Comparing CalWORKs Take-Up Rates Across Demographic Groups

Feb 14, 2023 - That said, our estimates do provide insight —particularly when comparing across groups —into CalWORKs participation. We Will Continue to Review and Refine Our Methods as More Data Become Available. We  are continuing to engage with knowledgeable stakeholders to refine the methodologies used in this analysis.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4678

Trends in CalWORKs: Participant Characteristics

Jun 16, 2025 - As discussed in our budget analysis at the time , various state and federal benefits outside of CalWORKs were temporarily expanded and extended during the pandemic. Many of these benefits—such as stimulus payments and unemployment insurance—had fewer recipient requirements or simpler application processes than CalWORKs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5057

Preliminary Assessment of Significant Changes to State's Technology Project Approval and Oversight Processes

Apr 29, 2025 - POC Outcomes Could Provide Insights to PDL Improvements and Challenges. Provisional budget bill language adopted in the 2024-25 Budget Act made clear the Legislature ’s intention to better understand how the first round of GenAI POCs would impact its role through the annual budget process in evaluating and approving technology project funding.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5034

The 2025-26 Budget: Child Welfare

Feb 13, 2025 - Our office plans to publish a more detailed analysis of the CWS-CARES project and budget proposal —with additional comments and questions for legislative consideration —in the coming weeks. BH-CONNECT Overview.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4962

The 2023-24 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Feb 15, 2023 - (We raised significant concerns about the quality incentive program in a previous analysis , and this analysis could help inform some current policy discussions.) Additional Questions About Underlying Rate Models.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4683

Implementing California’s Child Welfare Prevention Services Program

Jan 28, 2026 - Our analysis is informed by our review of counties ’ comprehensive prevention plans, as well as by conversations with various  counties. Counties Prepared Individual Prevention Plans To Receive State Block Grant Funding, Counties Developed CPPs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5106

The 2026-27 Budget: Child Welfare

Mar 3, 2026 - For a fuller overview of the Tiered Rate Structure, refer to our prior budget analysis . Tiered Rate Structure Will Implement Beginning 2027-28, Subject to Appropriation. The 2025-26 spending plan (Chapter  79 of 2025 [SB  119, Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review]) added language around the Tiered Rate Structure ’s implementation timeline to specify that the new care and
https://lao.ca.gov/publications/report/5147

The 2026-27 Budget: Child Welfare [Publication Details]

Mar 3, 2026 - California’s children and family programs include an array of services to protect children from abuse and neglect and to keep families safely together when possible. This analysis outlines the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget for child welfare and foster care programs under the Department of Social Services (DSS), and raises questions and issues for the Legislature to consider.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5147

The 2026-27 Budget: County Administration and H.R. 1 Implementation

Mar 5, 2026 - DSS is currently engaged with counties in an in ‑depth analysis of the root causes of the high CalFresh error rate. Preliminarily, income reporting appears to be a key focus. Avoiding Disenrollment of Eligible Individuals.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5149

Older Youth Access to Foster Care

Mar 22, 2019 - Such data might provide insight into whether older and younger youth are treated differently when they themselves report maltreatment rather than when it is reported by others. Monitor Outcomes for Youth With Prior Reports.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3980