New California Grant: Support for Small Businesses When Employees Take Paid Family Leave
As a small business owner in California, you know that when an employee takes time off to bond with a new child or care for a sick family member, the impact is felt across the entire team. While California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program helps your employees with wage replacement, the burden of covering their duties often falls on your shoulders—and your budget.
The good news? The Paid Family Leave Small Business (PFL SB 4) Grant is here to help you bridge that gap.
1. What is the PFL SB 4 Grant?
Administered by the California Employment Training Panel (ETP) and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), this grant program is designed to help small businesses offset the costs associated with an employee being out on PFL.
Whether you need to cross-train existing staff to pick up the slack or hire and train a temporary replacement, this grant provides direct financial relief to keep your operations running smoothly.
2. How Much Can You Receive?
The grant amount depends on the size of your workforce:
- Businesses with 1–50 employees: Eligible for $2,000 per employee utilizing PFL.
- Businesses with 51–100 employees: Eligible for $1,000 per employee utilizing PFL.
3. What Can the Funds Be Used For?
The grant is flexible, allowing you to cover various “out-of-pocket” costs that arise when an employee is on leave, including:
- Cross-training: Paying for the time and resources to train current employees to handle new duties.
- Upskilling: Improving the skills of remaining staff to ensure productivity doesn’t drop.
- Recruitment: Covering marketing and hiring costs if you need to bring in temporary help.
4. Is Your Business Eligible?
To qualify for the PFL SB 4 Grant, your business must meet the following criteria:
- Size: Employ between 1 and 100 employees.
- PFL Usage: Have at least one employee who is currently utilizing (or has recently utilized) the California PFL program.
- Registration: Be registered to do business in California and in “Active” status with the Secretary of State.
- Tax ID: Have an active California Employer Account Number (CEAN).
Note for PEO Users: If you use a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) for payroll, you are only eligible if your company is listed as the employer on the CEAN. If you file under the PEO’s account number, you may not qualify.
5. How to Apply
The application process is designed to be quick—typically taking about 15–20 minutes. You will need:
- Your 8-digit California Employer Account Number (CEAN).
- Your business’s NAICS code.
- The 10-digit EDD Customer Account Number of the employee on leave.
The current window for applications is open, but funds are often distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have employees planning for leave or currently away, now is the time to act.
Apply or learn more at:
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A New Era of Leadership: Celebrating the 2026-2027 VNARP SoCal Installation Gala
ANAHEIM, CA — The air at the Anaheim Marriott Suites on January 15, 2026, was charged with more than just the usual professional networking; it was a night of homecoming and high-stakes ambition. The Vietnamese American Real Estate Professionals (VNARP) Southern California chapter hosted its 2026–2027 Board of Directors Installation Gala, marking a milestone year for an organization that has become a pillar of the local real estate landscape.
1. The Perfect Harmony: Professionalism Meets Soul
The success of the evening was rooted in a rare and deliberate atmosphere curated by the organizing team. Breaking away from the stiff formality of traditional corporate events, the Gala struck a beautiful balance. The night was a vibrant tapestry of professional milestones woven together with laughter and genuine connection.
Between the formal induction ceremonies, guests were treated to a mix of relaxed social activities and high-energy traditional cultural entertainment. From the resonance of the music performances to the shared joy in the room, the event captured the heart of the Vietnamese American community: a group that works with intensity but celebrates with soul.
2. A Tribute to Partnerships: Old Friends and New Journeys
The soul of VNARP has always been its relationships, and the Gala served as a grand stage for gratitude.
To Our New Partners: The organization extended its deepest thanks to the new faces who have recently joined the mission. These are partners who found a common vision in VNARP’s commitment to the community and have chosen to believe in this journey from the very start of this new chapter.
To Our “Old Friends”: The night was equally a celebration of long-term loyalty. VNARP honored those who have stood side-by-side with the organization for years, witnessing each other’s growth event by event. This includes cherished partners like VBI (Vietnamese Business Initiative), Orange County REALTORS®, and Homeownership OC.
A Seat at the Table: The presence of city officials from Garden Grove and Irvine underscored the political and civic weight VNARP carries in Southern California, signaling a unified front in addressing housing and professional standards.
