California values children — let’s prove it

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OPINION – Protecting children has long been understood as a shared value that rises above politics and party lines. As California leaders begin to debate the upcoming budget, their decisions will test whether the state lives up to that value—determining who gets care, who goes hungry, and who is left to navigate trauma alone.

President Trump and Congress have enacted devastating cuts to safety net programs, leaving Governor Newsom and state legislators to grapple with an estimated $18 billion budget gap. Medi-Cal coverage is now at risk for 3.4 million people, with serious consequences for children’s physical and mental health. More than three million families stand to lose some or all of their SNAP (CalFresh) nutrition assistance—about $190 less each month for families already struggling to avoid hunger.

A few years ago, a young man walked out of juvenile detention in Los Angeles—a moment that too often leads to incarceration later in life. With support and expert care from a local nonprofit, Dameon was able to begin imagining a different path forward. He went on to attend culinary school and now works full time as a line cook at the renowned Malibu restaurant, Nobu. He credits Boys Republic for helping him get there, and today he shares his story with boys who are still in the system.

Jordan bought his first car a few weeks ago. He put down cash he earned himself, with help from a generous donor. For many young people, aging out of foster care without support means slipping quickly into homelessness, and Jordan came close to that edge. What made the difference was Walden Family Services in San Diego. They didn’t just give him a place to live—they stood with him as he learned how to move confidently into adulthood. They understood that a car wasn’t just transportation. It meant access to college classes, internships, a steady job, and the very human opportunity to begin flourishing.

Summer and Renee wanted to open their loving home to foster youth, knowing they would be caring for children who had endured deep trauma. Seneca Family of Agencies gave them the support and confidence to receive children in crisis, sometimes with just a few hours’ notice. When it was time for those children to return to their biological parents, Seneca helped Summer and Renee navigate the difficult emotions that come with separating from children they had bonded deeply with.

The California Alliance’s 200+ member nonprofits put our shared values into practice every day. Rooted in the diverse communities they serve, they work alongside local governments to connect families with resources proven to keep children safely in their homes. They deliver mental health services. They recruit, train, and support foster families who help youth heal from the trauma of family separation.

At the same time, Trump policies are destabilizing families in ways that increase demand for these services, while cutting the funding that safety net providers rely on to do this work. Too many nonprofit organizations have already been forced to shut their doors, squeezed between inadequate state funding and soaring costs, particularly insurance. The temporary funding lifeline extended to Foster Family Agencies in 2025 mattered, but it was only a beginning.

When Washington abandons children, California has a choice: turn away or fight back by strengthening safety net organizations.

We will fight to keep foster family agencies open and prevent youth from becoming homeless. We’ll push to prioritize mental health for children as the state overhauls local funding formulas. These aren’t just budget line items—they’re investments in young people like Dameon and Jordan, in the futures they’re building, and in the California they’ll lead.

We urge state leaders to join us in defending the future of California’s youth. Together, we can ensure that protecting children remains a core California value—not just in what we say, but in what we do.

Pete Weldy is the CEO of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services.