January 2025 Newsletter
The Children’s Partnership, our staff and board have a message for U.S. leaders: A child is a child.
All children deserve to be healthy, with strong and secure families living in safe and welcoming communities. This includes children who have come here as immigrants, children whose parents are immigrants, and children in mixed-status families (where family members have different citizenship or immigration statuses).
In his first days in office, President Trump took several actions that threaten the well-being of California’s children and our country’s economic future, rescinding several important immigration-related orders from the Biden administration and signing a litany of executive orders. We know the devastating consequences these actions will have: instilling fear; creating a chilling effect on children’s participation in health, education and social services; and causing significant economic and social instability.
Our shared values of dignity, freedom and the chance at a brighter future demand we protect all children in immigrant families.
TCP Response to Gov. Newsom’s Proposed 2025-26 Budget
On January 10, Gov. Newsom released his 2025-26 California budget proposal. The January budget proposal maintains the commitments outlined in last year’s budget, but misses the chance to further support the well-being of children and families. The Children’s Partnership appreciates the Governor for preserving many critical programs serving California families. We call on our leaders to build up these protections and do more to ensure every California child and family, regardless of income, color or background, can lead a healthy life.
“A state’s budget is a reflection of its values. In a time of great uncertainty for so many, California can show how important state and local action is to help us advance as a nation,” said TCP President Mayra E. Alvarez. “California’s children – three out of four are children of color, and half are part of an immigrant family – are direct beneficiaries of the state’s commitment to our diverse, resilient and immigrant-rich communities. By making child health and well-being the priority in our policies and investments, California will support the healthy development of our children – our collective future. Nothing could be more important.”
TCP continues to applaud our state’s decisions to expand Medi-Cal, including last year’s eligibility extension to adults regardless of immigration status. However, we must do more to show California’s leadership and commitment to health care for all, putting our money where our mouth is. Policy is toothless without funding behind it.
James M. Perez Named TCP Board Chair
The Children’s Partnership is proud to announce James M. Perez as the new chair of our Board of Directors. We sincerely thank Berenice Nuñez Constant for her incredible leadership since 2022. She will move into the role of past board chair.
James brings his personal experiences and passion for supporting the well-being of young people to his role as a board member and now board chair of TCP. Raised in South Central Los Angeles by a single mother, James knows the challenges of not always being able to make ends meet, and he values the role of advocates in strengthening access to public programs and services that enable children and young people to thrive.
James is an associate general counsel specializing in litigation, investigations, and privacy and cybersecurity matters at the California Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Caltech’s Office of General Counsel, he was an attorney in private practice in Los Angeles, specializing in government litigation, investigations and privacy matters. Previously, he was counsel to the United States attorney for the District of Columbia, where he helped manage the largest U.S. attorney’s office in the country. James was also a senior assistant U.S. attorney in the office’s appellate division and earned five Special Achievement Awards for his work as a federal prosecutor.
James is a first-generation college graduate. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and received his J.D. from New York University School of Law, where he was the executive editor of the New York University Law Review.
He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two children and their dog. We are especially grateful for his service after the Eaton Fire deeply impacted his family. To learn more about James’ family’s incredible story, read his wife Shimica Gaskins’ reflections. Shimica serves as the executive director of GRACE/End Child Poverty CA, a strong partner of TCP.
Other board changes include naming Jessica Huey as treasurer and Anthony Perez as secretary. We look forward to working closely with our entire Board of Directors this year as we respond to challenges from the federal government in our continued fight for child health equity in California.
Rallying for Recovery: Supporting Families Impacted by LA Fires
Liza Davis (left) from The Children’s Partnership, and Francisca Gunawardena, Altadena mother and child care provider who lost everything in the Eaton Fire, at the Rally for Recovery and Restoration After LA Fires on January 17 in Pasadena.
On January 17, Liza Davis, TCP director of community engagement and strategy support, joined community members, advocates and leaders at the Rally for Recovery and Restoration After LA Fires hosted at First AME Church in Pasadena. The event highlighted the urgent need for policies and resources to ensure a just and sustainable recovery for families affected by the wildfires.
At the rally, Liza met Francisca Gunawardena, a longtime Altadena resident and child care provider who lost everything in the Eaton Fire just six months after achieving her dream of opening a licensed child care center in her home. Francisca’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the critical role child care providers—most of whom are women of color—play in supporting families and communities.
Francisca’s recovery, and the recovery of others like her, is vital to the well-being of our children and communities. Learn more about Francisca and how to help her and others affected by the fires.
Resources to Support Los Angeles Wildfire Victims
The Children’s Partnership is always working toward a California where every child has what they need to be safe and to thrive. In times of emergency, we come together to protect one another. Many of our employees live in and around the Los Angeles area, and we’ve all had friends and family impacted by the fires.
Our staff gathered this list of resources for those affected by the fires, as well as for the responders working tirelessly to minimize damage to our communities. We’ll continue to update this page as recovery efforts evolve. Please use and share these resources widely to support our neighbors in need.
Health Coverage Flexibilities Now Available for Wildfire Victims
Medi-Cal Flexibilities
In response to the devastating Southern California wildfires and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclaimed State of Emergency and Executive Order issued on January 7, the Department of Health Care Services has implemented key administrative flexibilities to protect Medi-Cal members in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. These efforts include:
- Simple renewal and enrollment: Simplified Medi-Cal enrollment and renewal processes to allow families to quickly secure or maintain Medi-Cal coverage. Allowed for self-attestation for residency and income if documentation is missing, and verification deadlines are extended. Local county offices are prioritizing Medi-Cal applications and any case restorations for affected Medi-Cal members, who are encouraged to contact their local clinic navigators or local county office if assistance is needed to resolve eligibility issues.
- Prioritized member transfers if moving out of Los Angeles or Ventura counties: Medi-Cal members who are displaced for an unknown amount of time may contact either their former county of residence or the new county to assist with transferring the case on a permanent or short-term basis. Members can visit the DHCS website to find their local county office.
- Behavioral health services: Ensure relocated Medi-Cal members from evacuated facilities receive continuous care, with licensing and certification flexibilities supporting affected treatment programs.
For more information, visit this DHCS online resource to help answer Medi-Cal member questions about accessing services during this emergency.
Covered California Special Enrollment Period
Covered California has opened a Special Enrollment Period for wildfire victims in Los Angeles and Ventura counties running until March 8, 2025.
Covered California and Medi-Cal use the same application. That means that once someone applies, they’ll find out which program they qualify for. Some households qualify for both.
Covered California plans offer affordable health coverage with financial help, lower out-of-pocket costs, and no deductibles for many Silver plans.
Learn more at CoveredCA.com.
Applicants can get free help on the phone at (800) 300-1506.
Resources in multiple languages are available. All children and families deserve health care without any interruptions in care.
We are ALL IN for Safe Schools
The harmful national political environment toward immigration policy and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is deeply impacting millions of California families and children. From book bans to attacks on the rights of transgender youth and children in immigrant families, these actions threaten the safety, mental health and opportunities of millions of children, particularly those from marginalized communities. To protect their futures, we must prioritize making schools safe, inclusive spaces where all children can learn, grow and thrive.
The Children’s Partnership and Californians Together are relaunching our ALL IN for Safe Schools campaign and coordinating with educators, policymakers, organizations and community partners nationally and across California to ensure that our schools and early learning centers are safe for all families. We want:
- To support educators and early learning providers in creating welcoming spaces and to better serve children in immigrant families in California.
- To protect and strengthen enrollment in health, early learning and social services for immigrant families and their children in California.
- To support the mental health and well-being of children from marginalized communities in California.
GET INVOLVED!
Sign up for updates about our ALL IN for Safe Schools campaign in California, or email allinforhealth@childrenspartnership.org if you have questions.
Join the national Education for All campaign, dedicated to protecting access to K-12 public education for every child in the United States, no matter their immigration status.
Are You on Bluesky? Join Us!
We continue to be excited about extending our advocacy for child health equity to the rapidly growing platform of Bluesky. The superior data transparency, ultra-detailed ways to control and cultivate the feed, and community guidelines better align with our own ethics and make Bluesky an obvious home for us and our partners to further our work.
Bluesky’s growth has exploded to more than 29 million users and continues to grow exponentially. Among these users are a number of important California legislators and policy makers, including Governor Gavin Newsom, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. You can instantly connect with these elected officials and more by following this California Leg starter kit.
Find us at @Kidspartnership.bsky.social. Say hi, and let us know if you’d like to be added to the California Child Health Equity starter kit that we’re building to give advocates and partners a quick list of great organizations to follow!
ICYMI: New TCP Brief on the Power of Culture for Child Well-Being
We believe in the wisdom and leadership of our communities, and that communities know best the solutions to the challenges they face. Grounded in this belief, The Children’s Partnership is excited to share the release of a new policy brief, “Uplifting the Power of Culture: Protective Factors for the Health of California’s Children.”
Using research and real-world examples, this brief demonstrates how culturally grounded protective factors in early childhood can create equitable pathways to health and success for BIPOC children. Our new brief:
- Highlights key protective factors for children of color, including multilingualism, connection to culture, peer and community connectedness, familismo, and cultural-based healing
- Explores how California’s early childhood programs can integrate these protective factors to strengthen child, family and community well-being
- Provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and advocates to build equitable systems of care that reflect the unique strengths of BIPOC communities
- Underscores the critical role of culturally responsive early childhood programs in promoting resilience and mitigating the impacts of systemic inequities
As policymakers and advocates work to create inclusive and supportive systems, we invite you to explore this resource and share it with your networks to amplify the conversation around protective factors and their vital role in equitable early care for children.
New National Report on Prevalence of Medicaid and CHIP in Rural Areas
A new report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families illustrates the essential role Medicaid plays in counties across our state, particularly in rural areas and small towns. In California, 49% of the children living in rural areas or small towns get their health coverage through Medi-Cal – one of the highest rates in the nation.
Cutting Medi-Cal would have a devastating impact on California children, their families and our state’s health care system.
