April 2026 Newsletter
Spring is in full swing, just like our advocacy
This April, we celebrated the Week of the Young Child, Black Maternal Health Week, and on April 30 we’ll mark el Día del Niño. Spring is the perfect time of year for these celebrations – ones that mirror the blossoming of life and bring promise for the future.
We keep this promise in mind as we approach the May Revise, when the California Governor releases their revised budget proposal. The Children’s Partnership is working hard to ensure the interests of all children and families are represented and supported equitably, so they can see the beauty of their lives bloom from the seeds sown now.
The May revision of the Governor’s January budget proposal is a strong indicator of what will be signed into law come June. But it’s not set in stone: There is still time to advocate for policies, programs, and funding that work for our youngest residents in ways that support their health and well-being – now, and into their thriving futures. See updates to TCP’s bills and budget asks below.
Our state senate recently released its plan that addresses many of the harmful cuts in the Governor’s January budget proposal. TCP applauds the senate’s direction, and we will continue to push for a three-party budget agreement that bolsters health equity for all our children.
Update: TCP-sponsored bills and budget items
AB 2161: PEER Act
The Peer Employment Equity Reform (PEER) Act establishes automatic background check exemptions for current and former foster youth to become peer mentors. The bill reduces employment barriers and expands opportunities for justice system-involved youth, particularly youth of color, who are more often impacted by low-level criminal records compared to their white, non-system-involved peers.
TCP is honored to be co-sponsoring this bill with Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, County Welfare Directors Association of California, and California Alliance of Child and Family Services.
On April 14, the PEER Act received unanimous support in the Assembly Human Services Committee, a strong and exciting milestone for the bill. Notably, one committee member shared that they changed their vote after hearing former foster youth Rudy Santo’s testimony, underscoring the powerful impact of lived experience in this work. On April 21, the bill was heard in the Assembly Public Safety Committee and referred to Assembly Appropriations.
AB 2201: Medi-Cal Renewal Relief Act
The Medi-Cal Renewal Relief Act would reinstate proven Medi-Cal eligibility strategies to streamline renewals, reduce coverage terminations, and ease county administrative burdens so staff can focus on complex cases and critical H.R. 1 implementation tasks. TCP is proud to co-sponsor AB 2201 alongside Western Center on Law & Poverty, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, Health Access California, National Health Law Program, and Justice in Aging.
On April 7, the bill passed out of the Assembly Health Committee with unanimous support. AB 2201 now awaits a hearing date in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If your organization would like to submit a letter of support, feel free to use this template.
$750,000 budget ask: Community Health Worker Medi-Cal Benefit Report
This $750,000 budget request would support the Department of Health Care Services to report on utilization of the Community Health Worker Medi-Cal Benefit. This report would promote transparency and ensure Californians are accessing the services for which they are eligible. TCP, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, and Visión y Compromiso are co-sponsoring this budget ask.
On April 9, TCP joined the Community Health Workers, Promotoras, and Representatives (CHW/P/R) Coalition in Sacramento for a successful advocacy day. We met with legislators’ offices and participated in the Senate Subcommittee 3 budget hearing, educating, uplifting, and reinforcing the value of CHW/P/Rs and highlighting the need for continued investment in the CHW/P/R workforce, which supports the health and well-being of our children and families.
Protect children, end family detention
Human Rights First and RAICES released a new joint report that exposes the profound physical and psychological harm that detainment at Dilley Immigration Processing Center inflicts on families and children. The report finds that more than 5,600 people – including parents, children, toddlers, and newborns – have been detained at Dilley between April 2025 and February 2026, and discusses the facility’s inhumane conditions as well as widespread due process violations. Read the report here.
Sign on to urge the closure of Dilley ICE detention center and end family detention:
Spread the word: Share this post from Children’s Rights. You can also urge your Congressional representatives to end family detention by texting and calling with these prompts from Each Step Home.
ALL IN for Safe Schools releases 2026 Policy & Budget Agenda
The Legislature is back in session, and the May budget revision is just weeks away. California’s children, especially those in immigrant families and LGBTQ+ youth, are facing one of the most challenging political environments in a generation.
The 16 priorities on the ALL IN for Safe Schools 2026 Policy & Budget Agenda reflect our shared commitment to protect and strengthen safe, welcoming, and affirming schools and early learning environments across California.
For advocacy organizations: If your organization would like to formally sign on to any of these priorities or coordinate advocacy efforts ahead of the May revision, please contact Liza M. Davis at ldavis@childrenspartnership.org.
A Golden State for Care outlines solutions to child care system
A Golden State for Kids, which brings together families, providers, child advocacy organizations, and businesses to build demand for accessible child care in California, is launching a new communications tool called A Golden State for Care to help audiences understand the pillars of a strong child care system.
The public needs a greater understanding of not only the challenges in today’s child care system, but also what a quality
system that serves all communities can look like. By talking about solutions, we can channel the momentum we’re seeing around child care across California.
A Golden State for Care is built specifically with public audiences in mind — it’s grounded in research into what language really resonates with everyday Californians. It’s designed to be a simple tool that helps build public understanding, centered around the 4 S’s: supplying access for every family, supporting a sustainable provider workforce, sustaining reliable funding streams, and simplifying navigation for all.
The Children’s Partnership is proud to be a part of the team driving the A Golden State for Kids campaign.
New resources examine threats to children’s access to education
Kids in Need of Defense has released two new resources on challenges to children’s access to education, particularly for unaccompanied children:
“Undermining Children’s Access to Education” outlines how recent policy developments and immigration operations are affecting school enrollment and attendance for children in immigrant families.
“Renewed Attacks on Plyler v. Doe Threaten Educational Access for All Children—Including Unaccompanied Children” reviews renewed legal and policy debates surrounding Plyler v. Doe, the Supreme Court decision affirming access to free public K-12 education regardless of immigration status.
PEER Act featured in The Imprint
Former foster youth Rudy Santo Castro wrote an opinion piece on the PEER Act for The Imprint. The article notes that TCP is a co-sponsor of the legislation.
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