Growing Together:

The DCYF Newsletter

December 2025

From the DCYF staff to you and your family: happy holidays, and have a wonderful 2026!

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building RFP: Proposals Due December 12

On November 10, 2025, DCYF released our Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Request for Proposals (RFP). The RFP seeks experienced proposers to provide:

• Technical assistance and capacity-building services
• Professional development for DCYF grantees and staff
• Event production services

DCYF intends to award up to 25 contracts across multiple Content Areas to Proposers who meet the Minimum Qualifications and achieve the highest-ranking scores. Contracts will run from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029.

How to Apply

Visit the Technical Assistance and Capacity Building RFP page for detailed instructions.

Questions and Answers. The question submission period for the RFP closed on November 26, 2025. We posted answers to the questions we received within the question submission period on the Technical Assistance and Capacity Building RFP page.

Proposal Submission Deadline. Submit a proposal by Friday, December 12, 2025, at 5pm. 

Public Benefits Changes Coming Soon

Starting January 1, 2026, changes are coming to Medi-Cal that will affect undocumented Californians age 19 and older. 

What’s changing?

People who are undocumented and not currently enrolled in Medi-Cal won’t be able to sign up for full medical coverage after this date. People who are already enrolled can keep coverage as long as it is renewed on time, regardless of immigration status.

Already have Medi-Cal?

Make sure to renew benefits when it’s time. This helps you stay covered.

Not enrolled yet?

Apply before January 1, 2026 to get full coverage.

Please share this information with the people in your networks who may be affected! Click the button below for more information, including messaging in multiple languages and the Medi-Cal enrollment and renewal links.

We Need Your Help: Spread the Word about SNAP Benefit Card Activation

In early November, the San Francisco Human Services Agency (SFHSA) issued a GiveCard to San Francisco CalFresh households. The GiveCard is a one-time prepaid grocery card to help people buy healthy food and reduce financial stress in advance of the holiday season.  

CalFresh households were sent a letter from SFHSA about how to access their card. The letter included a unique activation code, and instructions on how to access the card virtually or request a physical card.  

CalFresh recipients can access their card as a virtual card immediately or request a physical card in the mail, which will arrive in five to seven business days.  

How You Can Help

According to SFHSA, families who live in the zip codes below - and Spanish speaking families in particular - have had low GiveCard activation rates: 

• 94102
• 94103
• 94109
• 94110
• 94112
• 94124
• 94134

If you are, work with, or know eligible people who live in these zip codes, please help spread the word about the GiveCards! SFHSA has up to the minute information about the program on their website, and has created flyers in English, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese:

• English
• Spanish
• Traditional Chinese

Help Us Build the Our415 Resource Website

DCYF is the lead on the Our415.org resource website, which will one day be the one-stop-shop in San Francisco to find programs, services, and anything else you need to raise a family and grow up in the City.

We Want to Hear from You!

Exygy, the web developer for Our415, is partnering with DCYF to learn how people use the Our415 website. As part of this effort, Exygy is conducting user interviews to better understand how visitors search for resources and what improvements would make the site more useful.

Exygy is looking for participants to take part in a 30-minute, one-on-one interview to share their experiences using Our415 to find resources and services in San Francisco. Your feedback will help make sure Our415 continues to meet the needs of our community. We’d love to hear your perspective! 

Summer Resource Fair: February 21, 2026

The annual San Francisco Summer Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the SF County Fair Building from 11am to 2pm. The Summer Resource Fair connects representatives from 100 summer programs, camps, and services for children and youth in grades K-8 with over 2,500 San Franciscans who are kicking off summer planning for their families.  

No registration or ticket is required to attend the Summer Resource Fair. Just show up at the County Fair Building on Saturday, February 21 ready to learn about all of the wonderful summer programs San Francisco has to offer!

Exhibitor Registration at Capacity

All exhibitor slots for the 2026 Summer Resource Fair are full, and a waitlist has been started. If you would like to add your organization to our waitlist, please fill out our Summer Resource Fair Waitlist Form. 

If you have any questions about the Summer Resource Fair, please contact Emily Davis at emily.davis@dcyf.org. 

Oversight & Advisory Committee Updates: Open Seats and Next Meeting

The Children and Youth Fund Oversight and Advisory Committee (OAC) serves as DCYF’s advisory body, providing a space for community members and service providers to discuss decisions related to the Children and Youth Fund, and to share recommendations with our department.

We are actively recruiting for four OAC seats appointed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (seats 7, 8, 10, and 11). Staff of DCYF grantee agencies are not allowed to be OAC members, but we would appreciate it if you would let people in your community know about the open seats. Visit the OAC page via the button below for more information.

Opportunities for Youth Ages 14-24

The Opportunities for Youth Ages 14-24 page on the SFGov website highlights programs, jobs, internships, and other opportunities currently open for applications or registration.

If your agency would like to share an opportunity on the page, please let us know at info@dcyf.org. 

