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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.

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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. 

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Hot topic State Budget

2025 State Budget Priorities
Each year, CWDA works to set budget priorities that will improve the well-being of children, families and individuals served by the human services system.

Hot topic State Legislation

2025 State Legislative Priorities
Each year, CWDA solicits input on legislative priorities from the county human services agencies and the association’s committees. The CWDA Board of Directors sets priorities for each legislative session.

Hot topic State Budget

Federal Safety Net Threats
Congress is considering unprecedented cuts to county administered safety net programs, including nearly $900 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $230 billion to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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News & Updates

Recent News

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CWDA 2026 State Budget
Budget Update #1 for FY 2026-27 Governor’s Budget

Overall Budget Picture

California’s overall economic picture has performed better than projected compared to the Budget Act of 2025. The Governor’s Budget proposes a $348.9 billion balanced budget with
General Fund expenditures of $248.3 billion. The stronger-than-anticipated performance of the economy, stock market, and cash receipts have contributed to an upgraded revenue
forecast, with General Fund (GF) revenues coming in higher by approximately $42.3 billion, or 6.7 percent, across the budget window (FYs 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27). The revenue

Press release Carlos Marquez III

California Leaders Must Step into the Breach and Protect Vulnerable Children, Adults and Families in the State Budget
County Eligibility Workers Make the Difference Between an Unmitigated Healthcare and Hunger Crisis and Families’ Preserving Ongoing Access to Life Saving Food Assistance and Healthcare Coverage

Sacramento, CA – The County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) of California issued the following statement from Executive Director Carlos Marquez III today on Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2026 – 2027 Budget Proposal. 

Press release Carlos Marquez III

Federal Freeze of Vital Anti-Poverty Programs Threatens California’s Most Vulnerable Children & Families
Stakeholders Urge HHS to Immediately Restore Stability to Child Care and Safety Net Programs

Sacramento, CA- Last night the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with baseless accusations and zero evidence, froze funding for vital anti-poverty programs that serve California’s most vulnerable children and families.  

The federal government is subjecting California to punitive paperwork and bureaucratic barriers in order to continue funding through:  

●       The Child Care and Development Fund 

●       Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, known as CalWORKs) 

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Legislative Advocate

CWDA is recruiting for a Legislative Advocate. The Legislative Advocate will help advance the policies and mission of the County Welfare Directors Association, representing all 58 counties’ human services agencies. Reporting to the Managing Director, Government Relations & Public Affairs, and the Director of Legislative Advocacy, the Legislative Advocate will track, research, and analyze legislation impacting county human services agencies and their programs.

Press release Andrew Cheyne Carlos Marquez III

CWDA Welcomes New Managing Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs

Sacramento, CA – The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) today announced Andrew Cheyne as the organization’s first Managing Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs. Andrew brings to CWDA more than two decades of experience advocating for policies that alleviate poverty, hunger, and to uplift the voices of people served by human services programs.

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Director of Information Technology Policy

The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) is recruiting for a Director of Information Technology Policy. Depending on experience, this position may also be hired at the Deputy Director level. This position will be responsible for leading the association’s engagement and strategy on a range of activities including policy, functionality, best practices and funding related to current and proposed automation systems serving county human services programs.

Click the link below to view the full job description and learn how to apply.

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