Budget Negotiations Are Closing Help Protect Center-Based Child Care in the Final State Budget

California's final FY 2026-27 budget is being decided right now. Child care programs are at the table, but only if legislators hear from you. Make two calls. It takes five minutes. Your voice matters!

We are asking legislators to include two solutions in the final budget agreement.

Ask 1: A flex factor so direct contracting programs can safely transition from hold harmless,  avoid a sudden funding cliff, and right-size contracts over time while managing normal enrollment fluctuations, family absences, staffing challenges, TK expansion impacts, and other circumstances outside a provider’s control.

Ask 2: A pathway to move all direct contracting programs into Proposition 98 so center-based child care is included in California’s long-term early learning and education funding strategy.

Legislators need to hear how these decisions affect real children, families, providers, and communities in their districts. Here is how to make your voice heard.

Call to Action:

• Find your legislator https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ enter your home or program address. You will see two representatives: your State Senator and your State Assemblymember. You will be calling both.

• Check if your rep is a priority contact. If your Senator or Assemblymember appears below, your call carries extra weight, these legislators are directly connected to final budget decisions on child care, education finance, and Proposition 98.

  • Priority Legislators:

    • Senators: Archuleta, Grove, Laird, Limón, Menjivar, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Pérez, Weber Pierson

    • Assemblymembers: Ahrens, Alvarez, Fong, Gabriel, Hadwick, Jackson, Johnson, Lee, Patel, Rivas, Sharp-Collins, Tangipa, Wallis

• Locate “contact me” on your representative’s website link

• Find your representative’s phone number(s)

• Call the district office and the Capitol office: Capitol staff are swamped right now with bill analysis and floor vote recommendations. Call both the district office and the Capitol office to give your message the best chance of being properly logged and shared with the legislator.

You can use the script below, and it is completely okay to read it word for word.

“Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent of Senator/Assemblymember [Name]. I’m calling about the final state budget. I would like to make sure that my request is officially logged, please let me know when you’re ready to take down my name, contact information, and zip code.” [Provide your information]

“Please ask [Senator/Assemblymember [Name] to support child care stability in the final budget agreement, including a flex factor for center-based contracts and a pathway to move center-based child care programs into Proposition 98. These solutions would help programs safely transition off of hold harmless, avoid sudden disruption, and right-size contracts over time while keeping classrooms open, retaining staff, and protecting care for families in the district. Thank you so much for your time.”

You’ve Got This! You do not need to explain the state budget or have all the details memorized. Your call shows legislators that child care stability matters in their district and that these decisions affect real programs, real classrooms, real staff, and real families. Thank you for taking a few minutes to speak up on behalf of your community!