California Alliance of Child and Family Services

A Thanksgiving Message from Chris Stoner-Mertz, CEO, CA Alliance:

During this season of Thanksgiving, we take time to reflect on the things for which we are most grateful. This season, my thoughts turn to the California Alliance member organizations, who dedicate every day to addressing the needs of children, youth, and families throughout California. The passion and strength shown by them, and all our partner organizations, during the many challenges that were before us this year, is commendable, and we are honored to be a part of this vital work.

November is the time to be thankful, remember, and embrace those who enrich our lives. However, the holiday season is not always marked by happiness for many. They can be a lonely and painful reminder of loved ones lost and another obstacle to overcome for those who struggle with unmet mental health and substance use needs. For those suffering, please know that we see you and that “it is ok to not be ok.”

We have put together a list of resources and urge those who feel like they need help to reach out:

National Su***de Prevention Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org/

The Trevor Project LGBTQ Hotline: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Hotline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Directory of Additional Helpline Resources from NAMI:https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Images/FactSheets/2021-Resource-Directory.pdf

Find Your Local Food Bank: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank


I’m thankful for many things, but I’m most grateful to be part of the strong CA Alliance community that is changing the lives of children, youth and families day in and day out.

Wishing each and all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Nurse practitioner requirements are changing, allowing them to practice without physician supervision

In 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed (Assemblymember Jim Wood ), changing requirements for Nurse Practitioners, allowing them to practice without physician supervision.

As a lead supporter, the celebrates the implementation of this law which will increase access to vulnerable populations across California!

We also thank the California Board of Registered Nursing for voting to approve rules that allow the law to be implemented.

Read CalMatters.org article: https://tinyurl.com/3snauyz6

Nurse practitioner requirements are changing, allowing them to practice without physician supervision New California nurse practitioner requirements will allow them to practice without physician supervision.

Background Check System in California Draws Complaints - The Imprint

A California background check system meant to safeguard children in has been mired in delays, compounding shortage issues, a group of foster care agencies and advocates reported.

"Ultimately, the people who end up really paying the price are the families who don’t get the benefit of folks who are prepped and really know how to do this work.” - Adriana Molina, chief program officer Allies for Every Child, a Member Organization

Read The Imprint article here: https://tinyurl.com/bden8e3s

Background Check System in California Draws Complaints - The Imprint In California, some are criticizing a background check system in place to safeguard kids in foster care for its bureaucratic snags.

Today, we honored with a webinar!

We heard from those working in Native American communities to reduce mental health disparities by incorporating traditional cultural practices, because Culture IS Healing.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/D0Am7rQnOOs

Let’s continue to raise awareness around these issues and celebrate the successes in our Native American communities

Today we celebrated the beginning of Native American Heritage month with California Alliance. We heard from those working in Native American communities to reduce mental health disparities by incorporating traditional cultural practices, because Culture IS Healing. Thank you to Virgil Moorehead with Two Feathers Native American Family Services, Michelle Castagne with California Tribal Families Coalition, Michael Duran and Tiffany Smith with the Indian Heath Center of Santa Clara Valley, and Dr. Carrie Johnson with the United American Indian Involvement for the words shared today. Let’s continue to raise awareness around these issues and celebrate the successes in our Native American communities. California Alliance of Child and Family Services
Two Feathers-NAFS California Tribal Families Coalition United American Indian Involvement, Inc. Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley

“As the pandemic’s dust settled, child care centers shuttered. This left a void of more than 4,300 child care spaces in Sacramento County.”

While we are coming close to post-pandemic, child care prices in Sacramento are running rampant. Learn more about it in this article by member Sacramento Children's Home: https://www.capradio.org/articles/2022/10/06/90-of-black-parents-in-the-sacramento-region-report-uncertainty-around-child-care-access/

This September, the celebrates ! This month we honor the histories, cultures, and significant contributions of the Hispanic communities throughout California.

