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Ticket to Dream Foundation provides assistance to foster children.

California Local Pin Marker Local Families & Children Digest

California Has a Lot to Lose if Trump Slashes Medicaid. Seniors, Kids and More Could Face Coverage Cuts

02/27/2025

Almost 15 million Californians have health care coverage through Medi-Cal, a program that stands to lose billions of dollars if Republicans follow through on proposed cuts.

‘It Was Just a Regular Morning’: Californians Picked Up in Recent ICE Raids Include Kids, Volunteers

02/10/2025

Interviews suggest some people swept up in Trump’s immigration crackdown are dedicated to their families and communities — not hardened criminals.

California Local Pin Marker Recent Articles

Image caption: Mario Ramirez Garcia does homework on April 23, 2021.
Will Less Homework 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 mental and physical strain on students.

Image caption: Joy Perrin, a mother of two children, testifies at the Budget Subcommittee on Human Services hearing at the state Capitol in Sacramento March 20, 2024. With the help of CalWORKS, Perrin was able to secure housing for her and her family.
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.

Image caption: Every now and then, it's important to focus on good things.
One Good Thing

We announce a new initiative and invite our members to contribute.

Image caption: Kindergartners during recess at Redwood Heights Elementary School in Oakland.
Our Students Need More Recess

More frequent outdoor breaks can improve student attention, reduce behavior problems. Over the last decade, a growing list of U.S. states—including Missouri, Florida and New Jersey—have mandated daily recess. California joined the trend in late 2023.

Image caption: A customer picks produce at the Fairfield Farmers' Market on June 15, 2023.
Popular Farmers Market Program Faces Cuts

A popular program that doubles CalFresh benefits at farmers markets is on the chopping block as California leaders try to close a yawning budget deficit.

Image caption: Sign up for a free spin through the Capitol Building and its gardens.
20 Free Things to Do in Sacramento County

Home to the state capital, Sacramento County offers many amusements for visitors and locals alike. But only some require no cash outlay.

Image caption: Inadvertently, the beloved Muppet Elmo called attention to the mental health dangers of being too heavily online.
Lawmakers Now Calling for Regulation of Social Media

Lawmakers in California and other states are now making attempts to prevent the reported harms to children caused by social media platforms. The U.S. Senate got into the act as well, at a dramatic Jan. 31 hearing.

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Teen Parents Helped by Hanford Program

High school students who become parents have around a 50% chance of dropping out. The HOPE program helps change this paradigm.

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Ending ‘Food Apartheid’ in Los Angeles

Small stores are working with nonprofits to shift an old paradigm—that it's often harder for people in low-income areas to access fresh fruit or produce.

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Reflections on My 2023

Michael Gelbman finds some perspective amid the divisiveness.