California State Chapter of NEW PATHS

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Ready to Ride the Wave of Change?

Our 2026 conference will bring together experts to help you stay ahead of the curve! Join us in beautiful San Diego for an inspiring conference where we’ll explore the skills, strategies, and mindsets needed to succeed in a world that’s constantly shifting.

This is your opportunity to lead, adapt, and innovate!

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Congratulations Heidi Smith!

A big congratulations to our recent winner of our Sandy Wins Ahead Raffle, Heidi Smith, who was chosen at our random drawing on September 30th!

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated—your support and enthusiasm made this a success. Stay tuned for more opportunities coming soon!

Important Message from Our CA NEW PATHS Board President

Greetings:

I just wanted to reach out to everyone after the news from National. I know a lot of you have questions, and I hope that you will reach out to your State Board with your questions, through our Website.

The first question that I keep hearing is, with National being disestablished, are we still having our Conference? The answer to that question is yes. We as the State Board of Directors have put a lot of time and effort into developing our next conference and will see it through. That is one of the reasons, you have not heard much, as I want to keep our focus on our Conference in San Diego in January. The California Chapter of NEW PATHS will continue after National is disestablished. There is a lot of work to be done and, we as the Board of Directors have not met since this announcement, so there is not a lot that can be divulged at this time.

We will keep you posted, so keep your eyes open for messages from myself and our News Blasts.

Welcome to NEW PATHS of California (CA)!

Click here for our recent California NEW PATHS 2025
Modesto Conference RESOURCES and INFORMATION!

Click any of the photos above to access the Photo Gallery page!

President's Message

"If there's no struggle, there's no progress."

– Frederick Douglass

As the president of CA NEW PATHS, I am deeply moved as I reflect on the success of our recent successful conference in Modesto. On behalf of myself and the entire board, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you who helped make this event such a meaningful and impactful experience.

To our attendees, your presence and enthusiasm were the heart of this gathering. The energy, passion, and dedication you brought to the conference were truly inspiring, and your active engagement created an environment of collaboration and shared purpose. This will have a lasting impact on the future of our organization, and for that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to our esteemed workshop presenters and keynote speakers. Your expertise, wisdom, and insightful presentations not only elevated this conference but have also left a lasting mark on all of us. Your willingness to share your knowledge is a gift that will continue to inspire long after we’ve parted ways.

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors whose unwavering support made this event possible. Your belief in our mission and commitment to the work we do means the world to us. Your partnership has been invaluable, and we are honored to have you by our side in this shared journey to make a positive difference in the realm of Human Services.

A special and sincere thank you goes to our host county of Stanislaus, as well as their dedicated Human Service volunteers, who worked behind the scenes with such care and attention. Your efforts ensured everything ran smoothly, and your commitment to excellence was evident in every aspect of the event. We are deeply appreciative of everything you did to make this event a success.

I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone to our dedicated board members who meticulously planned every detail. Your tireless efforts, whether visible or behind the scenes, played a crucial role in making this conference possible, and we could not have done it without you.

As we take a moment to reflect on the success of this gathering, we must strive to look toward the future with hope and positivity. We look forward to seeing each of you at our next conference in San Diego, where we’ll continue to grow as a community, strengthening collaboration and deepening the experiences we share. Together, we are united in our mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Beyond the discussions, the connections, and the insights we’ve gained, it is the positive change we create in our communities that truly matters.

Your presence and participation have made a difference. Let’s take the inspiration we’ve gained and turn it into action, always keeping the needs of those we serve at the heart of what we do.

Local Chapter Happenings!

In San Joaquin County...

San Joaquin County Ice Cream Social

The recent "San Joaquin County Ice Cream Social," sponsored and hosted by the San Joaquin County NEW PATHS Chapter, was a lively and enjoyable event that brought the community together for a great cause. Held on a warm summer afternoon, the event featured a delightful assortment of ice cream flavors, toppings, and creative sundae options that Agency staff enjoyed. Beyond the sweet treats, the Ice Cream Social served as an effective giveaway, contributing to the chapter's initiatives aimed at empowering Human Services Professionals and letting their presence be known at the Agency.