Check out this website for more resources: ​​https://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/

Premier Associate Highlight: Dennis C Miller

DCM Associates specializes in executive search projects representing a wide variety of nonprofit sectors, including business and professional trade associations, human service organizations, healthcare, community building, faith-based and social impact organizations.

Learn more here: https://denniscmiller.com/

Children's access to Mental Health Services is top priority - Capitol Weekly

It is imperative that ALL children REGARDLESS of their insurance status have access to school-based behavioral health services. Office of Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva ensures that ALL students have access to on-school campus services, at the earliest onset of a behavioral health condition.

As the proud co-sponsor with CBHDA we respectfully urge Governor Gavin Newsom to sign . Read more here: https://capitolweekly.net/childrens-access-mental-health-services-is-top-priority/

Children's access to Mental Health Services is top priority - Capitol Weekly Counties and local non-profits could provide brief initial intervention services and be reimbursed by either Medi-Cal or private insurers

Unanswered cries: Why California faces a shortage of mental health workers

“We finally have all of this money and transformation coming. All these amazing things … and it couldn’t come at a worse time in terms of our workforce.”

Despite investments in mental health increasing exponentially, we are still facing a mental health crisis - and this is due to our shortage of mental health workers. In this chilling article by member CalMatters.org: https://calmatters.org/health/2022/09/california-shortage-mental-health-workers/, they review how we got to this point and what we must to do to get out of it.

Unanswered cries: Why California faces a shortage of mental health workers With demand rising for mental health care, and providers in short supply, experts explain how we got here - and where we may be headed.

California Governor to Decide on Child Welfare Bills - The Imprint

As California continues to advance our childwelfare policies, we are beginning to see an influx of groundbreaking bills landing on Governor Newsom’s desk. Amongst these, is the sponsored bill Assemblymember James C. Ramos- a bill that would establish the Youth Acceptance Project in up to 5 counties to assist families who are struggling with the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of their child.

We urge Governor Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2663. Read more in the article here: https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/california-governor-to-decide-on-child-welfare-bills/173144?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

California Governor to Decide on Child Welfare Bills - The Imprint Bills on California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk aim to prevent foster care removals due to poverty, better protect LGBTQ youth and reduce racial disparities.

We send a heartfelt congratulations to Joelle Gomez, CEO of Member organization Children's Home of Stockton, for her reappointment by California Governor Gavin Newsom to the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, where she has served since 2019.

Guest Opinion: It’s time to expand the Youth Acceptance Project

"All children deserve a family who loves them unconditionally. . . a place where they feel they belong & where they receive love & acceptance of who they are."

"That's why it's critical California Governor Gavin Newsom sign . This bill would transform the Youth Acceptance Project into a five-year pilot program across at least three counties!"

- member & Family Builders by Adoption Executive Director, Jill Jacobs, in an Bay Area Reporter OP-ED on (Assemblymember James C. Ramos)

Read the Op-Ed Here: https://tinyurl.com/yw437ss6

Guest Opinion: It’s time to expand the Youth Acceptance Project All children deserve a family who loves them unconditionally. They deserve a place where they feel they belong and where they receive love and acceptance of who they are.

Today, Governor Newsom reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the youth crisis.

CA has the opportunity to invest in the services and workforce that make a life-saving difference for youth and families.

See our statement on California Governor's commitment below⬇️

State Roundtable Joint Statement on AB 1394 | Delta Center for a Thriving Safety Net

As a member of the Delta Center California State Policy & Partnership Roundtable, we join our colleagues and partners to applaud Governor Gavin Newsom's passage of (Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin) requiring general acute care hospitals to adopt su***de screening policies for patients 12 and older.

To view the full statement,
visit this https://bit.ly/SR-AB1394

State Roundtable Joint Statement on AB 1394 | Delta Center for a Thriving Safety Net August 11, 2022 August 11, 2022 The Honorable Gavin Newsom Governor of California 1303 10th Street, Suite 1173 Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: Applauding the signing of AB 1394 (Irwin) - General acute care hospitals: su***de screening Dear Governor Newsom, The listed organizations are a part of the State P...

