Supporting Children and Families in Rural California
The Golden State is a place of enormous possibility. Powering the United States’ largest economy, California is rich in sunshine, diversity and natural beauty.
But it’s also home to deep disparities. From the Central Valley’s agricultural core to the rugged regions of the north, many families face rural poverty, food insecurity, extreme weather, child-care gaps and education barriers.
For decades, Save the Children has worked in California’s hardest-to-reach communities, helping children and families learn, grow and thrive.
Our Impact in California
Here’s how we’re making a difference for children in California
220,000
In 2025, we reached 220,000+ kids with education, food and emergency support
30
We operate programs in 30 rural communities across 26 counties
937,000
We’ve delivered 937,000+ nutritious meals to children and families
2:1
In 2025, we matched state funding 2:1 to support under-resourced communities
Want to learn more about our work? Download our 2026 Fact Sheet for a closer look at how Save the Children partners with schools, families and communities in rural California.
Why Children in Rural California Need Support
Poverty
- According to Save the Children's Rural Child Well-Being Dashboard, California ranks #16 among 49 states in rural child poverty.
- 20.4% of kids in rural communities are growing up in poverty.
Food Insecurity
- California is the nation’s largest agricultural producer – yet it ranks #4 among 49 states in rural food insecurity.
- 41.9% of rural children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
- Without access to nutritious food, many kids struggle to focus and attend school consistently.
Education Inequalities
- 42.9% of rural California communities are education opportunity deserts.
- Rural families spend 15% of their income on childcare, ranking #1 in cost burden among 41 states.
- Funding shifts, enrollment pressures and workforce shortages are straining rural school districts.
Natural Disasters
- Rural California ranks #6 among 49 states in exposure to natural hazards.
- More frequent and intense earthquakes, heatwaves and wildfires shut down childcare, disrupt education and displace families.
"For over two decades, Save the Children has worked across rural California to uplift children and support their families. Our dedicated team of experts have developed a network of grassroot partnerships with school districts and advocates to deliver community-tailored, culturally responsive support for kids.”
- Lucero Chavez, California State Director
What Makes Our Work in California Unique
Thanks to partnerships with families, communities, educators and donors, our programs in California are breaking down barriers and building brighter futures.
Education and Early Learning
Our kindergarten readiness programs are transitioning to the Parents as Teachers (PAT) model, which promotes early learning through home visiting and family support.
Save the Children’s in-school and afterschool programs help students achieve grade-level reading and math proficiency. In a single year, we expanded from 0 to 8 active program sites – with more launching soon.
Food Security
We collaborate with food banks and community organizations to provide reliable, nutritious meals. Our five mobile food units serve 3,000+ children across Fresno, Tulare and Los Angeles counties.
Community Impact & Inclusion
We ensure kids with disabilities have the learning and enrichment opportunities they need to thrive. In Tulare County, we’re piloting disability and inclusion initiatives across two Community Impact Coalitions and our afterschool programs.
Local Partnerships
We build and strengthen longstanding partnerships with local leaders, school districts, community organizations and foundations – working together to provide timely, inclusive and flexible support to children and families.
Emergency Response
We’re there before, during and after crisis – helping communities prepare, recover and rebuild.
When wildfires devastated Los Angeles County in 2025, we distributed essential supplies, provided psychosocial support, helped child-care centers reopen and created safe spaces where kids could learn and play. Foster Grandparent Program
Geographic Reach
We reach 26 counties through direct programming, local partnerships and statewide work. Our largest presence is in the Central Valley, with expansion underway in Northern and Southern California.
In California, a student in Save the Children's Kinderboost program receives a backpack from a teacher to celebrate teh completion of his program.
Meet Damian
Just 1,800 residents live in Damian’s central California town. Home to mostly farm and dairy workers, his rural community doesn’t even have sidewalks or parks.
In under-resourced places like this, kids often start kindergarten 18 months behind their peers – but Damian enrolled in our Early Steps to School Success program at just 1 month old. Now a thriving 3-year-old, his language skills are already one year ahead! Damian is excited to attend his elementary school, which offers free afterschool support and a vibrant library through Save the Children.
Where We Work in California
Save the Children supports kids and families across rural California counties, including:
Map of California where Save the Children works.
Del Norte County
Siskiyou County
San Diego County
Los Angeles County
Tulare County
Save the Children has a proven track record of using donations efficiently and effectively to change children's lives. We are proud to have received an A- rating from CharityWatch and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest score possible from America’s leading independent charity evaluator.
This recognition reflects our long-standing commitment to ethical governance, transparent operations, and fiscally responsible use of donor support.
Updated: September 2026