Staff – CalKIDS Institute at UCLA

2nd Annual CEWAS Summit at UCLA

May 28, 2026

On April 17, 2026, the UCLA CalKIDS Institute, California State Treasurer’s Office, CalKIDS, Early Wealth Partnership, and the California Child Savings Account (CSA) Coalition co-hosted the CEWAS Summit on the UCLA campus, bringing together nearly 200 leaders from public agencies, education, philanthropy, and community organizations to advance early wealth-building efforts across the country. The fully booked convening highlighted the state’s progress in building a coordinated system that connects CalKIDS, local child savings programs, and the upcoming HOPE Accounts, while also sharing new research and implementation lessons from the field.

Research

CalKIDS Early Insights: Engagement Patterns and Opportunities for Deeper Impact

March 10, 2026

The discussion paper explores early engagement patterns in the CalKIDS Program, focusing on the student track for school-aged children. It
highlights the importance of program awareness, claiming accounts, and
sustained engagement to maximize the program’s impact on college savings
and financial capability. It offers several recommendations for strengthening the pathways through which families and students engage with the program. Finally, the paper emphasizes the broader value of CalKIDS in fostering financial awareness and educational aspirations, even beyond direct account claims.

Event Recap

From Trauma to Transformation: Master Call on Healing Through Financial Empowerment

July 12, 2025

On April 25, 2025, a powerful community event titled “Through Trauma to Hope” brought together educators, social workers, students, and community leaders for a master class that explored trauma-informed financial empowerment.

Research

Initial Report: An Examination of Post-Secondary Students Who Have Used CalKIDS Funds

June 21, 2025

This initial report provides preliminary insights into the experiences of the first cohorts of CalKIDS users (meaning those who have claimed and used at least some funds from their CalKIDS accounts for post-secondary education expenses). Through an online questionnaire and follow-up interviews, we examined the ways in which CalKIDS users learned about the program and used funds. Furthermore, we look into the perceived impact of CalKIDS by post-secondary students who have used funds from their account. In this report, we also highlight the importance of when students learn about their CalKIDS accounts.