California Alliance of Child & Family Services

Congratulations to Helena Lopez, CEO of A Greater Hope, for being named the 2024 Champion for Children by the First 5 Riverside County Children & Families Commission! Ms, Lopez and A Greater Hope have helped over 6,000 children find loving homes since 2002. Her innovations include ensuring Black and Biracial foster youth receive culturally appropriate hair and skin care, creating resources and training to empower caregivers. "At A Greater Hope, we ask how we can help the family and the greater community. It’s about partnership and making ideas real together," Ms. Lopez shared. Thank you, Ms. Lopez, for your unwavering dedication to children and families! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gq-83KPA

Two of our incredible member organizations, Children's Institute, and Two Feathers Native American Family Services, have been awarded grant funding as part of the Elevate Youth California (EYC) program! This initiative, spearheaded by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), is providing nearly $65.5 million to expand substance use disorder (SUD) prevention programs for youth across the state. - Children's Institute, Inc. received $800,000 to empower Black and Latinx youth in Los Angeles through leadership development, peer mentoring, and community-building efforts that build protective factors against substance use. - Two Feathers Native American Family Services was awarded $1 million to engage Native youth in Humboldt County with intergenerational mentorship, advocacy skill-building, and cultural revitalization to address root causes of substance use in tribal communities. These grants are critical for supporting culturally responsive, trauma-informed programs that foster resilience, healing, and positive change. Let’s celebrate these achievements and the ongoing work to build brighter futures for California’s youth! 

Today, Adrienne Shilton, our Vice President of Public Policy, participated in a panel discussion on Youth Health & Government hosted by The LegiSchool Project at Sacramento State. The event brought together high school students and their educators to explore how government policies impact youth health and ways young people can engage in these critical decisions. The LegiSchool Project is an incredible civic education initiative that connects California students with state leaders, fostering interest in public policy and empowering youth to take an active role in shaping their communities. We are honored to support projects like LegiSchool that amplify youth voices and encourage participation in our political process. Let’s continue working together to ensure every young person feels empowered to make a difference!

The California Alliance is proud to celebrate the incredible collaboration between Family Care Network, Inc. and the County of San Luis Obispo on the CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP). For 10 years, this partnership has transformed lives, creating housing stability and empowering nearly 1,500 families and 2,500 children on California’s central coast. - 799 families transitioned from homelessness to permanent housing - 101 families saved from eviction - Wraparound services that build long-term stability and independence This program showcases the power of community partnerships to provide housing, hope and opportunity. Through innovative approaches, case management, and collaboration with local landlords, the HSP has helped families create a foundation for a brighter future. We applaud Family Care Network, the County of San Luis Obispo, and everyone involved in making this program a success. Your dedication to improving lives inspires us all. John Laird Dawn Addis Read the full press release to learn more about this transformative work: https://shorturl.at/dC1rn

Don't miss this training tomorrow! Expanding and Maximizing Transitional Housing Program Options for Former Foster Youth Presenters. Hear from our TAY panel how they contributed to our policy recommendations resulting in the passing of AB 2802, the findings from our TAY Hub research, and other ways our CA Alliance and Catalyst teams are advocating for ways we can expand and maximize housing capacity for transition aged youth exiting foster care! Register now: https://lnkd.in/gfmZ4RbJ

We’re proud to share our new report, The Impact of Investing in Community-Based Programs for Systems-Impacted Youth, which highlights the life-changing power of community-driven solutions for justice-involved youth. This report underscores why investing in community-based organizations (CBOs) is essential to creating a justice system that fosters growth, healing, and brighter futures. Justice-involved youth often face barriers rooted in trauma, inequitable social conditions, and unstable environments. Traditional punitive systems fail to address these root causes, leading to recidivism and further disconnection. CBOs change the narrative by providing tailored, trauma-informed care that meets youth where they are, fostering trust, empowerment, and growth. Report Highlights: - Trinity Youth Services’ SAFETTY Program: A trauma-informed approach helping youth develop life skills and reunite with families. This program boasts a 100% permanency rate within a year of completion. - Rancho San Antonio’s Youth Diversion Program: Offers trauma-informed, strength-based interventions to prevent deeper involvement in the justice system. Their creative arts program helps youth heal through expression. - Youth Testimonies: Participants describe feeling “truly heard and supported,” building trust with mentors and peers who share lived experiences. Legislative Wins in 2024: Our advocacy efforts, alongside community partners, helped pass crucial laws: - AB 1877: Automatically seals juvenile records upon turning 18, eliminating barriers to employment, housing, and education. - AB 866: Empowers youth to independently access opioid use disorder treatments, ensuring timely and life-saving care. Investing in these programs benefits the youth and society as a whole. Reduced recidivism, increased opportunity, and stronger communities are the outcomes of prioritizing care over punishment. As one participant shared: "Their consistent presence, offering love, support, and resources, was a lifeline for me. No matter how much I struggled, they never gave up on me. That left a lasting impact." Read the Full Report: https://shorturl.at/KjJWS

The California legislative session is underway, and we are excited to welcome back returning legislators and extend a warm welcome to the incoming class of 2025! As an organization dedicated to supporting foster youth, families, and vulnerable communities across California, we’re eager to work with lawmakers on policies that create meaningful change. We look forward to connecting with legislators and stakeholders throughout this session to champion the issues that matter most. Here’s to a productive and impactful 2025 session!

The CA Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission welcomes new leadership with Mayra E. Alvarez as Chair and Al Rowlett as Vice Chair for 2025. Their terms begin as Proposition 1—the Behavioral Health Services Act—takes effect, modernizing mental health systems across California. We are proud to support the Commission’s mission of ensuring effective, culturally competent care for all Californians. Congratulations, Mayra and Al! Read the full release: https://lnkd.in/gJVAtnWA

*Now Hiring* Community Wellness Trainer! The Community Wellness Trainer, under the supervision of the Director of Community Restoration and Consultation, will play an integral role in the Catalyst Center’s training development and delivery of statewide training for non-behavioral health professionals as funded by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). Training is intended to center youth voices while equipping adults in diverse communities throughout the state with knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to youth substance use and other behavioral health concerns. The Community Wellness Trainer will provide ongoing consultation, training, and technical assistance to communities and their youth-serving organizations across the state of California. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gCtVAuvc