California Alliance of Child & Family Services

FREE Virtual Training: Fentanyl Exposure in Utero – Risks and Treatment When faced with the possibility of opioid use during pregnancy, having the right knowledge is crucial. Join us on Thursday, September 19th, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. for a vital discussion on how opioids like fentanyl impact fetal development and newborn health. 📅 Date: Thursday, September 19th 🕙 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 💻 Location: Zoom 💲 Cost: Free During this session, you will learn: - How opioid exposure affects fetuses and newborns - Strategies for treating opioid use disorder during pregnancy, including medication options like buprenorphine or methadone - How neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome is managed in hospital settings This training is essential for anyone supporting families dealing with opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Register today! https://lnkd.in/gkqaMbdw

We are thrilled to announce that several of our incredible members have been awarded funding by the California Department of Health Care Services as part of the Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Capacity and Infrastructure, Transition, Expansion, and Development (CITED) initiative. This nearly $147 million initiative supports Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports services, helping providers expand their capacity to deliver vital in-person care to Medi-Cal members across California. Congratulations to our awarded members: Pacific Clinics Youth for Change Stanford Sierra Youth & Families Western Youth Services A Greater Hope Remi Vista Inc. Full Circle Health Network (our very own) These funds will help our members build capacity in the Medi-Cal managed care system, allowing them to invest in workforce development, technology, and infrastructure. This means expanded services, enhanced care coordination, housing assistance, and culturally responsive support to help meet the needs of Medi-Cal members right in their communities. A big thank you to @CalDHCS for investing in local providers and supporting whole-person care for Californians! Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom Find more information about PATH CITED here: https://lnkd.in/gSMjQwBk

We are incredibly proud to have Stars Behavioral Health Group as a member of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services! This week, Star View welcomed members of U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler's staff, along with leaders from the County of Los Angeles Chief Executive Office, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. The visit was an opportunity to showcase Stars Behavioral Health Group’s exceptional work supporting youth and families and to discuss federal public policy issues that directly impact the lives of those they serve. The visit included a tour of Stars Behavioral Health Group’s unique facilities, which combine a Psychiatric Health Facility, Community Treatment Facility, and Non-Public School—making it California’s highest-level residential treatment program for youth referred by counties and school districts across the state. Stars Behavioral Health Group’s dedication to enhancing the well-being of children and families is inspiring. They are at the forefront of providing critical, high-level care to some of California’s most vulnerable youth, making a difference in their lives every day. Thank you, Stars Behavioral Health Group, for your continued leadership and commitment to excellence in care.

The California Alliance of Child and Family Services is thrilled to announce that AB 2802 (Brian Maienschein) and AB 2711 (Assemblymember James C. Ramos), two critical bills we sponsored, have passed the Senate floor and are now on their way to the Governor’s desk! AB 2802 empowers youth in Transitional Housing Placement (THP) Programs by introducing greater flexibility in gender identification for housing arrangements. This bill ensures that county contracts will no longer require participants to identify as the same gender to share a unit or bedroom, promoting inclusion and reducing discrimination against: Transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex (TGNCI) youth Coparenting youth Siblings who wish to live together, regardless of gender identity AB 2802 is a crucial step toward ending exclusionary practices and addressing the needs of young adults exiting foster care, helping to reduce the foster-care-to-homelessness pipeline. It prioritizes sibling bonds, vital for emotional and behavioral well-being and academic success. AB 2711 establishes a public health framework within schools to support youth struggling with substance use by connecting them with community-based services rather than punitive measures like suspension or expulsion. This bill tackles the inequities in current policies, which disproportionately impact boys, socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and youth of color. AB 2711 will help keep students engaged in their education, reduce dropout rates, and provide access to the behavioral health services they need to thrive rather than pushing them out of the school system. We are incredibly grateful to Assemblymembers Brian Maienschein and James Ramos for their dedication to advancing the rights and resources for California’s vulnerable youth. Together, we are building a more equitable future for all youth in California! Read our full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gFWh3w7E

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Senators Scott Wiener and Dave Cortese and Assemblymembers Gail Pellerin and Chris Holden for their unwavering commitment to advancing mental health care in California. Their recent bills, aimed at improving access to behavioral health services, highlighted critical issues facing our communities. Although these bills did not advance this year, we appreciate their hard work and leadership. Their efforts reflect a shared vision - ensuring that all Californians, especially our youth, receive the care they need and deserve. Their challenges strengthened our resolve to keep advocating for these essential reforms. We are proud to have partnered with them over the years, and we look forward to continuing this important work together. Our commitment remains strong, and we will continue pushing to support policies improving mental health access and equity across the state. Learn more about their efforts in the recent CalMatters article: https://lnkd.in/gHPGVRHq

We are proud to have sponsored AB 665, authored by Wendy Carrillo and made law last year. This legislation allows youth 12 and older on Medi-Cal to consent to their own mental health care, aligning their rights with those of their peers on private insurance. As highlighted in a recent EdSource article, this law is crucial in ensuring that all California youth have equitable access to the mental health support they need. Previously, young people on Medi-Cal faced significant barriers to accessing mental health services without parental consent, which left many without the care they desperately needed. AB 665 addresses this disparity, granting young people the freedom to seek help and discuss their mental health needs with professionals who can determine whether parental involvement is appropriate. We believe that a family's income level should limit no child's ability to obtain mental health care. This law helps create a more equitable system that supports the well-being of all of California's young people, especially when they face unprecedented challenges. For a more in-depth understanding of how this law is making a difference, we encourage you to check out the full article from EdSource. https://lnkd.in/g8biAwpg

Thank you to our partner, California Youth Connection (CYC), for supporting foster families during this critical time! Foster Family Agencies (FFAs) provide stability, support, and a sense of belonging to our foster youth. With 47% of FFAs at risk of losing their insurance by the end of 2024, it's more important than ever to stand together and advocate for the necessary resources. CYC has a 34-year history of empowering youth through policy advocacy. Hundreds of current and former foster youth are organized into chapters throughout California, where they develop essential skills and engage directly with policymakers. Through their annual youth-led conferences and robust training programs, CYC members are making a real impact. Let's continue to support CYC's work and ensure that FFAs have the resources needed to help foster youth build healthy and vibrant futures. #FosterCare

We are proud to highlight a recent visit from California Senator Caroline Menjivar to one of our valued member organizations, Sycamores. Senator Menjivar, who represents Burbank and the San Fernando Valley in the 20th Senate District, spent time at Sycamores to gain a deeper understanding of how their Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) play a crucial role in supporting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline across Los Angeles County. During her visit, Senator Menjivar had the opportunity to meet with several dedicated members of the Sycamores team, including Suzanne DeWalt, Ayana Rose, Luwin Kwan, Brent Gianotta, and Agnes Rapala. Together, they walked her through the vital work that happens when a crisis call comes in—from the initial response to the impactful outcomes that help individuals in need. We are grateful for Senator Menjivar’s commitment to understanding the challenges and successes of mental health services in our community. Her visit reinforces the importance of our continued advocacy for robust mental health support systems. Together with partners like Sycamores and champions like Senator Menjivar, we are making a real difference in the lives of those in crisis. Read more about Senator Menjivar’s visit and the incredible work being done by Sycamores here: https://lnkd.in/g-Y8sp36

We are proud to highlight a recent visit from California Senator Caroline Menjivar to one of our valued member organizations, Sycamores. Senator Menjivar, who represents Burbank and the San Fernando Valley in the 20th Senate District, spent time at Sycamores to gain a deeper understanding of how their Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) play a crucial role in supporting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline across Los Angeles County. During her visit, Senator Menjivar had the opportunity to meet with several dedicated members of the Sycamores team, including Suzanne DeWalt, Ayana Rose, Luwin Kwan, Brent Gianotta, and Agnes Rapala. Together, they walked her through the vital work that happens when a crisis call comes in—from the initial response to the impactful outcomes that help individuals in need. We are grateful for Senator Menjivar’s commitment to understanding the challenges and successes of mental health services in our community. Her visit reinforces the importance of our continued advocacy for robust mental health support systems. Together with partners like Sycamores and champions like Senator Menjivar, we are making a real difference in the lives of those in crisis. Read more about Senator Menjivar’s visit and the incredible work being done by Sycamores here: https://lnkd.in/g-Y8sp36

California’s foster care system is facing an urgent crisis that could leave thousands of foster children without homes starting Sept. 30. A widespread insurance crisis is threatening 90% of foster family agencies (FFAs) across the state, putting the most vulnerable children at risk. Eileen Cubanski, Interim Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA), emphasized the severity of the situation: “We’ve got a looming crisis here. If we can’t support FFAs in the short run, we’ve got to figure out a longer-term solution.” These agencies are vital to the well-being of foster children, providing them with safe and supportive homes. Without immediate intervention, these children and the families who care for them will be left without critical support. We must act now to protect foster children and the agencies that serve them. Our children deserve stability, care, and a brighter future. Read more about this developing story in The Sacramento Bee to learn how you can help. https://lnkd.in/gupA7Wwe