For 100 years, the County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA), on behalf of our member counties, has led the transformation of California’s health and human services systems alongside state leaders, advocates, and community partners. From vital programs like CalFresh to Medi-Cal, IHSS to CalWORKs, we have driven innovation and improved service delivery in ways that make a tangible difference for millions of Californians’ ability to put food on the table, access health care, age in their own homes, and thrive. 

As we celebrate our centennial, we look back on some of the milestones that demonstrate CWDA’s enduring commitment to service, innovation, and advocacy. And we spotlight the ways our member counties have harnessed opportunities to implement these policies locally in a way that transforms lives.

Protecting California’s Aging Population

Establishing Adult Protective Services Standards (1998)

Anticipating an oncoming age wave, CWDA recognized the need for stronger protections for vulnerable older adults. Working with Senator Bill Lockyer, CWDA helped secure passage of SB 2199, establishing the modern Adult Protective Services (APS) Program of 24/7 response to allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation..

The legislation also created a more coordinated approach to investigating elder abuse and delivering services to victims, laying the foundation for the APS system that continues to protect older Californians today and is a key strategy in homelessness prevention for this vulnerable population.

Strengthening the Adult Protective Services (APS) Program

Recognizing the increasing needs of California’s growing aging population, CWDA helped secure funding that expanded county capacity and strengthened long-term services for older adults, ensuring a more responsive and sustainable support system. By partnering with Justice in Aging, CWDA helped secure $70 million in new state funding to expand services to older adults from age 60-64 and allow for a deeper level of case management services to all APS clients.

Launching Home Safe (2018)

With nearly half of all single homeless adults aged 50 and older and with homelessness among older adults continuing to increase faster than any other age group, CWDA partnered with advocates and policymakers to create the Home Safe program, an innovative program designed to prevent homelessness among survivors of elder abuse.

What began with a $15 million investment has grown into a statewide initiative and funding to counties to help combat older adult homelessness, helping counties keep vulnerable adults safe.

Advancing Health Care Access and Service Delivery

Supporting Affordable Care Act Implementation (2010–2014)

CWDA played a critical role in helping counties adapt to unprecedented changes in service delivery and enrollment brought on by the implementation of the ACA.

By working with state leaders, CWDA helped secure counties’ role in Medi-Cal implementation and successfully advocated for state funding investments necessary to manage increased application volumes and demand for services.

As a result, the county eligibility workforce helped enroll millions of low-income adults who became newly eligible for Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) beginning in 2014, contributing to near universal health care coverage in 2022 and 2023 when the statewide uninsured rate dropped to a historic low of 6.2%.

Ultimately, CWDA advocacy enabled a smooth transition and a stronger healthcare system for Californians seeking coverage.

Modernizing Eligibility Systems Through CalSAWS (2017–2019)

In 2018 in an effort to modernize service delivery, all 58 counties united under the CalSAWS system, a single statewide eligibility system.

This system modernized service delivery while preserving local innovation, allowing clients to get faster responses and quicker access to the necessities they needed in a crisis moment.

Expanding Access During the Pandemic (2020)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, CWDA championed a package of CalFresh simplifications designed to help people access food assistance more easily.

Building on successful county innovations, streamlining applications, expanding outreach, and reducing administrative barriers, these improvements helped families keep putting food on their tables during a time of significant need.

Strengthening Families and Child Welfare

Supporting Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation

CWDA has long recognized the unique needs of young people who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation.

In 2015, CWDA helped secure funding for county child welfare agencies to provide services and support, and with that came the commitment that child victims of sexual exploitation would be served through county child welfare agencies rather than criminalized. These investments ensure vulnerable youth have access to the resources and stability needed to recover.

Transforming Foster Care Through Prevention and Support

When the Family First Prevention Services Act was enacted in 2019, CWDA partnered with ChildrenNow to help secure significant state investment to support families so that foster care does not become necessary. What began as a proposed $50 million investment grew into more than $222 million in state funding in prevention and has since been extended through 2028.

These investments allow counties to provide services that strengthen families, support caregivers, and improve outcomes for children and youth, and are an important part of counties’ efforts to reduce foster care entries and caseload to historical lows as well as supporting counties’ continuing work to reduce disparities and disproportionality in the child welfare system..

Launching the Family Urgent Response System (FURS)

CWDA worked alongside other partner agencies to help launch the Family Urgent Response System (FURS), an innovative statewide hotline and mobile response network that provides immediate support to current and former foster youth and caregivers experiencing crises.

Since 2021, FURS has delivered in-home family preservation and support services, connecting thousands of families with behavioral health support, demonstrating how prevention-focused services can improve well-being and prevent family separation.

Preserving Local Control 

Protecting County Administration of IHSS (2012–2018)

During implementation of California’s Coordinated Care Initiative from 2012 to 2018, CWDA successfully advocated to keep In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) as a social services-focused model of care administered through county human services agencies.  

This preserved a client-centered approach while improving care and avoiding additional long-term care costs for the State and counties. The outcome protected services for vulnerable residents while maintaining accountability.

Reimagining CalWORKs

A New Client-Centered Approach (2016–2022)

CWDA helped lead a transformation of CalWORKs by shifting the program toward a more client-centered, research-based model.

Rather than focusing solely on compliance, counties began designing services around participant goals and long-term success. Investments in transportation, childcare, education, training, and employment support helped families overcome barriers and build greater stability.

This approach continues to influence CalWORKs today and reflects CWDA’s commitment to empowering individuals and families through opportunity.

Celebrating County Innovation

Throughout its history, CWDA has championed county-led innovation that improves outcomes for residents.

Recent examples include:

– Madera County’s Social Services Teen Enrichment Program (SSTEP), which helps CalWORKs families prepare teens for future success through financial literacy, career exploration, and life-skills training.

– Riverside County’s award-winning MyWhy campaign, which highlights the dedicated first responders to poverty, the eligibility workers who are working behind the scenes to support more than one million residents.

– Sonoma County’s RISE initiative, which centers client voice and collaboration in service planning and delivery.

– Kern County’s Mobile SNAP Vehicle, bringing CalFresh and Medi-Cal services directly to rural communities and reducing transportation barriers.

– Los Angeles County’s comprehensive communications efforts that ensured residents remained informed and supported during major CalFresh policy changes.