We are excited to announce the introduction of AB 2441, the "Community Supporter Innovation Pilot" an unprecedented opportunity to fund Family Resource Centers in California!

You hold the key for AB 2441's early success. We need FRCs and allies to sign on to the support letter and share logos for a powerful demonstration of our unified support.

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Please sign our AB 2441 Coalition Support Letter to the Assembly Human Services Committee. To sign on click here.

 

What is AB 2441: the Community Supporter Innovation Pilot?

Proposed by the Child Abuse Prevention Center and California Family Resource Association (CFRA) and authored by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, AB 2441 will fund selected FRCs around the state to partner with hospitals, law enforcement, and schools, to create a support referral pipeline as an alternative to CPS reporting for family crisis situations that don't involve danger to children. Pilot sites will include:
 

• Partnerships with those agencies that create the most reports to child welfare (hospitals, schools, law enforcement), to learn and implement alternative referrals to FRCs.

• Partnerships with Child Welfare to establish decision criteria and integrate services.

• Training to mandated reporters and key FRC staff to understand and respond to critical family needs.

• Evaluation, accountability, and demonstration of impact.

 

Why is this important right now?

• This proposal is the closest we’ve come so far to securing state funding for the core supports and operations of FRCs.

• As a demonstration site project, it will document the effectiveness of FRCs, laying the groundwork for more comprehensive funding statewide.

• As California looks to move “from mandated reporting to community supporting” for families experiencing challenges, we have an opportunity to demonstrate the indispensable role of FRCs as part of the Community Pathway.

• This Pilot will put resources behind establishing the shared standards, capacities, and impact measures that will strengthen all FRCs.

• We have momentum on our side! With FRCs now written into federal law, California’s definition of FRCs before the legislature to update (SB 557), and counties needing to implement Community Pathways to reduce entries into Child Welfare, this moment is ours to take!

 

About our author!

Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez represents the 43rd Assembly District, in the Northeast San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County. Assemblymember Rodriguez was raised in that same community by immigrant parents who instilled in her the values of service and social justice. Her career has focused on lifting families out of poverty, including homelessness prevention and initiatives to empower vulnerable families.

 

We’re grateful to Asm. Rodriguez and excited about the prospects for the Community Supporter Innovation Pilot.