California is facing a crisis in providing care to children and youth.

To close the gap, Assemblymember James C. Ramos introduced , to create a new licensing category, the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility.

Tomorrow at 10am, advocates and providers are gathering to urge support of the measure.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/CEIsoOaqW0Q

What an amazing day! Thank you The County of Fresno Department of Behavioral Health and West Fresno Family Resource Center for your hard work and dedication to this amazing project!

The Sweet Potato Project II is a prevention program that aims to prevent and/or reduce school drop-out, gang involvement and substance use and addressing mental health disparities for African American youth ages 12-15. This project is funded by the California Reducing Disparity Project and the Fresno County DBH, using MHSA Innovation funding.

July is formally recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Month.

The pauses today to acknowledge the unique experiences of BIPOC children, & reaffirm our commitment to advocate for their needs.

As June comes to a close, the continues to shine a light on , a celebration of a defining moment in American history.

In honor of , we partnered with Senator Steven Bradford and Unity Care, CEO and Founder, Andre Chapman.

"So let us celebrate and honor the end of slavery and recommit to our continuing march towards freedom and justice for all."

Read Senator Bradford's blog here: https://tinyurl.com/rb99patd

Read Andre Chapman's blog here: https://tinyurl.com/59s9tzex

Today's Supreme Court Decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is heartbreaking. It underscores the persistence of racial, gender, and economic inequality in our country.

The will continue to be an unwavering voice for those impacted by decisions like the one made today.

Read our full statement on the Supreme Court Decision on Roe V. Wade here: https://tinyurl.com/ycx2kz6w

As comes to a close, we have partnered with member Pacific Clinics on a guest blog post.

This powerful blog discusses the current challenges before us in behavioral health and what the future could look like.

"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we are experiencing a crisis . . . We must continue to create the structural changes necessary to build a more accessible and equitable system of the future so that people and communities live in safety and thrive."

Read here: https://tinyurl.com/bdvyhe87

In honor of the last day of
, we have partnered with ASM Isaac Bryan, who has graciously penned an inspiring guest blog for us on what this month means to them, and the amazing work he does in the State Legislature.

"Protecting and uplifting the interests of is a fundamental duty of my work in public service. We all face our own paths through life and into adulthood, and it’s our responsibility to help each other – particularly these young people – make that difficult transition a success."

Read the post here: https://tinyurl.com/f7mzy5u8

In honor of May being , we have partnered with member Side By Side.

They have graciously penned a guest blog for us on what this month means to them, and the amazing work they do.

"This , let us shine a light on the achievements & contributions of this community while keeping in mind allyship & support. Let us honor the resiliency of the grandparents, great grandparents, mothers & fathers who work to create a better future for us all."

Read the full post here: https://lnkd.in/gf4Y2-xU

In honor of May being , we have partnered with member Koinonia Family Services. They have graciously penned a guest blog for us on the amazing programs they offer for .

“Koinonia” (Koy-no-nee’-ah) is a Greek word which means “fellowship.” It carries with it the meaning of a committed, trustworthy and dependable relationship. It is this “koinonia” relationship that has made the difference in the lives of thousands of children in ."

Read the full post here: https://tinyurl.com/2p97v8j3

Our hearts are with the families and the Uvalde community.

Schools must be safe places for students, and this incident underscores the fragility that we are currently experiencing as a nation.

We must take action to protect our children and youth from such acts of violence.

May is and we are honored to have Assemblymember Phil Ting pen a guest blog for us on the significance this month has.

"This is also an opportunity for to feel proud about who we are and the tremendous sacrifices our ancestors made to make their versions of the American Dream a reality."

Read the full post here: https://tinyurl.com/ybx3vzxd