Past Budget Priorities

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2021-2022 Budget Tracking List

The May Revision included an increase of $50.3 million ($25.16 million GF) in 2021-22 to the 2019-20 funding level based on the projected increase in the California Consumer Price Index. This amount is slightly less than what was proposed in the GB due to an update of the CPI at the May Revision.

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CWDA Submits May Revision Response to Legislature
Memo Details Critical Budget Priorities for County Human Services Agencies

The release of the Governor’s May Revision last Thursday brings into stark relief that which we all already knew – the COVID 19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our state budget and economy, not to mention the toll it has exacted on the health and personal economy of so many Californians.

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Budget Update #3: May Revision Summary

CWDA has posted Budget Update #3. This update contains a summary of key human services and health related changes of interest to county human services agencies proposed in the Governor’s May Revision, released on Thursday, May 14.

CWDA Budget Update #3 - 2020-21 May Revision

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CWDA Statement on Senate Budget Plan Released 5-12-20
Executive Director Frank Mecca Praises Approach, CWDA Ready to Assist Legislature, Governor

The California Senate today released a blueprint for approaching the state budget in light of significant revenue declines forecast by the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Department of Finance.

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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

Budget Priority

Increase CalWORKs Applicant Earned Income Disregard
Despite Inflation, Minimum Wages Increases, Inadequate $90 Disregard Has Not Been Updated Since 1998

As the Governor and Legislature continue to grapple with the state’s homelessness and housing issues, many policies have been implemented in order to encourage employment and give our poorest families a better opportunity to create self-sufficiency. Many working poor families already live on the cusp of needing social services and safety net resources.

Budget Priority

County Administration Cost Adjustment Budget Memo

The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) respectfully requests your support for updating the funding levels for county administration of human services programs to reflect the appropriate state share of actual costs. Counties administer these programs on behalf of the state. Yet the proposed budget does not provide funding to cover the actual costs of counties for performing those duties in several key areas.

CWDA Cost Adjustment Memo to Assembly Budget Sub 1

CWDA Cost Adjustment Memo to Senate Budget Sub 3

Budget Priority

Expanded Subsidized Employment Budget Memo

The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) opposes the proposal in the Governor’s Budget to shift funding from the CalWORKs Single Allocation to the Expanded Subsidized Employment (ESE) Program. Under the Administration’s proposal, $19.8 million associated with the base funding requirement (BFR) for ESE will be removed from the Single Allocation and provided as part of the ESE Program allocation.  This funding shift is effectively a cut to the Employment Services component of the Single Allocation.

Budget Priority

CWDA-SEIU Budget Memo re CalHEERS and Medi-Cal Eligibility
Joint memo calls for greater legislative oversight

It is critical for the Legislature to understand the shortcomings of CalHEERS and inordinate delays in developing functionalities that are considered to be a baseline for most eligibility systems.

Budget Priority

More CalFresh, Less Hunger Budget Request Materials
Policy, Practice Enhancements Will Increase Uptake and Reduce Churn

CWDA is sponsoring the More CalFresh, Less Hunger Act (AB 2413, Ting/Wiener), which will  help battle food insecurity across California. The significant policy and practice changes promoted by the Act will increase the food and economic security of an estimated 200,000 additional CalFresh households in California when fully realized, while helping the 2.17 million households already receiving benefits stay on the program instead of dropping off for purely administrative and paperwork-related reasons as happens too often today.

CWDA CalFresh Memo to Assembly Budget Sub 1

CWDA CalFresh Memo to Senate Budget Sub 3

Budget Priority

Adult Protective Services Budget Request Materials
Coalition Seeks $100m to Help Elders, Dependent Adults Facing Homelessness

The APS Program has a long and successful history of working with California’s most vulnerable older and dependent adults. APS workers understand their needs and the program is connected to other systems and partners familiar with serving this unique population. With the requested resources and strategies outlined in this proposal, the APS Program will be able to expand to meet the needs of the growing aging population, and to enhance case management to address the growth of both senior homelessness and those with cognitive impairments.

Budget Priority

2020-21 State Budget Updates
Updates Issued In January 2020

State Budget Update #2 – January 14, 2020

CWDA Budget Update #2

 

State Budget Update #1 - January 10, 2020.

CWDA Budget Update #1

 

Budget Priority

2019-20 Budget Update #5
Governor Signed on June 27, 2019

Following is an update on the main issues that we have been highlighting for you throughout the budget process. Also below is an update of the CWDA budget tracking chart, which provides the details on the Legislative actions for all the issues we have been tracking since January.

Download Budget Update #5

Download Budget Legislative Tracking – June 28, 2019

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State Budget Update # 4
2019-20 Budget and Legislative Actions

Following is an update on the main issues that we have been highlighting for you throughout the budget process. Also below is an update of the CWDA budget tracking chart, which provides the details on the Legislative actions for all the issues we have been tracking since January.

Download Budget Update #4 – June 12, 2019

Download Budget Legislative Tracking – June 12, 2019

Budget Priority

Bringing Families Home Program
Adopt Assembly Version

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC), Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) and Housing California respectfully request your support of the ASSEMBLY VERSION to provide a one-time appropriation of $25 million General Fund (GF) for fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 to continue and expand the existing Bringing Families Home (BFH) Program, which provides rapid re-housing, supportive housing, and other critical housing-related supports to child-welfare involved homeless families and those at risk of homelessness in

Budget Priority

Adult Protective Services (APS) Training Program
Support Senate Version

The California State Association of Public Administrators/Guardians/Conservators (CAPAPGPC), California Commission on Aging, California Elder Justice Coalition, and County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) respectfully request adoption of the SENATE VERSION of $5.75 million General Fund (GF) over three years to continue support of the Adult Protective Services (APS) and Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator (PA/PG/PC) training budget. This training will enable counties to meet their mandate to protect and serve this vulnerable elderly and dependent adult population.

Budget Priority

County Administrative Costs for CalFresh Expansion
Adopt Assembly Version

The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) supports the action taken by the Assembly to adopt placeholder trailer bill language requiring the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), to work with counties and other stakeholders to update the budgeting methodology used to determine annual funding for county administration of the CalFresh Program.

Download CalFresh Expansion Budget Memo – May 29, 2019

Budget Priority

Child Welfare Services – CANS Trailer Bill Language
Adopt Assembly Action

The County Welfare Directors Association of California (CWDA) supports the action taken by the Assembly to adopt trailer bill language requiring the Department of Social Services (DSS), in collaboration with CWDA, to track the utilization, workload and costs associated with implementation of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment tool, and incorporate any necessary budget changes as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 State Budget.

Download the CANS Budget Memo – May 29, 2019

Budget Priority

CalWORKs Stage One Child Care 12-Month Continuous Eligibility Memo
Support & Refine Budget Estimate Prior to Adoption

CWDA Supports the expansion of access to CalWORKs Stage One Child Care by establishing a 12-month minimum eligibility period for Stage One as has been proposed by the Administration in the May Revision and adopted in some form by both the Senate and Assembly. However, we believe the amount of funding currently provided for 2019-20 is insufficient. While the Senate version of the budget adds $25 million, the Senate’s proposal also adds additional elements beyond those proposed by the Administration.

Budget Priority

State Budget Update #3
2019-20 May Revision & Legislative Actions

CWDA issues Budget Updates that include information about the Governor’s proposals, budget subcommittee actions, Budget Conference Committee actions, leadership negotiations, and Governor’s vetoes.

Download State Budget Update Memo #3 – May 24, 2019