The evening also paused to recognize the “engine room” of the event—the organizing team. Their dedication of time, energy, and unyielding enthusiasm was the invisible force that turned a complex logistical plan into a flawless, memorable success.
3. President Van Gordon’s Five-Year Legacy
The undisputed “main character” of the evening was Van Gordon, who was officially installed as the President of VNARP SoCal for the 2026–2027 term.
Van’s ascent to the presidency is the definition of a five-year journey through “thick and thin.” Having been a core part of the Leadership Team for half a decade, she has been a witness to—and a driver of—the organization’s evolution. Van was there for the soaring victory moments, but more importantly, she was the steady hand that helped the chapter strive to overcome shortages and obstacles. Her story is one of total devotion; she has poured everything she has into the growth of VNARP SoCal from its earliest days.
Her installation isn’t just a change in leadership; it is a celebration of a leader who has earned her place through years of sacrifice and unwavering service.
4. Looking Toward 2026 and Beyond
As Van Gordon takes the helm, supported by a robust network of old and new friends, the 2026–2027 term promises to be a period of significant expansion. The Gala at the Anaheim Marriott Suites was not just a look back at what has been achieved, but a bold statement of what is yet to come for the Vietnamese American real estate community.Her installation isn’t just a change in leadership; it is a celebration of a leader who has earned her place through years of sacrifice and unwavering service.
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Most business owners think about insurance and risk only when something goes wrong.
- A fire.
- A lawsuit.
- A cyber scare.
- A claim they didn’t expect — or worse, one that wasn’t covered.
But here’s the truth we see every day at SohoSocal: The best time to fix risk is when nothing is broken. And January — when businesses are profitable, focused, and planning — is the most overlooked opportunity to protect everything you’ve built.
1. The Dangerous Comfort of a “Good Year”
If last year was strong, you’re not alone.
- Revenue grew.
- Staff expanded.
- New locations, new equipment, new clients.
That’s great news — but it comes with a quiet side effect: Your risk almost always grows faster than your insurance.
We regularly meet successful business owners who:
- Haven’t updated coverage in years
- Added payroll, locations, or services without adjusting limits
- Assume “we’ve never had a claim” means “we’re fine”
Unfortunately, that assumption is often what turns a manageable loss into a major setback.
2. Risk Doesn’t Show Up Loud — It Builds Quietly
Most serious losses don’t come from dramatic events. They come from small gaps:
- Haven’t updated coverage in years
- Added payroll, locations, or services without adjusting limits
- Assume “we’ve never had a claim” means “we’re fine”
None of these feel urgent. Until suddenly, they were.
3. Insurance Is Not the Strategy — It’s the Tool
This is where many business owners get frustrated.
They don’t want:
What they do want is:
- More paperwork
- More policies
- More premium
- Fewer surprises
- Predictable outcomes
- Confidence that one incident won’t undo years of work
They don’t want:
- More paperwork
- More policies
- More premium
What they do want is:
- Fewer surprises
- Predictable outcomes
- Confidence that one incident won’t undo years of work
That’s why we believe insurance should support a risk strategy, not replace one.
At SohoSocal, we look at:
- How your business actually operates
- Where losses would hurt the most (cash flow, reputation, growth)
- Which risks you should transfer, reduce, or simply be aware of
Because not every risk needs more coverage — but every risk should be intentional.
4. Why January Matters More Than You Think
January is powerful because:
- Claims history is clean and fresh
- Underwriters are more flexible
- Budgets are being set, not squeezed
- Decisions are proactive — not emotional
In other words, it’s when smart adjustments cost the least and protect the most. Instead of asking: “Do I have insurance?” – Try asking: “If something unexpected happened this year, would my business recover — or react?”
That answer tells you everything.
5. A Final Thought
- Risk planning isn’t about fear.
- It’s about freedom.
- Freedom to grow.
- Freedom to hire.
- Freedom to take opportunities — knowing your foundation is solid.
That’s what we help business owners build every day.
If January is the month you get clear on risk, the rest of the year gets easier.
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SohoSocal Risk Intelligence
Helping business owners protect what they’re building — and why it matters.