August 2025 Enewsletter
TCP Continues Fight for Well-being of Children in Immigrant Families
The Children’s Partnership is dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of all California’s children – and that includes children in immigrant families, one of the federal government’s most prominent targets. Between so-called immigration enforcement actions and cutting benefits for immigrants, these callous decisions by President Trump’s administration are literally tearing families apart and endangering children’s health and well-being. In the face of this adversity, here are some of TCP’s recent efforts to support our communities’ families.
On August 19, Liza Davis, TCP advocacy director of children in immigrant families, testified at a joint Senate and Assembly Committees on Health informational hearing. Along with CHIRLA and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Liza joined a panel on the community health impacts of recent federal immigration enforcement actions.
Liza specifically spoke on the impacts of immigration enforcement on California’s children. She highlighted a critical but often overlooked issue: how immigration enforcement disrupts children’s access to early childhood education and schools – spaces that are essential to their health and development.
“In addition to access to medical care, children’s health is shaped by social, emotional and family well-being; safe neighborhoods; nurturing relationships; and supportive learning environments. ECE spaces and K-12 schools are amongst the most important environments for building this well-being,” she said. “They are often the first community spaces outside the home where children learn social-emotional skills, experience belonging and connect with critical supports. When immigration enforcement reaches into or near these spaces, it undermines every protective factor that children rely on.”
To learn more about our efforts to support safe spaces in schools and early care and education for children in immigrant families, visit ALL IN for Safe Schools.
TCP also continues to support AB 49 and AB 495, which are making their way through the Legislature.
AB 495: Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025 (Rodriguez) offers a compassionate, practical solution to cruel immigration enforcement actions: The bill ensures families can prepare for emergencies without fear, safeguards sensitive information, and protects children’s continuity of care. Recently, there have been coordinated efforts to spread misinformation about what AB 495 does and does not do.
“A caregiver’s authorization affidavit does not grant any level of legal custody, does not bypass child welfare protections, does not prevent authorities from investigating abuse or trafficking concerns, and does not supersede any parents’ rights. Any claim that the bill legalizes human trafficking and kidnapping is not only false, but harmful fearmongering that distracts from the actual goal of protecting vulnerable children in times of crisis,” said bill author Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez.
To help combat this misinformation, the bill’s sponsors are sharing the facts and thorough responses to frequently asked questions:
- Bill text
- Press Release: Children’s Advocates and Legal Experts Unite to Support Family Preparedness Plan Act
- AB 495 FAQ Explainer
- Updated AB 495 Fact Sheet
The bill was recently placed in the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file and will be considered this week.
AB 49: California Safe Haven Schools Act (Muratsuchi, Ortega, Rodriguez and Sen. Gonzalez) is designed to protect children in immigrant families by restricting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to school sites and child care centers. The bill was amended to focus on school sites, and passed the Senate Appropriations Committee with a 5-2 vote on August 18. AB 49 goes to the Senate floor next week.
Even though the fight is arduous, TCP will not stop fighting for the betterment of our children and families. Remember, a child is a child. Every child, no matter their immigration status, has a right to grow up healthy and thrive.
Please Share: Survey for CA Families with Children Ages 0-3
The Children’s Partnership is working with FM3 Research, EVITARUS, and Castillo and Associates to conduct confidential research among California families with children ages 3 and under.
Our goal is to elevate the voices of families with young children in California, and examine the economic, social and political challenges they face in the current climate. Particular emphasis will be placed on immigrant families, especially those affected by deportation threats, limited access to public resources due to fear of immigration enforcement, and the associated trauma experienced by children in these communities. Incorporating community-based participatory research approaches to center the voices of affected families, where possible, is essential to this project.
We are requesting your assistance in reaching California families. All studies will be conducted online, be confidential, and participants will be compensated up to $150 for their time. Please share the short message below with your communities:
The Children’s Partnership (TCP), a California advocacy organization advancing child health equity through research, policy and community engagement, is conducting a confidential, anonymous online study of California parents with children ages 3 and under to learn how to better support families statewide. Your information will be kept safe – not shared outside the research team – and used to inform TCP’s advocacy to support the needs of families of young children from diverse backgrounds. There are multiple opportunities to participate in the study. Participating parents of children ages 3 and under will receive $150 for their time! To take a short survey to be considered for the study, go to TCPResearch.com.
Here is a QR code you can use to easily share the above survey link.
Thank you for your help and sharing this with your networks! If you have any questions, please reach out to Sarah Dar at sdar@childrenspartnership.org.
Now Available: An Educator’s Checklist for Supporting Immigrant Students in Schools
ALL IN for Safe Schools and our partners at The Century Foundation are proud to share that our collaborative resource, “An Educator’s Checklist for Supporting Immigrant Students in Schools,” is now available.
This five-step advocacy guide helps educators preserve the integrity of the learning environment and ensure the safety of all students, regardless of citizenship status.
Please share this resource widely with your educator-focused networks.
Here are a few social media posts you can share as well:
Ready Now App for Immigrant Families
Human Rights First’s Innovation Lab, in collaboration with the National Immigration Legal Response Alliance and Acacia Center for Justice, launched a new smartphone app for migrants in fear of separation from their families. The Ready Now App works on iPhones and Android phones.
Key features of the app include:
Currently available in six languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Haitian Kreyol and French
One-click emergency alerts via SMS to pre-selected contacts
Personalized emergency plans for child care, medical needs, legal support and more
Health4All Updated Data-Sharing FAQ
The Health4All coalition recently updated the FAQ they created in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sharing personal information with the Department of Homeland Security. Use this FAQ to inform our communities about the facts, and allow them to make an informed decision about their Medi-Cal status based on their own situation.
