Santa Clara County tries to shield kids from safety net cuts as federal funding shrinks

SANTA CLARA COUNTY is working to provide safety net programs to children and their families despite budget issues stemming from federal funding cuts.

The county’s children’s budget for fiscal year 2025-26 includes $1.3 billion to support the welfare of children and youth, up 2.8% from the previous fiscal year. The budget is targeted at foster care and adoption, detention and rehabilitation facilities and CalWORKs, which provides financial assistance, child care and health care to families in need. The majority of funding comes from the federal and state government, property tax and hospital revenues.