Provided regular updates and analyses to member agencies on federal policy and budget changes and their impact on L.A. County, along with timely resources to help providers navigate immigration policy changes.
Responded to the Foster Family Agency Insurance Crisis through working closely with DCFS and the Board of Supervisors to develop local solutions and resources, engaging state and federal elected officials to pursue remedies at all levels, increasing awareness of the crisis through media outlets and stakeholder groups, rallying member agencies and community partners to uplift two critical BOS motions, and advocating in support of the successful state FFA insurance budget request in FY 25-26.

Partnered with L.A. County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) to support residents to remain enrolled in safety net programs in the face of changes to benefits eligibility and offered ACHSA as a resource to disseminate reliable information to the community.
Conducted an analysis of member agency billing to inform member fiscal planning and benchmarking relative to DMH system-level targets.

Advocated to preserve DMH allocations for Short Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs) so that youth with increasingly intense mental health needs could be properly and safely served, working closely with DMH to develop agreed upon processes for STRTPs to demonstrate the continued need for services funding and to thereafter design Innovative Models of Care (IMCs) for the highest needs youth in the system.
Provided technical assistance and mediation to resolve outstanding invoicing issues caused by varied reporting requirements across DCFS program and fiscal divisions.
Successfully engaged California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Office of Child Abuse Prevention and L.A. County Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) to confirm DCFS’s ability to increase the allowable indirect cost cap imposed on certain DCFS Community Based Services Division programs.

Advocated for State support of FFAs by helping to secure Senator Maria Elena Durazo as the Senate champion for the California Alliance of Child & Family Services (CA Alliance) FY 25-26 $30 million FFA budget ask, obtaining L.A. County’s formal support of the budget ask, and achieving integration of ACHSA feedback to streamline the application process for the second round of funding.
Highlighted the critical responsibilities and insufficient wages of STRTP direct care staff to demonstrate the impact of the inadequate STRTP rate on workforce stability and continuity for youth.
Worked alongside the CA Alliance to address Dual Agency rate concerns for FFAs by successfully advocating for CDSS to maintain FFA administrative rates that would sustain FFA enhanced supports when youth become eligible for Regional Center services.

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS