GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME. THIS
IS THE ASSEMBLY BUDGET
SUBCOMMITTEE NUMBER TWO ON HUMAN
SERVICES. BEFORE WE INVITE OUR
FIRST PANEL TO BEGIN. I'LL MAKE
JUST A FEW INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS
AND WE'LL GET STARTED. UM, AS WE
FIND OURSELVES IN THE MIDDLE OF
AN INCREASINGLY CHALLENGING
BUDGET PROBLEM. THIS COMMITTEE
WILL BE A PLACE WHERE TOUGH
CONVERSATIONS TAKE PLACE. BUT
THAT WILL NEVER BE A
JUSTIFICATION TO DEHUMANIZE OR
SILENCE ANYONE. THIS COMMITTEE
IS FOR THE PEOPLE AND THEREFORE
MUST BE OPEN TO THE WORDS OF THE
PEOPLE WHETHER SOMEONE AGREES
WITH THEM OR NOT. ESPECIALLY FOR
THOSE WHO ARE THE MOST
UNDERREPRESENTED, THE MOST
UNABLE TO SPEAK UP FOR
THEMSELVES. AND AS LONG AS I AM
IN THIS ROLE ANY CONDUCT SEEKING
TO PREVENT OR LIMIT THAT WILL
NOT BE TOLERATED. WHETHER IT'S
IN THIS ROOM OR IN THE HALLWAYS.
I WANT TO RESTATE THAT THE
OVERALL VISION A BUDGET
SUBCOMMITTEE Tð. IS TO TURN OUR
SURVIVAL PROGRAMS INTO THRIVING
PROGRAMS. AND ENSURE THAT OUR
SYSTEMS ARE MEETING THE CURRENT
NEEDS OF OUR POPULATION.
SURVIVING IS NOT ENOUGH. HOWEVER
THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY OF
THIS COMMITTEE IS TO ENSURE THAT
THE BUDGET PROMOTES THE
STABILITY OF OUR POPULATION. THE
POVERTY, HUNGER AND IMMIGRATION
PROGRAMS. WE WILL DISCUSS TODAY
MAKE UP THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR
SOCIAL SAFETY NET HERE. IN OUR
STATE. AND WE STILL HAVE A LONG
WAY TO GO TO ELIMINATE HUNGER
AND POVERTY FOR EVERYONE LIVING
IN CALIFORNIA. WE MUST
STRENGTHEN THESE PROGRAMS, NOT
WEAKEN THEM. SO LET US BE CLEAR.
THIS IS ABOUT PRIORITIES. AND
THERE IS NO GREATER EVIDENCE OF
OUR PRIORITIES THAN OUR BUDGET.
POVERTY AND HUNGER IS A PRIORITY
DECISION. THEREFORE AS LONG AS
WE HAVE CHILDHOOD, POVERTY,
HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS IN OUR
STATE, IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE
DECIDED THAT IT IS NOT OUR TOP
PRIORITY. WELL THIS MAY NOT BE A
SEASON OF EXPANSION. IT IS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR REFORM. AND TO
MAKE OUR SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS
MORE EFFICIENT. THIS COMMITTEE
WILL NOT DAMPEN ITS AMBITIONS IN
TERMS OF THESE GOALS. NOT ALL OF
THESE GOALS REQUIRE MORE MONEY.
IT MAY REQUIRE SHIFTS. OF OUR
RESOURCES OR SHIFTS OF SYSTEMS
IN ORDER FOR MONEY THAT WE DO
HAVE TO BE MORE EFFICIENTLY
USED. REGARDLESS OF THE BUDGET
SITUATION, WE FIND OURSELVES IN
THE STATUS QUO CANNOT AND WILL
NOT BE ACCEPTABLE. I LOOK
FORWARD TO TALKING ABOUT SOME OF
THE MOST VITAL PORTIONS OF OUR
SOCIAL SAFETY TO NET SAFE SOCIAL
SAFETY NET THIS EVENING AND INTO
THE NIGHT. SO I HOPE EVERYONE
ATE AND AS WELL HYDRATED. THIS
WILL BE A LONG NIGHT. BUT ALSO I
MUST ALSO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT
DUE TO A LOT OF BUDGET TALKS AND
THINGS LIKE THAT, I WILL BE
RECESSING. UM AT 330 WILL
PROBABLY RESUME AROUND FIVE PM
UM, AND WITH THAT ALSO WANT TO
MAKE SURE EVERYONE ALSO KNOWS
THAT WE WILL BE MOVING PUBLIC
COMMENT UP. TWO AFTER, UM AGENDA
ITEM SEVEN. TO ENSURE THAT
EVERYONE WHO TOOK THEIR FLIGHTS
AND WHO ARE WAITING TO GET BACK
HOME. AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF
WILL BE ABLE TO BE TAKEN CARE
OF. AND THEN ALSO IS IMPORTANT
TO KNOW THAT THE FIRST PEOPLE
WHO WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE
PUBLIC PUBLIC COMMENT, UM YOU
DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE BABY OUT
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO. THIS THIS
IS HER HEARING, TOO. ALRIGHT.
BUT ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE
PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE
FIRST THAT WILL BE ASKED TO DO
PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE, UM
FAMILY, UM AND CLIENTS. WILL BE
THE FIRST UP SO THAT THEY CAN
GET THEIR COMMENTS ON THE WAY
AND THEN BE ABLE TO HEAD HOME AS
WELL. AGAIN EACH PERSON WILL BE
PROVIDED PUBLIC COMMENT TWO
MINUTES EACH TO MAKE SURE
REMARKS ARE TAKEN CARE OF AS
WELL AND A FEW OTHER NOTES. I
ALSO ASKED FOR EVERYONE TO
PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF ALL
VIEWS AGAIN THAT ARE SHARED
TODAY. AND THEN ALSO FOR THOSE
WHO ARE PANELISTS. WE ASK THAT
YOU PLEASE KEEP YOUR REMARKS. UM
TWO OR AT OR UNDER. FIVE MINUTES
. UM AND AT FIVE MINUTES, THERE
WILL BE AN AUDIBLE BEEP FROM THE
DIETS SO THAT YOU KNOW TO WRAP
IT UP. UM AND SO WE WILL
INTRODUCE BRING UP OUR FIRST
PANEL AT THIS TIME ISSUE NUMBER
ONE POVERTY AND HUNGER AND
CALIFORNIA TODAY. WE ASK THAT
YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF
BEFORE YOU SPEAK. AND LET'S TRY
TO GO IN THE ORDER LISTED IN THE
AGENDA.
AND YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE
READY. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR CHAIR.
MY NAME IS MONICA. SO STILL OH,
AND I'M A SENIOR POLICY FELLOW
AT THE CALIFORNIA BUDGET AND
POLICY CENTER. A NONPARTISAN
RESEARCH AND RESEARCH AND
ANALYSIS, NONPROFIT. TODAY I'M
PRESENTING INFORMATION ON RECENT
TRENDS IN POVERTY AND CHILD
HUNGER IN CALIFORNIA AND THE
LESSONS THAT THEY HOLD HER
POLICYMAKERS. WHAT WE LEARNED
FROM THE PANDEMIC. AND THE GREAT
RECESSION BEFORE THAT IS THAT
POVERTY IS A POLICY CHOICE. WHEN
POLICYMAKERS CUT CRITICAL SAFETY
NET SUPPORTS. THEY PUSH FAMILIES
AND CHILDREN INTO OR DEEPER INTO
POVERTY. WITH OFTEN DEVASTATING
CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR FUTURE.
THAT'S WHY IT'S SO VITAL TO
PROTECT THE PROGRESS CALIFORNIA
HAS MADE IN RECENT YEARS,
STRENGTHENING COW WORKS AND
OTHER SAFETY NET PROGRAMS TO
BUILD TOWARD A STATE WHERE NO
CHILD LIVES IN DEEP POVERTY. IN
THE LAST YEAR, CALIFORNIA
WITNESSED A CONCERNING INCREASE
IN ITS POVERTY RATE, OUTPACING
EVERY OTHER STATE IN THE IN THE
COUNTRY. SPECIFICALLY ONE IN
EVERY SEVEN CALIFORNIANS LOCKED
THE RESOURCES TO PUT FOOD ON THE
TABLE, PAY THE RENT AND MEET
THEIR BASIC NEEDS. THE HARD.
TRUTH IS, POVERTY IS UP.
PARTICULARLY AMONG CHILDREN AND
BLACK AND LATIN X CALIFORNIANS.
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE
STRUGGLING TO AFFORD EVERYDAY
EXPENSES AND RISING SHARES OF
CALIFORNIANS ARE FACING FOOD
INSECURITY. THIS IS A HUGE STEP
BACKWARDS FROM JUST A FEW YEARS
AGO WHEN POVERTY FELL TO
HISTORIC LOWS AND LONGSTANDING
RACIAL INEQUITIES AND POVERTY
FINALLY NARROWED, THANKS IN PART
TO THE CHOICES THIS BODY MADE.
AS CALIFORNIA FAMILIES FACE
FINANCIAL STRAIN, THEY ARE OFTEN
FORCED TO MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES
. SACRIFICING NECESSITIES LIKE
FOOD IN ORDER TO MEET OTHER
PRESSING NEEDS. CONSEQUENTLY ONE
IN SIX CHILDREN ACROSS OUR STATE
ARE NOT SURE WHERE THEIR NEXT
MEAL WILL COME FROM. THERE'S NOT
ONLY JEOPARDIZES THEIR HEALTH
AND WELL BEING, BUT ALSO HINDERS
THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN IN
SCHOOL, WHICH WE KNOW HAS
COMPOUNDING EFFECTS ON THEIR
FUTURE. MOREOVER THE ISSUE OF
HOMELESSNESS IS CLOSELY
INTERTWINED WITH HIGH LEVELS OF
POVERTY. FAMILIES LIVING IN
POVERTY ARE AT HEIGHTENED RISK
OF BECOMING HOMELESS DUE TO THE
HIGH COST OF HOUSING, LACK OF
ACCESS TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
AND BARRIERS TO ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITIES. AS A RESULT, AN
INCREASING NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN
CALIFORNIA ARE FINDING
THEMSELVES WITHOUT STABLE
HOUSING, WHICH IS TIED TO SEVERE
NEGATIVE OUTCOMES LIKE CHRONIC
HEALTH CONDITIONS. ELEVATED
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, PHYSICAL
AND SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION, AS
WELL AS CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS. IN
ADDITION TO THE EFFECT ON FOOD
AND HOUSING AND SECURITY,
POVERTY IS ALSO TIED TO INCREASE
CHILD WELFARE INVOLVEMENT AND
FAMILY SEPARATION. RESEARCH
SHOWS THAT IMPROVING FAMILY
FINANCIAL STABILITY LEADS TO A
REDUCED RISK OF BOTH NEGLECT AND
INVOLVEMENT WITH CHILD WELFARE
AGENCIES. IT'S CRUCIAL TO
RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF
SAFETY NET PROGRAMS IN
MITIGATING THE IMPACTS OF
POVERTY ON OUR COMMUNITIES BY
HELPING FAMILIES MEET THEIR
BASIC NEEDS AND REGAIN
STABILITY. AS YOU'RE AWARE,
CALIFORNIA FACED A MASSIVE STATE
BUDGET SHORTFALL BETWEEN 2008
AND 2010 AS THE RECESSION
DEEPENED, AND STATE REVENUES
PLUMMETED. IN RESPONSE, STATE
POLICYMAKERS REACHED BUDGET
AGREEMENTS THAT INCLUDED MORE
THAN $30 BILLION IN STATE
SPENDING REDUCTIONS, INCLUDING
DEEP CUTS TO CAL WORKS AND OTHER
SAFETY NET PROGRAMS. AS A RESULT
OF THESE CUTS, COW WORKS GRANT
LEVELS FELL WELL BELOW THE
FEDERAL POVERTY LINE AND TO A
HISTORIC LOW IN 2013. GIVEN
THESE CHANGES, IT'S NO SURPRISE
THAT DEEP POVERTY
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED
YOUNG CHILDREN DURING AND AFTER
THE GREAT RECESSION. THESE CUTS
NOT ONLY HURT THE CHILDREN WHO
LOSE ESSENTIAL SUPPORTS, BUT
ALSO HURT OUR ECONOMY IN THE
LONG RUN. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT
CHILDREN RAISED IN POVERTY ARE
MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF HIGH
SCHOOL AND LESS LIKELY TO GET A
COLLEGE DEGREE AS WELL AS EARN
SUBSTANTIALLY LESS AS ADULTS
THAN THEIR PEERS RAISED WITH
HIGHER INCOMES. REDUCING SUPPORT
FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN AT A
TIME OF ECONOMIC DISTRESS AND
RISING POVERTY COULD LIMIT
CALIFORNIA'S FUTURE
SIGNIFICANTLY. HOWEVER WE KNOW
THAT POLICYMAKERS HAVE THE TOOLS
TO ENSURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN
TODAY. BECAUSE WHAT WE SAW SO
CLEARLY FROM THE DRAMATIC DROP
AND THEN RISE IN POVERTY
FOLLOWING PANDEMIC ERA RELIEF IS
THAT POVERTY IS A POLICY CHOICE.
IT WAS STATED FEDERAL LEADERS
CHOICE TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT
INVESTMENTS IN FAMILIES THAT
SLASHED POVERTY DURING THE PEAK
OF THE PANDEMIC. AND IT WAS
CONGRESSES CHOICE TO END THOSE
SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENTS AND
PUSHED MILLIONS BACK INTO
POVERTY. IN CONCLUSION, THE
RISING TREND OF POVERTY, CHILD
POVERTY AND ITS ASSOCIATED
CHALLENGES OF HUNGER AND
HOMELESSNESS ARE COMPLEX ISSUES
THAT DEMAND OUR UNWAVERING
ATTENTION AND COLLECTIVE ACTION.
THE REASON INCREASES OUR
REFLECTION OF POLICY CHOICES AND
DIFFERENT CHOICES CAN REVERSE
THESE TRENDS. CALIFORNIA'S
BUDGET IS A STATEMENT OF OUR
VALUES AND PRIORITIES AND SHOULD
REFLECT A COMMITMENT TO
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
EVERYONE IN OUR STATE TO SHARE
IN CALIFORNIA'S WEALTH. BECAUSE
ALL CALIFORNIANS DESERVE TO HAVE
THE RESOURCES TO THRIVE. NO
MATTER THEIR RACE, AGE, GENDER
OR ZIP CODE. THANK YOU. GOOD
AFTERNOON CHAIR. KIM JOHNSON,
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES. AS WAS REFERENCED
POVERTY IS NOT JUST CHANGING.
FOR CALIFORNIA. IT IS THE
HIGHEST IN THE BIGGEST INCREASE
IN 50 YEARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
IN THE UNITED STATES, ACCORDING
TO THE PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE
OF CALIFORNIA, THE POVERTY RATE
ROSE FROM 11.7% IN THE FALL OF
2021 13.2% IN THE FIRST QUARTER
OF 2023, USING THE CALIFORNIA
POVERTY MEASURE, WHICH ACCOUNTS
FOR HOUSING COST AND SAFETY NET
BENEFITS. POVERTY RATE ROSE.
DESPITE THAT MOST FAMILIES ARE
WORKING IN THOSE THAT ARE
EXPERIENCING POVERTY. CHILD
POVERTY JUMPED FROM 9% IN THE
FALL OF 2021 TO 13.8% IN EARLY
2023. ADDITIONALLY ACCORDING TO
THE NORTHWESTERN INSTITUTE FOR
POLICY RESEARCH AND BASED ON THE
CENSUS, CENSUS BUREAU'S
HOUSEHOLD POLLSTER BAILEY
SURVEY, APPROXIMATELY ONE IN
FIVE CALIFORNIANS ARE FOOD
INSECURE. MUCH OF THE CHANGE, AS
YOU JUST HEARD CAN BE ATTRIBUTED
TO THE ENDING OF THE FEDERAL
CHILD TAX CREDIT IN ADDITIONAL
PANDEMIC SUPPORTS WHICH BEGIN WE
APPRECIATE THOSE CHOICES THAT WE
MADE TOGETHER TO BE INTENTIONAL
TO SUPPORT FAMILIES DURING THE
PANDEMIC. CALIFORNIA THE GOOD
NEWS ABOUT CALIFORNIA CONTINUES
TO HAVE A ROBUST ARRAY OF SAFETY
NET PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
EXPERIENCING POVERTY AND THEY
WORK. AS YOUR AGENDA POINTS OUT
ON PAGE 13. WE EXPECT TO SUPPORT
OVER 348,000 FAMILIES
EXPERIENCING POVERTY AND OUR COW
WORKS PROGRAM AND AGAIN WOULD
NOTE THAT THE OVERWHELMING
MAJORITY OF THE COW WORKS
PARTICIPANTS ARE WOMEN OF COLOR.
THAT'S FOR CURRENT YEAR AND WE
ALSO EXPECT TO SERVE OVER
354,000 FAMILIES IN COW WORKS IN
BUDGET YEAR AND THAT'S AN
INCREASE OF 1.6. CAL FRESH. WE
EXPECT TO SUPPORT OVER 3,054,000
HOUSEHOLDS WITH CAL FRESH IN THE
CURRENT YEAR IN 3,085,000 IN
BUDGET YEAR FOR AN INCREASE OF
1% THIS EQUATES SUGGESTS OVER 5
MILLION CALIFORNIANS, OF WHICH
36% ARE CHILDREN AND 16% ARE
OLDER ADULTS BENEFITING FROM
CRITICAL FOOD SUPPORTS.
ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC POLICY
INSTITUTE IN EARLY 2023, ABOUT
3.2 MILLION MORE CALIFORNIANS
WOULD HAVE BEEN IN POVERTY
WITHOUT THE SAFETY NET PROGRAMS.
MOST SAFETY NET PROGRAMS
PRIORITIZED CHILDREN AND AN
EARLY 2020 23 PROGRAMS KEPT
14.9% OR 1.3 MILLION CHILDREN
OUT OF POVERTY IN CALIFORNIA.
HOW FRESH ALONE KEPT 1.1 MILLION
CALIFORNIANS OUT OF POVERTY. AS
OF OCTOBER. 1 OF 2021. WE'VE
ALSO OF COURSE, INCREASED OUR
COW WORKS, MAXIMUM AID PAYMENTS
AS WELL. AND COW WORKS ALONE
LIFTS ROUGHLY 95,000, CALIFORNIA
CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY, BUT
THAT UNDERSTATES THE IMPACT AS
COW WORKS ALSO PROVIDES FAMILIES
WITH CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY FOR
CAL, FRESH AND MEDICAL THE
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE HAVE
TAKEN MANY ACTIONS TO FURTHER
SUPPORT TO CALIFORNIANS WHO NEED
THEM MOST AND TO INTEGRATE THESE
SERVICES. JUST SOME EXAMPLES
THAT ARE BROAD IN OUR
CONVERSATION ABOUT POVERTY AND
FOOD WOULD CONCLUDE UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS WHERE CALIFORNIA
WAS THE FIRST STATE IN THE
NATION TO OFFER UNIVERSAL SCHOOL
MEALS TO ALL CHILDREN,
REGARDLESS OF INCOME, EXPANDED
TAX CREDITS, WHETHER THAT BE THE
CALIFORNIA EARNED INCOME TAX
CREDIT THE YOUNG CHILD TAX
CREDIT OR ARE NEWLY AH, OFFERING
FASTER, YOU TAX CREDIT.
SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THE
AFFORDABILITY OF CHILDCARE BY
OFFERING ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO
CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES AS WELL AS
REDUCING FAMILY FEES. CHANGES IN
OUR COW WORKS PROGRAM LIKE
INCREASING OUR GRANT LEVELS.
CHILD SUPPORT PASSED THROUGH
INCREASING EARNED INCOME
DISREGARDS AND MORE AND ARE SOON
TO LAUNCH SUMMER MBT, OR
ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER
PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE FOOD
BENEFITS TO ELIGIBLE SCHOOL AGED
CHILDREN DURING THE SUMMER
MONTHS WHEN THEY MAY NOT HAVE
ACCESS TO SCHOOL MEALS. THOSE
ARE JUST SOME EXAMPLES. THE
COMMITTEE ALSO ASKED RELATED TO
TAKE UP RATE OF OUR COW WORKS
AND HOW FRESH PROGRAMS WE ARE.
CERTAINLY AS OUR STRATEGY
CONTINUES TRYING TO REACH ALL
ELIGIBLE FAMILIES AND
INDIVIDUALS FOR PROGRAMS AND THE
L A. O HAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
A REPORT THAT INDICATES THAT THE
COW WORKS TAKE UP RATE AMONGST
FAMILIES IS ABOUT 60% IN 2019.
WITH VARIATIONS ACROSS DIFFERENT
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS, RACIAL
GROUPS AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS.
THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES EXPECTS TO ISSUE AN
ANALYSIS OF THE COW WORKS TAKE A
BREAK IN APRIL AND JUST ONE
MONTH THIS ANALYSIS WILL INCLUDE
TWO NEW MEASURES OF COW WORKS
TAKE UP. BOTH ESTIMATE TAKE UP
ACROSS DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC
CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS RACE AND
ETHNICITY, PREFERRED LANGUAGE,
AGE AND GEOGRAPHY. THE FIRST
TAKE UP MEASURE IS BASED ON THE
CENSUS BUREAU'S AMERICAN
COMMUNITY SURVEY ADAPTED FROM
THE LAO METHODOLOGY. THIS
APPROACH USES DATA COLLECTED BY
THE CENSUS EVERY YEAR ON A
REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF
CALIFORNIANS TO ESTIMATE THE
NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS AND
INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE LIKELY
ELIGIBLE FOR COW WORKS. THE
SECOND TAKE UP MEASURE USES
ADMINISTRATIVE DATA TO ESTIMATE
THE NUMBER OF COW FRESH AND
MEDICAL RECIPIENTS WHO ARE
ELIGIBLE IN PARTICIPATING IN THE
WORKS. THE TWO MEASURES ARE
INTENDED TO BE COMPLEMENTARY TO
EACH OTHER AND PROVIDE
ACTIONABLE DATA TO INFORM
EFFORTS TO INCREASE ACCESS AND
TAKE UP AND OF COURSE, WE ARE
FOCUSED ON THOSE EFFORTS. WE
HAVE RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH THE
OFFICE OF DATA AND INNOVATION.
EXT WORKED WITH CURRENT AND
FORMER COW WORKS, PARTICIPANTS,
COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE
AGENCIES, COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER
INTERESTED PARTIES TO IDENTIFY
WAYS WE CAN SUPPORT AND INCREASE
UPTAKE. REDUCE ADMINISTRATING
STREET. EXCUSE ME. REDUCING
ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN WAS ONE OF
THE HIGHEST THINGS AND FEEDBACK
THAT WE GOT TO HELP THAT
ENROLLMENT. UM AND BOTH FOR
APPLICATION AND FOR RETAINING
AND STAYING ON THE PROGRAM. AND
ALSO JUST TO REQUEST FOR
COMMUNICATION TO BE CLEAR AS
POSSIBLE AND TIMELY AND
STREAMLINED. SO AS A RESULT, THE
DEPARTMENT IS MOVING FORWARD
WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDESIGN
THE ISSUE. DENIAL LETTERS, SO
APPLICANTS UNDERSTAND ANY
REASONS FOR POTENTIAL DENIAL AND
WHAT STEPS THEY CAN TAKE TO
REAPPLY. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE
WELFARE FOOT WORKFLOW PROCESS
AND WE'RE FINALIZING A CONTRACT
TO SUPPORT THIS DELIVERABLE.
WE'VE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE
RESCUE AGENCY TO LAUNCH A
STATEWIDE PROMOTIONAL MEDIA
CAMPAIGN. THIS IS AGAIN AN
INVESTMENT THAT WE'VE MADE. WITH
THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE FIRST
TIME TO CONDUCT OUTREACH FOR COW
WORKS, AND I INVITE EVERYONE TO
VISIT CAL WORKS DOT ORG TO SEE
SOME OF THOSE MATERIALS WHERE
IT'S INCREASED AT PROGRAM
PARTICIPATION BY RAISING
AWARENESS AT THE PROGRAM AND
REDUCING THE STIGMAS ATTACHED TO
PARTICIPATING IN IT, AND THAT
INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE
CURRENTLY IN ENGLISH AND
SPANISH. WE ALSO IN COW FRESH
JUST VERY QUICKLY IN TERMS OF
UPTAKE KNOW THAT WE HAVE
SOMETHING CALLED THE PROGRAM
REACH INDEX IS HOW IT'S MEASURED
FOR CAL, FRESH BETWEEN 2019 AND
2021. THE STATEWIDE PROGRAM
REACH INDEX INCREASED 11.3%
POINTS FROM 70.04% TO 81.7%
RESPECTIVELY, BUT AGAIN STILL
WORK TO DO TO REACH ALL THOSE
ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS. WE HAVE
INSTITUTED STRATEGIES LIKE THE
ELDERLY, SIMPLIFIED APPLICATION
PROJECT DEMONSTRATION, WHICH
STREAMLINES CAL FRESH
ENROLLMENT. AMONG HOUSEHOLDS
COMPOSED, SO WE HAVE OLDER
ADULTS AND THOSE WITH
DISABILITIES WITH NO EARNED
INCOME. WE'VE EMPLOYED FOCUSED
STRATEGIES AND SPECIFIC
POPULATIONS THAT WE KNOW ARE NOT
REACHING AS AS HIGH AS OUR
OVERALL STATEWIDE THRESHOLD, SO
THAT'S FAMILIES WITH INCOME
UNDER 200% OF THE FEDERAL
POVERTY LEVEL FAMILIES WITH
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 OF
THE SPECIAL FOCUS ON CHILDREN
UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE OLDER
ADULTS AGE 60 ABOVE. INDIVIDUALS
AND FAMILIES WITH LANGUAGE
ACCESS BARRIERS, COLLEGE
STUDENTS, VETERANS AND THEIR
FAMILIES ALSO CREATED STREAMLINE
PROCESSES FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT
WITH CAL, FRESH AND MEDICAL HAVE
EXPANDED LANGUAGE ACCESS EFFORTS
. AND OF COURSE, WE ARE
EXPANDING OUR CALIFORNIA FOOD
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, OR CF APP
COMING SOON AND SOME AND SUMMARY
AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, POVERTY
RATES REMAIN LOWER THAN PRE
PANDEMIC LEVELS. WORKING
HOUSEHOLDS, THOUGH, FIND IT
DIFFICULT TO MAKE ENDS MEET
WITHOUT ACCESS TO SOCIAL SAFETY.
NET SUPPORTS LIKE COW WORKS AND
CAL FRESH THE PANDEMIC START.
INCREASED PROGRAM UTILIZATION
THROUGH THE TAKE UP OF NEWLY
ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS IMPACTED BY
ILLNESS, JOB LOSS OR INCOME
REDUCTION AND WORKING HOUSEHOLDS
RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMICS
EFFECTS CONTINUE TO REMAIN
ELIGIBLE FOR THE CDSS PROGRAMS.
WE WILL CONTINUE OUR OUTREACH
EFFORTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO
UPDATING THE COMMITTEE ON OUR
PROGRESS ON MEETING ADDITIONAL
TARGETS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE EMILY
MARSHALL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FURTHER. DODD BUT HAPPY
TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OF
ANALYST OFFICE. GOOD AFTERNOON,
SONIA SUGAR RUSSO WITH THE
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S OFFICE.
THAT'S WHERE WE'VE HEARD ABOUT
POVERTY AND HUNGER AND
CALIFORNIA AND THE DSS PROGRAMS
DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THESE
ISSUES. OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN
ASKED TO TURN THE CONVERSATION
TO THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND
PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF
THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSALS.
FOR THESE PROGRAMS. WE WILL HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO EACH
PROPOSAL IN DETAIL THROUGHOUT
THE HEARING TODAY. TURNING FIRST
TO CAL, FRESH AND FOOD RELATED
PROGRAMS. THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
HAS NO MAJOR NEW PROPOSALS IN
THIS AREA. AND IT DOES ESTIMATE
THAT CAL FRESH AND SEE FAT
FUNDING WILL GROW ABOUT 1%
ALONGSIDE SIMILAR INCREASES IN
CASELOAD. TURNING NEXT TO COW
WORKS. THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
ESTIMATES THAT OVERALL COW WORKS
FUNDING WILL REMAIN RELATIVELY
FLAT YEAR OVER YEAR FROM 2324 TO
2425 AT ABOUT $7 BILLION TOTAL
FUNDS ANNUALLY. THIS IS LARGELY
DUE TO INCREASED CASELOAD
ESTIMATES AT ABOUT 5% OF
INCREASING OFFSET BY PROPOSED
ONGOING REDUCTIONS IN THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET. OUR OFFICE
DOES INDEPENDENTLY FORECAST
CASELOAD FOR BOTH COW WORKS AND
CALL FRESH AND WHILE OUR
ESTIMATES HAVE DEVIATED FROM THE
ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE PAST,
BOTH ESTIMATES DO APPEAR SIMILAR
TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S AT THIS
TIME, AND THEREFORE WE HAVE
REASON TO BELIEVE THE
ADMINISTRATION'S CASELOAD.
ESTIMATES ARE REASONABLE. WE
WILL REVISIT THESE ESTIMATES IN
MAY 1 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS
AVAILABLE. TURNING NEXT TO THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED REDUCTIONS
IN COW WORKS AS MENTIONED. THESE
ARE ONGOING REDUCTIONS, WHICH
TOTAL ABOUT $293 MILLION THEY
FOCUS ON COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE
FUNDING, SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT,
FAMILY STABILIZATION SERVICES
AND INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE
PROPOSED REDUCTIONS TO INTENSIVE
CASE MANAGEMENT, ALL OF THESE
REDUCTIONS WOULD BEGIN IN 2324
IF THEY WERE ADOPTED. THE
REDUCTIONS TO SUBSIDIZE
EMPLOYMENT AND FAMILY
STABILIZATION WOULD ELIMINATE
ALL FUNDING FOR BOTH OF THESE
PROGRAMS ON AN ONGOING BASIS.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ALSO
SIGNALED THE STATE'S INTENT TO
APPLY FOR AN UPCOMING FEDERAL
PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES PILOT,
WHICH WE'LL DISCUSS IN DETAIL IN
A LATER PANEL AND HAS ALSO
PROJECTED A 0.8% GRANT INCREASE,
WHICH WOULD BE TRIGGERED AND
FUNDED BY LOCAL REVENUE GROWTH
SPECIFICALLY FOR COWARDS.
COWARDS GRANT INCREASES OUR
OFFICE ESTIMATES THAT THE COST
OF THIS GRANT INCREASE WOULD BE
ABOUT $27 MILLION IN 2425 AND
ABOUT $37 MILLION ANNUALLY.
THEREAFTER THE ADMINISTRATION
HAS INDICATED IT PLANS TO
REEVALUATE THIS PROJECTED
INCREASE IN GRANTS IN MAY, WHEN
ADDITIONAL REVENUE INFORMATION
IS AVAILABLE, SO THE COST OF
THIS INCREASE IS NOT YET
INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET. LASTLY ON THE COWL WORKS
FRONT. THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO
PROPOSES WITHDRAWING THE FULL
BALANCE OF THE SAFETY NET
RESERVE, WHICH TOTALS $900
MILLION. THIS FULL WITHDRAWAL
APPEARS INCONSISTENT WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION'S OVERALL
PROPOSED APPROACH TO USING
RESERVES IN THIS BUDGET SINCE
THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO PROPOSES
WITHDRAWING ONLY HALF OF THE
BUDGET STABILIZATION ACCOUNTS
CONSTITUTIONAL BALANCE. IS
ALLOWED DURING A BUDGET
EMERGENCY AND THE ENTIRE
DISCRETIONARY BALANCE OF THE B S
A LASTLY, OUR OFFICE WOULD LIKE
TO PROVIDE A FEW OVERARCHING
COMMENTS THAT MAY BE HELPFUL FOR
THE LEGISLATURE AS IT CONSIDERS
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSALS.
WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT THE
LEGISLATURE FACES DIFFICULT
BUDGET DECISIONS THIS YEAR AND
LIKELY MORE INTO THE FUTURE.
WITH THAT IN MIND, THE
ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT YET
OFFERED JUSTIFICATION AND WHY
THESE SPECIFIC COW WORKS
ELEMENTS ARE PROPOSED FOR
REDUCTION. IT IS ONLY INDICATED
THAT THEY'RE PART OF AN OVERALL
PACKAGE OF SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS
THE DEFICIT. THERE ARE FEW
PROGRAM AREAS ACROSS THE BUDGET,
WHERE THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED
ONGOING PROGRAMMATIC CUTS TO
ESTABLISH PROGRAMS WHICH MAKES
THE PROPOSED ONGOING COW WORKS
REDUCTIONS ALONGSIDE SIMILAR
REDUCTIONS IN CHILD WELFARE
PROGRAMS FAIRLY UNIQUE IN THIS
WAY. HOWEVER IT IS IMPORTANT TO
NOTE THAT GIVEN THE BUDGET
PROBLEM, ONGOING PROGRAMMATIC
REDUCTIONS WILL BE NECESSARY IN
THIS BUDGET AND ANY PROPOSED
BUDGET SOLUTIONS THAT THE
LEGISLATURE CHOOSES TO REJECT,
WILL NEED TO BE SOLVED FOR
ELSEWHERE IN THE BUDGET. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. THE REASON WHY WE
STARTING OFF WITH THIS PANEL IS
NUMBER ONE. THERE'S A LOT OF
ISSUES THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED
IN THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC. BUT
UM, THE DATA IS GLARING IN TERMS
OF JUST OVERALL POVERTY. AND WE
HAVE GOT TO UNDERSTAND. BUT THAT
POVERTY HAS RIPPLE EFFECTS. AND
POVERTY. UH AFFECTS MULTIPLE
GENERATIONS. AND SO IF WE DON'T
START. HONING IN ON POVERTY AS A
WHOLE. AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO
TEMPT BACK DOWN POVERTY. NOT BY
CALIFORNIA'S OWN DOING. WE HAVE
SOLD TOO MUCH INSTABILITY ON THE
FEDERAL LEVEL THAT IS CAUSING US
TO HAVE TO REACT. BUT WE CAN'T
IT IS OF MY OPINION THAT WE
CANNOT JUST ACCEPT IT AS A
FAILURE ON THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT. BUT CALIFORNIA HAS
GOT TO FIND A WAY. TO STEP UP TO
TAP BACK DOWN ON POVERTY. WE
HAVE GOT TO DO THIS. OR WE'RE
GONNA BE HERE YEAR AFTER YEAR.
