Navigating Federal Actions for California Kids and Families
As a result of enacted or potential federal actions and policies, many California kids and their families are facing threats to their safety, health, and freedoms. Communities are scared, overwhelmed, and seeking guidance on how to respond and navigate a path forward.
In an effort to help provide that guidance and support, Children Now has compiled the following trusted resources that detail what rights Californians have, what critical programs are at risk, how to prepare and respond to threats, and ways to take action to protect kids and families across the state.
Please share this page with your networks and members of your community. We will review and update the information here as new details become available. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact us at [email protected].
Quicklinks
Immigration
Preparing for Raids
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Migration Policy Institute
Learn how ICE identifies, arrests, and deports individuals in areas away from the border
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League of United Latin American Citizens
Learn what areas are or are not still protected from ICE and what those places can do to ensure their communities are safe
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National Immigration Law Center
Learn steps education providers can take to provide safe and welcoming learning environments for immigrant students and families
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National Immigration Law Center
Learn steps employers can take to keep employees safe and address immigration enforcement at places of work
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CLASP
Learn how to design and implement “safe space” policies that safeguard early childhood programs against immigration enforcement.
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National Immigration Law Center
Learn the steps you can take to find someone who was taken by immigration officers and may be facing deportation
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California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice
Alert local coalitions who mobilize and respond to immigration enforcement of raids or other actions in your community
Know Your Rights
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ACLU
Learn about the constitutional rights guaranteed to immigrants and how to express them
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We Have Rights
See how immigrants can safely defend their rights during encounters with ICE
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Protecting Immigrant Families
Learn your rights regarding data privacy and public programs in order to make informed decisions about whether to participate
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Get a wallet-sized Red Card that details how you can exercise your rights during encounters with ICE
Legal Services
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Immigration Advocates Network
Search for free or low-cost immigration legal services by state, county, or detention facility
Preparing Your Family
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Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Learn how to ensure your child is taken care of if an immigration emergency leaves you unable to do so
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Canal Alliance
Watch short and informative videos to help prepare your family for immigration emergencies
Medicaid / Medi-Cal
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Children Now
Learn what changes the 2025 federal budget law makes to health care for California kids and families, and what lawmakers can do to protect kids’ health care
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California Budget and Policy Center
Learn why Medi-Cal is critical to California families, including who it covers, how it delivers care, and what is at risk
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Children Now
See how Medi-Cal keeps kids healthy and provides a significant boost to California’s economy
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Georgetown University
Learn how Medicaid supports kids in or aging out of foster care, their caregivers, and adoptive parents in crisis
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Health4All
Learn what Medi-Cal information was shared with immigration enforcement and how that affects Medi-Cal members
TAKE ACTION: Federal Advocacy Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers / En espanol
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National Center for Youth Law
Find information, tools, and activities to start engaging in federal advocacy on the issues that matter to you and your children
Federal Dept of Education
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Children Now
Learn how the Federal Department of Education impacts kids and classrooms in California and what our state must do to ensure that continues
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Education First
A guide to help education organizations make sense of federal education policy changes and develop strategies for responding
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Akin
Stay up to date on federal executive orders and their impact on kids’ education
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EdTrust
Get tools to advocate and mobilize your community to protect students’ education and civil rights
Head Start / Early Childhood
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California Budget and Policy Center
Learn what critical programs and services Head Start provides kids and families, as well as the amount of federal funding and number of kids impacted in each California district
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National Association for the Education of Young Children
Learn how the 2025 federal budget law affects families with young kids, as well as early childhood educators
LGBTQ+ Youth
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California LGBTQ+, Civil Rights, and Health Care Advocates
Learn what laws protect transgender, gender diverse, and intersex youth in California, and which organizations to contact for help expressing your rights
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National Health Law Program
With federal executive orders purporting to limit care, learn about the health care rights and access transgender, gender expansive, and intersex youth have in California
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Equality California
Find ways you can fight for LGBTQ+ rights, including volunteering and helping pass pro-equality legislation
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PFLAG
Find ways to call on your elected officials to defend and fight for LGBTQ+ kids and families
Nonprofit Funding & DEI
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National Council of Nonprofits
Stay up to date on federal executive orders and their impact on nonprofits, and learn about steps nonprofits can take to respond and reduce risk
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Public Counsel
Watch this webinar to learn how community-based nonprofits can best respond to executive orders involving DEI
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National Council of Nonprofits
To help understand the scope of the impacts of federal executive orders on nonprofits, share how your nonprofit and the people you serve have been affected
Toxic Stress & Trauma Among Young Kids
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Sesame Workshop
Designed for parents and caregivers, get tips and resources on how to help kids struggling with stress in their communities
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Zero to Three
Designed for early childhood professionals, get trauma-informed tools and guidance to help support the emotional needs of young kids
Food Supports
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California Budget and Policy Center
Learn how CalFresh feeds families and boosts California’s economy, as well as the amount of federal funding and number of people impacted in each California district
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California Association of Food Banks
Learn how CalFresh brings food and jobs to each California district
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Nourish California
Search an interactive map of California to find local food banks
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Urban Institute
See how the 2025 federal budget law affects California families’ access to SNAP benefits
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California Association of Food Banks
Search a list of local food banks by county or call a helpline for immediate food assistance
Vaccines
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American Public Health Association
Learn how vaccines safely build immunity and prevent serious illnesses in kids and communities
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American Public Health Association
Watch a webinar to learn about misinformation and changing federal policies regarding vaccines
Fluoridation
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ADA
Get science-based information on the process of water fluoridation and its benefits for kids’ oral health
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American Academy of Pediatrics
Hear how both sides frame the fluoridation debate, including from health experts and surgeons general