WHEREAS, The quality of parenting, starting prenatally, is one of the most powerful predictors of childrens future social, emotional, physical, and behavioral health, and the well-being of those who are raising children should matter to all of us; and

WHEREAS, Families in California incorporate many different dynamics, including children who are raised by parents, grandparents, foster parents, family members, and who are supported by other caregivers in a variety of settings such as schools, family childcare, early childhood education centers, and health clinics; and

WHEREAS, Todays parents face mounting economic pressures that directly compete with their ability to provide for their children and engage in quality parenting; and

WHEREAS, Rising housing costs, inflation, and the soaring price of childcare have forced many caregivers to work longer hours or multiple jobs, leaving less time, energy, and emotional capacity for nurturing their children. These financial strains, coupled with the challenges of balancing work, family, and mental well-being, place unprecedented stress on families striving to create stable and supportive home environments; and

WHEREAS, Despite how essential parenting is for the health of children and our collective society, there is, at times, a lack of value placed on parenting; and

WHEREAS, The removal of support related to strengthening family dynamics has deepened challenges across the state; and

WHEREAS, The United States Surgeon Generals 2024 advisory, Parents Under Pressure, reports that 41 percent of parents and caregivers say they are so stressed they cannot function most days and that nearly 50 percent say their stress completely overwhelms them when compared to other adult groups; and

WHEREAS, The United States Surgeon Generals 2024 advisory states that we must recognize the importance of parenting and reflect it in how we prioritize resources, design policy, shape work environments, and approach our conversations with parents; and

WHEREAS, Parenting impacts childrens brain development, neurological regulation, and risk for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Children of Black, indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other families of color that already experience inequities rooted in structural racism are at greater risk for ACE exposure; and

WHEREAS, Research echoes the importance of early intervention, with roughly 30 percent of California caregivers reporting moderate concerns over their childs social and emotional development and behavioral health, and 20 to 40 percent of those same caregivers reporting engaging in some ineffective type of parenting; and

WHEREAS, Research confirms that positive parenting creates positive childhood experiences and children and youth who experience safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments can reduce the effects of depression associated with ACEs. Preventing ACEs could reduce the number of adults with depression by as much as 44 percent; and

WHEREAS, Positive parenting is a protective factor that strengthens family relationships, increases parents confidence, and drives childrens social, emotional, and relational health and development; and

WHEREAS, Parenting education is one of the most effective, evidence-based strategies for improving child outcomes, reducing generational trauma, and lowering public expenditures, yet remains chronically underfunded; and

WHEREAS, Through the actions of nonprofit organizations, community groups, schools, faith organizations, employers, health and social service systems, and policymakers, we can create opportunities for parents to come together and build communities of mutual care and connection and intentionally strengthen parental well-being; and

WHEREAS, There is an opportunity to accelerate the progress of current state programs operating at a suboptimal scale; and

WHEREAS, The Master Plan for Kids Mental Health issued by the Governor in 2012 addressed investment in urgent mental health supports for children and youth, especially in underserved and marginalized communities, and created an inclusive framework for supporting prevention and early intervention of mental health challenges, including the importance of providing more resources for parents to build their knowledge, tools, and capacity to support the behavioral health of their children; and

WHEREAS, The Governor, Legislature, and counties should continue to support programs, services, and funding initiatives that promote family mental wellness and seek to build strong family support networks through prioritizing these values in budgetary decisions; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares the month of January 2026 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month in California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

ACR 120: Positive Parenting Awareness Month.

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