TRYING TO CONTINUE TO PUT MORE
MONEY IN THESE OTHER PROGRAMS.
RIGHT TO DEAL WITH AH, THE
ISSUES THAT WE'RE FACING. MS
ALCEDO, CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE
BIT? UM OR EVEN REITERATE SOME
OF THOSE RIPPLE EFFECTS THAT
POVERTY CAUSES BUT NOT ONLY THAT
. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN
REGARDS TO, UM AS I DUG THROUGH
SOME OF THE RESEARCH IN TERMS OF
THE COST OF POVERTY? RIGHT I
BELIEVE THAT POVERTY. I THOUGHT
I SAW A REPORT ON POVERTY, YOU
KNOW, COSTING JUST THE ENTIRE
NATION OVER A TRILLION DOLLARS.
UM IN TERMS OF POVERTY, MEANING
POVERTY HAS A COST TO RIGHT? AND
POVERTY AFFECTS OUR BUDGET, TOO.
SO CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT THOSE RIPPLE EFFECTS AND
THE COST OF POVERTY ON OUR
ENTIRE STATE AS WELL? ABSOLUTELY
AND THANK YOU FOR THOSE
COMMENTS. YOU MAKE VERY GOOD
POINTS. THAT'S RIGHT, AS I
MENTIONED BEFORE POVERTY CAN
HAVE IMPACTS ON CHILDREN'S
HEALTH. ON THEIR STABILITY,
HOUSING STABILITY ON THINGS LIKE
CHILD WELFARE INVOLVEMENT, ALL
OF THESE THINGS TOGETHER,
DESTABILIZE THE FAMILY AND CAN
HAVE COMPOUNDING EFFECTS FOR
MANY GENERATIONS TO COME.
ADDITIONALLY, BUT THE COURT THE
EFFECTS AS ADULTS THAT POVERTY
HAS IS ALSO REALLY IMPACTFUL FOR
OUR ECONOMY AS A WHOLE. AS I
MENTIONED, THE RESEARCH SHOWS
THAT CHILDREN THAT GROW UP IN
POVERTY OR LESS LIKELY TO OBTAIN
THINGS LIKE A COLLEGE DEGREE, AS
WELL AS EARN LESS THAN THEIR
PEERS. WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT
THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE IN
POVERTY AS ADULTS AND JUST
CREATE THIS GENERATIONAL CYCLE.
THAT CAN WE WILL NOT THEN FIND
MORE PEOPLE IN THESE PROGRAMS
LATER ON. SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO
INVEST FROM THE GET GO AS
CHILDREN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH I
DIDN'T WANT AND WHAT ELSE WANT
TO ADD TO THAT? UM IF NOT, I
WANT TO THANK THIS PANEL. THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING CARE AND
TALKING ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT
ISSUE. NEXT WE'LL BRING UP ISSUE
NUMBER TWO IMPACTS OF GUARANTEED
INCOME AND RELATIONSHIP WITH
HOUSING HOMELESS CALIFORNIANS.
WITH THE REVIEW OF OUR
GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.
AGAIN WE ASK EVERYONE TO KEEP
THEIR COMMENTS TO FIVE MINUTES.
OR LESS. YOU GOT THE TIMER.
OKAY, GIRL. AND PLEASE INTRODUCE
YOURSELF AND YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN
YOU'RE READY IN TERMS OF THE
ORDER OF THE AGENDA. GET AFTER
AGAIN AFTERNOON AGAIN. CHAIR KIM
JOHNSON, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES GLAD TO SHARE
THE LATEST ON THE GUARANTEED
INCOME PILOT PROGRAM AUTHORIZING
$35 MILLION IN CALIFORNIA BY THE
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE AS PART
OF THE 2122 STATE BUDGET.
PROVIDING UNCONDITIONAL
RECURRING CASH PAYMENTS INTENDED
TO DISRUPT POVERTY, ADVANCED
EQUITY AND SUPPORT THE BASIC
NEEDS OF PARTICIPANTS. THIS
EFFORT OFFERS CALIFORNIA AN
IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN
MORE ABOUT HOW GUARANTEED INCOME
CAN WORK AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE
EXISTING SAFETY NET BENEFITS.
SEVEN PILOTS WERE SELECTED TO
SERVE PREGNANT INDIVIDUALS AND
FOSTER YOUTH EXITING EXTENDED
FASTER CARE. SIX OF THOSE SEVEN
PILOTS HAVE LAUNCHED WITH THE
REMAINING SITE EXPECTED TO
LAUNCH THIS SUMMER AND
ANTICIPATED 1945 PARTICIPANTS
WILL RECEIVE GUARANTEED INCOME.
THE PAYMENTS WILL RANGE FROM
$600 TO $1200 PER MONTH FOR 12
TO 18. MONTHS PILOT'S POSTS A
DIVERSE LIST OF COMMUNITY
PARTNERS, INCLUDING COUNTY HUMAN
SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, TRIBAL
ORGANIZATIONS, PROBATION AND
MORE. FIRST BACHU. I'LL GRANTEES
MUST PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS NO
LESS THAN 50% OF THE AMOUNT
AWARDED BY THE DEPARTMENT. PILOT
SITES ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE
STATEWIDE IMPACT AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF VALUATIONS,
WITH FIVE OF THE SEVEN
PARTICIPATING IN A RANDOM,
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. THE
EVALUATION WILL CONTRIBUTE TO
EVIDENCE AND BEST PRACTICES FOR
LOCAL AND NATIONAL POLICY
DEVELOPMENT AROUND INCOME
SUPPORT PROGRAMS. RESEARCH WILL
EXAMINE WHETHER GUARANTEED
INCOME IMPACTS HEALTH AND WELL
BEING OUTCOMES OF PARTICIPANTS
AND THEIR CHILDREN OF APPLICABLE
INCLUDING HOUSING AND FOOD
SECURITY PARTICIPATION IN OTHER
PUBLIC SAFETY, NET PROGRAMS,
LABOR MARKET PARTICIPATION AND
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT. THE
DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO SECURED
WAIVERS TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE
INCOME RECEIVED THROUGH THESE
PILOTS DOES NOT IMPACT THE
ELIGIBILITY OR SUPPORT FOR THOSE
PARTICIPATING APPLICANTS ARE
ASKED ABOUT THE BENEFITS TO
WHICH THEY ARE CURRENTLY
CONNECTED, ARE ENCOURAGED TO
PARTICIPATE IN BENEFITS
COUNSELING TO MAKE THE DECISION
ABOUT ENROLLMENT INTO THE PILOT.
THE COMMITTEE ASKED WHAT LESSONS
FROM GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS
CAN BE PROJECTED FOR OUR LARGER
SAFETY NET PROGRAMS SUCH AS COW
WORKS, AND WHILE GUARANTEED
INCOME IN COW WORKS ARE BOTH
CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THE
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE
DESIGN, PREVENTING ANY DIRECT
TRANSLATION OF IMPACTS TO
GUARANTEED INCOME TO THE IMPACTS
OF COW WORKS. COWORKER OFFERS A
MUCH BROADER RANGE OF SUPPORTERS
SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO
GUARANTEED INCOME RECIPIENTS.
BUT AGAIN, WE WANT TO LEARN FROM
THOSE THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN
BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS MAY,
HOWEVER, GENERATE INSIGHT INTO
WHETHER REDUCING COMPLIANCE
COSTS LEADS TO GREATER PROGRAM
ACCESS THE IMPACT OF ADDITIONAL
CASH ASSISTANCE IN THE SHORTER
TERM AND OVER THE LONG TERM IN
TERMS OF GREATER ECONOMIC
MOBILITY AND STABILITY FOR
PARTICIPANTS. I KNOW THAT THE
OTHER PANELISTS WILL FOCUS MORE
ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
GUARANTEED INCOME IN
HOMELESSNESS, BUT I WOULD JUST
OFFER THE UCSF BENIOFF CENTERS,
CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE STUDY OF
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESS
WHICH INDICATED THAT LOST INCOME
IS THE MOST COMMONLY CITED
REASON FOR WHY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE
HOMELESSNESS AND SELF REPORTED
DATA OF THE 3200. QUESTIONNAIRES
ADMINISTERED TO ADULTS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
BETWEEN OCTOBER 2021 AND
NOVEMBER OF 2020 TO 47% CITED
ECONOMIC REASONS WITH THE MOST
FREQUENT REASON BEING LOST OR
REDUCED INCOME INCOME PREVENTS
AND ABATES. HOMELESSNESS
IMPROVES HOUSING SECURITY
IMPROVES OTHER OUTCOMES LIKE
HEALTHCARE ACCESS TO NUTRITION
BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW FROM THE
RESEARCH. AND WHILE GUARANTEED
INCOME LIKELY COULD MAKE A BIG
DIFFERENCE FOR MANY FAMILIES AT
RISK OR EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS, THOSE WITH HIGHER
MORE COMPLEX NEEDS OR IN HIGHLY
COMPETITIVE HOUSING MARKETS MAY
ALSO HAVE THAT CASH ASSISTANCE
PAIRED WITH THE SUPPORTS TO
OBTAIN AND SUSTAINED HOUSING.
AND WITH THAT I'M HERE TO ANSWER
ANY QUESTIONS. RIGHT GOOD
AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BEN
HENWOOD. I'M A PROFESSOR AT THE
U. S. C C. S OF END OF ARCTIC
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK WHERE I
DIRECT OUR CENTER FOR
HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING AND HEALTH
EQUITY RESEARCH. I ALSO SERVE AS
THE CO DIRECTOR FOR THE HOMELESS
POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT THE
USC SOL PRICE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC
POLICY. MUCH OF MY RESEARCH IS
FOCUSED ON HOW TO MOVE PEOPLE
QUICKLY OFF THE STREETS AND INTO
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
USING THE HOUSING FIRST APPROACH
, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR QUICKLY
AGING, OLDER, ADULT HOMELESS
POPULATION. I ALSO LEAVE THE
TEAM THAT PRODUCES THE ESTIMATES
FOR THE ANNUAL L, A HOMELESS
ALLEY COUNTY HOMELESS COUNT. I
WAS ASKED TO COME HERE TODAY
BECAUSE ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT
WERE CONDUCTING AS A RANDOMIZED
CONTROLLED TRIAL IN WHICH WE ARE
PROVIDING PEOPLE WHO MEET THE
FEDERAL DEFINITION OF
HOMELESSNESS, BASIC INCOME IN
THE AMOUNT OF $750 A MONTH FOR
ONE YEAR PROJECT IS BEING DONE
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS
MIRACLE MESSAGES. ESSENTIALLY
FOR THIS STUDY, MIRACLE MESSAGES
CONDUCTED OUTREACH IN LOS
ANGELES AND THE BAY AREA BETWEEN
MAY OF 2022 IN JULY OF 2023 TO
RECRUIT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS INTO THEIR MIRACLE
FRIENDS PROGRAM. THIS IS A
PROGRAM IN WHICH THEY MATCH ON
HOUSED INDIVIDUALS WITH HOUSE
VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVE AS A PHONE
BUDDY, ESSENTIALLY TO HELP EASE
THE LONELINESS AND ISOLATION
THAT ACCOMPANY HOMELESSNESS.
WHEN WE SIGN PEOPLE UP FOR THE
STUDY, WE TOLD THEM THAT THE
GOAL WAS TO EVALUATE THE MIRACLE
FRIENDS PROGRAM AND THAT THEY
WOULD BE RANDOMIZED TO EITHER
RECEIVE A MIRACLE FRIEND, THE
PHONE BUDDY PROGRAM OR BE ON A
WAIT LIST. WHAT WE DID NOT TELL
THEM WAS THAT THEY WOULD. THEY
MAY ALSO BE RANDOMLY SELECTED TO
RECEIVE GUARANTEED INCOME
TOTALLY $9000 OVER THE COURSE OF
A YEAR WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.
SINCE THE STUDY BEGAN, A TOTAL
OF 103 INDIVIDUALS WERE RANDOMLY
SELECTED TO RECEIVE A CASH
TRANSFER OF 750 A MONTH FOR ONE
YEAR. WHILE THE STUDY IS STILL
ONGOING, WOULD LIKE TO REPORT ON
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED THUS FAR. IN
DECEMBER. 2023 WE RELEASED AN
INTERIM REPORT THAT YOU ALL
SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THAT WAS
BASED ON ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF OUR
SAMPLE, RECEIVING AT LEAST SIX
MONTHLY PAYMENTS WHILE WE DIDN'T
REPORT ON EXIT FROM HOMELESSNESS
ALTOGETHER, WE FOUND THAT THERE
WAS A 60% REDUCTION IN
UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS AMONG
PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED MONEY
COMPARED TO ONLY AN 18%
REDUCTION IN UNSHELTERED
HOMELESSNESS. AMONG THOSE ON THE
WAIT LIST, SO 60 VERSUS 18.
TODAY I CAN REPORT ON EXITS FROM
HOMELESSNESS ALTOGETHER AMONG
OUR ENTIRE SAMPLE THAT HAVE NOW
RECEIVED AT LEAST SIX MONTHLY
PAYMENTS ARE INITIAL RESULTS ARE
THAT 29% OF PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED
THAT MONEY EXITED HOMELESSNESS
ALTOGETHER. AND THIS COMPARES TO
THIS IS ABOUT DOUBLE THE RATE AT
WHICH THE PEOPLE ON THE WAITLIST
EXITED HOMELESSNESS. WHILE OUR
STUDY IS ONGOING, AND THE
RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN PURE,
SCIENTIFICALLY PEER REVIEWED,
OUR INITIAL FINDINGS ARE
CONSISTENT WITH OTHER GUARANTEED
INCOME STUDIES AND SUGGESTING
GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME CAN HELP
ADDRESS THE ENORMOUS UNSHELTERED
HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM IN THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA. OUR STATE
HAS THE HIGHEST RATES OF
UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS AND
ACCOUNTS FOR APPROXIMATELY HALF
OF ALL UNSETTLED THE INDIVIDUALS
IN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN.
RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT YOU ALL
AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, HOWEVER
VIABLE AND EFFECTIVE POLICY
OPTION AND GUARANTEED BASIC
INCOME THAT CAN BE USED TO
ADDRESS THE UNSHELTERED
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS. IT IS ALSO
WORTH NOTING THAT THE RECENT U.
S C. U C S F STATEWIDE SURVEY
THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED
FOUND THAT 70% OF THOSE SURVEYED
THOUGHT THAT THEY IF THEY HAD AN
ADDITIONAL 3 TO $500 A MONTH,
THEY THEY THEY'RE HOMELESSNESS
COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED OR
DELAYED. THIS SUGGESTS THAT A
GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM LIKE
THE ONE WE ARE STUDYING, CAN BE
USED TO AS A EFFECTIVELY AS A
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM.
THIS IS SUPPORTED BY A RECENT
STUDY DONE IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY
BY OUR COLLEAGUES AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME. AS YOU
CAN TELL BY MY TESTIMONY. I
THINK THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS THE
USE OF BASIC INCOME TO ADDRESS
AND PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. I
WOULD ALSO NOTE THAT THE
RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT WHEN THE
PUBLIC IS PRESENTED WITH THE
RESULTS OF STUDIES SUCH AS THE
ONE I TALKED ABOUT TODAY, THEY
ARE LARGELY SUPPORTIVE OF SUCH
POLICIES. ONE OF THE BIGGEST
CONCERNS AND THE QUESTIONS THAT
I GET MOST FREQUENTLY IS WHETHER
PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED BASIC INCOME
SPENT THEIR MONEY ON DRUGS. THE
SHORT ANSWER IS NO PEOPLE IN OUR
STUDIES SPENT THEIR MONEY ON
FOOD ON SUPPORTING THEIR KIDS OR
THEIR PARENTS OR THEIR FRIENDS,
WHO ARE ALSO IN NEED ON BUYING A
BIKE SO THAT THEY COULD EARN
MORE MONEY, DELIVERING FOOD AND
ON PAYING DOWN CREDIT CARD DEBT
THAT WAS MAKING THEM FEEL AS IF
THEY HAD NO FUTURE. IN
CONCLUSION, BASIC INCOME APPEARS
TO WORK BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO
RECEIVE IT ESSENTIALLY SPENT
THEIR MONEY BETTER THAN MORE
EFFECTIVELY THAN YOU OR I COULD
HAVE DONE FOR THEM. WITH THAT
I'LL CONCLUDE MY TESTIMONY BY
THANKING YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE
AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS. HI CARRIE MILLER WITH
LOS ANGELES COUNTY. WE ARE
RUNNING ONE OF THE LARGEST AND
LONGEST GUARANTEED INCOME
PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY. WE
CURRENTLY HAVE 1000 PEOPLE
RECEIVING $1000 A MONTH FOR
THREE YEARS, AND WE ARE IN THE
PROCESS OF EXPANDING THAT UP TO
2100 PEOPLE THIS SUMMER. ONE OF
THE THINGS THAT WE'VE NOTICED SO
FAR AS OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED IS
THAT PEOPLE SPEND THEIR MONEY
THE RIGHT WAY. OUR RESEARCH
SHOWS THAT 97% OF ALL FUNDS
SPENT ARE SPENT ON BASIC NEEDS.
