SUPPORT THE CHILDCARE SAFETY PLAN (CSP) INITIATIVE

State Legislators, the State Attorney General’s Office, the State Department of Social Services, County Child Welfare Directors, Family Advocacy Groups and Community Stakeholders

Childcare Safety Plan Coalition logo
Childcare Safety Plan Coalition

Every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and protected—no matter what circumstances their family faces. Yet across California, too many parents and caregivers lack clear, accessible tools to ensure their children are cared for in times of crisis—whether due to illness, detention, deployment, or other emergencies.

The Childcare Safety Plan (CSP) offers a simple, compassionate, and legally sound solution: a uniform, bilingual plan that allows parents to designate trusted caregivers without giving up their rights. With the recent passage of AB 495 (Family Preparedness Act of 2025), California has laid the foundation for family empowerment. Now, it’s time to take the next step by endorsing and implementing the CSP statewide—so every county, childcare provider, and family can benefit from the same clear guidance and protection.

By supporting the CSP, our leaders can strengthen family stability, prevent unnecessary guardianship proceedings, and ensure that children remain in the care of people they know and trust. Together, we can make sure that no child is left without care—and no parent is left without a plan.

To: State Legislators, the State Attorney General’s Office, the State Department of Social Services, County Child Welfare Directors, Family Advocacy Groups and Community Stakeholders
From: [Your Name]

We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, express our strong support for the Childcare Safety Plan (CSP) initiative—a statewide effort to strengthen family preparedness and child safety through a clear, consistent, and compassionate template for planning for childcare.

With the recent passage of AB 495 (Family Preparedness Act of 2025), California took an important step toward empowering parents to safely delegate parental duties in times of emergency. This landmark legislation expanded and clarified the tools available to families, ensuring that children can remain in the care of trusted individuals when crises arise.

However, legislation alone is not enough. Families and caregivers need practical guidance and standardized processes to implement these new rights effectively and equitably. The Statewide Childcare Safety Plan Initiative is that next essential step.

CSP provides a ready-to-go toolkit for counties, childcare providers, and family service organizations to help families understand the AB 495 changes and put them into action. It promotes uniform forms, language accessibility, and a standardized procedure across jurisdictions—reducing confusion, minimizing unnecessary legal intervention, and ensuring that every family, regardless of geography or background, can benefit from the same clear protections.

A central goal of the CSP effort is to prevent the premature triggering of guardianship, which mandates a court procedure—a problem that has emerged under inconsistent local practices—and to ensure that non-familial and non-citizen caregivers, who are often the most trusted individuals in a child’s life, can safely and lawfully provide care consistent with parental wishes. At the same time, AB495's new path to joint guardianship, is included in the CSP, and maintains critical public authority oversight to safeguard children in cases where legitimate concerns exist.

By standardizing processes and empowering families with education and tools, the Childcare Safety Plan will strengthen community trust, reduce administrative burdens, and advance the shared goal of keeping children safe, families stable, and communities strong.

We urge state and county leaders, policymakers, and community partners to endorse and implement the Childcare Safety Plan initiative without delay. Under AB495, the California Attorney General's office is now mandated to provide certain Family Preparedness information and guidance to certain entities. We urge the Attorney General's office to endorse and adopt the Childcare Safety Plan as a model, free, easy to use form that is available to every family in California. Together, we can make sure every child in California is protected—and every parent has a plan.