California Alliance of Child and Family Services

Promoting health, safety and well-being for California’s children, youth and families

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month. This year’s theme, “Strength in Communities,” reflects
what our members know deeply: healing happens when we all work together. For BIPOC
children, youth, and families, culturally responsive care is not optional; it is essential.
#BIPOCMentalHealth #StrengthInCommunities

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

Proud to see CA Alliance member Aspiranet helping lead a new approach to foster youth mental health care in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

A regional partnership at the Hope Forward campus near Turlock will keep young people in crisis close to home and family, instead of being sent 75 to 200 miles away to find a bed. The campus will centralize critical services, including crisis stabilization, psychiatric care, and family visitation, and is expected to serve 1,600 young people every year across Stanislaus, Merced, and San Joaquin counties.

This is exactly the kind of work that could become a model across California. Congratulations to Aspiranet and the county partners making it happen. We're proud to have them as part of the CA Alliance.

Read more from the Modesto Bee: https://t.co/06n3zyeibL

@Aspiranet
@modbee
@StanCounty

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

❗New CalFresh work requirements are in effect. We’ve created a fact sheet to help families understand if they’re affected: https://t.co/NfpcXikJl6

Made in partnership by @KidsPartnership @AsianResources1 @PIFCoalition @CALImmigrant @promotorasvyc.

#CalFresh #CaBenefits

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

In our field, impact shows up as a pattern, not a single achievement. It is year after year of showing up for children and families. It is warrior spirit, going beyond the job description to fight for a child, a family, or a cause. It is board work, policy advocacy, and coalition building that multiply impact across the field. And it is humanity, bringing humor, heart, and color to work that is often heavy and difficult.

Cher Ofstedahl understood that kind of impact better than most. As CEO of Trinity Youth Services and the Children's Foundation of America, she spent more than two decades building and strengthening the organizations she led, mentoring the people around her, and fighting for positive outcomes for children, youth, and families at the state and national levels. Her word reached far beyond her own agencies, and the field is stronger because of her.

The Cher Ofstedahl Legacy Award: Warrior for Children and Families was created to recognize that kind of impact on others. We are looking for nominees with a pattern of commitment across a career. Advocates who have fought for a child, a family, or a cause, even when it was unpopular or inconvenient. Leaders whose integrity is known to their peers, their staff, and the families they serve. People who multiply their impact through mentorship, policy work, coalition building, or program innovation, and who bring their full selves to the work while they do it.

If you know someone whose career reflects that standard, we want to hear their story. Tell us what they have done, who they have lifted up, and why the field is better because of them.

Nominations are open now through Sunday, July 27:: https://t.co/ff1fA3jhlo

The first recipient will be honored in person at Stronger Together 2026 on Tuesday, September 1 in Anaheim.

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

Who do you call when things get hard?

That is the question at the core of the Cher Ofstedahl Legacy Award, our new annual honor recognizing a warrior for children and families. We are looking for an advocate with a pattern of commitment, not a single achievement. Someone with a career serving children and families. Someone with the courage to fight for kids even when it is unpopular, inconvenient, and most certainly when it is hard.

In other words, someone like Cher.

Nominations are open now through July 27. Tell us about their courage, their color, and their commitment: https://t.co/ff1fA3jhlo

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

Yesterday was the first stop on our Listening & Learning Tour, and what a great start. We gathered with member leaders in Sacramento for an honest conversation about what's working, what's challenging, and what our members need most. Our team shared updates on policy and advocacy, the Catalyst Center, and our upcoming Stronger Together conference this fall. But the real value came from listening. Being in the room with the people and organizations doing this work, hearing their questions in-person, is something no email or call can replace.

Thank you to Redwood Community Services for hosting and to Kooth for sponsoring. This tour stop wouldn't be possible without your support.

@redwoodcs
@kooth_plc

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

In our field, impact shows up as a pattern, not a single achievement. It is year after year of showing up for children and families. It is warrior spirit, going beyond the job description to fight for a child, a family, or a cause. It is board work, policy advocacy, and coalition building that multiply impact across the field. And it is humanity, bringing humor, heart, and color to work that is often heavy and difficult.

Cher Ofstedahl understood that kind of impact better than most. As CEO of Trinity Youth Services and the Children's Foundation of America, she spent more than two decades building and strengthening the organizations she led, mentoring the people around her, and fighting for positive outcomes for children, youth, and families at the state and national levels. Her word reached far beyond her own agencies, and the field is stronger because of her.

