16, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a webinar to present The Commission’s latest report Shared Priorities, Strained Systems: Modernizing State Grants and Contracts with Nonprofits, which includes recommendations such as full and timely payment for nonprofit partners and reducing administrative burdens. The Commission encourages members of the public to engage in public comment at the end of the webinar.

The need for the report came from two bills sponsored by CalNonprofits last year as a part of their Nonprofit Equity Initiative. Both bills are 2-year bills and may be acted on this year:

• AB 880 (Bennett): Continues our push for two key objectives: 1) remove a long-standing exemption in the state’s Prompt Payment Act and require timely payments for services rendered by nonprofits; 2) improve coverage of nonprofits’ indirect costs, consistent with the federal government’s approach.
• AB 1039 (Hart): Builds on the state’s existing advance payment practices for state grants and contracts with nonprofits by requiring all new grants and contracts administered by state agencies, beginning January 1, 2026, to provide advance payment to nonprofits.

Senate Leader Limón Announces Senate Leadership and Committee Membership Appointments

Senate President pro Tempore, Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), announced the Senate Democratic Leadership Team and committee membership assignments for the remainder of the 2025-2026 session. Click here for the full list of committee assignments released by Senate Pro Tempore Monique Limon.

Leadership appointments and changes to Budget and Budget Subcommittees, and Natural Resources and Water Committee will take immediate effect. All other changes, including the creation of new committees, will take effect on February 1, 2026.

Budget & Fiscal Review 

Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) (Chair)

Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) (Vice Chair)

Senator Catherine S. Blakespear (D-Encinitas)

Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo)

Senator Steven “Steve” Choi (R-Irvine)

Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles)

Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach)

Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield)

Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield)

Senator Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton)

Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley)

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa)

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena)

Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton)

Senator Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro)

Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta)

Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles)

Senator Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego)

Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education

Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) (Chair)

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa)

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena)

Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services

Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) (Chair)

Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield)

Senator Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego)

Human Services

Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) (Chair)

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) (Vice Chair)

Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz)

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena)

Senator Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego)

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!

Our next partner meeting is Tuesday, January 20 via Zoom at 3:30 p.m., and we’d love for you to join us to connect with other partners, learn more about Advocacy Day, and explore how your organization can contribute to statewide efforts. Email McKenzie Richardson if you need the invitation information.

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:

• January 16 - Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house in the odd-numbered year.
• January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observed.
• January 23 - Last day for any committee to hear and report to the Floor bills introduced in that house in the odd-numbered year. Last day to submit bill requests to the Office of Legislative Counsel.
• January 31 - Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house in the odd- numbered year.

Upcoming Hearings:

• Senate Human Services Committee - Monday, January 12, 2026 @ 3 p.m. or upon adjournment of Session - 1021 O Street, Room 2100
• Assembly Human Services Committee - Tuesday, January 13, 2026 @ 1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 437
• Assembly Health Committee - Tuesday, January 13, 2025 @ 1:30 p.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 1100
• Senate Education Committee - Wednesday, January 14, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 2100

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.

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

New Updates on CCDF and Federal Proposed Rule Posted to TFC's Webpage: Head Start and Federal Safety Net Programs

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

Included on the webpage:

• ACF letters to California notifying freeze on CCDF, TANF, and SSBG funds
• New proposed federal rule + 30-day public comment period
• National advocacy resources

Latest: Federal Judge Halts Trump Administration’s Attempt to Freeze Child Care Funds

A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from freezing billions of dollars in federal funding for child care subsidies and other supports for low-income families, granting immediate relief to California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. The states argued the sudden funding freeze was unlawful and had already caused significant operational disruption to programs serving children and families. California Attorney General Rob Bonta secured a temporary restraining order preventing the administration from withholding approximately $10 billion nationwide, including an estimated $5 billion for California, ensuring critical child care and family support funds continue to flow—for now.

Congressman Kevin Kiley Announces Child Care Hearing This Week

Tomorrow, at 7:15 a.m. PT, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, chaired by Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA), will hold a hearing titled "Who’s Watching the Kids? How Employers, Innovators, and Parents Are Solving America’s Child Care Crunch." Click here to learn more.

When:

10:15 a.m. ET / 7:15 a.m. PT on Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Where:

2175 Rayburn House Office Building

Watch Live:

The hearing is open to the press and will be live-streamed on the Committee’s YouTube page.

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

Federal Government Update 

This week, 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.
• BREAKING NEWS: Judge Blocks Trump Officials From Freezing Billions in Social Services Funds: Live Updates - The New York Times
• 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.
• More: CCDF Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 2026 Summary (CCAoA)

⇒ We will share a comment template in the coming weeks.

• Reports are coming out of Ohio, Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Maine, and 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. More: Child Care Leaders Call for Immediate End to Armed Enforcement, Citizen Policing, and Intimidation in Our Communities – Child Care For Every Family Network

More:

• BACKGROUND: Trump Administration’s Withholding of Child Care Funding (Child Care for Every Family Network)
• RAPID RESPONSE PLAN: Child Care Funding Freeze (Child Care for Every Family Network)
• Trump’s Child Care Funding Freeze: Stories & Impact on the Ground (Child Care for Every Family Network)
• Message Guidance_Child Care Funding Freeze (Community Change)

Protect Head Start & Early Head Start 

NEW: 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

• Child Care Messaging Post-Reconciliation (c3/c4) (Child Care for Every Family Network)
• Find in-person and online events here: CHN/partner events joint calendar
• SRA+SiX TOOLKIT: State Response to Federal Tax Bill
• Tell Congress: Save Head Start for Families (NWLC)
• Messaging Guide for Child Care (c3 version) (c4 version) (Child Care for Every Family Network)
• Interactive Data Dashboard (Center for American Progress)
• Click the link below for a full list of actions under "Federal Update"

Most Viewed Bills of the Week:

1.H.R.4818 [118th] Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023. For current Congress, see S. 1973

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

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

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

5.H.R.131 [119th] Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act

6.S.2296 [119th] National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

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

8.H.R.38 [119th] Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025

9.H.R.6509 [119th] SAFE Drugs Act of 2025

10.S.3516 [118th] A bill to impose a fee on certain remittance transfers to fund border security.

CDSS & CDE Upcoming Events

Webinar Announcement: Requirements for Equipment Purchase Approval Requests and Subcontract Approval Requests for California State Preschool Programs

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

The California Department of Education (CDE), Early Education Division (EED) is hosting a webinar to provide updates on Requirements for Equipment Purchase Approval Requests (EPARs) and Subcontract Approval Requests for California State Preschool Programs (CSPP). The goal of this webinar is to provide information on when to submit the EPAR form, when a subcontract is needed, how to meet bidding and documentation requirements, and what qualifies for preapproved purchases.



This webinar is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (Pacific Time).

Registration is required for this webinar. Please click the link below to register for this upcoming opportunity and the log-in information will be sent shortly after registration is complete. In addition, please submit any questions you may have regarding EPARs and Subcontract Approval Requests.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w1t288_URiyyHF9XTSdidA

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 January 7, 2026: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25-34: 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 the following document: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25-34: Mandatory Transition to the Updated Desired Results Development Profile (DRDP) 2025

The purpose of this Child Care Bulletin (CCB) is to inform all Child Care & Development Division contractors of the implementation of the new Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) 2025 as the official child assessment tool effective July 1, 2026. The transition to the DRDP 2025 tool aligns with California’s commitment to quality improvement and equitable outcomes in early education.

For any further questions or any additional guidance regarding the information in this letter, email CRRP@dss.ca.gov.

DSS Family Engagement and Empowerment Division Document Posted

ACL 25-91 (December 30, 2025)

Trial Transition of CalFresh Federal Quality Control Active Case Reviews To CDSS

DSS Office of Equity Division Document Posted

ACL 25-87 (December 22, 2025)

Documentation of Reasonable Accommodation in the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS)

RELEASED December 23, 2025: Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 24-04e: Notice of Rescission

Pending further review, CCB 24-04e has been rescinded and is no longer in effect. This change is effective immediately. 

PIN 25-07-CRP: 2025 Chaptered Legislation Affecting Children’s Residential Facilities and Homes: Summary and Implementation

CCLD has released a new Provider Information Notice (PIN), PIN 25-07-CRP: 2025 Chaptered Legislation Affecting Children’s Residential Facilities and Homes: Summary and Implementation

Primary Audience:

ALL CHILDREN’S RESIDENTIAL LICENSEES

ALL FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY APPROVED HOMES

ALL CHILDREN’S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM STAFF

Summary:

PIN 25-07-CRP provides implementation information and a summary of legislation chaptered in 2025 affecting licensed Children’s Residential Facilities. The PIN also notes when the statutes referenced become operative.

An electronic copy of PIN 25-07-CRP: 2025 Chaptered Legislation Affecting Children’s Residential Facilities and Homes: Summary and Implementation is available for viewing/downloading by clicking on the following link:

PIN 25-07-CRP: 2025 Chaptered Legislation Affecting Children’s Residential Facilities and Homes: Summary and Implementation

Notice of the Payment Integrity and Information Act of 2019 Review Cycle

In accordance with the Payment Integrity and Information Act of 2019 (PIIA), the Child Care and Development Division – Program Integrity and Improvement (PII) Section is conducting its triennial review to assess the risk of improper payments within our programs. This year marks California’s third year in the review cycle.

As part of this effort:

• A total of 276 files will be reviewed statewide, selected via randomized methodology.
• Through the PIIA the state is required to measure, calculate, and report improper payments, and will identify strategies for reducing future improper payments.

What Does this Mean for Contractors?

Beginning in December 2025, the PII staff will contact contractors who have family data files that were randomly selected for the sample pull for the PIIA review. Contractors will receive a phone call and an e-mail that will provide information to identify the selected family/child file(s), the applicable review month(s) and whether the review of the family data file will be conducted on-site or remotely.

The PIIA review of the family data files may be completed on-site or remotely. Contractors will be asked to make all selected family data files and associated supporting documentation available to the PII reviewers (a checklist will be provided that includes all the documents that will be reviewed). If the family data file is completed remotely the contractor will receive the same checklist, as well as directions on how to upload the requested documentation to a secure zip drive.

The process of reviewing family data files for the PIIA review will begin in January 2026.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this email, please contact PII Managers:

• Miguel Zuloaga by phone at 916-858-9623 or by email at Miguel.Zuloaga@dss.ca.gov 
• Vanessa Saunders by phone at 916-639-6445 or by email at Vanessa.Saunders@dss.ca.gov 
• Monica Escamilla by phone at 916-584-2346 or by email at Monica.Escamilla@dss.ca.gov

CCLD has released a new Provider Information Notice (PIN), PIN 25-19-CCLD: Estimated SSI/SSP Payment Standards Effective January 1, 2026

Primary Audience:

ALL RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY CARE PROVIDERS

Summary:

PIN 25-19-CCLD releases the updated estimated Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplementary Payment (SSP) payment standards effective January 1, 2026, for Non-Medical Out-of-Home Care (NMOHC) – Licensed Facility or Without In-Kind Room and Board.

An electronic copy of PIN 25-19-CCLD: Estimated SSI/SSP Payment Standards Effective January 1, is available for viewing/downloading by clicking on the following link:

PIN 25-19-CCLD: Estimated SSI/SSP Payment Standards Effective January 1, 2026

January 2026 Monday Morning Update Sponsor

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, January 12 - January 16, 2026: 


Tuesday, January 13th:

• CalHR Monthly Forum @ 10:00am.
• TFC Foundation Weekly Member Connections Meeting @ 1:00 p.m. Email to register.
• TFC Foundation Rural Cooperative Meeting @ 2:00pm

Thursday, January 15th:

• TFC Foundation Membership Committee Meeting @ 9:00am
  

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.