UNITE-LA is proud to share that 51 business organizations from across California signed on to its annual budget letter advocating for increased early care and education reimbursement rates—an increase of more than 30 percent from last year, including 17 new partners.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudine Battisti

UNITE-LA URGES CALIFORNIA LEADERS TO PROTECT ECONOMIC MOBILITY INVESTMENTS IN FINAL STATE BUDGET

As part of California’s Apprenticeship Appreciation Week in April, UNITE-LA participated in a series of statewide convenings advancing equitable, career-connected learning and stronger workforce systems for Californians.

As part of National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month in April, UNITE-LA released its latest report, Beyond English: Employer Perspectives on Language Skills at Work, which examines how employers view language skills in today’s economy and how multilingual talent is being leveraged across industries.

Last month, UNITE-LA's Policy team secured support from 14 business organizations for SB 1132 (Smallwood-Cuevas), a co-sponsored bill focused on workforce rights training.

UNITE-LA partnered with the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) to co-host a timely session in their VICA University series, supporting employers navigating new compliance requirements under SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act.

Last month, UNITE-LA President Alysia Bell joined Sarah Harris on 790 KABC’s The Bloc Power Hour radio show for an important conversation about the real economic impact of ICE raids, immigration and workforce policy across the country. From workforce stability to economic mobility, Alysia’s interview addressed how the ICE raids are hurting our local businesses, employees and communities. Listen on Spotify or your preferred podcast platform to hear the full conversation.

From March 15 to 17, UNITE-LA's Ajay Lucas and Ashley Álvarez attended ACCESS D.C., hosted by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. This annual fly-in convenes business and civic leaders from the Los Angeles region to engage with federal policymakers to promote policies that will drive job creation and cultivate a thriving regional economy for all.

Álvarez also attended the California Early Care and Education Federal Advocacy Trip, hosted by our partners at the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), an annual event that brings together early care and education providers and advocates from California for coordinated congressional engagement in Washington, D.C. Additionally, we joined the Caregiving Summit, an event focused on strengthening support systems for working families.

UNITE-LA is advancing a coordinated state policy agenda and urging partners, employers and policymakers to support critical state legislation—AB 805 and SB 1132—to strengthen California's workforce system and expand economic mobility for opportunity youth. This work builds on momentum from the 2026 Youth Apprenticeship Summit in Sacramento, where leaders across education, workforce and policy aligned around implementation, marking a critical shift from planning to action. As the state moves to operationalize recommendations from the California Youth Apprenticeship Committee, UNITE-LA is helping ensure that policy, practice and lived experience are aligned to expand equitable, high-quality career pathways.

UNITE-LA officially launched the California Accessing Economic Mobility (CAEM) Fellowship on March 11. The initiative builds on UNITE-LA’s recent research on the unique needs and assets of affinity business organizations, including a statewide survey of nearly 90 chambers of commerce and business associations.