California Alliance of Child and Family Services

11/17/2025

Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a safe, supportive home. During , we celebrate the families who have opened their hearts and the organizations across California helping youth find lifelong connections and healing.

11/17/2025

California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) has issued a statement on HUD’s new Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Opportunity NOFO. As members of the Cal ICH Advisory Committee, we stand firmly with the Council and strongly support the concerns they have raised.

HUD’s federally imposed 30 percent cap on permanent housing could cost California $250 to $300 million annually for permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing. New mandatory service or treatment requirements also conflict with California’s Housing First law and decades of research. These changes place older adults, families, veterans, people with disabilities, transition-aged youth, and households connected to Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, and child welfare systems at serious risk.

“We are sounding the alarm,” said Cal ICH Co-Chair and BCSH Secretary Tomiquia Moss. “The federal government’s new cap on permanent housing would strip away the core of California’s homelessness response and jeopardize the stability of more than 170,000 people nationwide.

We will continue to stand with our partners in protecting what works. Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency

Read the full statement here:

11/16/2025

Congratulations to Sycamores a child and family services agency for being named Best Local Nonprofit or Charity in Pasadena Weekly 2025 Annual Readers’ Poll. This recognition reflects their long-standing commitment to improving the lives of children, young adults, and families across Southern California.

Sycamores’ work strengthens community mental health, expands access to compassionate support, and helps young people and families build stability. Their team shows every day what high-impact, community-centered care looks like.

We are proud to call Sycamores a member of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services. This honor is well deserved and highlights the critical role they play in the communities they serve.

Pasadena Weekly - Pasadena Weekly 111325

11/16/2025

The CA Alliance and Catalyst Center team are proud to sponsor this year’s NASW-CA Chapter Annual Conference in Irvine, where hundreds of social workers and social service professionals are gathering for two days of learning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to change.

Our staff are on site supporting members, and we are grateful to see CA Alliance member organizations contributing their expertise throughout the program. Today, Dr. Dretona Maddox of Purposely Chosen Inc. is presenting Blueprints for Systems Change for Teen Parents in Marginalized Communities and Foster Care, a workshop examining the impact of trauma, racism, and reproductive injustice and offering trauma-informed, justice-based strategies to strengthen advocacy and drive systemic change.

Looking forward to sharing moments from the conference and lifting up the work of our members and the next generation of leaders participating in this week’s Student Symposium.

11/15/2025

November is , a time to honor the thousands of children in foster care waiting for permanent, loving families. We recognize the community-based agencies and foster family partners working every day to ensure youth find stability, belonging, and hope.

11/15/2025

is a time to uplift trans and gender-expansive youth, and to recommit to creating systems that ensure safety, belonging, and access to affirming care. Every young person deserves dignity and support to thrive as their authentic self.

11/15/2025

Axel Pecero has spent years fighting for others — a fierce advocate for youth with lived experience in foster care, a member of our Open Doors program, and a believer in what’s possible when systems listen to those they serve.

Now, Axel faces detention and deportation under a federal policy that fails to recognize his humanity and contributions. As Imprint reports, Axel’s story is one of hope and resilience, but also a reminder that no young person should face this kind of uncertainty after growing up in care.

“They’re supposed to be picking up the ‘worst of the worst’ criminals, but they detained Axel, who’s making this world a better place.” — Tasha Norton-James, Community Wellness Trainer with TheCatalystCenter.CA

Senator Caroline Menjivar called Axel’s case a reminder that youthful missteps should never determine a life’s worth: “What do we expect from somebody who we turned our backs on?”

We stand with Axel, and with every young person who turns pain into purpose. His advocacy, compassion, and courage are what make California stronger.

Read Part One of his story from The Imprint https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/former-foster-youth-faces-deportation-under-trumps-immigration-crackdown/268083

Foster advocate Axel Pecero is being held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center and preparing for the possibility of deportation.

11/15/2025

For years, Axel Pecero has been a voice for others, a father, advocate, and former foster youth who worked with our Open Doors Training to uplift young people in care.

Now, Axel is fighting for his own freedom. Detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, he faces deportation under the Trump Administration’s renewed immigration crackdown, despite having lived in the U.S. since age three.

“I came here at the age of 3, and all I’ve ever known is being in America,” Axel told The Imprint . “I really do feel like I belong here. I can’t imagine going back to Mexico and not being in my son’s life.”

Senator Caroline Menjivar said: “I watched Axel grow as a leader, and saw how he brought the lived experiences of the foster care system to legislators. To hear that he was detained in my own district, it’s heartbreaking.”

We stand with Axel and with every young person who turns struggle into advocacy. His courage demonstrates what’s possible when lived experience leads the way.

Read Part Two of his story from The Imprint:

A wide circle of supporters raising money for Axel Pecero’s young son call his arrest and detention ‘heartbreaking.’

11/14/2025

Transgender and nonbinary youth face barriers that no young person should experience. This , we stand with providers creating inclusive spaces and with youth who deserve safety, respect, and a future filled with possibility.

11/13/2025

This , we honor the history, traditions, and strength of Indigenous peoples. The CA Alliance stands with Tribal partners in advancing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care that respects sovereignty and strengthens Native youth and families.