California Advances a National Model for Early Wealth-Building at CEWAS Summit

Los Angeles, CA — Launched under the leadership of the State Treasurer’s Office and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, through the STO-FSFA (State Treasurer’s Office Financial Savings for All) initiative—the nation’s largest and most inclusive public savings collective—California is advancing one of the most comprehensive early wealth infrastructures in the nation, bringing together leaders across sectors at UCLA for the Second Annual California Early Wealth Account System (CEWAS) Summit: Building Economic Prosperity for Every Child.

Hosted by the UCLA CalKIDS Institute on April 17, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Summit will convene policymakers, researchers, education leaders, financial institutions, philanthropic organizations, social workers, and community-based organizations to examine implementation, share research and insights, and accelerate awareness and participation, particularly in communities historically excluded from asset-building opportunities.

Building on the foundation of CalKIDS, the nation’s largest child development account program administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, CEWAS represents a first-of-its-kind strategy to align policy, education, and community systems. Through this work, California is creating a more connected pathway to asset-building from birth through college and career, continuing to lead the nation in advancing long-term economic mobility.

California has built this system at scale, shifting from isolated efforts to a coordinated statewide approach that connects financial access, education pathways, and community-based support.

As of February 2026, more than 5.6 million California children have access to CalKIDS Accounts, representing over $2.2 billion invested in their futures. In addition, more than 15 local Child Savings Account programs across California serve over 212,000 children with more than $26 million in savings, reinforcing a growing ecosystem designed to support long-term economic mobility.

“California is demonstrating that when we invest early and build systems that connect education, financial aid, and savings, we can expand opportunity for millions of children and families,” said Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer, CPA. “This work is about building long-term financial security and ensuring every child has a clear pathway to college and career success.

The Summit will feature keynote speaker Jason Ewas, Associate Director of Inclusive Saving and Investing at the Aspen Institute, who will highlight how California’s approach is informing national strategies to expand access to asset-building. The program will also include a featured address from Valorie Kondos Field, former Head Coach of UCLA Women’s Gymnastics, offering a perspective on leadership, mindset, and unlocking potential.

Sessions throughout the day will focus on strengthening the infrastructure behind early wealth-building, including cross-sector collaboration, trusted community partnerships, and system alignment across education and financial institutions.

Research continues to show that early access to financial assets improves outcomes across education and long-term financial stability. Children with savings accounts in their name are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate. Studies such as the SEED OK experiment further show that even small seed investments can strengthen family expectations and improve children’s social-emotional and educational outcomes.

“California’s progress reflects what is possible when policy, research, and community implementation come together in a coordinated way,” said Nayiri Nahabedian, Executive Director of the UCLA CalKIDS Institute. “The CEWAS Summit brings leaders together to strengthen this work and continue building a system that expands opportunity for every child.”

As California continues to advance this work, its approach is shaping national conversations around scalable solutions to address wealth gaps. The CEWAS Summit reflects a broader shift that positions early wealth-building as a foundational strategy for expanding opportunity, strengthening families, and driving long-term economic mobility across communities. For additional information about the CEWAS Summit, including registration, visit CEWASSummit2026.eventbrite.com or the UCLA CalKIDS Institute at calkidsinstitute.seis.ucla.edu.

About the CEWAS Summit:

The California Early Wealth Account System (CEWAS) Summit is a statewide convening that brings together leaders across sectors to advance early wealth-building strategies and strengthen California’s coordinated system of financial supports for children and families. The Summit highlights policy, research, and implementation efforts shaping the future of economic mobility. To learn more about California’s early wealth framework, visit www.calkidsinstitute.seis.ucla.edu/resources/cewas-plan.