HOUSING TRANSPORTATION. AND
FOOD. FOOD SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL
EXPENSES. WE KNOW ANECDOTALLY
THAT A NUMBER OF OUR
PARTICIPANTS HAVE ALSO STARTED
BUSINESSES. THEY'VE GONE BACK TO
SCHOOL. THEY'RE EARNING
CONVENTIONAL TO DOING THINGS
THAT HELP CREATE MORE ECONOMIC
MOBILITY FOR THEMSELVES. WE HAVE
ONE MOTHER, FOR EXAMPLE,
INSTANCE, NAMED CARMEN. SHE'S A
MOTHER OF FOUR. SHE USED HER
STIPENDS TO ACTUALLY OPEN A
STOREFRONT IN HER COMMUNITY AND
NOW IS A PROUD BUSINESS OWNER.
AND WE HAVE DOZENS OF STORIES
JUST LIKE THAT. ALL HAVE OPENED
UP THEIR OWN BUSINESSES AND ARE
DOING FOR THEMSELVES. AS YOU'VE
HEARD, AS RESEARCH IS STILL
BEING COLLECTED, AND SO WE IT'S
UM YOU KNOW, EMERGING AT THIS
POINT. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS THAT
THE RESEARCH IS SHOWING AND
SUPPORTING THAT PEOPLE ARE
INCREASING THEIR HEALTH, THEIR
REDUCING ISSUES WITH MENTAL
HEALTH, PARTICULARLY AROUND
ANXIETY, DEPRESSIONS LEVELS OF
STRESS. UM THEY ARE CREATING
MORE ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR
THEMSELVES, AND THEY'RE IN A
POSITION WHERE THEY CAN START
TAKING CARE OF AN ADDRESSING
EMERGENCIES AS THEY HAPPEN IN
INFORMATION THAT CAME OUT OF A
STUDY IN SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA,
ACTUALLY SHOWED THAT FOLKS WHO
ARE IN THEIR GUARANTEED INCOME
PROGRAM WERE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE
FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT BY THE END
OF THE PROGRAM AND AT A SIX
MONTH INTERVAL AFTERWARDS. SO WE
KNOW THAT THIS PROGRAM REALLY IS
SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN TERMS OF
THEIR ECONOMIC MOBILITY. SOME
LESSONS LEARNED SO FAR THAT WE
FOUND IN OUR PROGRAM IS THAT
THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE GAP IN
TERMS OF WHAT IT NEEDS. PEOPLE
NEED TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS
THE MAJORITY OF OUR PARTICIPANTS
90% OF THEM ARE ALREADY ON
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND THEY NEED
THE EXTRA MONEY TO ACTUALLY BE
ABLE TO AFFORD THOSE BASIC NEEDS
. THE MAJORITY OF OUR
PARTICIPANTS ALSO CAME INTO THIS
PROGRAM ALREADY WORKING. UM AND
WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT THE
AVERAGE INCOME FOR THE AS
PARTICIPANTS IS $14,000 A YEAR.
SO WHAT HAPPENED IN IS THAT THIS
PROGRAM IS ALLOWING THEM TO
COVER THOSE BASIC NEEDS, WHICH
SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THEIR
STRESS LEVELS, AND ONCE THAT
STRESS LEVEL IS REDUCED, THEY
ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO FOCUS ON
WHAT DO THEY NEED TO DO TO
ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS? BETTER
THEIR SITUATION? CREATE
MOTIVATION TO CREATE ECONOMIC
MOBILITY, WHETHER THAT'S GETTING
A JOB GOING BACK TO SCHOOL,
OPENING A BUSINESS OR WHATEVER.
WE ALSO HAVE FOUND THAT, UM
PEOPLE ARE USING THE MONEY IN
THE RIGHT WAY. THEY'RE DOING
WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AND
COVERING THEIR BASIC NEEDS AND
MOVING THEMSELVES FORWARD. AND
SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE
BELIEVE THAT IS COMING OUT OF
THIS AS, UH, DIRECTOR DON
JOHNSON MENTIONED IS THAT WE
DON'T NEED TO FOCUS SO MUCH ON
HIGH LEVEL OF CONTROL IN TERMS
OF RULES, AND, UM, IMPOSING
THESE TYPES OF RESTRICTIONS ON
PEOPLE. UM THE THIRD THING THAT
WE'RE REALLY SEEING IS THAT THE
CASH SERVES AS A AS A MULTIPLIER
WITHIN COMMUNITIES AND
PARTICULARLY LOW INCOME
COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE ECONOMISTS
SHOW THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT
IN THESE COMMUNITIES, UM THE
LOCAL ECONOMY BENEFITS UP TO 50%
ON A DOLLAR. SO WE ARE HELPING
NOT ONLY THE FAMILIES AND THE
PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAM,
BUT WE'RE ALSO HELPING
FACILITATE GREATER LOCAL
ECONOMIES WITHIN THESE
COMMUNITIES, AND WITH THAT, WE
KNOW THAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE
SHOWING REAL PROMISE NOT ONLY
JUST IN DISRUPTING POVERTY,
MULTIGENERATIONAL POVERTY, BUT
ALSO REINFORCING THE VERY, UM
RESILIENCY AND NATURAL SKILLS
AND ABILITIES THAT PEOPLE HAVE
IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR
SITUATIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE EMILY
MARSHALL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FOR THEIR DAD. SONIA
SUGAR RUSSO WITH THE LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST'S OFFICE. OUR OFFICE
PLANS TO CONTINUE MONITORING THE
PILOT IMPLEMENTATION AND THE
ASSOCIATED OUTCOMES FOR ANY KEY
TAKEAWAYS ARE ISSUES TO RAISE
FOR THE LEGISLATURE. REGARDING
THE PROPOSED TRAILER BILL
LANGUAGE ON THE GUARANTEED
INCOME PILOT. WE HAVE REVIEWED
THE LANGUAGE AND HAVE NO ISSUES
TO RAISE AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN
REALLY, UM, INTRIGUED ABOUT
GUARANTEED GUARANTEED INCOME
PROGRAMS. AS SOON AS ANY BIT OF
RESEARCH COMES OUT. I'M ALL OVER
THAT, BABY. UM I THINK IT WAS
MAYBE 1112 OR ONE O'CLOCK IN THE
MORNING WHERE AND I BEGAN TO
READ THE ARTICLE ABOUT THE, UM
UH, DR HENWOOD YOUR YOUR
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AS WELL.
AND I SAID, OH, I GOTTA GET HIM
UP HERE. I GOTTA FIND YOU OUT.
FIND THEM. TRACK THEM DOWN. UM
THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THERE'S
SOME GREAT BENEFITS THAT UH UM.
CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW, THE
PREPONDERANCE OF THE RESEARCH IS
SHOWING UH UM. BUT THE KEY
QUESTION IS NOW. IF IT WORKS SO
WELL. UM HOW DO WE SEE THIS
BEING A PART OF CALIFORNIA'S
SAFETY NET INFRASTRUCTURE. HOW
DO WE TIE THIS IN? AND, UH
COHERENT WAY. SO THAT THE WHOLE
SYSTEM MAKES SENSE. UH ANY
THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT? FROM
ANYONE. I'M GLAD TO START CHAIR.
THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. YOU
KNOW, A COUPLE OF THINGS I WOULD
SAY. IS THAT WHAT WE DO KNOW IN
TERMS OF OUR SAFETY NET SERVICES
IS THAT THE ENTIRETY OF THE RAY
MAKES A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE
WHEN YOU'RE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE
FOR MORE THINGS IN YOUR
PARTICIPATING IN PARTICIPATING
IN THAT OTHER ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
FOR CAL, FRESHER FOOD ASSISTANCE
OR HAVING HOUSING SUPPORT THE
ENTIRETY OF THE ARRAY AND BEING
ABLE TO GET THE EARNED INCOME
TAX CREDIT, FOR EXAMPLE, RIGHT?
SO I THINK WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO
LEARN IN THIS EXPERIENCE TO IS
KIND OF IN TERMS OF CASH
SUPPORTS, SO THAT'S COW WORKS.
WE HAVE THAT EARNED INCOME TAX
CREDIT WOULD BE ANOTHER IN TERMS
OF CASH SUPPORTS. WHAT ARE THE
THRESHOLDS? IF YOU WILL, THAT
REALLY DO TURN THE CURVE AND
MAKE A DIFFERENCE. UM IN IN
BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE BOTH THE
STABILITY IN THE SHORT TERM, BUT
ALSO LOOKING LONG, LONGER TERM
OUTCOMES. AND I THINK AGAIN. WE
HAVE CONTINUED TO APPLY THOSE
LEARNINGS IN OUR COW WORKS
PROGRAM AND WE HAVE CHANGED
ASSET LIMITS OVER TIME AND OUR
EARNED INCOME DISREGARDS AND
WE'VE THOUGHT ABOUT HOW THE
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR HAVING
THE CAR. I THINK THE DOCTOR HERE
MENTIONED HAVING A BIKE TO GET
TO OTHER PLACES, RIGHT
TRANSPORTATION. HOW THAT FACTORS
IN, SO I THINK AGAIN. WE'RE VERY
INTERESTED AT THE DEPARTMENT
WITH THE PILOTS TO LEARN. FROM
THE CASH ASSISTANCE IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE INTEGRATED
INTEGRATED WITH THE SOCIAL
SAFETY NET. WHAT THAT DIFFERENCE
YIELDS IN TERMS OF OUTCOMES FOR
THOSE PARTICIPATING OVER TIME.
NOW THE KICKER IS HOW IN THE
WORLD DO WE TURN IT INTO A MORE
PERMANENT AND STABLE PROGRAM?
RIGHT? AND A FINDING THAT
ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF REVENUE TO
BE ABLE TO IS IT DOES NO GOOD
EITHER. IF IT'S NOT CONSISTENT
AND PREDICTABLE. RIGHT? UH SO
THAT IT HAS THAT LONG TERM
IMPACT SO THAT THEY CAN LEVERAGE
THAT UM, ACTUALLY, BEFORE I CAME
TO THE LEGISLATURE AND AS I GET
OLDER, I START TELLING STORIES
MORE AND MORE, BUT, YOU KNOW OH,
WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BOY, I, UM I
TURNED 30. I SAID, I HAVE ONE
MORE BIG RISK IN ME TO START MY
OWN NONPROFIT, WHICH WAS MY
DREAM. AND I LIVED OFF OF THE
SOCIAL SAFETY NET AND WHAT
SAVINGS I HAD. FOR TWO YEARS TO
BE ABLE TO CREATE MY NONPROFIT.
AND WORKED FOR MYSELF FOR 11
YEARS BEFORE I GOT SWORN IN
HERE, RIGHT? SO WE KNOW THAT IF
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT STABILITY AND
SOME PREDICTABILITY. YOU CAN
BEGIN TO PLAN YOUR WAY. UH, AS
LONG AS YOU'RE NOT IN A STATE OF
CRISIS. RIGHT? ANYONE ELSE HAVE
THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW THIS COULD BE
INTEGRATED INTO CALIFORNIA
SYSTEM IN A MORE PERMANENT WAY?
IF I COULD JUST ADD THAT, UM,
YOU KNOW, SPEAKING ABOUT THE
GENERAL RELIEF AND L, A COUNTY
RIGHT NOW, WHILE IN 1987. I
BELIEVE THE AMOUNT WAS $221 THAT
PEOPLE RECEIVED. I THINK IT'S
STILL $221. TODAY THERE WAS
ACTUALLY A SETTLEMENT IN 1987
THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
INFLATION ADJUSTED, UH, THAT
THAT SETTLEMENT WAS NOT HONORED.
BUT IF IT HAD BEEN, THE AMOUNT
WOULD HAVE BEEN APPROXIMATELY
THE SAME AMOUNT THAT WE ARE
GIVING OUT IN, UH, IN OUR IN OUR
STUDY RIGHT NOW, AND SO I THINK
THAT THERE THERE ARE EXISTING
MECHANISMS. WHAT'S THAT NUMBER
AGAIN? YOU'RE DOING WHAT WE'RE
DOING. $750 A MONTH. I BELIEVE
THE INFLATION ADJUSTED A NUMBER.
THAT SETTLEMENT WOULD HAVE
BROUGHT IT. GENERAL RELIEF TODAY
TO APPROXIMATELY $780 A MONTH.
OKAY I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER WAY
TO THINK ABOUT THIS. AND ONE OF
THE THINGS THAT WE'RE INTERESTED
IN. EXPLORING IS IN TERMS OF, UH
, THINKING ABOUT THIS ON A LARGE
SCALE WITH, UM MAKING SURE WE
HAVE THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT IT
IS LOOKING AT THE WAY WE OPERATE
OUR CURRENT BENEFITS AND OUR
CURRENT SOCIAL SAFETY NETWORK
PROGRAMS TO SEE IF THE LESSONS
THAT WE'RE LEARNING FROM
GUARANTEED INCOME CAN BE APPLIED
TO THOSE BECAUSE OF THOSE COULD
MODEL BETTER WHAT A GUARANTEED
INCOME PROGRAM IS LOOKING LIKE
IN TERMS OF THE ELEMENTS THAT
MAKE IT WORK, THEN WE WOULD HAVE
MORE FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO
SUPPORT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE
GOING FORWARD ON A SUSTAINABLE
WAY. WHICH MAY REQUIRE WAIVERS
AND ALL THAT GUESTS. I'M SURE
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JUST
KNOWS THEY PROBABLY HAVE A
CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF WAIVERS BY
NOW. MANY WAIVERS WE ASKED FOR
MAXIMIZING FLEXIBILITY, RIGHT?
BUT I GUESS THE ALSO THE I'VE
ALSO BEEN INTRIGUED WITH THE
CONCEPT OF UM, MONTHLY BASIC
INCOME VERSUS A LUMP SUM. WHAT
DO YOU THINK IS THE WAY
CALIFORNIA SHOULD GO? I'VE READ
THE KENYAN REPORT. BY THE WAY,
UNDERSTANDING. I THOUGHT IT WAS
SO INTRIGUING. IT WAS JUST THE
NERD IN ME JUST GOT ALL EXCITED.
UM ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT? I
THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT WE'RE LEARNING. IF YOU LOOK
AT THE 100, PLUS GUARANTEED
INCOME PROGRAMS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY, THERE'S DIFFERENT
MODELS AND VARIATIONS ON WHAT
THAT LOOKS LIKE. WHETHER IT'S A
MONTHLY INCOME. SOME ARE LOOKING
AT BY MONTH BI ANNUAL. SOME ARE
LOOKING AT ANNUAL, AND I THINK
THERE'S EMERGING RESEARCH THAT
WILL HELP SUPPORT THAT. I THINK
SOME OF THE MORE RECENT RESEARCH
IS SHOWING THAT IN SOME CASES
HAVING A LARGER UPFRONT, SOME IS
MAKING MORE A BIT DIFFERENT THAN
STAGGERING OVER. A MONTHLY
INCOME, BUT I THINK THAT'S
WHAT'S EMERGING FROM THE
RESEARCH AND SOMETHING WILL BE
LEARNING SHORTLY. OKAY? ANY
OTHER IDEAS. I'LL JUST ADD THAT
WE SECURED. THIS WAS, UM THERE
WAS NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING IN OUR
RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL. SO
THIS WAS JUST PRIVATE
PHILANTHROPY. WE HAVE SECURED
MORE MONEY AND ARE PLANNING TO
ACTUALLY GIVE PEOPLE THE OPTION
OF EITHER RECEIVING A LUMP SUM.
UH UPFRONT OR MONTHLY PAYMENTS
AND WILL ALSO BE PROVIDING
PEOPLE WITH THE LUMP SUM. SO
WE'LL WE'LL TRY ALL THREE
VERSIONS. WE HOPE TO DO THAT AT
THE END OF THIS YEAR USING OUR
EXISTING STUDY. WHAT IN MY MIND
UNLESS I'M WRONG AND PLEASE TELL
ME I'M WRONG. UM A BASIC INCOME
SEEMS TO BE A NO BRAINER NOW.
THERE IS NO QUESTION WHETHER IT
WORKS OR NOT. AND AGAIN IF I'M
WRONG, PLEASE TELL ME Y'ALL GOT
SOME DOCTORATES ALL UP IN HERE.
UM AND WHETHER IT'S MONTHLY OR
LUMP SUM. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG IF
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE SOME BENEFIT,
RIGHT? JUST A MATTER OF WHETHER
IT'S A HUNGER ISSUE OR WHETHER
IT'S A GREATER INVESTMENT ISSUE
TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS, RIGHT.
AH! SO I'M I'M INTERESTED IN
AND, UH DIRECTOR JOHNSON. YOU
KNOW ME AND MY HAIR BRAINED
IDEAS. UH UM. I WILL BE
PROPOSING SOME TYPE OF TRAIL
LIBERAL LANGUAGE TO START
WORKING OUT. KIND OF LIKE WHAT?
WHERE WE GOING WITH THIS RIGHT?
AND UM, IT IS MY HOPE THAT SHE
WILL WORK WITH ME TO KIND OF
BEGIN TO HAMMER SOME OF THOSE
OUT. UM I TO BE HONEST, I DON'T
BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO WAIT FOR
THE PILOT TO CONCLUDE. I THINK
WE NEED TO HAVE A SYSTEM SET UP.