Announcements, Resources, and Events

Resources for Immigrant Children, Youth, and Families

DCYF and the entire City & County of San Francisco want to help immigrants, asylees, and refugees connect to resources, opportunities, and more. 

Immigrant Services and Resources Landing Page

Created by the SF Immigrant Forum, this page is a comprehensive source of services, resources, and events. 

The page includes Know Your Rights information, links to immigration legal help, healthcare access, housing and shelter support, financial assistance, and much more. The Immigrant Services and Resources Landing Page can be translated into Spanish, Traditional Chinese, and Filipino.

Want to get involved? The next meeting of the SF Immigrant Forum is coming up on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Click the button below to learn more about the meeting, and to register to attend.

San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program: 2025 Toy Application

The San Francisco Fire Department has opened applications for families to receive free toys for their children this holiday season. This program supports underserved families who may not otherwise have access to gifts during the holidays. The application requires you to upload a photo of a Medi-Cal card for each child, and priority will be given to families who have not received toys from SFFD in the past.

San Francisco AI Week

SF AI Week is a citywide event series that brings together residents, City leaders, and technology experts to explore how AI can improve government and strengthen our communities. Hosted by the SF Department of Technology Emerging Technologies Team and San Francisco Public Library, AI Week is part of the City’s efforts to explore responsible, ethical, and equitable uses of AI that benefit all San Franciscans.  

📅 Thursday, December 11th through Wednesday, December 17th, 2025

Help Shape the Future of SF Boards and Commissions

The Commission Streamlining Task Force is finalizing recommendations on changing, combining, or removing San Francisco’s 150 advisory boards and commissions. These recommendations will be shared in a final report to the Board of Supervisors and Mayor by February 1, 2026. 

The Task Force is holding special meetings on December 12th and December 18th to discuss general rules for public bodies, deferred decisions on particular bodies, and drafts of the Task Force’s report. Click the button below to learn more and register to attend.

Celebrate 10 Years of Drag Story Hour

San Francisco Public Library invites you to a joyful, full-day celebration of creativity, community, and queer joy as we mark the 10th Anniversary of Drag Story Hour!

The festivities kick off at the Main Library with Stories & Songs with Vera at 12pm, followed by S.T.E.A.M. with Stormie at 1pm, Indigenous Story Hour at 2 pm, and a special appearance by San Francisco’s Drag Laureate, Per Sia, at 3pm.

📅 Sunday, December 14th, 12pm to 4pm, Main Library, 100 Larkin Street

Carver Elementary School Toy Drive

Looking for a way to give back during the holidays? SFUSD's Carver Elementary School is accepting donations for their annual toy drive! The following items are in high demand: board games, dolls and action figures, building blocks, art supplies, sports equipment, pajamas, and large gift bags.

If you have any questions about donations, email stovallw@sfusd.edu, or call/text (510) 375-6162.

📅 Donations accepted through Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at Carver Elementary School, 1360 Oakdale Avenue

2026 Camp Mather Lottery Now Open

Camp Mather is a historic, family-friendly summer camp operated by the SF Rec and Parks Department. Located just outside Yosemite National Park, it offers rustic cabins, swimming, hiking, recreation programs, and peaceful natural surroundings. For over a century, Camp Mather has been a beloved place where families unplug, relax, and enjoy the outdoors together.

Lottery registration for Camp Mather's 102nd season is currently open and will run through January 2, 2026. Family Camp will run in week-long sessions from May 31 through August 15, 2026, with Inclusion Week from June 21 to 27, 2026.

To register for the lottery, you will need a Rec and Park account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one here, or call SF Rec and Park at (628) 652-2900 for assistance. 

Registration Open for MLK Day Flash Passes from BART 

BART is offering free rides to organizations, churches, and community groups attending MLK Day events at Yerba Buena Gardens, just a short walk from Powell and Montgomery Street stations. Passes are valid for BART rides only on Monday, January 19, 2026. Each rider must have their own printed or digital Flash Pass.

To request your free Flash Pass(es), complete the form at the link below by January 16, 2026, 5:00 PM. 

Get Help with Food, Cash, Health Care and Job Assistance

In challenging times, benefits like food, cash, jobs, and health care assistance can help you and your family find stability and peace of mind. The San Francisco Human Services Agency is there to help!

Find out how you and the people you care about can connect with assistance.

Visit Museums for FREE with Museums for All 

Through the City’s Museums for All program, San Francisco residents with EBT or Medi-Cal cards can get free or reduced admission to more than 25 local museums and cultural centers! 

Visit the San Francisco Museums for All page to find out which museums are participating, and to learn how to get free tickets. 

Land Acknowledgement Statement

The San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF) acknowledges that it carries out its work on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone, the original inhabitants and stewards of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the government agency that stewards the Children and Youth Fund, we accept the responsibility that comes with resources derived from property taxes upon unceded and colonized land. We recognize the history and legacy of the Ramaytush Ohlone as integral to how we strive to make San Francisco a great place for life to thrive and children to grow up.

Learn about the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone.