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Katie Hamm, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development at Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Yesterday (Saturday, February 15th) dozens of staff in ACF's early childhood offices received termination notices (Office of Child Care, Office of Early Childhood Development, Office of Head Start). This action will have far reaching and damaging impacts on early care and education in communities across the country. What will it mean? In the short term, slower grant awards, approval for facilities projects, longer timelines for resolving oversight matters, less technical assistance... the list goes on. In the long term, it's an immense loss of talent and subject matter expertise. We have lost dedicated public servants who gave up the prospect of lucrative private sector careers to serve children and families.
I am grateful that organizations like Democracy Forward are pursuing lawsuits to stop this from going forward. In the meantime, the entire early childhood community needs to call Congress and tell them that these reductions in staff will harm children in their communities. This is a backhanded way to cut early childhood programs because it is largely invisible from the American public. If there are not staff to implement programs in the executive branch, it will stifle Congress's ability to fund programs.
On Tuesday, call your Senators and Members of Congress. If you do not know their direct line call (202) 224-3121 and give your location to be connected. Say that you are very concerned to hear that the Administration for Children and Families significantly reduced early childhood staff that work on programs like Head Start and child care. State that this will negatively impact your community. Ask what they will do to restore terminated staff and prevent further cuts.
| Los Angeles Wildfires Resources & Updates | |
Governor Newsom issues executive order to support childcare providers impacted by LA fires
On February 11th, Governor Newsom issued an executive order today ordering the state to ensure that childcare providers impacted by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles are aware of their potential eligibility for Disaster Unemployment Assistance and have the support needed to apply. Claims for disaster unemployment benefits must be filed by March 10. Read the executive order here.
However, Governor Newsom did not extend state payments to providers serving low-income families who were affected by the fires until they can reopen their businesses. This was a demand by Child Care Providers United. Instead, the Governor passed the above executive order directing the California Department of Social Services to individually contact each child care provider who remains closed due to fire damage to discuss their unemployment benefits.
| California State Budget, Legislature & The Capitol | |
California Budget Updates
On January 10th, Governor Newsom released his 2025-26 Proposed Budget.
To support our field keeping up with budget related information, TFC will host updates and information on our Budget Page. any questions.
Upcoming Budget Hearings:
Click here to go to TFC's Budget Page.
| TFC's Featured Bill of the Week | |
AB 318 (Alanis) Child daycare: application: fees.
Author: Assemblymember Juan Alanis
Juan Alanis began his career in public service on his 21st birthday when he proudly pinned on a badge as a law enforcement officer. For nearly three decades, he has dedicated his life to protecting others. Juan has received three awards for saving the lives of others, including a decoration for rescuing a child whose father attempted to burn down their house with her inside.
The newly created 22nd Assembly District is more than just borders on a map; for Juan, it is home. It is where he married his wife, Barbara, raised their three children, and served as a peace officer, protecting and serving in nearly every community in Stanislaus County over the course of his career.
Juan is Vice-Chairman of the Assembly Committees on Public Safety and Agriculture. He also serves on the Assembly Committees for Business & Professions, Labor, Military & Veterans Affairs, and Water, Parks & Wildlife. Juan has also been appointed to over a dozen select committees, highlighting the respect he has earned from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. In 2024, Juan was named Chief Minority Whip and was promoted to Deputy Minority Leader for Operations in 2025.
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Important Dates, Deadlines,
Hearings, and Bills
Dates & Deadlines:
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February 21, 2025 - Last day for bills to be introduced.
Upcoming Informational Hearings
Recently Introduced Bills to Watch:
The following bills of interest have been introduced. You can follow these bills and more on TFC's State Legislation page on our website. Please note that TFC does not formally support nor oppose any bill listed unless explicitly stated.
Legislative Resources:
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See the full 2025-26 Legislative Calendar here.
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Visit TFC's Legislation Page to find a comprehensive list of bills of interest.
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Visit TFC's Budget Page for full budget bill details, as well as budget hearing video archive links.
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Click here to view all the bills that the Assembly and Senate introduced this legislative year.
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Click here to view legislative committee information, rules, and position letter deadlines.
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New Brief from the CA Budget & Policy Center:
"Higher Wages for Early Care and Education Workers Builds a Stronger System"
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Last week, the California Budget and Policy Center released a new brief detailing the need to increase early childhood educators' wages in California.
An excerpt from the brief:
"Policymakers’ failure to consistently update the payment rates for subsidized child care and preschool providers undermines their ability to offer care to children and families while covering the rising cost of business in California.
How Do ECE Professionals’ Wages Compare with the Broader Workforce?
The relatively small percent increase in ECE professionals’ wages is further compounded by the low wages they face, as compared with other professions. This is particularly the case when compared to elementary and middle school teachers, an occupation with similar work and professional qualifications. The chart below compares median wages for ECE professionals, all workers, and K-8 teachers.2"
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Child Care Q&A's
NOTE: If you have a question you would like answered or researched, please email.
Question: Will child care provider Cost of Care monthly payments continue?
Answer: Yes. Enacted in the 2024-25 Budget and referenced to continue in the 2025-26 Proposed Budget, this monthly amount will continue.
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Blog Post: House Republican Budget Would Mean Higher Costs, Less Help for Families, More Tax Windfalls for Wealthy
"The budget resolution directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce the deficit by $880 billion over ten years, a target Republicans have indicated they will hit primarily by cutting Medicaid. Similarly, it directs the House Agriculture Committee to reduce the deficit by $230 billion over ten years, which the committee would achieve primarily by cutting SNAP benefits, restricting eligibility, or both. And it directs the Education and Workforce Committee to reduce the deficit by $330 billion, the bulk of which is likely to come from making student loans more expensive."
Read more here.
Need a refresher on the Budget Reconciliation process? Read the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' blog post on what to watch for here.
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Click here to read the most recent weekly federal update from the National Women's Law Center.
Federal Government Update
House Republicans launched their budget plan out of committee Thursday night — the first legislative step toward fulfilling President Trump’s policy agenda.
However, as Republican hard-liners celebrated a concession they won from party leaders to force deeper spending cuts as part of the GOP’s sweeping policy push, centrists expressed deep alarm about the trajectory of the massive legislation that will include border security, energy, defense and tax provisions.
The emerging fault lines are many: GOP members in high-tax blue states are concerned that the plan doesn’t leave enough room to expand the state and local tax deduction. And Senate Republicans and some House hard-liners aren’t ready to give up on a competing two-bill plan.
But Johnson’s most immediate problem comes from swing-district Republicans who believe that the steep spending cuts Johnson wants across Medicaid, food assistance and other safety-net programs for low-income Americans could cost them their seats — and Johnson his razor-thin GOP majority.
“I don’t know where they’re going to get the cuts,” said Rep. David Valadao, who represents a heavily Democratic district in central California, as he left the Capitol on Thursday. More: Sweeping safety-net cuts have GOP centrists questioning Johnson’s budget - POLITICO
Also, the deadline for keeping the government open is fast approaching. Congress has until March 14th to pass FY25 appropriations bills, or will be forced to pass another Continuing Resolution (CR). CRs are harmful to our federal funding programs because flat funding is a cut. More appropriations background in the section below.
What this means and why it matters:
- Republican majorities in both chambers are planning to eliminate and cut funding to programs that families, children, and early educators rely on in order to pay for harsh immigration policies and tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. With less revenue available, CCDBG, Head Start, the Social Services Block (SSDBG), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and many others remain at risk.
- We know federal funding for programs serving our communities is woefully inadequate, and further cuts would be devastating.
What’s next:
- This partisan plan will be difficult to pass due to the razor-thin majority in the House – if we continue to keep up the pressure on every Member of Congress.
- Please continue to raise your voices about the critical importance of maintaining access to federal funding and no cuts for children, families, and educators AND increasing those funds through annual appropriations.
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Most Viewed Bills of the Week:
1.H.R.899 [119th] To terminate the Department of Education.
2.H.R.86 [119th] NOSHA Act
3.H.R.722 [119th] To implement equal protection under the 14th article of amendment to the Constitution for the right to life of each born and preborn human person.
4.H.R.55 [119th] To repeal the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
5.H.R.8281 [118th] SAVE Act
6.S.5 [119th] Laken Riley Act
7.H.R.25 [119th] FairTax Act of 2025
8.H.Res.59 [119th] Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the sermon given by the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde at the National Prayer Service on January 21st, 2025, at the National Cathedral was a display of political activism and condemning its distorted message.
9.H.Res.7 [119th] Recognizing the importance of access to comprehensive, high-quality, life-affirming medical care for women of all ages.
10.H.R.899 [118th] To terminate the Department of Education.
| CDSS & CDE Upcoming Events | |
Child Development Permit Stipend Virtual Training
The Child Development Training Consortium (CDTC) is offering a virtual training on how to process and submit a Child Development Permit Stipend application.
We will be reviewing the Permit Matrix and the benefits of applying for a permit through CDTC.
Registration spaces will be limited and is first come, first served. Additional information along with the registration link will be available on our CDTC website two weeks prior to each Permit training. For any questions, please reach out to us at CDTC-Permit@yosemite.edu.
Upcoming Dates:
February 19th, 2025, 5:30 P.M.-7:00 P.M.
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Monthly Contractor Meetings- This Thursday!
The Child Care and Development Division held a Contractor Meeting on Thursday, January 16th, 2025 from 10 am to 11 am. Below are the presentation slides from the meeting.
January 2025 Contractor Meeting Presentation PowerPoint Slides
January 2025 Contractor Meeting Presentation Hyperlinks
The next meeting will be on February 20, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Please use this zoom link to register for the meeting.
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Free Webinar: EduPOP! Dismantling the Preschool to Prison Pipeline—Registration Is Open!
The California Department of Social Service (CDSS) is extending an invitation to join a FREE webinar focusing on Dismantling the Preschool to Prison Pipeline. This webinar is funded by CDSS and presented by EduPOP! and WestEd. CDSS is inviting all professional development providers, facilitators, and coaches who support birth to five educators to attend.
In this webinar, we will engage in critical conversations and explore effective strategies to disrupt the systems that often marginalize and exclude young children of color. Our collective efforts can pave the way for more equitable educational environments, fostering positive expectations and successful outcomes for all children.
We encourage you to be part of an essential conversation that aims to reshape our approach to early learning and care and create inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity and champion success for every child.
Learn More Here.
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Equity-Centered Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Advisory Panel
The California Department of Social Services is pleased to announce the fourth convening of the Equity-Centered QRIS Advisory Panel. The fourth Panel meeting will be February 25, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. All meetings are open to the public so that community members can participate and share advice and ideas. The meetings will include interpretation and translation in Spanish, Chinese and American Sign Language, and additional interpretation support will be added to later meetings if needed.
Please save the following details for the next meeting:
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Meeting Announcement: Early Childhood Policy Council Meeting February 26, 2025
Attention: Executive Directors and Program Directors of California State Preschool Programs, and Other Interested Parties
The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to announce the upcoming Early Childhood Policy Council (ECPC) Meeting on Wednesday February 26, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon Pacific Standard Time. The agenda for this meeting is included as an attachment to this email.
This meeting will cover the topics listed below:
- Review of Relevant Items in Governor’s Budget Proposal and ECPC Budget Letter
- Progress on Master Plan for Early Learning and Care
- Update on Rate Reform
- Final Child Care Transition Quarterly Report
- General Public Comment
Physical Meeting Information:
1000 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
WestEd, 5th floor, Capitol Room
Virtual Meeting Registration Information:
https://wested.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VS_sGcOFSQG4BZXhxfjWaQ
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Whole Child Community Equity Workgroup February Meeting
The California Department of Social Services’ Child Care and Development Division would like to invite you to virtually attend the third Whole Child Community Equity Workgroup meeting on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information about the Whole Child Community Equity initiative, and to access previous meeting agendas and recordings, please visit the Whole Child Community Equity Webpage.
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PIN 25-03-CCLD: GUARDIAN TRAINING WEBINAR FOR LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS
CCLD has released a new Provider Information Notice (PIN), PIN 25-03-CCLD: GUARDIANTRAINING WEBINAR FOR LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS
Primary Audience: ALL CCLD FACILITY LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS
Summary: PIN 25-03-CCLD announces a Guardian webinar for all providers on February 26, 2025, from 11:00AM - 12:00 PM.
An electronic copy of PIN 25-03-CCLD: GUARDIAN TRAINING WEBINAR FOR LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS is available for viewing/downloading by clicking on the following link:
PIN 25-03-CCLD: GUARDIAN TRAINING WEBINAR FOR LICENSEES AND PROVIDERS
Previous PINs are available at the CCLD website.
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SAVE THE DATE: Rate and Quality Advisory Panel
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is pleased to announce the next Rate and Quality Advisory Panel meeting is scheduled on March 6, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. All meetings are open to the public so that community members can participate and share advice and ideas. The meetings will include interpretation and translation in Spanish, Chinese and American Sign Language (ASL) and additional interpretation support will be added to later meetings if needed.
Please save the following details for the next meeting:
| CDSS & CDE Information & Updates | |
Notice of Proposed Regulations Public Comment Period
CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP), Bringing Families Home Program (BFH), and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) ORD No. 0424-03
The California Department of Social Services has provided a Notice of Proposed Regulatory Action for: CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP), Bringing Families Home program (BFH), and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP), ORD No. 0424-03 as published by Office of Administrative Law on February 7, 2025: California Regulatory Notice Register 2025
| Upcoming Thriving Families CA (TFC) Events | |
Follow TFC on social media!
We would love for you to tag us in your posts and use the hashtag #TFC2025
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The Impact of Pandemic Relief Funds on California's Early Care and Education Programs and Workforce | Center for the Study of Child Care Employment | |
Federal legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic helped avert disaster by stabilizing child care programs throughout the nation, providing more than $5 billion in short-term pandemic relief funding to California’s early care and education (ECE) sector.
This report explores the impacts of COVID-19 on California’s child care businesses and the role of pandemic relief funding, drawing from our 2023 California ECE Workforce Study. It covers the period from 2021 to 2023 when the state received its largest share of federally allocated funds.
Our findings show that:
- Short-term pandemic funding did not fully address the chronic funding issues plaguing early care and education. Only 19 percent of FCC providers and 28 percent of center directors reported no pandemic-related business challenges.
- The challenges were not felt equally among programs and providers. FCC providers were four times more likely than center directors to report being unable to pay themselves and to have taken on personal debt to cover program operations.
- Programs used pandemic funds mostly to sustain operations. The majority of FCC providers (78 percent) and center directors (70 percent) used pandemic funds to cover staff salaries, compared to only 24 percent and 33 percent, respectively, who used it to increase staff salaries or wages.
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Happening This Week, February 17 - 21, 2025:
Monday, February 17th:
Tuesday, February 18th:
Thursday, February 20th:
- TFC Membership Committee Meeting @ 9:00am
- CCDD Monthly Contractor Meeting @ 10:00am
Thriving Families California is committed to supporting our field with a coordinated calendar. Click here to see current calendar of events. If you have an event to add, email us and it will be added.
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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.
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Thank You to Our Generous 2024-25
Thriving Families CA (TFC) Champions!
We appreciate the tremendous support from our 2024-25 TFC Champion Members. These members have stepped up, making it possible for TFC to support our field with more tailored support of individual organizations, ability to pay for legal, advocacy and social media supports, enhanced regional trainings, improving data collection, and more.
