This week, more than 865 diverse organizations sent a letter to California leaders calling on them to prioritize kids in the state budget, including making specific investments in child care, school-based mental health and youth in foster care.

In response, the California State Legislature included critical investments in the systems that serve kids in their version of the 2021-22 State Budget. We urge the Governor and Legislature to work together to enact a final budget agreement that does right by all children and youth in California.

This is a once-in-a-childhood opportunity to ensure that our state puts kids first, and moves us towards national leadership on children’s well-being.