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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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Hot topic State Budget

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

Federal Update

California SNAP Stakeholders Urge Rejection of Chairman’s Farm Bill Proposal
Bill Would Further Erode Nutrition Supports and Increase Hunger

June 25, 2026

Sacramento, CA – California’s SNAP stakeholders – representing grocers, county administrators, labor unions, public health and other anti-hunger advocates – urge California’s Senators and the Senate Agriculture Committee to reject the proposed Farm Bill put forth by Committee Chairman Boozman (R-AR).  

Press release

State Budget Update #3 Legislature’s 2026-27 Budget Plan

Friday evening, the Assembly and Senate announced and released their Two-Party Budget Agreement. The plan is reflected in AB 109 and will be enacted by both houses prior to the June 15 constitutional deadline for passage of the Budget Bill. In the coming days, the Legislature and Governor will continue negotiations to finalize a three-party budget agreement no later than June 30. CWDA will continue to keep members updated as additional details emerge and budget actions are taken.

Press release Carlos Marquez III

Legislature’s Budget Makes Bold Investments in Protecting Healthcare, Food Access Under H.R. 1
Gov. Newsom’s Signature Can Avert a Federally-Induced Health and Hunger Crisis

Sacramento, CA- The following statement can be attributed to Carlos Marquez III, Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association of California, on the California Legislature’s 2026-27 budget agreement:

Press release Carlos Marquez III

State Assembly Champions Immediate Food & Healthcare Access While Bolstering Safety Net Against Downstream Impacts

Sacramento, CA- The following statement can be attributed to Carlos Marquez III, Executive Director of the County Welfare Director’s Association of California, on the Assembly Democratic Budget Plan. 

Press release Carlos Marquez III

State Senate Offers Bold Vision for California’s Future

Sacramento, CA- The following statement can be attributed to Carlos Marquez III, Executive Director of the County Welfare Director’s Association of California, on the Senate’s budget actions taken in Subcommittee #3 today. 

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.

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