Home

Carousel

We Advocate.
We Educate.
We Collaborate.
We are the County Welfare Directors Association of California. We are a nonprofit association representing the human service directors from each of California’s 58 counties.

Carousel

CWDA Commends Homelessness Council Report
Executive Director Frank Mecca sits on panel of state and local experts that released recommendations on January 13, 2020.

County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) Executive Director Frank Mecca joined Governor Newsom’s Council of Regional Homelessness Advisors in recommending a 40-point Comprehensive Crisis Response Strategy and obligation for all levels of government to substantially reduce homelessness. Mecca was appointed as a member of the Council by Governor Newsom in July 2019.

Carousel

Immigration Resources for Counties
This page includes tools and resources for county human services agencies relating to immigration, health care and public benefits under current law. 

Carousel

CWDA Statement on Governor’s 2020-21 Budget Proposal
Homelessness Investments Recognize Urgency of Need Statewide

Hot Topics

Hot topic Immigration

CWDA Stands with Governor Newsom and Attorney General Becerra in Opposition to Public Charge Rule
Trump Administration's "public charge" rule change will hurt thousands of California immigrants and their families that are eligible for public benefits.

Hot topic Trauma-Informed Care

Screening Kids from Birth to Age 5 for Trauma
New report by ChildrenNow highlights the importance of screening young children for trauma and includes recommendations for California to implement trauma screenings and utilize trauma-informed care.

Hot topic Immigration

Counties Work to Ease Client Concerns
State and federal laws are still in effect that entitle clients to health care coverage and assistance that they are eligible to receive. Find resources for Counties assisting clients from immigrant communities seeking further guidance here.

View All Topics

Stay Informed

News & Updates

Recent News

Press release Cathy Senderling-McDonald

CWDA Commends Regional Homelessness Council Recommendations
Executive Director Frank Mecca Sits on Expert Panel that Released Recommendations on January 13, 2020

For Immediate Release
January 13, 2020

Contact: Maya Polon, 916.444.7614

 

CWDA Joins Governor Newsom’s Council in Call for

Urgency, Prevention on Homelessness Emergency

 

Press release Cathy Senderling-McDonald

CWDA Statement on Governor Newsom’s 2020-21 Budget Proposal
Homelessness Investments Recognize Urgency of Need Statewide

For Immediate Release
January 10, 2019

Contact: Maya Polon, 916.444.7614

 

CWDA Statement on Governor Newsom’s 2020-21 Budget Proposal

Sacramento, CA – The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) released the following statement from Frank Mecca, Executive Director, upon the release of Governor Newsom’s budget proposal today:

Press release Cathy Senderling-McDonald

CWDA Statement on ABAWD SNAP Rule
Trump Administration’s SNAP rule change for “able-bodied adults without dependents” will push those on the verge of losing housing into homelessness and will hurt local economies

Today, the Trump Administration dealt another blow to Americans struggling in poverty by publishing a rule to take away Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance, known as CalFresh in California, from those they consider “able-bodied adults without dependents” that are either unemployed or underemployed. CWDA strongly opposes this cruel and counterproductive rule, which won’t accomplish what it allegedly seeks, which is to motivate people to be gainfully employed.

Press release Cathy Senderling-McDonald

CWDA Statement on National Stay of “Public Charge” Rule

“After standing with Governor Newsom and California Attorney General Becerra against the “public charge” rule and in support of their lawsuit against it, CWDA is pleased that multiple courts have ordered a stay of the rule. CWDA is relieved that the entire rule will not go into effect until the process plays out in our courts and will not be going into effect anywhere next week. The “public charge” rule change would only have harmed immigrant families nationwide should it have gone into effect next week as was planned.

See All

Blog Posts

Blog post Cathy Senderling-McDonald

No Easy Answers: Views From the Border

Three weeks ago, I was in El Paso, Texas, riding in a Border Patrol bus along the Rio Grande river. The river ran through a concrete gorge, Mexican national guard troops standing every few hundred feet on the other side. Just past a tall section of border wall, several Border Patrol SUVs converged on a young woman holding a baby in her arms, a toddler clutching her jeans and a young man standing next to her. Another woman, also with a baby and toddler, sat nearby.

See All