This Father’s Day, Governor Newsom celebrates 1,905% growth in California fathers taking bonding leave to care for newborns

What you need to know: Since California launched the nation's first Paid Family Leave Program, bonding leave claims filed by fathers have increased 1,905%, helping more dads take time to care for and bond with their new child. California fathers now take bonding leave at rates comparable to mothers.

SACRAMENTO - Ahead of Father's Day, Governor Gavin Newsom is highlighting a major milestone in California's nation-leading Paid Family Leave. Since the program's launch in 2004, bonding claims filed by men have increased 1,905% according to analysis by California's Employment Development Department (EDD), reflecting a dramatic shift in how California families share caregiving responsibilities and support newborn children during their earliest weeks of life.

Under Governor Newsom's leadership, California significantly strengthened Paid Family Leave and State Disability Insurance benefits, increasing wage replacement to as much as 90% of regular pay for many workers. These improvements are helping more fathers take advantage of bonding leave and spend critical time caring for their children without sacrificing financial stability.

"As we take time to honor the fathers and father figures in our lives, it's important to celebrate the newest dads and encourage them as they take up this new journey. Strong families build a stronger California. Through our first-in-the-nation parental leave program, we're leading the way for families to care for their newborns and care for each other."

Governor Gavin Newsom

"California's landmark paid family leave program is a strong reflection of our state's values - that putting families first is paramount and supporting caregivers gives our kids the best start in life. This Father's Day, we are thrilled to see this program working wonders for families across the state - giving them the time they need to bond with a newborn without the fear of losing their livelihood."

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

California's Paid Family Leave Program provides up to eight weeks of benefit payments for those who take time away from work to bond with a new child, including through birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Since the program began, Californians have filed approximately 4.3 million bonding claims, and more than $19 billion in benefits have been paid to help families navigate some of life's most important moments.

While parental bonding remains a cornerstone of the program, Paid Family Leave also allows Californians to take time away from work to care for a seriously ill family member or support a loved one serving overseas in the military. The program serves as a critical safety net that helps workers be present for their families during some of life's most challenging and life-changing events.

Fathers in action

Chiu Chiyabi from Sacramento used PFL last year to welcome his daughter into his family. The program gave him peace of mind and the space to focus on being fully present during that time.

"I think it's improved my mental health actually. In the sense that I can safely know that I can always be there and be present for my daughter. From the day she was born, I have been with her just about every day," said Chiyabi.

Stories like these help bring the numbers to life. Each claim represents a father who feels supported and able to be there for the moments that matter most.

"Paid Family Leave gives fathers the opportunity to be present for some of the earliest and most meaningful moments in their children's lives," said Stewart Knox, Secretary of the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. "When we make it easier for workers to care for their families, we strengthen the wellbeing of everyone who keeps our state moving."

The Golden State has recently reached new milestones in parents accessing bonding time. In 2025, there were more than 482,000 applications - the highest in program history. In 2004, just 18% of bonding leave applications came from men. Two decades later, 51% of bonding leave applications came from men.

From FY 2023-24 to FY 2024-25 there was a 6% increase in the number of fathers choosing to take bonding leave, reflecting a shift in how families are choosing to use PFL benefits. New parents can use benefits all at once or spread out over a 12-month period.

"For more than 20 years, Paid Family Leave has helped workers put family first," said Nancy Farias, Director of EDD. "As demand for the program continues to grow, including more fathers, we're making it easier to understand, access, and manage claims online so more Californians can get the support they need, when they need it most."

Making it easier for Californians to bond with their child

Under Governor Newsom's leadership, the state has made key efficiencies to increase access bonding time:

• Paid Family Leave is now integrated into EDD's secure online portal to help manage benefit services.
• Californians can also calculate their estimated weekly payments helping new parents plan how they will choose to use their bonding time.
• New parents can now use an enhanced virtual assistant (chatbot) 24/7 in California's top eight spoken languages to help them with accessing PFL.
• In 2023, California upgraded its contact centers transforming the way people access PFL over the phone.

Visit Paid Family Leave for Fathers and apply online today.

California's leadership in supporting men and boys

The growing number of fathers taking bonding leave reflects California's broader efforts to support men and boys at every stage of life, from early childhood and mental health services to workforce training, mentorship, and career pathways.

California is one of 14 states and the District of Columbia that offer PFL. Parents in households where men take PFL are more likely to report positive signs of mental and physical health. There is also reduced risk for infant and child mortality in homes where fathers take bonding time, helping save lives.

Building on Governor Newsom's executive order, California has made nation leading investments into men and boys by expanding mentorship and service opportunities and creating stronger pathways into high-demand careers, empowering young men into good jobs and a strong sense of purpose:

• 195,000+ men trained through workforce programs since 2020
• 8,800+ men supported through reentry employment pathways
• More than 500,000 youth and families have accessed behavioral health supports through BrightLife Kids and Soluna, which have seen 275% growth in use since early 2025
• Goal to engage 10,000 young men in service and volunteerism through the Men's Service Challenge by 2026
• Expanded outreach for the Emergency Medical Service Corps and for health professions where men are underrepresented
• Since 2019, more than 667,000 apprenticeships have been created - exceeding Governor Newsom's goal of creating 500,000 apprenticeships by 2029