SO WHEN THE PILOT CONCLUDES, WE
CAN ACTUALLY GET TO WORK. AND
BECAUSE I'M SURE THERE'S GONNA
BE SOME TIME. NEEDED AND YOU
KNOW TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THIS
TIME MOVING FORWARD AS THE
BUDGET BEGINS TO YOU KNOW, GO
ALONG ITS JOURNEY. THAT WE'RE
GONNA NEED. I KNOW WE'RE GOING
TO NEED SOME TIME TRYING TO FIND
A REVENUE SOURCE OR TRYING TO
FIND SOMETHING. SO I WOULD LOVE
TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH YOU.
STARTING NOW TO BEGIN TO GO DOWN
THAT PATH. UM, IF YOU'RE WILLING
TO GLAD. GLAD TO EXPLORE
FURTHER. ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY
OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE WE
CONCLUDE THIS PANEL? UH THANK
YOU ALSO VERY MUCH. THANK YOU
FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.
LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING MORE
MORE DATA AS IT COMES OUT. THANK
YOU. WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO ISSUE
NUMBER THREE. COWARDS GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE FAMILY
STABILIZATION PROGRAM PLEASE
COME ON UP AGAIN. FIVE MINUTES
EACH. AND IF YOU WANT ELLA AND
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE CAN COME
AT THE ENDS OF THE DIETS, AND
THEN THE OTHERS CAN COME HERE IN
THE CENTER. OKAY? GOOD AFTERNOON
, KIM JOHNSON, CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES,
THE COWL WORKS. FAMILY
STABILIZATION HAS BEEN A
COMPONENT OF THE COW WORKS
PROGRAM FOR OVER THE LAST 10
YEARS, AIMING TO PROVIDE
INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND
SERVICES TO COW WORKS.
PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A CRISIS OR
IDENTIFIED SITUATION THAT IS
DESTABILIZING THEIR FAMILY AND
WOULD INTERFERE WITH ADULTS
ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN
WELFARE TO WORK, SUCH AS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE
ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND
RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. SERVICES
CAN INCLUDE MORE INTENSIVE CASE
MANAGEMENT, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
, EMERGENCY SHELTER,
REHABILITATION, SERVICES,
COUNSELING AND OTHER SERVICES.
WHILE PARTICIPATING IN FAMILY
STABILIZATION. FAMILIES ARE NOT
SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS OR HOURLY
WORK REQUIREMENTS AND HAVEN'T
EXECUTED FAMILY STABILIZATION
PLAN RATHER THAN A WELFARE TO
WORK PLAN. WORKS. FAMILY
STABILIZATION FOR FISCAL YEAR
2223 EXPENDITURES WERE $60.4
MILLION. THE 2324 EXPENDITURES
ARE PROJECTED TO BE $60.5
MILLION, AND ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION RELATED TO DIRECT
COSTS ARE INCLUDED ON PAGE 31 OF
YOUR AGENDA. THE TRENDS AND
SERVICE UTILIZATION OF FAMILY
STABILIZATION ARE INCREASING
UTILIZATION FROM 2017 2018 WITH
UTILIZING SHARPLY DECREASING
DURING THE PANDEMIC. UTILIZATION
HAS REBOUNDED SINCE THE PUBLIC
HEALTH EMERGENCY DROP CLOSE
RECENTLY IN 2223, BUT NOT TO THE
LEVELS PRE PANDEMIC. THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSES A
REVERSION OF $55 MILLION GENERAL
FUND AND CURRENT YEAR AND A
REDUCTION OF $71 MILLION IN
BUDGET YEAR AND ANNUALLY
THEREAFTER ESSENTIALLY
ELIMINATING THE PROGRAM. HOWEVER
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET DOES NOT
PROPOSED TO STATUTORILY
ELIMINATE THE FAMILY
STABILIZATION PROGRAM. I WANT TO
APPRECIATE THE NUMEROUS
QUESTIONS IN THE COMMITTEE'S
AGENDA RELATED TO WHY THIS
PARTICULAR PROGRAM AND I WANT TO
FIRST AND FOREMOST, JUST
APPRECIATE THE LEVEL OF DETAIL
THAT'S BEING IMPACTED BECAUSE
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES IN THE HARD DECISIONS
THAT THE GOVERNOR AND
LEGISLATURE HAVE TO MAKE
TOGETHER FOR US, WE SERVE PEOPLE
SO PEOPLE ARE IMPACTED INTO
AGAIN. APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION
TO TWO THAT REALLY UNDERSTANDING
THE IMPLICATIONS. UM AS WE
DISCUSSED EARLIER ON THE AGENDA,
WE KNOW THAT CASH ASSISTANCE FOR
THOSE EXPERIENCING POVERTY MAKES
A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE. WE'VE
BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT THAT
RELATIONSHIP TO BASIC NEEDS AND
NO PROPOSALS IN OUR OVERALL
BUDGET HAVE BEEN MADE TO REDUCE
COW WORKS GRANTS, AND IN FACT,
WE ARE CONTINUING OUR ORIGINAL
AGREEMENT TO INCREASE THEM IN
THE COMING BUDGET YEAR. IN TERMS
OF COUNTIES HAVING FLEXIBILITY.
THEY'LL HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY TO
CONTINUE SOME OF THESE SERVICES,
BUT CERTAINLY NOT AT THE
MAGNITUDE OF WHAT THEY ARE WITH
THE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION
TODAY. SO GLAD TO GET INTO
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AS WE GO ON
HERE FOR QUESTIONS GOING
FORWARD. WE NEED YOUR NEXT. HI.
GOOD MORNING. GOOD AFTERNOON.
CHAIR AND MEMBERS. MY NAME IS
JOY PARENTS. LET'S MAKE SURE YOU
GET IN FRONT OF THE MIC. PLEASE
JUST BRING IT IN CLOSER. OKAY HI
. HELLO GOOD AT NOON HIGH, GOOD
AFTERNOON CHAIR MEMBERS. MY NAME
IS JOY PARENT AND I AM A SPARK
LEADER FROM PROJECT SPARK FROM
LANEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WE ARE
IN SUPPORT AGAINST MAKING CUTS
TO THE COW WORK SERVICES. FAMILY
STABILIZATION SERVICES PROVIDED
MUCH NEED SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
ON COWARDS, WHO ARE STILL
STRUGGLING TO STRETCH THEIR
GRANT TO COVER BASIC NEEDS. BY
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO
SUPPORT FAMILIES EXPERIENCING
CRISIS IS AS A COWARD, STUDENT
PARENT ATTENDING COMMUNITY
COLLEGE. I'M WORKING MORE THAN
20 HOURS A WEEK FACED MANY
CHALLENGES OVER THE YEARS. STILL
I OVERCAME THEM WITH THE HELP OF
SOME VALUABLE PROGRAMS. WITH A
THREE YEAR OLD IN A ONE YEAR OLD
AT THE TIME, I WAS TRYING TO
ESCAPE AN UNHEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
AND RELATIONSHIP. I ASKED MYSELF
WELL, THEY'RE STILL BEING WELL.
I STILL BE IN THIS HOPELESS
SITUATION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW. I
DECIDED THAT I NEEDED TO MAKE A
CHANGE FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY
DAUGHTERS SO THAT THEY CAN
EXPERIENCE A LIFE WITHOUT
POVERTY. I REACHED OUT TO THE
WELFARE OFFICE AND SIGNED UP FOR
COW WORKS AND FOOD STAMPS. THEN
I ROLLED IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
AT THE MOMENT I WAS UNDER £90,
WITH MENTAL HEALTH BECOMING
OVERWHELMING. AND ON TOP OF THAT
BEING HOMELESS. CAL WORKS,
PROVIDED FREE CHILDCARE AND PAID
FOR MY BOOKS AND SUPPLIES,
FINDING A SAFE PLACE TO STUDY
AND DO MY HOMEWORK WITH
CHALLENGING I HAD TO BRING MY
CHILDREN TO CLASS. AND THE ONLY
TIME I HAD TO LOOK FOR A CHILD
CARE WAS MY DAYS OFF. ALTHOUGH
THE RESOURCES OFFER FOR COWL
WORKS WERE VERY HELPFUL, THEY
WEREN'T ENOUGH TO ENSURE MY
SUCCESS. WE USED THE MONEY TO
RIDE FOR RENT TO SURVIVE. BUT WE
STILL DIDN'T HAVE A HOME TO COOK
THE FOOD THAT WE RECEIVE FOR
FOOD STAMPS. WITHOUT A SAFE
PLACE TO CALL HOME. THE BENEFITS
WERE JUST A MEANS OF SURVIVAL,
NOT A PATH TO BE A BETTER LIFE.
DESPITE DESPERATE FOR HELP. I
WENT TO THE BACK TO THE WELFARE
OFFICE AND TOLD THEM THAT
SOMEONE MIGHT BE ABLE TO REACH
OUT TO ME. IT WASN'T GUARANTEED.
WELL, WALKING TO THE BUS STOP.
ONE DAY I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL
FROM THE FAMILY CIVILIZATION
PROGRAM. BAY EXPLAINED ME WHO
THEY WERE BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE
WHO THEY WERE WHEN THEY CALLED.
THEY SAID IT MIGHT NOT BE A
PERMANENT HELP, BUT I KNEW MY
RESPONSE. I SAID THAT THIS WOULD
BE LIFE CHANGING TO ME, MY
DAUGHTERS. I BEGAN TO THAT PLAN.
THE PROCESS OF APPLICATION WITH
THE PROGRAM AND SOON AFTER ME
AND MY DAUGHTERS HAD A PLACE TO
CALL HOME. WE GET QUICK DINNER
TOGETHER AND HAVE DANCE PARTIES
IN THE LIVING ROOM AND NOT
HAVING A LOT TO ANYBODY. BUT IT
WAS A LOT TO US. I WAS ABLE TO.
FOR THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO
PUT MY KIDS TO SLEEP AND DO MY
HOMEWORK. FAST FORWARD TO NOW I
HAVE ASSOCIATES AND SCIENCE
DEGREE AND I'M WAITING TO ENTER
A RADIOLOGY PROGRAM. IN THE
MEANTIME, I'M USING THIS TIME TO
WORK ON MY KINESIOLOGY DEGREE TO
TRANSFER TO UNIVERSITY. I SPEAK
AS AN AFRICAN FOR PARENTS WHO
HAVE FACED SIMILAR CHALLENGES.
LOOKING BACK. I NEVER WOULD HAVE
IMAGINED THAT I WOULD BE HERE
WHERE I AM TODAY. I THINK GOD
AND ALL THESE PROGRAMS FROM
MAKING MY LIFE SOMETHING I COULD
NEVER BELIEVE THAT I HAVE. IT
WAS BECAUSE OF THE FAMILY
STABILIZATION PROGRAM THAT I
ACHIEVED MY GOALS. IT WOULD HAVE
FORCED ME TO REMAIN IN POVERTY.
THIS PROGRAM GAVE ME THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW MY CHILDREN
THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO SETTLE. WE
CAN WORK HARD AND BE RESILIENT
AND PROVIDE PROPERTY DOES NOT
HAVE TO BE OUR NAME. IT COULD IT
COULD DO. I COULD DO WHAT I
DIDN'T THINK WAS POSSIBLE WITH
THE FAMILY SIDE SUBLET IZATION
PROGRAM. NOT ONLY AM I A
TESTIMONY OF THE POWER OF THESE
PROGRAMS, BUT MY CHILDREN WILL
BE ABLE TO SHARE THEIR STORIES
AND HOW THESE PROGRAMS CHANGED
THEIR PATH FOR THEIR FUTURE,
TOO. THESE TRANSFERS, FORMATION
PROGRAMS HAVE MADE IT REAL
IMPACT EMPOWERING FAMILIES
ACROSS CALIFORNIA CHILDREN
ORATIONS AT A TIME. THEIR
APPROACH IS CHANGING LIVES AND
ACHIEVING REMARKABLE SUCCESS.
ONE FAMILY AT A TIME. WRITING
COUNT, WHERE HIS FAMILY'S WITH
THIS SUPPORT YOU ENSURE THAT WE
PROVIDE RELIEF TO CALIFORNIANS
IN HIS CRITICAL BECAUSE NOT ONLY
ARE BASIC NEEDS NEED ARE
CRITICAL TO BE MET. WITH THE
HOUSING STABILIZATION NEEDS TO
BE MET. FIRST LIKE I WOULD HAVE
DONE ANY THE AVERAGE ACHIEVE ANY
OF MY GOALS AND WHERE I AM
TODAY. EVEN IN THIS ROOM, I
NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD BE
HERE FIVE YEARS AGO. NEVER SO I
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEARING MY
STORY, AND I HOPE IT PERSUADE
JOB. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.
MARIA RODRIGUEZ LOPEZ, DEPUTY
DIRECTOR, FRESNO COUNTY FRESNO
COUNTY HAS CONTRACTED OUR FAMILY
STABILIZATION PROGRAM TO OUR
LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROVIDER
MARGERY MASON CENTER SINCE 2015
IN ADDITION TO SERVING VICTIMS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WE ALSO
LINK FAMILIES EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS AND THOSE WITH
CHILD WELFARE INVOLVEMENT IN
2023 MARGERY MASON CENTER
RECEIVED 8748 REPORTS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. IN
COLLABORATION WITH MARGERY MASON
CENTER, THE FRESNO COUNTY CASE
MANAGERS DEVELOP A CARE PLAN FOR
THE FAMILIES WE SERVE SERVICES
INCLUDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OF, UM
, ABUSE SERVICE, INCLUDING LEGAL
SERVICES, EMERGENCY STAGE
SHELTERS, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING,
WHOLE FAMILY, MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES, PARENTING CLASSES,
SAFE GROUPS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE
SERVICES AND CHILD ENRICHMENT
WORKSHOPS. OUR CURRENT OUTCOMES.
FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, WE HAD
42% REPORTED DECREASE IN
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BARRIERS 48%
OF PARTICIPANTS IN FAMILY
STABILIZATION, RE ENGAGED IN
ACTIVITIES THAT LEAD TO SELF
SUFFICIENCY. 26% OF PARTICIPANTS
SECURITY DEPLOYMENT UPON PROGRAM
COMPLETION IF THIS PROGRAM IS
ELIMINATED, WE WOULD FURTHER
REDUCE AVAILABLE RESOURCES FOR
THOSE EXPERIENCING CRISIS IN
FRESNO COUNTY. THE POVERTY RATE
IS 18.6% WHICH IS HIGHER THAN
THE NATIONAL AND STATE AVERAGE.
BUDGET REDUCTION IMPACTS WOULD
EXTEND TO THE CHILD WELFARE
SYSTEM LIMITING AVAILABLE
RESOURCES TO PREVENT THE REMOVAL
OF CHILDREN OR ASSISTANCE IN
REUNIFYING PROCESSES THROUGH OUR
LINKAGES PROGRAM. THE LINKAGES
PROGRAM IS THE COLLABORATION
BETWEEN COW WORKS AND CHILD
WELFARE THAT CREATES A CONTINUUM
OF SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO
PROVOKE CHILD AND FAMILY WELL
BEING. FAMILY STABILIZATION CASE
MANAGERS WILL EXPAND SERVICES TO
ATTEND EVERY CHILD FAMILY TEAM
MEETING TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO
NEEDED RESOURCES. I WOULD LIKE
TO SHARE ONE OF THE MANY SUCCESS
STORIES, UM, FOR LACK OF AN
IMMUNITY. I'M JUST GOING TO CALL
HER CLIENT ENROLLED IN THE
FAMILY CIVILIZATION PROGRAM FLED
HER HOME AFTER A LIFE
THREATENING ENCOUNTER. SHE WAS
PLACED AT THE MARGERY MASON
CENTER EMERGENCY SHELTER. THE
CLIENT AND HER CHILDREN WERE
ABLE TO RECEIVE THE MENTAL
HEALTH SUPPORT THEY NEEDED DUE
TO THEIR EXPOSURE TO TRAUMA AS
SHE SUCCESSFULLY PROGRESSED
THROUGH THE PROGRAM, SHE WAS
PLACED INTO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
. AS SHE COMPLETED THE PROGRAM.
SHE WAS ABLE TO SECURE STABLE
HOUSING BECOME EMPLOYED AND RE
ENROLLED THE CALIFORNIA STATE
UNIVERSITY, FRESNO, I AM PROUD
TO REPORT THAT TWO YEARS AFTER
PROGRAM FROM COMPLETION. SHE HAS
GRADUATED WITH A BACHELOR'S
DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK. SHE
ATTRIBUTES HER SUCCESS TO HER
PARTICIPATION IN THE FAMILY
STABILIZATION PROGRAM, WHERE SHE
LEARNED LIFE SKILLS THAT
PROVIDED THEM POWER MINT SHE
NEEDED TO SUCCEED ENCLOSURE. A
RECENT STUDY IN CALIFORNIA
CONDUCTED IN 2023 THROUGH
VARIOUS LISTENING SESSIONS WITH
PARENTS, SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, DIRECT SERVICE AGENCY
ADVOCATES AND GOVERNMENT STAFF.
FOUND THAT ONE SIGNIFICANT
RECOMMENDATION WAS THE NEED TO
EXPAND THE FAMILY STABILIZATION
PROGRAM FUNDING LIKE FAMILY
STABILIZATION AND THE COW WORK.
SINGLE ALLOCATION HELP ENSURE
FAMILIES HAVE THE NEEDED
SERVICES TO OVERCOME POVERTY.
