CalKIDS Institute - UCLA School of Education & Information Studies

Committed to economic equity, higher education access, and the financial well-being of families.

The CalKIDS Institute at UCLA amplifies, strengthens, and evaluates the new statewide children’s savings account program, the California Kids Investment & Development Savings Program (CalKIDS). The Institute is committed to economic equity, higher education access, and the financial well-being of families.

The CalKIDS program provides assets to everyone! It jumpstarts saving for college and career. Newborns and eligible students get a CalKIDS college savings account with an initial seed deposit, and parents can open parallel family accounts and make additional contributions.

Is your child eligible?

All California newborns — born July 1, 2022 or after can claim their CalKIDS accounts. Visit CalKIDS to claim your savings account!

Eligible school-aged kids (low-income, youth in foster-care or unhoused) can check out their eligibility at CalKIDS.

401 Kids Savings Act

We are excited to highlight one of the latest initiatives aimed at providing economic opportunity for every American child: the 401Kids Savings Act. Championed by U.S. Senator Bob Casey and colleagues, this groundbreaking bill proposes the creation of children’s savings accounts (CSAs) for all children across the nation.

What is the 401Kids Savings Act?

The 401Kids Savings Act seeks to address the challenges faced by families grappling with rising costs. It aims to establish CSAs for every child in America, managed by state Treasurers. These accounts would provide a financial cushion for children from all backgrounds, enabling them to pursue education, entrepreneurship, homeownership, and retirement security.

For additional information on the 401Kids Savings Act, explore the full report here.

References/Sources Pulled from

Full Report
- https://www.casey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/401kids.pdf
Announcement
- https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-provide-every-child-in-america-with-economic-opportunity
One pager
- https://www.casey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/401kids_savings_act_one_pager.pdf
Informed by CSD research, 401Kids Act introduced in U.S. Senate
- https://csd.wustl.edu/401kids-introduced/

Baby Bonds

Baby Bonds, introduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), are government-funded accounts designed to provide financial support to children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These accounts are aimed at assisting children from low-income families by providing them with resources that they can utilize for wealth-building purposes once they reach adulthood, such as investing in a home or launching a small business.

To learn more about baby bonds and their impact, explore the following resources:

CalKIDS Program: A Message from First Partner of California, Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Introducing the CalKIDS Program latest YouTube video featuring the First Partner of California, Jennifer Siebel Newsom! Watch as First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom discusses the importance of giving California kids the best start in life and putting them on a path to a brighter future through the first-in-the-nation College and Career Training Savings Program. Learn how CalKIDS funds can be utilized for educational expenses at eligible institutions and discover if your child is eligible for this incredible opportunity. Don’t miss out on the chance to claim your child’s free funded college savings account and learn more at CalKIDS.org!