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Overview

State Budget Priorities

Each year, CWDA works with its Board of Directors and its committee members to set budget priorities that will improve the well-being of children, families and individuals served by the human services system and to align public policy with the needs of populations and communities across the state.

Click on the sections below to find an overview of our budget priorities, periodic budget updates and more specific information on budget priorities contained in budget memos and fact sheets.

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Housing & Homelessness Programs Budget Memo

The attached is a budget memo on human services housing and homelessness programs from the County Welfare Directors Association. 

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Child Welfare Services (CWS) Budget Memo

The attached is a budget memo on Child Welfare Services (CWS) budget proposals from the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA). This is a follow-up budget memo to our original budget memorandum dated March 6, 2025, to provide additional comment and response based on discussions held in the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 hearing on March 12, 2025. 

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IHSS Admin Budget Memo

The attached is a budget memo on the critical need to fully fund administration of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program from the County Welfare Directors Association and California State Association of Counties. 

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2025 Sponsored Legislation

Children’s Services

Support AB 896

(ELHAWARY) FOSTER CARE TRANSITION PLANNING: The Legislature has recognized the importance of stability for children in foster care in the past, providing for placement preservation strategies to avoid unnecessary or abrupt foster care placement changes, which can be harmful to a child’s development. This proposed legislation builds on that work to ensure that when a placement change is necessary, it is managed in a way that creates the least disruption for the child and their caregivers.

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Federal Safety Net Threats

Congress is considering unprecedented cuts to county administered safety net programs, including nearly $900 billion in cuts to Medicaid, $230 billion to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and a 10% cut to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant. These cuts would decimate the state’s safety net as California draws down a disproportionate share of federal funds; 14% of all TANF block grant funding and 11% of SNAP funding, nationally, supports California’s most vulnerable.

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CWDA Letter to Congress on 4th COVID Relief Package
Association sets forth a number of priorities to help vulnerable Americans

Today, the County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) urged Congressional leaders to invest in a number of human services, nutrition, health and homelessness programs to support families in economic crisis during the coronavirus pandemic.

Read More:

CWDA Letter to Congressional Leaders: COVID 4 Package Priorities – May 4, 2020

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CWDA Puts Forth May Revise Budget Priorities for County Human Services Agencies
Memo Sets Out Key Issues and Considerations for Governor, Legislature

CWDA sent a memo on Friday, May 1 to Governor Newsom and the Legislature, along with other key decision-makers, outlining priorities for the upcoming May Revise and budget deliberations.

The memo outlines recommended priorities, taking into consideration the effects of COVID-19 on the individuals and families that county human services agencies help. 

CWDA 2020-21 May Revise Priorities

Agency Profile

San Mateo County Social Services Agency

Ms. Claire Cunningham, Agency Director
500 County Center, 2nd Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063