There is an important message:

This Holiday Season, Donate to Santa Cruz Gives.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Families & Children


All Local Families & Children News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: Working together with many volunteers, this crew feeds 65,000 people in Santa Cruz County every month.
California’s Oldest Food Bank Pays It Forward

For the food-insecure community in Santa Cruz County, Second Harvest Food Bank feeds the need.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

11/13/2024
More than 115,000 children in California were undocumented in the most recent census count, and it’s estimated almost half of California children have at least one immigrant parent.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

11/08/2024
Image for display with article titled Preschool Program Expands at Highlands Park Center in Ben Lomond

Community Bridges recently announced that Highlands Park Center in Ben Lomond, one of six sites in its Early Education Division (EED), has expanded its California State Preschool Program to offer free or low-cost early care and education services for qualifying income eligible families.

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo From Hilltromper Santa Cruz...

09/03/2024
Image for display with article titled Two Great Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Fun activities created by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History help students engage with nature and learn about the remarkable resources in our backyard.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

08/25/2024
Birth centers are popular options for families who want to deliver a baby outside of a hospital. Nineteen of them closed in California in the past decade, deepening the state’s maternity care crisis.

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo From Hilltromper Santa Cruz...

07/30/2024
Image for display with article titled Kids2Parks: Transforming Lives, One Field Trip at a Time

This innovative equity program offers transportation funding for State Park visits to low-income students, providing access to nature and learning.

The Pajaronian logo From The Pajaronian...

07/23/2024
Image for display with article titled Salvation Army Gives Away 450 School Backpacks

As summer wanes and the school year approaches, hundreds of families gathered in Watsonville Plaza Saturday to receive free new backpacks filled with school supplies.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

07/11/2024
Image for display with article titled Skypark Community Marks 4th of July With Kids Bike Parade in Scotts Valley

The Skypark community came out to celebrate the Fourth of July on a warm morning for the annual Independence Day Kids Bike Parade in Scotts Valley.

Good Times logo From Good Times...

07/03/2024
Image for display with article titled Child Protective Services Criticized by Santa Cruz County Grand Jury

Santa Cruz County Child Protective Services workers prioritize reunifying children with their birth parents, and have been accused of insensitive treatment and intimidation of families, according to a report released June 17 by the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury.

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

06/24/2024
Image for display with article titled Camp Krem on the Road to Recovery

A Bright Future in Sight: Camping Unlimited at Camp Krem Approved for FEMA Assistance

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

05/30/2024
The state is directly investing money for low-income students and all newborns to attend college. After two years, the program is still not widely known by the students who need the most financial assistance.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

05/19/2024
18 new volunteers were sworn in as as Court Appointed Special Advocates following their 35 hour training.

The Pajaronian logo From The Pajaronian...

05/10/2024
Image for display with article titled Watsonville Kicks Off Ramsay Park Renaissance Project

Watsonville city officials gathered Friday to break ground on a major renovation and upgrade for Ramsay Park.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

04/25/2024
Image for display with article titled Will Less Homework Stress Make California Students Happier?

A bill from a member of the Legislature’s happiness committee would require schools to come up with homework policies that consider the strain on students.

California Local Pin Marker From California Healthline...

04/17/2024
Heiress Paris Hilton is on a mission to shine a light on the "troubled teen industry," a largely unregulated multibillion-dollar industry that is gaining public scrutiny for alleged abuse of vulnerable youths.

California Local Pin Marker From Times Publishing Group...

04/02/2024
In the planning stages since 2021, a new inclusive and accessible playground opened at Skypark.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

03/29/2024
Image for display with article titled California May Gut Two CalWORKS Programs Helping Thousands of Families

The state is considering zeroing out funds for CalWORKS family stabilization and job subsidy programs to help balance the budget.

California Local Pin Marker From EdSource...

03/28/2024
Evictions have exacerbated homelessness nationwide, increasing the rate of homeless infants and toddlers. Most of those children are not enrolled in early education programs.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

03/20/2024
Image for display with article titled Our Students Need More Recess

More frequent outdoor breaks can improve student attention, reduce behavior problems.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

03/14/2024
Image for display with article titled Skypark Tot Lot Grand Opening Set for Sunday

City of Scotts Valley has announced the grand opening of the inclusive Skypark Tot Lot Playground .

California Local Pin Marker From Times Publishing Group...

03/12/2024
The County of Santa Cruz is remodeling the two story office building at 5300 Soquel Avenue in Live Oak with conference rooms, family spaces and other amenities for youth in crisis and expand the Health Services Agency’s substance use disorder and mental health services.
Join Us Today!