THESE CUTS DISPROPORTIONATELY
PLACED THE BURDEN OF RESOLVING
STATEWIDE BUDGET DEFICITS. I'M
VERY LOW INCOME FAMILIES,
UNDERMINING THE SIGNIFICANT WORK
DONE TO ALIGN THE PROGRAM TO THE
STATES CORE VALUES. GOOD
AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS REBECCA
GONZALEZ AND I'M WITH THE
WESTERN CENTER ON LAW AND
POVERTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
THIS IN DEPTH ATTENTION TO COW
WORKS AND THE DEVASTATING CUTS
PROPOSED THAT THREATENED TO
DESTABILIZE OUR LOWEST INCOME
FAMILIES FIRST, A LITTLE
BACKGROUND ON THE PROGRAM. HOW
WORKS PROVIDES LIFE SAVING CASH
AID AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO
OVER 650,000 CHILDREN LIVING IN
350,000 FAMILIES, WHICH ARE
OVERWHELMINGLY LED BY WOMEN 90.
WITH A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF
FAMILIES BEING LATIN ACCENT,
NEARLY 60% AND BLACK AT 17.
THESE FAMILIES FACE HUGE
BARRIERS SUCH AS RACIAL AND
ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION AND
SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO ECONOMIC
PROSPERITY. HOW WORKS PROGRAM IS
A PRODUCT OF FEDERAL LAW THAT IS
PREMISED ON RACIST AND SEXIST
STEREOTYPES OF POOR PEOPLE,
ESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY BLACK
WOMEN AS BEING UNABLE TO MANAGE
THEIR LIVES AND WHO NEED
GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT TO ACCESS
CASH ASSISTANCE AS A PROGRAM HAS
EVOLVED, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES,
SUCH AS THE FAMILY STABILIZATION
PROGRAM HAVE BECOME ESSENTIAL TO
PROVIDE COW WORKS, FAMILIES THE
TOOLS THEY NEED TO BECOME
ECONOMICALLY SELF SUFFICIENT.
THE PROS. THE PROPOSED
ELIMINATION OF THE FAMILY
STABILIZATION PROGRAM, WHICH
SUPPORTS COW WORKS, FAMILIES TO
ENSURE HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH,
SAFETY AND FAMILY STABILITY,
FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THE BARRIERS.
LOW INCOME PEOPLE FACE. THESE
BARRIERS INCLUDE A LACK OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS.
MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES,
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS,
ALL WHICH THREATENED THE
STABILITY OF A FAMILY. SINCE
2014. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN
INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES BEYOND CASH
ASSISTANCE THAT ARE NECESSARY TO
ENABLE SUCCESS THIS PROGRAM HAS
PROVIDED OVER 30,000 ADULT AND
CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES EACH YEAR
SINCE 2017 WITHOUT THESE
SERVICES, THERE CAN BE A HOST OF
NEGATIVE OUTCOMES, WITH
HOMELESSNESS BEING ONE
REFLECTING THE STATE'S OWN
HOMELESS CRISIS. HOUSING
ASSISTANCE HAS GROWN TO BE THE
LARGEST EXPENDITURE WITHIN THE
PROGRAM, ACCOUNTING FOR OVER 30%
THE FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM
PROVIDES RENTAL ASSISTANCE,
SECURITY DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
FOR HOTELS OR ASSISTANCE. PAYING
UTILITY BILLS, WHICH KEEP
FAMILIES HOUSED. STAYING HOUSED
MAKES IT EASIER FOR A PERSON TO
FIND HOLD AND RETAIN A JOB AS
WELL AS PROVIDING A STABLE
ENVIRONMENT FOR THE FAMILY,
WHICH HELPS CHILDREN SUCCEED IN
SCHOOL. STAYING HOUSED, WILL
ALSO HELP THE MENTAL HEALTH OF
EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY BY
PROVIDING A SAFE AND SECURE
ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORT FOR MENTAL
HEALTH CHALLENGES ALSO INCLUDE
SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SERVICES CAN
INCLUDE GETTING PEOPLE TO A SAFE
LOCATION AND COUNSELING. WE HAVE
HEARD OF MANY SUCCESS STORIES
FROM FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN
SERVED BY THIS PROGRAM HELPS
STAYING HOUSED OR HELP WITH THE
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS CAN
ENABLE A PERSON TO FINISH SCHOOL
AND OR FIND A JOB THAT PAYS THE
BILLS. BY CONTRAST, CUTS HAVE
HUMAN CONSEQUENCES, PUSHING
FAMILIES PAST THE BRINK. JUST
LAST FALL, A BABY DIED AT A BUS
STOP NEAR L. A X AFTER THE
MOTHER HAD MADE REPEATED
ATTEMPTS TO ACCESS AIDS SINCE
SHE WAS ON HOUSED, ALTHOUGH
UNCLEAR WHETHER THESE ATTEMPTS
TO ACCESS SERVICES INCLUDED
ACCESS TO THIS PROGRAM, WE
BELIEVE THIS INFANTS TRAGIC
DEATH WAS AVOIDABLE. BECAUSE IT
IS SO EFFECTIVE AND ALREADY
FULLY EXPENDED ARE REIMAGINED
EFFORTS TARGETS FAMILY
STABILIZATION AS A PROGRAM THAT
WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN, NOT
ELIMINATE. IN FACT, CLIENTS
REPORT NOT BEING AWARE OF THE
FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM AND
IF THEY WERE AWARE THEY HAD
DIFFICULTY ACCESSING SERVICES
BEING TOLD IT'S NOT PART OF THE
COUNTY'S FAMILY STABILIZATION
PLAN. THESE CUTS PULL THE RUG
OUT FROM UNDER THESE FAMILIES,
PUSHING THEM INTO DEEPER POVERTY
AND HOMELESSNESS AND CAUSING
UNNECESSARY CHILD WELFARE CASES.
EVERY $1 AND TANA, THE FEDERAL
NAME FOR COW WORKS RECEIVED BY A
FAMILY SAVES $8 BY PREVENTING
INCREASES IN CHILD PROTECTIVE
SERVICES, WORSEN CHILDREN AND
PARENTS, HEALTH AND REDUCTIONS
IN FUTURE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT
AND EARNINGS. IT TOOK US OVER A
DECADE TO REVEREND RECOVER FROM
THE HARMFUL CUTS TO SAFETY NET
PROGRAMS DURING THE GREAT
RECESSION. WE UNDERSTAND IT IS A
BAD BUDGET YEAR, BUT CUTS TO OUR
MOST VULNERABLE CALIFORNIANS
SHOULD BE OFF THE TABLE AS A
BUDGET SOLUTION. THESE CUTS
RESULT IN MORE COSTS, AS WE WILL
HAVE MORE FAMILIES ON THE STREET
WHO ARE FOOD, INSECURE AND WITH
UNMET BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS. I
DON'T THINK THIS IS THE
CALIFORNIA ANY OF US WANTS TO
SEE. SO WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE
RETAIN THIS VERY IMPORTANT
PROGRAM. THANK YOU. GOOD
AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BARRY
DOMER, AND I'VE BEEN A SOCIAL
WORKER FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. CURRENTLY I
SUPERVISE THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM
WITH CALL WORKS. I'M ALSO AN S E
I U 5 TO 1 MEMBER, AS ARE THE
SOCIAL WORKERS ON R F S TEAM.
I'M HERE TO SHARE THAT OUR TEAM
STRONGLY OPPOSES THE PROPOSED
ELIMINATION OF THE STATEWIDE
FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM.
OUR TEAM IS COMPRISED OF HIGHLY
SKILLED SOCIAL WORKERS WHO SERVE
ON VULNERABLE FAMILIES WITH
CHILDREN WHO ARE LIVING IN
POVERTY. FAMILY STABILIZATION
PROVIDES CRISIS INTERVENTION AND
INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT IN OUR
WORK, WE LITERALLY HOUSE
HOMELESS FAMILIES TREAT THOSE
SUFFERING FROM TRAUMA AND OTHER
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. INCREASED
SAFETY FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ASSIST
THOSE WITH SEVERE ADDICTION TO
ENGAGE IN TREATMENT. WE ARE ALL
CLINICALLY TRAINED IN TREATING
TRAUMA AND COMPLEX HUMAN
BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND ARE OFTEN
THE SINGULAR SAFETY NET RESOURCE
FOR THE FAMILIES WITH WHOM WE
WORK. WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN PEOPLE'S
LIVES THROUGH THE CLOSE,
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WE
BUILD WITH OUR CLIENTS IN
STABILIZING FAMILIES. WE ALSO
INCREASED JOB READINESS,
EMPLOYMENT AND SELF SUFFICIENCY
WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. WITH
REGARDS TO GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S
GOAL OF ADDRESSING CALIFORNIA'S
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS. PLEASE NOTE
THAT WE ARE AN ESTABLISHED
PROGRAM THAT IS ALREADY
SUCCESSFULLY WORKING TO REDUCE
HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS AND SUBSTANCE USE IN OUR
COUNTY AND OUR STATE. TO
ELIMINATE FAMILY STABILIZATION
WOULD BE PROHIBITIVE TO REACHING
THIS IMPORTANT GOAL. IF FAMILIES
STABILIZATION IS A LIMITED
ELIMINATED, CALIFORNIA
COMMUNITIES WOULD EXPERIENCE THE
FOLLOWING NEGATIVE IMPACTS.
INCREASED HOMELESSNESS,
INCREASED MENTAL HEALTH AND
SUBSTANCE USE CRISIS, INCREASED
NUMBER OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE WHO ARE NOT GETTING
HELP INCREASED INCIDENTS OF
CHILDHOOD TRAUMA. INCREASED
REFERRALS TO CHILD WELFARE AND
AN INCREASED RELIANCE AND TIME
ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
ADDITIONALLY THE LOSS OF FAMILY
STABILIZATION WOULD INCREASE
DEPENDENCE AND STRAIN ON SAFETY
NET SERVICES SUCH AS EMERGENCY
ROOMS, POLICE, PARAMEDICS AND
THE LEGAL SYSTEM. ARE WORKING.
FAMILY STABILIZATION IS HEAVILY
FOCUSED ON PREVENTION, AND IT
SERVES TO OFFSET THE COSTS THAT
COUNTIES AND THE STATE WOULD
OTHERWISE INCUR. WE RESPECTFULLY
URGE EACH OF YOU TO CONSIDER THE
CONSEQUENCES. IF THIS PROGRAM IS
CUT, WE SINCERELY BELIEVE IT
WOULD BE A STEP BACKWARDS FOR
MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE STATE'S
MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND
PARENTS. THANK YOU FOR TAKING
THE TIME TO HEAR OUR CONCERNS.
WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR
SHARED COMMITMENT TO THE WELL
BEING OF FAMILIES IN CALIFORNIA.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE. EMILY MARSHALL
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE NOTHING
FURTHER TO ADD AT THIS TIME, BUT
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
ELIO. SONIA SUGAR RUSSO AT THE
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S OFFICE. IN
LIGHT OF THE BUDGET SITUATION.
WE RECOMMEND THAT THE
LEGISLATURE CONSIDER HOW PROGRAM
ELIMINATION MAY OR MAY NOT ALIGN
WITH ITS OVERALL GOALS FOR THE
COW WORKS PROGRAM LONG TERM. AS
MY COLLEAGUES ON THE PANEL HAVE
MENTIONED, ELIMINATING THIS
PROGRAM MAY DISPROPORTIONATELY
AND NEGATIVELY IMPACT CAL WORKS
FAMILIES EXPERIENCING CRISIS
SITUATIONS SUCH AS THOSE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS,
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SUBSTANCE
ABUSE OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES,
HOWEVER, AS PREVIOUSLY
MENTIONED, ONGOING REDUCTIONS
WILL BE NECESSARY IN THIS BUDGET
, GIVEN THE BUDGET PROBLEM THAT
THE STATE IS FACING AND FOR ANY
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS FROM THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET THAT THE
LEGISLATURE CHOOSES TO REJECT,
IT WILL NEED TO SOLVE FOR THAT
PORTION OF THE BUDGET PROBLEMS
ELSEWHERE IN THE BUDGET.
ADDITIONALLY WE WOULD RECOMMEND
THAT THE LEGISLATURE EXERCISE
CAUTION IN PLANNING FOR CURRENT
YEAR REDUCTIONS THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET PROPOSES REDUCING CURRENT
YEAR FUNDING FOR FAMILY
STABILIZATION AND FALL, HOWEVER,
AS A COUPLE OF MEMBERS OF THE
PANEL HAVE MENTIONED FUNDING FOR
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN FULLY
EXPENDED IN RECENT YEARS. AND
THEREFORE, SINCE COUNTIES ARE
ALREADY SPENDING CURRENT YEAR
FUNDING AT THE MOMENT, THE
PROPOSED CURRENT AIR REDUCTIONS
ARE UNLIKELY TO MATERIALIZE AND
FULL THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AS
I'VE NOTED BEFORE, AND MY
OPENING REMARKS AT THIS
COMMITTEE REALLY HAS ONE
STANDARD IN TERMS OF HOW WE ARE
VIEWING. ANY PROPOSED CUTS
DELAYS A REVERSION. UM AND THAT
IS THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE
RESPONSIBILITY. UM OF THIS
BUDGET TO KEEP OUR POPULATION
STABLE. AND ANY PROPOSAL THAT IS
GOING TO PUT OUR POPULATION FROM
NOT BEING MAINTAINING STABILITY
OR EVEN FALLING INTO A STATE OF
CRISIS. UH THIS COMMITTEE WILL
BE OPPOSED TO AND SO WITH THAT
WITH THIS COMMITTEE IS OPPOSED
TO ELIMINATING THE FAMILY
STABILIZATION PROGRAM. BUT WE
ARE NOT GOING TO JUST LEAVE IT
AT THAT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT IS
OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A BUDGET
COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE TO HOPE
WITH IS WHAT IS CLEARLY A BUDGET
PROBLEM, THEREFORE I HAVE BEEN.
WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE
L. A S OFFICE. WITH SOME PRETTY
CLEAR REQUEST, UH, TO FIND OTHER
PLACES. THAT IF THIS COMMITTEE
HAS ASKED TO HELP WITH THE
BUDGET SOLUTIONS THAT CLEARLY
HAVE NO DOUBT WE WILL BE ASKED
TO DO AT SOME POINT. WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT JUST
SAYING NO TO THINGS BUT WE ARE
ALSO BEING A PART OF THE
SOLUTION. BECAUSE IF WE DO NOT
SOLVE THIS BUDGET ISSUE UM
THERE'S GONNA BE PEOPLE HURT
THAT DON'T HAVE TO BE HURT. UM
AND SO WITH THAT I LOOK FORWARD
TO WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
ADMINISTRATION. UM, AND WORKING
WITH THE L A. OH SO THAT WE CAN
DIVE DEEPER. AND EXPAND. WHAT IS
BEING CONSIDERED FOR ANY CUTS,
DELAYS OR REVERSION, UH, TO THIS
PROCESS, BUT WE WILL GET THIS
DONE. BUT WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT
THIS IS DONE IN A JUST HUESO
WITH THAT. I WANT TO THANK THIS
PANEL. WE ARE MOVING ON. WE'RE
ROCKING. WE'RE ROCKING. Y'ALL
ISSUE NUMBER FOUR. GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. I'M TRYING
TO GET THROUGH AS MANY OF THESE
AS POSSIBLE BEFORE I HAVE. TO
SKEDADDLE HAVEN'T USED THAT IN A
WHILE. HMM YEAH, I DON'T KNOW
WHERE THAT CAME FROM SKEDADDLE.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
FOR ISSUE FOR, AS WE KNOW FOR
COW WORKS AND WELFARE TO WORK
PARTICIPANTS CAN TAKE PART IN A
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES
SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES,
BOTH SUBSIDIZED AND UNSUBSIDIZED
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, JOB SEARCH
JOB READINESS ACTIVITIES, WORK
EXPERIENCE, COMMUNITY SERVICE,
JOB SKILLS, TRAINING, ADULT
BASIC EDUCATION, SECONDARY
SCHOOL AND MORE. THE EXPANDED
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
HAS OPERATED OVER THE PAST 10
YEARS TO PROVIDE SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO COW
WORKS. PARTICIPANTS OFFERING A
VALUABLE SKILL BUILDING AND JOB
EXPERIENCE THAT HAVE LED TO
HIGHER WAGES AND END SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT COUNTIES PARTNER WITH
PRIVATE, NONPROFIT AND PUBLIC
AGENCIES TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS
WITH JOB EXPERIENCE. EMPLOYMENT
PLACEMENTS THROUGH IN SPENDING.
CIVILIZED EMPLOYMENT ARE
TYPICALLY SIX MONTHS OR SHORTER
IN LENGTH, BUT CAN BE EXTENDED
UP TO A TOTAL OF 12 MONTHS. THE
PROGRAM SERVES APPROXIMATELY
8250 PARTICIPANTS PER MONTH.
FISCAL YEAR. 2021 22
EXPENDITURES WERE $83.8
MILLION.22 23 EXPENDITURES WERE
90.5 MILLION REFER YOU TO YOUR
CHART ON PAGE 36 OF YOUR AGENDA
FOR ADDITIONAL DETAIL. THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSES TO
REVERT FUNDING FROM THE COW
WORKS EX EXPENSIVE SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM BY 134.1
MILLION IN CURRENT YEAR AND
REDUCE FUNDING BY THE SAME
AMOUNT IN BUDGET YEAR AND
ANNUALLY. THEREAFTER THIS WOULD
EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATE THE
PROGRAM. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET AGAIN DOES NOT PROPOSE
STATUTORILY ELIMINATING THE
PROGRAM. COUNTIES AGAIN WILL
HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY TO
CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SOME
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
TO FAMILIES, BUT CERTAINLY NOT
THE SAME DEGREE THAT THEY HAVE
TODAY. WITH THE ADDITIONAL
FUNDING. COUNTIES WILL CONTINUE
TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
AND JOB RETENTION SERVICES VIA
THE SINGLE ALLOCATION. ALSO
WOULD NOTE THAT ALTERNATIVE
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT IN
APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES MAY
ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO COWARDS.