Aligned with the mission of the California State Chapter of NEW PATHS - to strengthen these professionals through education, collaboration, and the promotion of growth and development - the event fostered a spirit of camaraderie and collective support. Members and guests mingled, networked, and shared in the chapter's commitment to enhancing the skills and resources of those dedicated to serving the community. Way to go!

San Joaquin County's Fall Craft Fair

We are pleased to share that we successfully held two Craft Fairs this past year! These events provided a wonderful opportunity for our employees to showcase and sell their handmade crafts, while also allowing everyone to find unique and thoughtful Christmas gifts for their loved ones. The Craft Fair was just one of many fundraisers organized by our local chapter. We believe in supporting our community and giving back to our agency, which is why we hold these events throughout the year. These activities not only fostered a sense of camaraderie among employees but also helped to raise funds that directly benefit our local members and the broader agency. We’re proud of the success of these events and look forward to continuing this tradition of creativity and community support!

In Stanislaus County...

Stanislaus County recently participated in the National NEW PATHS Conference held this year in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference offered a valuable opportunity for our team to engage with a variety of workshops focused on the latest developments in government eligibility programs. The sessions provided insights and tools that will undoubtedly support our continued efforts to enhance service delivery within the county.

The atmosphere in Salt Lake City was welcoming, with mild and pleasant weather that made it easy to enjoy the city during breaks. Networking with other professionals from across the country was a highlight of the event. The collaborative spirit and shared experiences fostered meaningful connections that we look forward to building upon in the future.

Overall, the experience was enriching and reaffirmed our commitment to staying at the forefront of industry best practices. We look forward to applying the knowledge gained to benefit the residents of Stanislaus County.

Do you also have events happening at your local NEW PATHS chapter? Let us know!
Email us at [email protected] with details and photos and we can highlight your event here!

National Chapter News

Sadly, as of October 31, 2025, the National Eligibility Workers Association (NEW PATHS) will be formally dissolved by vote of the membership.

For those who may not know, NEW PATHS was founded in 1975 as a non-stock organization chartered in Virginia, built by eligibility workers who felt their voices needed stronger representation and whose professional needs weren’t being met. Over the past five decades, NEW PATHS has provided training, networking, policy consultation, professional development, and more to human services professionals across the U.S.

While National NEW PATHS will disband, many state and local chapters are continuing their work independently. For example, the California State Chapter has confirmed that it will carry on, including holding its planned 2026 conference. My state chapter of Arizona is working to incorporate as a non-profit organization, too.

The organization’s 50th National Training Conference was held September 7–10, 2025 in Virginia Beach. This conference was a chance to celebrate, reflect, and say goodbye together.

To everyone who has been part of NEW PATHS—members, board members, volunteers, speakers, sponsors—you have built something meaningful. Your dedication has:

• Elevated the professionalism of eligibility and human services work
• Created supportive networks across states
• Influenced policy, best practices, training, and standards in ways that likely still ripple today

Though the national body is ending, the mission lives on. The values of connection, professional excellence, advocacy, and learning have seeded many local and state efforts. It’s my hope that this moment is not just an ending, but also a launching point:

• State chapters may form new structures or associations
• Former members will carry forward the spirit in programs, workflows, mentoring
• There will be opportunities to build new ways of serving human services professionals

I welcome your thoughts, memories to share, lessons learned, or ideas for what should rise from the work of NEW PATHS. I’d be honored to hear them. Thank you for everything.

Thinking of Joining California NEW PATHS as a Member?

Ever wondered what's in it for you to join the California State NEW PATHS Chapter? Click the button below to find out!

What's In It For Me?

Come Join the CA NEW PATHS Board!

Do you like to travel? Do you like having input on projects? Would you like to help organize the California State Chapter's NEW PATHS Annual Training Conference?

Then you should become a California State Board Member!

If you would be interested in joining the State Board or just have some questions about what we do, please contact State Board President, Michael Callegri, by emailing us at [email protected] for more information.