Understanding the Child Welfare System in California: A Primer for Service Providers and Policymakers

Understanding the Child Welfare System in California: A Primer for Service Providers and Policymakers (2^nd edition) is one in a series of primers offered to assist practitioners and policy leaders in advancing their basic knowledge of complex social service systems. Originally published in 2002, this 2^nd edition of the CWS primer was made possible due to support from the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

In addition to providing a resource for local and state policy leaders and providers, this primer and a companion publication on CalWORKs….

The Morning After

With the special election ballot propositions resulting in a resounding NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, and YES, the discussion moves toward the always important question of: What now?

Here are some responding voices:

The Sacramento Bee begins by concurring, “You did it! Uh, so what now?” as the San Francisco Chronicle notes that the electorate strikes back. The San Jose Mercury news confirms that the ballot measures [are] soundly defeated, and the Los Angeles Times ponders, “A California election left open to interpretation.”….

How will the Propositions affect CalWORKs? An interview with Michael Herald

As voters debate their decisions about the May 19 budget Propositions, many have questions about how the measures will affect welfare recipients and programs.  CCRWF Executive Director Kate Karpilow interviewed longtime Summit presenter Mike Herald, Legislative Advocate with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, and a leading expert on CalWORKs.

1) Mike, many people are struggling with their decisions on the May 19 ballot propositions, and eager for more for more information about how the propositions - pass or fail….

Legislature Should Restore CalWORKS Grant Cut

State Forfeiting $117 Million in Stimulus Funds

Authored By Michael Herald, Legislative Advocate of the Western Law & Poverty Center

The Legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger should restore the CalWORKs grant cut set to take effect July 1, 2009. California will lose $117 million in federal stimulus funds and the significant economic impact from human service spending if it does not act. If the cuts are allowed to go into effect the grant will be lower than the amount the state paid in 1989….

Why California Federation of Teachers Opposes Prop 1A

Authored by Kenneth Burt, Political Director, California Federation of Teachers

The California Federation of Teachers opposes Proposition 1A because it is bad for students. In evaluating proposed public policy, CFT examines the likely impact on the “whole child” and working families in the state.

This hastily crafted initiative will cut billions of dollars from education and other key programs within a few years. The CFT and the California School Boards Association agree: Prop 1A should be defeated.

We did not succumb to the….

Prop 1D: Deceptive and Harmful

Authored by Sherry Novick, Executive Director, First 5 Association of California

The ballot language describing Proposition 1D is not only biased, but deceptive.  It was written by the Legislature and is clearly intended to obfuscate the fact that Prop 1D takes funds directly from local children’s programs to backfill holes in the state budget.

In 1998, Californians voted to dedicate tobacco taxes to local health and education programs for young children. Voters acted because Sacramento politicians were unwilling to fund these programs and….

What Happens on May 20th?

Authored by Robert Cruickshank, Public Policy Director, Courage Campaign

The only certainty about the May 19th special election is that whether the six propositions pass or fail, on May 20 California will be facing a massive budget deficit. Recent projections put that deficit at $9 billion. If the May 19 propositions fail, that deficit could rise to $16 billion. If the May 19 proposals balanced the existing budget without any long-term damage, then perhaps it would be worth some short-term pain….

Propositions 1A-F are Essential to Balancing the Budget

Authored by Senator Darrell Steinberg, President pro Tempore of the California State Senate

“About the only thing worse than passing them is not passing them.” That’s how the Los Angeles Times editorial page characterized several of the measures on the May 19 ballot - an apt summation.

California faced a gargantuan budget shortfall this year:  $42 billion, or roughly a third of the overall General Fund budget.  The Legislature and Governor acted in February to close the gap and stop the bleeding with a….

Decoding California’s May Special Election

Authored by Mark Paul, Senior Scholar, New America Foundation

It’s no easy thing for Californians to figure out exactly what the six measures on the May 19 special election ballot do. For one thing, the Legislature and Governor did their best to hide the real impact of the measures by ordering up some glossy campaign-speak to decorate the titles and summaries on the ballot. It’s easier to sell “budget reform” and “lottery modernization” than a tax increase (Proposition 1A) and more borrowing….

The Dilemma of Having to Choose

Authored by Steve Levy, Director, Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy

Whatever happens in the May 19th special election the state government and local governments throughout California will face continuing difficult budget choices for the next few years. Whatever happens in the May 19th election, the legislature and governor will need to revisit the recently adopted state budget because the deepening recession has pushed it out of balance.

A yes vote on propositions 1A, 1C, 1D and 1E will provide additional….