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February 2025 Featured Agency Highlight
4Cs of Alameda County
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Public and private community-based organizations known as Alternative Payment Programs (APPs) support the needs of working moms and dads with access to child care and other supports earmarked to lift families up from poverty. During the pandemic, these programs have distributed emergency essential worker child care vouchers, family child care and center stipends & PPE, diapers, food and clothing. Throughout California, these APPs may also support parental choice to CalWORKs Stages 2 & 3, preschool and center-based programs, general child care, After School Education and Safety (ASES), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Family Child Care Home Education Networks (FCCHENs), transportation, behavioral & mental health services, respite, regional centers, health and safety, 21st Century, resource libraries, and Trustline.
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4Cs of Alameda County is a non-profit family resource agency dedicated to strengthening children, families and child care providers in Alameda County since 1972. We provide access to affordable, quality child care by connecting families and providers to a wide network of community partners, child focused resources and financial assistance programs.
4Cs offers an extensive database of state licensed child care providers, payment assistance programs, child health and nutrition education and a staff of specialists who speak multiple languages. Our child care information and referral services are free to all parents, regardless of income. We also support local child care providers with free and low cost training, business counseling, professional development, and funding in order to improve the quality of child care services within Alameda County.
The result is stronger children, families, and child care providers who enrich the communities around them.
| Get to know them and the full scope of their work by reading their Impact Report highlighting how they are supporting the needs of family child care providers and families in Alameda County. | February 2025 Monday Morning Update Sponsor | |
TFC Member Only Benefits
Not a member?
Find out how to join today!
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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.
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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!
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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 2024-25 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 CO- CHAIR
Teri Sedrick
North Coast Opportunities, Inc.
PUBLIC POLICY CO- CHAIR
Phillip Warner
Children's Council of San Francisco
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Jeanne Fridolfs
Napa County Office of Education
MEMBER AT LARGE
Joie Owen
Valley Oak Children's Services
MEMBER AT LARGE
Karen Marlatt
Valley Oak Children's Services
MEMBER AT LARGE
Adonai Mack
Child Action, Inc.
MEMBER AT LARGE
Tina Barna
MEMBER AT LARGE
Jessica Kranz
Go Kids, Inc.
MEMBER AT LARGE
Mike Michelon
Denyne Micheletti Colburn
TFC CEO
The representation of the TFC board spreads across all agency types and sizes, and represents voices from nearly every region in California.
Click Here to see.
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DSS & CDE Updates
January 22, 2025
CCB 25-01: Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children
December 20, 2024
Management Bulletin 24-12:
Guidance on the required family childcare provider data elements to be reported.
December 16, 2024
Management Bulletin 24-11:
Guidance on Cost of Care Plus Rate Allocations and Transitional Payments for the California State Preschool Program
December 13, 2024
Management Bulletin 24-10:
Guidance on Suspension and Expulsion in California State Preschool Program Family Childcare Home Education Networks
December 2, 2024
CCB 24-23: Suspension and Expulsion Policies in Family Child Care Home Education Networks
October 31, 2024
CCB 24-25: Process to Assign Relinquished Funds to Child Care and Development Contractors
October 22, 2024
CCB 24-24: Alternative Payment Program Administrative Supportive Allocation
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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!
Executive Director
FIRST 5 San Benito
Executive Director Infant Child Enrichment Services (ICES)
Early Development Services, Santa Barbara County
Family Engagement Supervisor
Children's Council San Francisco
-Director of Programs
4Cs Sonoma County
-Health Specialist
-Sub Teacher-Child Dev
-Associate Teacher-Child Dev
-LPC Coordinator
-Home Base Educator
Colusa County Office of Education
-Program Services Assistant III
-Local Child Care Planning Coordinator
-Teachers - Child Development
Colusa County Office of Education
-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
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Become a Monday
Morning Update Partner!
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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.
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