The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is issuing an update to its December 5 health advisory as an outbreak of amatoxin poisoning continues across California.
This outbreak is linked to the consumption of wild foraged mushrooms and has caused severe liver damage in children and adults.
As of January 6, 35 cases, including three adult fatalities and three liver transplants, have been linked to the ongoing outbreak.
Recent rain contributed to widespread growth of Death Cap mushrooms in California. CDPH is again urging Californians not to pick or eat wild mushrooms as the risk of potentially deadly amatoxin poisoning is high.
Since Death Cap mushrooms are easily confused for safe-to-eat, lookalike mushrooms, all mushroom foraging should be avoided.
What You Need to Know: West Coast Health Alliance continues to recommend vaccination in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.
On January 5, 2026, the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed a decision memorandum (PDF) to revise the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and significantly reduce the number of vaccinations routinely recommended for all U.S. children. This decision did not follow established procedure for vaccine policy recommendations and threatens an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases in children nationwide. Children getting sick from the diseases prevented by recommended immunizations leads to missed school for children, missed work for parents, and even hospitalization and death in some children.
When vaccines work best with children’s immune systems;
The safety of vaccinations being recommended;
The risk of diseases in the United States;
Our current access to health care and immunizations: and
Cost effectiveness of implementing national recommendations for a particular vaccination.
While the first three concerns are similar across countries, the last three concerns may differ considerably between countries. The AAP recommended immunization schedule serves as a starting point for discussions between families and their providers, as it always has. Parents should continue to make informed decisions about the vaccines that their children receive based on discussions with their child’s health care provider.
Prior to 2025, AAP had endorsed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which followed a rigorous review of data on risk of disease and safety of vaccination in the United States. Changes in the newly released recommended immunization schedule are not based on changes in vaccine safety and effectiveness data. The changes were based on a comparison of the number of routine vaccinations recommended in the United States versus select other countries. It did not consider the different conditions in each country. These changes were also not vetted by experts from medical and public health organizations, health care providers, or the public before they were published.
We do not expect these changes to affect insurance coverage for vaccines for this plan year. All child and adolescent immunizations recommended as of December 31, 2025 will remain available and covered by public and private insurers however the changes create confusion and will put more children at risk of preventable diseases.
The West Coast Health Alliance will continue to review available vaccine science and ensure continued access to recommended vaccines. Each state is examining the impact of these federal changes on vaccine access in our respective states. WCHA and AAP continue to support these longstanding recommendations including informed parental decisions for the best protection of their children.
Let’s be honest—parenting is one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs out there. There’s no manual, no one-size-fits-all approach, and every child is wonderfully unique. But one approach that’s consistently shown to help kids thrive emotionally, socially, and even academically is positive parenting.
So, what exactly is positive parenting?
At its core, positive parenting is about building a strong, respectful relationship with your child. It focuses on encouragement rather than punishment, guidance rather than control, and connection rather than correction. It’s not about being permissive or letting kids do whatever they want—it’s about setting clear boundaries while also nurturing their emotional needs.
Think of it like this: instead of saying, “Stop whining!” you might say, “I hear that you’re upset. Can you tell me what’s bothering you?” It’s a small shift, but it teaches kids that their feelings are valid and that they can express themselves in healthy ways.
Here are a few key principles of positive parenting:
1. Connection Comes First
Children are more likely to cooperate when they feel connected to their parents. That means spending quality time together, listening without distractions, and showing empathy. Even just 10 minutes of undivided attention a day can make a big difference.
2. Set Clear, Consistent Boundaries
Kids need structure—it helps them feel safe. Positive parenting doesn’t mean avoiding discipline; it means using discipline that teaches rather than punishes. For example, if a child throws a toy, instead of yelling, you might say, “Toys are for playing, not throwing. Let’s try that again.”
3. Encourage, Don’t Shame
Praise effort, not just results. Instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” try, “I saw how hard you worked on that puzzle!” This builds resilience and a growth mindset. And when mistakes happen (as they will), use them as learning opportunities rather than moments for shame.
4. Model the Behavior You Want to See
Kids are always watching. If you want them to be kind, respectful, and patient, show them what that looks like. That doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being honest, apologizing when you mess up, and showing how to handle emotions in healthy ways.
5. Stay Calm and Consistent
Easier said than done, right? But staying calm during tough moments helps your child regulate their own emotions. If you lose your cool (and we all do sometimes), it’s okay to pause, take a breath, and try again.
Positive parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. It’s about guiding your child with love, understanding, and firm boundaries. And the best part? It strengthens your relationship with your child, helping them grow into confident, compassionate, and emotionally intelligent adults.
So next time you’re in the middle of a parenting challenge, take a deep breath and ask yourself: “How can I respond with connection and guidance?” You might be surprised at how powerful that shift can be.
Every Parent OC - A local resource that provides important health information and community resources for young families.
Bright Life Kids – A CalHOPE program by Brightline that offers free personalized support for California families.
Soluna – Free resources and support for California youth and young adults age 13-25.
About Dr. Lauren Schooner
Dr. Lauren Schooner is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and is the treating psychiatrist at the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) and at the Clinical Evaluation and Guidance Unit (CEGU) at the Juvenile Hall for the OC Health Care Agency. She works with various community programs including the Human Trafficking Subcommittee and holds a position on the Child Maltreatment and Violence Committee through the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists (AACAP). She also regularly teaches and supervises physicians-in-training in the fields of child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, pediatrics and family medicine about topics and themes related to mental health along the entire life spectrum.