You can view the report’s data by state, county and population. Here is California’s data.
If Congress passes federal cuts to Medicaid at the scale they are considering, rural communities across California will lose a vital lifeline to health care. We need our members of Congress to say NO to massive Medicaid cuts and design an approach that balances fiscal responsibility with the health and well-being of all Californians, and especially for the rural communities and small towns that are the backbone of our state.
Public Counsel Webinar on the Rights of Nonprofits when Interacting with ICE
Public Counsel held a training so nonprofits and small businesses could understand their rights and responsibilities in the event of an ICE visit to their office, business or facility, and for leadership to help empower staff with knowledge on how to navigate ICE enforcement.
The webinar helps you understand:
- Your rights when interacting with ICE
- Why you should have a written policy regarding ICE interactions
- What the policy should consider and say
- How you can implement your policy to give guidance to staff if ICE shows up in person
Public Counsel also created a publication on this topic with sample policies included: FAQs on Nonprofit and Small Business Rights with Respect to Immigration Enforcement.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Community Resource
We created the fact sheet, “How Families Can Support their Child’s Social and Emotional Development,” in partnership with First 5 Association of California, Para Los Niños and Best Start Region 1, to help parents, caregivers and family members of infants and toddlers nurture their child’s early mental health and social-emotional development. Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), also known as social-emotional development, is just as important as physical health to a child’s well-being. Without support, even the youngest children can suffer from mental health issues, disorders and conditions.
This fact sheet highlights ACEs, which stands for adverse childhood experiences. ACEs are a category of experiences during childhood that have been proven to negatively impact long-term physical and mental health. ACEs Aware is a California program that provides training on how to effectively screen and refer families and children to resources, which improves continuity of care, timely access to care and quality of care.
Especially in times of crisis, it is critical we continue to support programs that demonstrate a commitment to our children and their health through transformative systems of care, including community-based organizations and community health workers that provide interventions to heal the traumas of adverse experiences. To fulfill California’s health equity and child well-being goals in 2025, the Legislature must protect any investments in the ACEs Aware program as an important preventive health measure for our most vulnerable families and children.
A Child is a Child: Black Children’s Health Fact Sheet
We honor California’s Black children this Black History Month and every month by focusing on the health, safety and joy of the more than 700,000 Black children and youth in our state, emphasizing the importance of addressing the systemic issues they face.
In partnership with the California Black Health Network and California Black Women’s Health Project, we present a fact sheet highlighting how systemic racism shapes Black children’s lives, impacting their health, education and opportunities for success. The fact sheet identifies inequities across key areas such as housing, economic security, mental health and food access, while offering community-defined protective factors to help mitigate these challenges, many of which have been intensified by COVID-19 and the recent Los Angeles-area wildfires.
We invite you to use the information on this fact sheet in your advocacy and education efforts to support and uplift Black children. This February, let’s celebrate their joy, honor their potential, and work toward a future where they can truly thrive.
2025 Insure the Uninsured Project’s Annual Conference
Join the Insure the Uninsured Project from February 3-4, 2025, for their 29th annual conference, Advancing Equity: Sustaining the Movement from Coverage to Access. The in-person conference will focus on California’s progress toward health equity, spotlighting groundbreaking strategies to bridge the gap between health coverage and quality access to care.
Faith Colburn, TCP’s advocacy director for health care, will be part of a panel discussion titled, “Ensuring Health Coverage for California’s Most Vulnerable Communities.”
California School-Based Health Alliance Annual Conference April 28-29
School-based health centers and wellness centers are key to building health and education equity for California’s children and youth. The California School-Based Health Alliance’s (CSHA) statewide School Health Conference in Anaheim April 28-29 is an opportunity for health practitioners, educators and advocates to connect and learn how to best support students with increased access to health care at school.
Register before March 2 to receive the $100 discounted rate. You can save an additional $200 per person if your organization becomes a member of CSHA. Check if your organization is a member or become a member now.
TCP Health Care Advocacy Director Quoted on Effects of Proposed Medicaid Cuts on Rural CA Children
Public News Service interviewed Faith Colburn, TCP advocacy director for health care, on how widely felt cuts to Medicaid, which fund Medi-Cal in California, would be on our state’s children. “5.3 million children in California are on Medi-Cal. Fifty-three percent of California’s children and 40% of births are covered by Medi-Cal. And three-fourths are children of color,” Colburn said. The article is also available to read in Spanish or to listen to in English.
TCP President Featured in Telemundo’s Day of Racial Healing Special
TCP President Mayra E. Alvarez was featured in “Foro Contra el Racismo: Por los Niños,” a one-hour special on Noticias Telemundo in observance of the National Day of Racial Healing. Sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the program explored a range of issues examining the profound impact of inequality on children from diverse backgrounds and the barriers they face in education, health care and nutrition. Alvarez discussed youth mental health, the need to create safe spaces to talk about our mental health, the power of culture and protective factors, and youth mental health peer-to-peer programs. The annual observance of the National Day of Racial Healing was created with and builds on the work and learnings of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation community partners.
