CA SB452

Establishes the Family Advocacy Pilot Program for 3 years, subject to legislative appropriation, to provide grants to qualified organizations offering prevention legal services aimed at avoiding juvenile court petitions and family separation

Prevention legal services may include assistance with restraining orders, custody arrangements, immigration relief, public benefits, housing stability, healthcare access, and navigating child welfare investigations

Grants also fund interdisciplinary teams (social workers, case workers, parent partners, peer advocates) to help at-risk families access services for substance use, mental health, domestic violence, housing, employment, and childcare

Qualified organizations must be legal aid, community-based nonprofit, or tribal organizations with at least 3 years of experience serving low-income Californians; priority given to those with 2+ years providing prevention legal services

Department of Social Services must develop implementation parameters by July 1, 2026, may seek federal reimbursement through Title IV-E and TANF, and must submit a report to the Legislature evaluating program effectiveness after 3 years