Election Night Is Over. The Work for California’s Children Begins

EveryChild California congratulates Governor-elect Xavier Becerra and all candidates elected to serve California’s communities.

This election marks the beginning of an important new chapter for our state. California’s next leaders will inherit an early care and education system that remains financially fragile, difficult for families to navigate, and dependent on a workforce that has been undervalued for far too long.

At the federal level, the Associated Press projects that Democrats will control both the U.S. House and Senate. This new balance of power will shape decisions affecting child care funding, Head Start, health care, nutrition, and other essential supports for children and families.

The election may be over, but the work is just beginning. EveryChild California stands ready to work with the incoming administration, the Legislature, Congress, and our statewide and national partners to:

• Fund the true cost of providing high-quality care
• Expand access for eligible children and families
• Support and fairly compensate the early care and education workforce
• Strengthen quality through practical, coordinated systems
• Reduce unnecessary administrative and regulatory burdens
• Preserve a mixed-delivery system that gives families meaningful choices

Early care and education is essential infrastructure. It allows parents to work, supports local economies, strengthens communities, and gives children the foundation they need to thrive.

We look forward to working with leaders from both parties to turn campaign commitments into meaningful action. California’s future begins with its children, and it is time to make early care and education a central priority.