Federal Advocacy Toolkit for Parents, Caregivers and Children
National Center for Youth Law is excited to share a new resource: Federal Advocacy Toolkit for Parents & Caregivers.
This non-partisan toolkit is intended to help parents and caregivers take their first steps, alongside their child(ren), to engage in federal advocacy in the United States on issues that matter to them and their families. It does not focus on a specific law or policy, and can be applied to a wide range of issue areas.
Connecting and Reflecting at TCP Summer Retreat, Board Gathering
This August, The Children’s Partnership came together for two special moments of connection and reflection.
On August 13 and 14, our team gathered at Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica for our annual summer retreat. With the ocean breeze and boardwalk nearby, we stepped back from our day-to-day activities to focus on TCP’s culture and how we show up for one another. Between thoughtful conversations, moments of joy and walks in the sun, the retreat gave us space to recharge and prepare for the work ahead.
Following this theme, on Saturday August 16, TCP staff and board members gathered in sunny San Diego. Families came together for an afternoon of good food, games and plenty of laughs. It was a wonderful way to build connection across our team and board in a relaxed, lighthearted setting, reminding us that community is at the heart of our work.
We’re Hiring! Vice President of Culture, People and Operations
Are you a systems thinker with a heart for people and a head for strategy? Do you believe that real organizational health comes from a culture of trust, transparency and care – backed up by solid systems, transparent decision-making and strong financial processes? If so, we want you on our team.
The Children’s Partnership is a California-based advocacy organization working to advance child health equity through bold policy, innovative research and authentic community engagement. We believe that kids deserve a fair shot at a healthy, bright future—and we’re looking for a Vice President of Culture, People and Operations, who’s ready to help us make that happen.
You’ll be the heartbeat of TCP’s internal operations, ensuring our people, processes and resources are aligned for impact. You’ll champion an inclusive, equitable culture where staff feel seen, heard and supported, and you’ll build the kind of infrastructure that helps big ideas take flight. As VP, you’ll lead HR, finance, technology and administration with a steady hand and a strategic eye—making sure our systems not only work but work for our people.
Somos Latine Families Returns this Fall with New Episodes
The Children’s Partnership is partnering with Brazelton Touchpoints Center to present the 2025 Somos Latine Families webinar series for the fourth year!
Somos Latine Families is a free, four-episode virtual conversation series created by and for Latine families. In today’s complex and challenging social and political climate, our families are navigating parenting with strength, resilience and deep cultural wisdom. This series offers a supportive space to explore what it means to raise young children in the United States, while holding on to our culture, values and dreams for our children. Together, we’ll discuss parenting in a bicultural world; building our children’s mental and emotional health; and protecting our families through connection, identity and care.
Somos Latine Families is moderated by Eva Rivera, Brazelton Touchpoints Center national facilitator.
Series Details
Dates: September 8, October 6 and 27, and November 10
Times: 12-1 p.m. PT
Format: Each webinar is a one-hour session with parent and content expert panelists
Join us for Episode 1, Creating Safe Spaces for Immigrant Families in Early Childhood, on Monday, September 8.
You’re Invited: Zero to Three Jamboree!
Child care is the rhythm that keeps LA going—and this summer, we’re celebrating the caregivers and families who make it all possible!
The Zero to Three Jamboree, from A Golden State for Kids, is about fun, family and appreciation. Enjoy music, crafts, delicious food, interactive art and more — all at the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park. Families and individuals of all ages are welcome.
Please reach out to info@agoldenstateforkids.org if you need ADA accommodations or assistance. ASL interpretation will be available.
Tickets are FREE (registration is required and tickets are limited) and so is parking! The venue is also accessible via public transportation.
Doors open at 10 a.m. The first 125 children will receive a gift bag!
Registrations close on September 8 at 6 p.m. PT.
9th Annual Wellness Together Conference
The 9th Annual Wellness Together Conference, held in partnership with the California Department of Education, will be held September 29-October 1 at the San Diego Convention Center. The conference is a curated experience to connect, equip and inspire the best minds in education and mental health for meaningful impact.
This year’s keynote speakers include:
- Dr. Vivek Murthy, 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States
- Dr. John B. King Jr., 10th U.S. Secretary of Education
- Rainn Wilson, actor and author of Soul Boom
- Anya Kamenetz, longtime NPR education correspondent
- Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs, sociologist and New York Times bestselling author
- Michael Tubbs, the youngest mayor of any major city in the United States
EdSource Quotes Vázquez on Gov. Newsom’s Mental Health Executive Order
Angela M. Vázquez, TCP advocacy director of mental health, spoke to EdSource about Gov. Newsom’s executive order to expand mental health support to boys and young men in California in an effort to address loneliness and depression. “It remains to be seen where the long-term funding for these efforts, particularly for non-clinical youth development programs and community-defined practices, will be resourced from,” she said. The story was also picked up by LAist.
Mayra E. Alvarez Explains Importance of CHW/P/Rs
TCP President Mayra E. Alvarez participated in a Q&A with the California Health Care Foundation to convey the significance of the role community health workers, promotores and representatives play in our communities and health care system. “Community health workers and promotores are an under-appreciated gift to the health care system. They’re out in the community — in people’s homes, at parks, in barbershops, at schools — and not within the walls of the traditional health care system. They are unacknowledged frontline workers who, during any disaster, act without waiting for a funding source or a directive,” she said.
TCP Fact Sheet on Children in Immigrant Families Cited by CNN
CNN referenced our A Child is a Child Children in Immigrant Families fact sheet in a story about how pediatricians are helping families prepare for family separation, due to federal immigration enforcement.