The Cher Ofstedahl Legacy Award: Warrior for Children and Families was created to recognize that kind of impact on others. We are looking for nominees with a pattern of commitment across a career. Advocates who have fought for a child, a family, or a cause, even when it was unpopular or inconvenient. Leaders whose integrity is known to their peers, their staff, and the families they serve. People who multiply their impact through mentorship, policy work, coalition building, or program innovation, and who bring their full selves to the work while they do it.

If you know someone whose career reflects that standard, we want to hear their story. Tell us what they have done, who they have lifted up, and why the field is better because of them.

Nominations are open now through Sunday, July 27:: https://t.co/ff1fA3jhlo

The first recipient will be honored in person at Stronger Together 2026 on Tuesday, September 1 in Anaheim.

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

"When an FFA closes, the impact is on children who have already experienced trauma, instability and loss."

Anil Vadaparty, President and CEO of McKinley Children's Center, testified at yesterday's Assembly Human Services Committee Oversight Hearing about McKinley's difficult decision to close its foster family agency last year and what it meant for the children and resource families they serve.

His message was clear: porting children is a response to a closure, not a solution. With 30% of existing FFAs at risk of closing at least one location this year, the insurance and liability crisis demands action.

We thank Asm. Pellerin for authoring AB 2496 last year and for being a true champion for foster youth. The bill has been a critical bridge for our members, but that bridge is running out. California needs a long-term solution before more children lose access to the care they depend on.

Watch his full testimony. https://t.co/GlOV7BXCu0

@McKinleyCC
@AsmGailPellerin

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

"When an FFA closes, the impact is on children who have already experienced trauma, instability and loss."

Anil Vadaparty, President and CEO of McKinley Children's Center, testified at yesterday's Assembly Human Services Committee Oversight Hearing about McKinley's difficult decision to close its foster family agency last year and what it meant for the children and resource families they serve.

His message was clear: porting children is a response to a closure, not a solution. With 30% of existing FFAs at risk of closing at least one location this year, the insurance and liability crisis demands action.

We thank Asm. Pellerin for authoring AB 2496 last year and for being a true champion for foster youth. The bill has been a critical bridge for our members, but that bridge is running out. California needs a long-term solution before more children lose access to the care they depend on.

Watch his full testimony. https://t.co/GlOV7BXCu0

@McKinleyCC
@AsmGailPellerin

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

The Visible and Unstoppable Pride Zoomathon is underway, and we are grateful to Unicorn Solutions for hosting this event and inviting the CA Alliance to take part.

Our Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Adrienne Shilton, is among today's speakers, sharing the table with voices from across the country. One of those voices is Bridget McCarthy of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, who shared the heartbreaking story of losing her son to suicide. It was a moving reminder of why this work matters and why community, connection, and affirming support can save lives.

The event runs until 4 p.m. PST. There is still time to tune in and stand in visible, unstoppable support of LGBTQIA2S+ youth and families. Tune in here: https://t.co/Y65y6ikCce

Thank you, Unicorn Solutions, for creating space for these stories.

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

Today is the day! The Visible and Unstoppable Pride Zoomathon kicks off this morning, hosted by Unicorn Solutions with our Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Adrienne Shilton, among the speakers.

Four hours of amazing speakers, interviews, and stories standing in visible, unstoppable support of LGBTQIA2S+ youth and families. It is not too late to join.

Register and tune in: https://t.co/UpqAdPJjrc

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

The work of healing children and families starts with the people doing the work.

That is why we are so excited to welcome Dr. Thema Bryant to the Stronger Together 2026 keynote stage. Dr. Bryant is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and the former president of the American Psychological Association whose work centers on trauma recovery, healing from oppression, and helping people reconnect with their most authentic selves.

Her message is one our field needs to hear right now. The professionals who serve California's most vulnerable children and families carry a burden that does not get talked about enough. Dr. Bryant has spent her career creating the language and the tools to address exactly that.

Join us in Anaheim this August 31 — September 3. This is shaping up to be our strongest conference ever, and Dr. Bryant is a big reason why.

Registration is open now. https://t.co/5NPfZ99t0u

@drthema

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

We are just days away from the Visible and Unstoppable Pride Zoomathon on June 30, and we could not be more proud to see Adrienne Shilton, our Senior Vice President of Public Policy, among the featured speakers.

Adrienne joins a stacked national lineup of advocates, providers, policymakers, and people with lived experience for four hours of stories, connection, and solidarity with LGBTQIA2S+ youth and families.

There is still time to register: https://t.co/QBGQqy0GeX

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

Joe Ford is one of those people who made the work better for everyone around him.

After more than four decades dedicated to children, youth, and families, Joe recently retired as Chief Program Officer at Sycamores. The CA Alliance counts itself fortunate to have had Joe as a valued leader on our Residential Care Committee, where his contributions and commitment to advancing residential care for children, youth, and families left a lasting mark.

We feel genuinely honored to have worked alongside him, and we are grateful for everything he has contributed to this field and to our community. We wish Joe all the best as they begin this next chapter. His impact on children, families, and the professionals who serve them will be felt for years to come.

Read Sycamores' full tribute to Joe https://t.co/IjxpxuAsJi
@Sycamores_CA

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

We are just days away from the Visible and Unstoppable Pride Zoomathon on June 30, and we could not be more proud to see Adrienne Shilton, our Senior Vice President of Public Policy, among the featured speakers.

Adrienne joins a stacked national lineup of advocates, providers, policymakers, and people with lived experience for four hours of stories, connection, and solidarity with LGBTQIA2S+ youth and families.

There is still time to register: https://t.co/QBGQqy0GeX

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

The work of healing children and families starts with the people doing the work.

That is why we are so excited to welcome Dr. Thema Bryant to the Stronger Together 2026 keynote stage. Dr. Bryant is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and the former president of the American Psychological Association whose work centers on trauma recovery, healing from oppression, and helping people reconnect with their most authentic selves.

Her message is one our field needs to hear right now. The professionals who serve California's most vulnerable children and families carry a burden that does not get talked about enough. Dr. Bryant has spent her career creating the language and the tools to address exactly that.

Join us in Anaheim this August 31 — September 3. This is shaping up to be our strongest conference ever, and Dr. Bryant is a big reason why.

Registration is open now. https://t.co/5NPfZ99t0u

@drthema

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

Joe Ford is one of those people who made the work better for everyone around him.

After more than four decades dedicated to children, youth, and families, Joe recently retired as Chief Program Officer at Sycamores. The CA Alliance counts itself fortunate to have had Joe as a valued leader on our Residential Care Committee, where his contributions and commitment to advancing residential care for children, youth, and families left a lasting mark.

We feel genuinely honored to have worked alongside him, and we are grateful for everything he has contributed to this field and to our community. We wish Joe all the best as they begin this next chapter. His impact on children, families, and the professionals who serve them will be felt for years to come.

Read Sycamores' full tribute to Joe https://t.co/IjxpxuAsJi

@Sycamores_CA

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

7-1. That was the vote today as AB 1540 cleared the Senate Committee on Emergency Management, moving California one step closer to restoring the "Press 3" LGBTQ+ youth crisis routing option through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

This bill is about a simple promise: when a young person finds the courage to call for help, someone who understands them will pick up. Today, that promise got a little closer to becoming law.

The CA Alliance is proud to co-sponsor this bill alongside Equality California and the Sacramento LGBTQ+ Center, and we will keep fighting to see it across the finish line. Thank you to Assemblymember González for his leadership, to Divya Shiv for representing the CA Alliance today, and to Bridget McCarthy for her powerful and personal testimony on behalf of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The CA Alliance is proud to stand as a co-sponsor.

@AsmMarkGonzalez
@afspnational

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

See you in Anaheim. Register now for Stronger Together 2026.
https://t.co/8Vey0O4iPz

[California Alliance of Child and Family Services @CaAllianceKIDS]

We are proud to announce Dr. Thema Bryant as a keynote speaker at Stronger Together 2026.
Dr. Bryant is a clinical psychologist, author, professor, and the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association. Her life's work combines trauma, healing, and liberation, with a focus on interpersonal trauma and the societal trauma of oppression.

For the professionals in our field who show up every day for children and families navigating their hardest moments, Dr. Bryant's keynote is going to be an experiencethat stays with you long after you leave the conference.

Stronger Together 2026. August 31 through September 3 at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim.

Registration is open now. https://t.co/5NPfZ99t0u

@drthema