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CWDA Celebrates 100 Years of Advocacy
We are the County Welfare Directors Association of California. Putting Californians first for a century.

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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.

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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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2026 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

2026 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

Budget Priority Carlos Marquez III

MAY REVISE CHILD WELFARE/FOSTER CARE ISSUES

The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) respectfully submits this budget memorandum in response tothe May Revision to request one-time General Fund (GF) investment in Emergency Response (ER) Enhancement services anda two-year extension of Flexible Family Supports funding authority, which remain excluded from the Administration’s proposed State Budget.

Budget Priority Carlos Marquez III

ADULT SERVICES MAY REVISION PROPOSALS

The County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) respectfully urges the Legislature to reject the proposed permanent $70 million reduction to the Adult Protective Services (APS) program in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 and ongoing, as proposed in the May Revision. CWDA also reiterates its opposition to the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program hours cost shift and other reductions proposed in the FY 2026-27 Governor’s Budget.

Budget Priority Carlos Marquez III

PROTECTING MEDI-CAL COVERAGE IN THE FACE OF H.R. 1 & COMMENTS ON MAY REVISION PROPOSALS

 

The County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) is providing our response to proposals included in the May Revision. We note that the May Revision provides county eligibility workers inadequate resources for the significant, ongoing needs of Medi-Cal clients in the face of H.R. 1, while simultaneously increasing penalties and expectations for performance measures, effectively setting up counties to fail during the most disruptive erosion of the social safety net in which they are at the frontlines.

Please read our attached budget memo.

Budget Priority Carlos Marquez III

PREVENT HUNGER & PROTECT CALFRESH FROM H.R. 1 CUTS & EMERGING RISKS

The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) respectfully submits our response to several CalFresh-related proposals in the May Revision and analysis of other critical emerging CalFresh risks for counties and the 5 million Californians who rely on the program.

Please read our attached budget memo.

Press release Carlos Marquez III

Gov. Newsom’s May Revision Begins Critical Investments to Fight Back Against H.R. 1, But Bolder Action is Needed to Avert a Looming Hunger & Healthcare Crisis
Proposed Investment in County Eligibility Workers is a Good First Step, but the Final Budget Must Fully Resource County CalFresh & Medi-Cal Workers, and Reject County Cost Shifts, to Prevent Devastating Harm from Federal Cuts

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 May Budget Revision:

Press release Carlos Marquez III

State Assembly Steps Up to Protect Vulnerable Californians

Sacramento, CA- The following statement can be attributed to Carlos Marquez III, Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association of California, on the State Assembly Democrat’s 2026-27 Budget Proposal:

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