My union family,
Happy New Year! It’s finally 2026 following a heck of a year. In 2025, we fought back cuts to essential programs and went head-to-head with the federal government to try and stop cuts to IHSS and family child care.
Now it’s time for us to look ahead. We know we have a fight in front of us, but a new year brings new hope, and we have fights we’re ready to win.
In 2026, we will fight tooth and nail to take back the House and begin the work of undoing the reckless “Big Beautiful Bill” cuts to Medicaid, which would deeply impact the IHSS program.
We will also be electing a new Governor of California. Knowing the impact our state’s Governor has on our programs, our UDW Board—made up of members like you—requires all candidates seeking our endorsement to complete a rigorous vetting process that demonstrates both their support for our work and their understanding of it. All interested candidates were required to submit a written application, spend a day with home care and family child care providers to get a better understanding of our work firsthand, and attend an interview with our elected Board.
Soon, we will select a candidate to endorse, someone we believe will fight for the future of care in California and defend child care and IHSS.
We know the year ahead won’t be easy, but we are used to fighting every day for ourselves, our families, those in our care, and our communities. If there is one thing that won’t change in the new year, it’s our resolve to face each challenge head on and fight until we win!
In Solidarity,
Astrid Zuniga
UDW President