PARTICIPANTS THROUGH THE
WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND
OPPORTUNITY ACT, OR WE OWE A AND
CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT D IN
RECENT CONVERSATIONS WITH
COUNTIES, WE HAVE CERTAINLY
HEARD COUNTIES BEING INTERESTED
IN UNDERSTANDING THEIR
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPEND FUNDS
THROUGH SINGLE ALLOCATION.
SHOULD ANY PROPOSAL GO THROUGH.
UM GOING FORWARD. WE ALSO WOULD
NOTE THAT THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT
HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BETWEEN
THE COUNTY AND EMPLOYERS COULD
CONTINUE POST THIS PROPOSAL. THE
COMMITTEE ALSO ASKED AROUND THE
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF COW
WORKS PARTICIPANTS JUST AT THE
DATA IS OUTLINING YOUR AGENDA,
BUT FOR 2020 TO 60% OF COW WORKS
PARTICIPANTS DID NOT HAVE IN
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. 34% DID,
AND CERTAINLY AGAIN, THIS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
SUPPORTS THOSE IN THE PROGRAM.
AND WITH THAT, I'M HERE FOR ANY
QUESTIONS. AH HI TO EVERYONE.
FOR ME. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE
ABLE TO TALK TO YOU GUYS. I'M AN
IMMIGRANT. I'M GLAD TO SAY MY
NAME IS LIZ PASS. AH PARCEL
AGREE. I HAVE TO READ THIS, SO
IT'S MORE EASY FOR ME TO
EXPLAIN. I'M SORRY. RECENTLY I
JUST GET A 130 YESTERDAY. UM
REALLY HAPPY WITH THE LAW
DEPARTMENT FROM SOME OF THE L. A
COUNTY. BUT I'M HERE ALSO TO
SUPPORT AND SAY THE TRUTH ABOUT
WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE. AROUND
CHRISTMAS TIME OF 2022. I REACH
OUT TO COVER WORKS. MY HUSBAND
LOST HIS JOB. AND WE DIDN'T HAVE
ENOUGH MONEY. UNFORTUNATELY SHE
CHOOSE TO KEEP DOING ALCOHOL AND
BEING AND THAT WAY, SO WE HAVE
MORE PROBLEMS. THE RENT COMES
AND IT'S NOT MONEY AVAILABLE.
FOR ME. IT WAS IMPORTANT TO KEEP
LOOKING AT FOR HEALTH. AND THE
APPLICATION PROCESS WAS VERY
COMPLICATED. AT THE BEGINNING.
THEY SENT ME TO ONE PLACE. THEY
SENT ME TO ANOTHER. THEY THOUGHT
YOU SPEAK SPANISH. YOU SHOULD GO
TO REGULAR CITY. YEAH, BUT I'M
BILINGUAL. I CAN SPEAK TWO
LANGUAGES DO SO THEN GO TO DAILY
CITY AGAIN, THEN AGAIN, RETURN
TO BELMONT. FINALLY AND SADLY.
IN MARCH OF 2022. ONE YEAR
PREVIOUSLY, HE WAS TELLING ME
THREATS ABOUT THAT SOMETHING BAD
WE CAN HAPPEN TO US. AND ON
MARCH 2023. HE HIT US. HE
DESTROYED MY APARTMENT WHERE WE
LIVE. MHM HIT. MY SON ALSO BUT
I'M SO THANKFUL THAT DEPARTMENT
WAS HELPING ME TO GET INTO THIS
SUBSIDY PROGRAM. I'VE BEEN
HELPED FOR A YEAR WITH CARL
WORKS. KIMBERLY HILL IS NOT MY
WORKER, BUT SHE'S AN ANGEL.
THERE. I HAVE TO SAY THERE IS
MANY THINGS THAT I HAVE TO BE
POINTED OUT. BUT ONE OF THEM IS
THAT UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T
THINK ONE YEAR IS ENOUGH. TO
HELL. AND GET OUT FROM THE PAST
OF THE VÆ. I'M CURRENTLY
HOMELESS AND I'M LEAVING IN A
HOTEL. UM NOT WONDER WOMAN, AND
I DON'T WANT TO BE UM, I'M SO
GRATEFUL THAT FOR MY SUBSIDIES
IMPROVEMENT JOB. I WAS PLACED IN
A POSITION FOR WELCOME FAMILIES.
WHEN THEY WALK IN THE DOOR. THEY
SEE ME AND THEY SAY, OH, IT'S
SOMEONE LIKE ME. WHO KNOWS WHAT
IT FEELS. THE DESPERATION THAT I
FEEL IT'S LIKE SOMEONE THAT IS
COMING TO TELL TO YOU, BUT YOU
SPEAK CHINESE OR TELL A GALLOP.
UM I NEED MORE FROM THIS JOB
THAT WHAT YOU GUYS THINK I
REALLY DESERVED? I DON'T THINK
IT'S A GOOD SOLUTION TO CUT THE
PROGRAMS. I TRY TO BE MORE, UM,
SHORTLY ABOUT THE STORY. BUT I
KNOW IT'S GOING TO SOUND
CONFUSING, BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY
CAN BE. MEXICANS VENEZUELANS,
PERUVIANS BUT WERE IMMIGRANTS
AND WE'RE HUMANS. THEY WERE
KNOCKING THE DOOR TO TRY TO GET
CALL WORKS. AND CALLED WORK
SAVED ME. CARD WORK IS A GREAT
PROGRAM, BUT WE NEED THE WORKERS
TO WORK TOGETHER AS WELL. WITH
THE PEOPLE THAT IS WORKING IN AS
PEOPLE, NOT JUST NUMBERS. I'M SO
GLAD TO SAY I'M SAFE. I'M SO
GLAD TO SAY THAT MY KIDS NOW
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A BETTER
FUTURE. UM, STABLE. BUT
DEFINITELY I KNOW THAT MY
CASEWORKER HAS TO HAVE MORE TIME
FOR ME SOMETIMES TO BE ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE WITH ME AT LEAST TO
KNOW WHAT IS NEXT. UM IT'S VERY
SAD THAT THERE'S SO MANY
BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE LIKE US. WHO
NEED HELP. AND THE ONLY THING
THEY MAKE EXCUSES. SO WHY WE
CANNOT SUPPORT MORE PEOPLE
INSTEAD OF CUTTING THE PROGRAMS.
BECAUSE THIS PROGRAMS ARE REALLY
WORKING. LAST YEAR. WITHOUT THIS
, I WAS A REALLY INSECURE WOMAN.
NEVER WORKING. I START WITH FOUR
HOURS AND NOW I HAVE TO WORK
EIGHT. MY KIDS ARE PROUD OF ME
EVERY SINGLE DAY BECAUSE THEY
KNOW MOMMY'S WORKING IN LIKE
THEY FEEL LIKE IT'S A WHOLE NEW
DYNAMIC. UM I'M HERE TO TELL THE
TRUTH AND WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT
IF WE CUT FOUNDING IS GOING TO
REALLY, REALLY BAD FOR A LOT OF
PEOPLE IN SAN MATEO COUNTY AND
WE CANNOT ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO
PROPOSE THE CULTS TO MAKE THIS
LIKE A FINAL BUDGET. EVEN THOUGH
CARL WORK IS IMPERFECT, ISN'T
LIFELINE FOR MANY PEOPLE WHEN
THEY NEED IT. WE NEED TO KEEP
WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE
COVER WORKS. CUTTING PROGRAMS
LIKE SUBSIDY. EMPLOYMENT IS NOT
THE ANSWER, AND IT'S JUST GOING
TO MAKE IT EVEN HARDER FOR
FAMILIES AND ALSO FOR YOU GUYS
BECAUSE I FACE THESE CLIENTS
EVERY DAY IN THE RESOURCE
CENTERS. Tð MET THE NEEDS. IT'S
NOT EASY TO BE IN CALIFORNIA,
BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A
LEAP. LIVING DREAM SITUATION. I
WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY IN TWO
YEARS I'M A EMPLOYEE FROM THE
COUNTY. AND I'M MAKING MY OWN
MONEY AND MY OWN DECISIONS. BUT
LIKE I SAID, I'M NOT WONDER
WOMAN IS NOT GOING TO BE IN ONE
YEAR. THANK YOU GUYS. AH, I'M
DEMANDING. TO BE IN A SAFE WAY
OF COMMUNICATION. BECAUSE WE
NEED A LOT OF SUPPORT. PEOPLE
LIKE ME. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS
NOT EASY FOR ME. CAN YOU
IMAGINE? HOW IS IT IS FOR A KID
THAT WAS BEING HIT, KNOWING THAT
HE'S OUT THIS TRICK. I HAVE A
SONG THAT I'M PROUD TO SAY HE'S
MY HERO. AND NOW HE KNOWS THAT
MOMMY CAN MAKE IT. BUT IT TAKES
A LITTLE BIT MORE OF TIME. THANK
YOU. BANK YOU YOU SOUND LIKE A
WONDER WOMAN TO ME. I DON'T
KNOW. NEXT. GOOD AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR
STORY. IT'S NOT EASY. MY NAME IS
SUSIE SMITH AND I'M DEPUTY
DIRECTOR FOR POLICY PLANNING AND
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT THE SAN
FRANCISCO HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.
SAN FRANCISCO HAS A LONG HISTORY
AND TESTING, EVALUATING AND
ADVOCATING TO SUSTAIN SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS AS A PROVEN
STRATEGY TO HELP JOB SEEKERS GET
A FOOT IN THE DOOR. IN FACT, PRE
STATE ADOPTION OF YES. E SAN
FRANCISCO LAUNCHED THE FIRST
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
DURING THE GREATEST SET GREAT
RECESSION USING AMERICAN
RECOVERY ACT DOLLARS UNDER THEN
MAYOR NEWSOM. OUR GOVERNOR WAS
INSTRUMENTAL IN LOBBYING
CONGRESS TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO
EXTEND OUR FUNDED PROGRAM IN THE
LONG TAIL RECOVERY FROM THE
GREAT RECESSION. IN FACT, IN A
STATEMENT RELEASED SHORTLY AFTER
THE HOUSE VOTE, THEN MAYOR
NEWSOM SAID TODAY, CONGRESS TOOK
A MAJOR STEP TOWARDS PUTTING
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
CALIFORNIANS BACK TO WORK. BY
APPROVING AN EXTENSION OF THE
PROGRAM THAT FUNDS SAN
FRANCISCO'S JOBS NOW PROGRAM AND
OTHER COUNTY JOB PROGRAMS ACROSS
CALIFORNIA. AND JUST FOR FUN. A
PICTURE OF MAYOR NEWSOM. IT'S
CITY HALL WHEN WE HAD OUR 4000
JOBS HIGHER, UM, THROUGH THIS
JOBS NOW PROGRAM AND HE WAS
HONORED RECOGNIZING HIMSELF AS A
ATLANTA NATIONAL LEADER. AND
THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP. WE
ACTUALLY GOT THE SC PROGRAM, SO
WE DO HAVE A LONG HISTORY. SO
WHAT EXACTLY IS SUBSIDIZED JOBS?
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? AND WHAT
IS THE DATA TO SAY ABOUT ITS
SUCCESS? HOW WORKS. FAMILIES
HAVE MANY STRENGTHS. BUT THEY
OFTEN FACE EDUCATIONAL BARRIERS
AND SYSTEMIC RACISM THAT MAKES
IT HARD FOR THEM TO LAND GOOD
JOBS. ONE THIRD OF THE FAMILIES
ON CALLE WORKS IN SAN FRANCISCO
HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. 71% DO NOT
HAVE POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.
7% REPORT THAT THEY'VE NEVER HAD
AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK. WHEN YOU
LAYER THE LACK OF ACCESS TO JOB
OPPORTUNITIES THAT COMES FROM
SYSTEMIC RACISM FROM NOT HAVING
THOSE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
NETWORKS ON TOP OF ALL OF THE
EDUCATIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE
BARRIERS THAT OUR FAMILIES FACE.
IT CREATES THIS ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE HURDLE. TO OVERCOME
AND LAND A DECENT JOB. PROGRAMS
LIKE SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT. HELP
FAMILIES GET THAT FOOT IN THE
DOOR. TO PLACE CALLED WORKS,
PARENTS INAPPROPRIATE JOBS. WE
PARTNER IN SAN FRANCISCO WITH 15
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, 15 CITY
DEPARTMENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND
OVER 100 PRIVATE SECTOR
EMPLOYERS. BUSINESSES RANGING
FROM SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE
NEIGHBORHOOD CHILD CENTERS,
MEDICAL AND DENTAL OFFICES,
LOCAL RESTAURANTS. AND LARGE TO
LARGER ONES LIKE UCSF AND THE
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
. AND, IN FACT SEE W. A DID A
SURVEY OF ALL THE COUNTIES TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT WHO WOULD THE
EMPLOYERS WERE, AND WE HAVE A
LIST PAGES LONG OF HOW THIS IS A
GENERATOR FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR
LOCAL ECONOMIES, WHICH WE CAN
LEAVE WITH YOU IS HELPFUL. WE
PROVIDE SALARY SUBSIDIES OF
$4000 PER MONTH. FOR FULL TIME
HIRES FOR SIX MONTHS UP TO SIX
MONTHS. IN RETURN. WE REQUIRE
THAT THE BUSINESSES DO THREE
THINGS. ONE THEY MUST PROVIDE ON
THE JOB TRAINING AND VOCATIONAL
TRAINING. SECOND THERE MUST BE A
PERMANENT VACANCY AT THE END OF
THE DAY, SO THAT WHEN THE
SUBSIDY ENDS, THERE'S A PLACE
FOR THE PERSON TO REMAIN. AND
THIRD, THE EMPLOYER MUST COMMIT
TO HIRE OUR CLIENTS AFTER THE
SUBSIDY ENDS. WE EVEN HAVE A
RATING SYSTEM FOR EMPLOYERS FOR
WHETHER OR NOT THEY RETAIN OUR
CLIENTS, POST SUBSIDY AND WE
STOP PARTNERING WITH THE ONES
THAT DON'T RETAIN THEM.
MEANWHILE, WE AT THE COUNTY RAP,
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AROUND THE
COW WORKS PARENT TO ENSURE THEIR
SUCCESS IN BOTH GETTING AND
MAINTAINING THE JOB. EVERYTHING
FROM INTERVIEW PREP TOO CLOSE TO
GO TO THE INTERVIEW TO
TRANSPORTATION TO CHILD CARE
SUBSIDIES. WITHOUT THE
EMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY, EMPLOYERS
ARE SIMPLY UNLIKELY TO SELECT
OUR PARENTS OVER SOMEONE WHO HAS
EXPERIENCE IN THE JOB. SIMPLY
PUT. IT'S THE SUBSIDY THAT
LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD. AND IT
GIVES OUR FAMILIES THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE THAT THEY
CAN DO THE JOB. IN SAN FRANCISCO
, R E S C PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED
JOB OPPORTUNITIES TO 1900
CALVERT'S PARTICIPANTS AND
HELPED MANY LAUNCH CAREERS AND
TRANSITION OFF OF PUBLIC
BENEFITS. ASKED. WHAT COULD TAKE
ITS PLACE IF THIS PROGRAM WERE
CUT. SIMPLY PUT NOTHING. THIS
SUBSIDY IS THAT CARROT FOR
PEOPLE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE
OVERLOOKED, AND IT'S WHAT THE
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN MAKES THE
DIFFERENCE. OUR PROGRAM WAS
LAUNCHED IN MID 2013. SINCE THEN
, MEDIAN WAGES NEARLY TRIPLED
BEFORE AND AFTER PROGRAM
PARTICIPATION. OVER 61% OF
PARTICIPANTS IN SAN FRANCISCO
AHEAD EARNINGS ONE YEAR AFTER
THE SUBSIDY ENDED, AND EVEN
LONGER TERM 60% HAD EARNINGS
FIVE YEARS AFTER EXIT. IN
SUPPORTING FAMILIES FOR SELF
SUFFICIENCY. THE STATE ALSO
SAVES MONEY BECAUSE WE FIND THAT
70% OF COW WORKS. CLIENTS WHO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM ARE
NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR CASH
ASSISTANCE AFTER SO THEY STAY
OFF OF BENEFITS. I DO HAVE A
STORY THAT I COULD SHARE. UM IF
YOU'RE INTERESTED. I KNOW I'M AT
TIME, BUT I DID WANT TO SHARE
ONE STORY WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP
WITH THE UCSF. AND JEWISH
VOCATIONAL SERVICES WHERE WE
TRAIN OUR WORKS PARENTS FOR A
CAREER IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR
IF YOU CAN START TO WRAP IT UP,
OKAY? UM SO THIS IS A STORY OF A
WOMAN NAMED SONIA AND WE HAD THE
SSF DID A VIDEO OF HER AND IN
THAT VIDEO HERE IS WHAT SHE
SAID. A YEAR AGO. MY LIFE WAS
TOTALLY DIFFERENT. A YEAR AGO. I
DID NOT HAVE A JOB. I DIDN'T
HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE A STABLE
HOME. I WAS LIVING WITH
RELATIVES. AND WHEN I GOT INTO
THE UCSF PROGRAM, IT TURNED MY
WHOLE LIFE AROUND. IT BUILT UP
MYSELF. ESTEEM IT GAVE ME
COMPETENCE. IT GAVE ME THE
SKILLS I NEEDED TO GO OUT AND
FIND A SECOND CAREER. YOU KNOW,
IT'S SO EASY TO JUST GIVE UP.
IT'S SO EASY TO JUST THROW IN
THE TOWEL AND SAY FORGET IT. BUT
I NEVER LIKE TO TAKE THE EASY
WAY OUT. I'D RATHER GIVE IT ALL
I GOT AND GO HARD OR GO HOME.
AND AT THAT TIME I DID NOT HAVE
A HOME, SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT
TO MOVE FORWARD. I HAVE A GREAT
MANAGER HERE AT UCSF. WE HAVE A
GREAT PLAN FOR MY CAREER. I'M
READY TO CLIMB THE LADDER. THIS
YEAR FROM MY KIDS. IT HAS BEEN A
VERY EXCITING YEAR FOR THEM.
THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ROOMS NOW.
THEY CAN ASK ME FOR THINGS THAT
I CAN PROVIDE THEM. A YEAR AGO,
THEY COULDN'T THEY COULDN'T SAY.
HEY, MOM, CAN YOU GET ME A PAIR
OF SNEAKERS? THIS YEAR. IT'S
LIKE WHAT KIND DO YOU WANT? SO
IT'S GIVEN US HOPE. AND WE
DIDN'T HAVE THAT BEFORE. WHEN
SONIA GRADUATED THAT PROGRAM,
UCSF HIRED HER AS A MEDICAL
ASSISTANT, WHERE SHE STILL
WORKS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
TO OUR STORY. GOOD AFTERNOON
CHAIR AND MEMBERS. MY NAME IS
JENNIFER GRIPPY. AND I'M A
FORMER COW WORKS PARTICIPANT AND
THE POLICY DIRECTOR OF PARENT
VOICES, CALIFORNIA I'VE SPOKEN
TO HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES DIRECTLY
ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE
NAVIGATING TODAY'S COW WORKS
PROGRAM. WHAT I KNOW IS THAT COW
WORKS CANNOT BE A ONE SIZE FITS
ALL PROGRAM. AT ITS BEST. IT'S
MADE UP OF MULTIPLE PUZZLE
PIECES THAT COME TOGETHER TO
MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH
FAMILY. CASH AID IS A PUZZLE
PIECE. CHILDCARE TRANSPORTATION,
EDUCATION THERAPY, SUBSTANCE
ABUSE TREATMENT. AND WHAT WE'RE
HERE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT. FOR SOME
FAMILIES WHO ARE READY TO WORK.
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
COULD BE THE MISSING PUZZLE
PIECE FOR THAT FAMILY FOR THOSE
WHO ARE FACING MENTAL HEALTH
CHALLENGES OR TRAUMA AND ARE NOT
STABLE ENOUGH TO COMMIT TO A JOB
. FAMILY STABILIZATION IS
ANOTHER PUZZLE PIECE. WHAT
FAMILIES ON COW WORKS NEED ARE
GOOD PAYING JOBS CREATED THROUGH
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT THAT
PROVIDE REAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PARTICIPANTS. I RECENTLY READ A
REPORT FROM THE COUNTIES THAT
LISTED SUBSIDIZED JOBS FROM
WIENERSCHNITZEL PARTY CITY AND
CARL'S JR AND JOBS LIKE THESE
THAT MAKE IT SO THAT PARENTS
HAVE TO STAY ON FOOD STEPS AND
MEDICAL ARE NOT THE TYPE OF GOOD
PAYING JOBS THAT SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE SUPPORTING.
WE NEED TO HAVE GUARDRAILS
AGAINST LOW WAGE JOBS BEING
ELIGIBLE FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.
HOWEVER GOOD UNION JOBS, TRADE
JOBS OR COUNTY JOBS TO WORK IN
SOCIAL SERVICES ARE DEFINITELY
SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE A
PRIORITY FOR SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT. AS AN EXAMPLE IN
ALAMEDA COUNTY. THE COW WORKS
PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM
HAS AN AVERAGE STARTING WAGE OF
$29 AN HOUR UPON EXITING THE
PROGRAM AND FIVE YEARS AFTER
PARTICIPANTS WERE MAKING $34 AN
HOUR ON AVERAGE. THIS IS QUITE A
CONTRAST FROM WHAT OTHER
COUNTIES WHERE PEOPLE WERE
MAKING MINIMUM WAGE. THE SUCCESS
OF COW WORK SHOULD NOT SIMPLY BE
GET A JOB. ANY JOB IT SHOULD BE
GETTING AND KEEPING A GOOD
PAYING JOB THAT LEADS TO DIGNITY
, PRIDE AND A CAREER. PARENT
VOICES MEMBERS FOR A LONG TIME
HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR NAVIGATORS
WHO CAN HELP THEM TRULY
UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COW WORKS
PROGRAM HAS TO OFFER. OFTENTIMES
THERE ARE ONLY OFFERED ONE PIECE
OF THE PUZZLE INSTEAD OF ALL OF
THE PUZZLE PIECES. THE ONLY
OPTION MIGHT BE THAT OFFERED
MIGHT BE JOB CLUB AND NO ONE'S
TELLING THEM THAT THEY HAVE A
FULL ARRANGE ARRAY OF OPTIONS
AVAILABLE. WE RECENTLY PRODUCED
A REPORT CALLED BUILDING HEALING
SYSTEMS AND THRIVING FAMILIES TO
INFORM CDSS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS
TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM. BY
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. ONE OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS IS A CULTURAL
NAVIGATOR PROGRAM LED BY PAID
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO
SERVE AS GUIDES FOR OTHER
FAMILIES LOOKING TO ACCESS CDSS
SERVICES. COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE
OFTEN THE ONES SHARING RELEVANT
INFORMATION REGARDING SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES TO OTHER FAMILIES.
PARENTS WERE FRUSTRATED THAT
COMMUNITY MEMBERS WENT UNPAID
FOR THIS WORK, ESPECIALLY SINCE
THERE ARE STAFF WHO ARE PAID TO
DO IT. NAVIGATORS SHOULD BE PART
OF ANY GOOD SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. PARENTS ALSO
WANT TO BE COUNTY CASEWORKERS
THEMSELVES, WHICH ARE GOOD
PAYING UNION JOBS THAT HAVE
BENEFITS, RETIREMENT AND PENSION
AND THAT ARE REAL PATHWAYS OUT
OF POVERTY FOR PARTICIPANTS AND
ALSO HELPS TO SUPPORT THE WORK
OF CREATING A SYSTEM THAT IS
MORE EMPATHETIC AND
UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE
GOING THROUGH. SO OFTEN WE HEAR
FROM PARTICIPANTS THAT NOBODY
SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE
GOING THROUGH AND ARE HARMED AS
THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THEIR
BASIC NEEDS MET. WHEN ONE
PARTICIPANT HELPS TO SUPPORT
ANOTHER PARTICIPANT. WE CAN
BEGIN TO HEAL SOME OF THE HARMS
THAT HAVE BEEN CAUSED. A GOOD
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM,
COUPLED WITH CHILDCARE AND
TRANSPORTATION THAT LEAD TO JOB
RETENTION, CAREER GROWTH AND
INDEPENDENCE IS WHAT EVERY
FAMILY ON COW WORKS DESERVES IS
THE SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT
PROGRAM. PERFECT NÓ. BUT DOES IT
WORK WHEN IT'S DELIVERED IN A
WAY THAT TREATS FAMILIES ON COW
WORKS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT?
ABSOLUTELY SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT
IS A KEY PROGRAM FOR THOSE WHO
ARE READY TO GET TO WORK. WE
CALL ON THE LEGISLATURE TO
REJECT THE DOUBLE CUT TO COW
WORKS THAT ELIMINATES SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT, FAMILY STABILIZATION
AND DRAINS THE SAFETY NET
RESERVE. THESE PROGRAMS ARE
SERVING PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND
BROWN MOTHERS AND CHILDREN AND
ACTUALLY RECOGNIZE THEIR
HUMANITY. EACH FAMILY COMES WITH
THEIR OWN UNIQUE NEEDS. AND YET
THEY'RE FACED WITH A SYSTEM THAT
CONSISTENTLY DEHUMANIZES THEM.
MAKES THEM FEEL UNWORTHY AND
DENIES THEM THE RESOURCES THAT
COULD ACTUALLY HELP THEM REALIZE
THEIR DREAM AND BREAK
GENERATIONAL POVERTY. DO NOT
BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THEIR
BACKS. BELIEVE ME. THE LOAD THAT
THEY CARRY IS ALREADY TOO HEAVY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE. PEOPLE CAN HOLD
THEIR COLLAPSE. PLEASE GET YOUR
GET YOUR HANDS WAVING. GET YOUR
HANDS WAVING. MHM. Y'ALL BETTER
ACT RIGHT? ALRIGHT. ALRIGHT
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE EMILY
MARSHALL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE,
NO FURTHER COMMENT. ELIO. SONIA
STRIKER RUSSO WITH THE
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S OFFICE.
WE'D LIKE TO START BY PROVIDING
ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION TO
ENSURE THE COMMITTEE'S FULLY
UNDERSTANDING THIS PROPOSAL FROM
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET. UM THIS
PROGRAM IS CALLED THE EXPANDED
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
BECAUSE IT WAS AN ADDITION TO AN
OLDER SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT
PROGRAM. THIS IS NOW THE ONLY
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
AVAILABLE STATEWIDE. SO THERE IS
NO ORIGINAL ONE ANYMORE. YOU CAN
IGNORE THE EXPANDED PART,
ESSENTIALLY UM, SO COMING NEXT
TO OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE
LEGISLATURE AS TO HOW WE
RECOMMEND YOU ALL THINK ABOUT
THIS PROPOSAL. WE DO RECOMMEND
AGAIN THAT THE LEGISLATURE
CONSIDER HOW THIS PROPOSED
ELIMINATION MAY OR MAY NOT ALIGN
WITH ITS OVERALL LONG TERM GOALS
FOR THE COW WORKS PROGRAM. AS MY
COLLEAGUES ON THE PANEL HAVE
MENTIONED IT. ELIMINATING THIS
PROGRAM MAY IMPACT THE
EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS OF SOME
COW WORKS RECIPIENTS. AND AGAIN
WE RECOMMEND THAT THE
LEGISLATURE ASSESS THIS PROPOSAL
THROUGH THE LENS THAT ONGOING
REDUCTIONS WILL BE NEEDED IN
THIS BUDGET AND ANY REJECTED
PROPOSALS WILL NEED TO BE SOLVED
FOR ELSEWHERE. WE WOULD ALSO
MAKE A SIMILAR RECOMMENDATION
AROUND CURRENT AIR REDUCTIONS IN
TERMS OF EXERCISING CAUTION IN
TERMS OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED
REDUCTIONS IN THE CURRENT YEAR
AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED
REDUCING ALL FUNDS IN THE
CURRENT YEAR FOR THIS PROGRAM.
HOWEVER UNLIKE FAMILY
STABILIZATION SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT FUNDING HAS BEEN
UNDER SPENT IN RECENT YEARS. SO
FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT 90 MILLION OF
THE $134 MILLION APPROPRIATED TO
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT WAS SPENT
IN 2320. EXCUSE ME, 2223. WHILE
PARTICIPATION AND SPENDING
WITHIN THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN
RAMPING BACK UP SINCE THE
PANDEMIC SINCE IT DID, UM
DECREASED DURING THE PANDEMIC
DUE TO IN PERSON RESTRICTIONS.
UM, SOME OF THE FUNDS MAY GO
UNSPENT IN THE CURRENT YEAR, SO
IF THE LEGISLATURE DECIDES IT
DOESN'T WANT TO ELIMINATE
FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM IN ITS
ENTIRETY, THIS PROGRAM COULD
PRESENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO RIGHT
SIZE FUNDING IN SOME WAY. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL HOLD THIS
ISSUE OPEN AND WE WILL MOVE ON
TO OUR NEXT ISSUE. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR THOSE WHO
PARTICIPATED IN THIS PANEL.
WE'RE GONNA TRY TO GET THROUGH
ONE MORE PANEL. UH BEFORE WE
RECESS ISSUE NUMBER FIVE. HOW
WORKS GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO
REDUCE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE
FUNDING AND TO ELIMINATE
INTENSIVE CARE HOURS
IMPLEMENTATION. KIM JOHNSON
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
THANK YOU CHAIR. I'M GOING TO
TAKE THESE IN COMPONENTS SO YOU
CAN CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE
PROPOSAL IN EACH SECTION. SO FOR
THIS AGAIN, A SINGLE ALLOCATION
IS BASED ON PROJECTED CASELOAD
CAN HE RECEIVE A FIXED ABOUND OF
FUNDING ANNUALLY FOR
ADMINISTERING COW WORKS AND
PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT SERVICES?
THE FUNDING IS PROVIDED TO
COUNTIES IN A SINGLE ALLOCATION
BLACK GRANT, WHICH ALLOWS THE
FUND ABILITY ACROSS THREE
COMPONENTS ELIGIBILITY
ADMINISTRATION, EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES IN CAL, LEARN INTENSIVE
CASE MANAGEMENT. ONE OF THE
PROPOSALS IS A REVERSION. IT'S
ADDRESSING THE PROJECTED STATE
BUDGET SHORTFALL. GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET PROPOSALS TO REVERT $336
MILLION OF UNUSED GENERAL FUND
FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2223 COW
WORK SINGLE ALLOCATION ON AN
EARLIER TIMELINE RATHER THAN
WAITING UNTIL JUNE 30TH 2025
WHEN THE FUNDING WOULD NATURALLY
RETURNED TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THE DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO
ENGAGING WITH COUNTY WELFARE
DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION TO
DETERMINE THE PRECISE AMOUNT
AVAILABLE IN THE 22 TO 23
ALLOCATION. THIS EARLY REVERSION
WILL NOT HAVE AN IMPACT ON
CLIENT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES.
THE CURRENT YEAR REDUCTION PLUS,
SO THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
INCLUDES $1.7 BILLION FOR THE
SINGLE ALLOCATION IN CURRENT
YEAR, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF
40.8 MILLION COMPARED TO THE
BUDGET ACT DUE TO THE PROPOSED
REVERSION OF THE ONGOING
ELIGIBILITY ADMINISTRATION
AUGMENTATION TO ADDRESS THE
SHORTFALL. THE 48 POINT MILLION
DOLLARS 48 $40.8 MILLION
PROPOSED TO BE REDUCED ONGOING
THIS PROPOSAL WOULD RESULT IN
LESS FUNDING FOR COUNTIES TO
ADMINISTER THE COW WORKS
PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES
DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY IN CASE
MANAGEMENT. AS WOULD THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET
PROPOSAL, INCLUDING $1.5 BILLION
FOR THE SINGLE ALLOCATION IN
BUDGET YEAR, REPRESENTING A
DECREASE OF $159.8 BILLION FROM
CURRENT YEAR, WHICH REFLECTS THE
DECREASE IN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
CASELOAD ONE TIME NATURE OF THE
COW WORKS ELIGIBILITY
ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENT OR
THAT $55 MILLION AS WELL AS A
DECREASE IN ONE FUNDING
INCREMENT OF $27.5 MILLION DUE
TO THE CASELOAD LEVEL. FINALLY
THE INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT
THERE'S A PROPOSED DELAY FOR THE
PLANNED INCREASE FOR THE
INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT HOURS
TO ADDRESS THE SHORTFALL, WHICH
IMPACTS BUDGET YEAR AND ONGOING
INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT
PROVIDES MORE INTENSIVE AND OR
ONE ON ONE SUPPORT FOR COWARDS.
PARTICIPANTS WHO MADE AN
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE AND
OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO
EMPLOYMENT FOR STABILITY. THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSES TO
DELAY THE PLANNED INCREASE TO
INTENSIVE CASES, CASE MANAGEMENT
HOURS TO ADDRESS THE SHORTFALL,
RESULTING IN SAVINGS OF $46.9
MILLION GENERAL FUND IN BUDGET
YEAR IN 47.4 MILLION AT GENERAL
FUND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER PER
CURRENT LAW THE NUMBER OF HOURS
PER CASE PER MONTH BUDGETED FOR
INTENSIVE COW WORKS CASES WAS
INCREMENTALLY INCREASED FROM
FIVE HOURS TO 6.25 HOURS AND
2122. 7.5 HOURS TO 2022 23 8.75
HOURS AND 23 AND 24 AND 10 HOURS
IN BUDGET IN BUDGET YEARS. SO
AGAIN, WE'RE HOLDING UP THAT
8.75. THAT'S CURRENTLY THE CASE
IN GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
GOOD AFTERNOON. EILEEN CUBAN SKI
WITH THE COUNTY WELFARE
DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION. UM THE
AGENDA, AND DIRECTOR JOHNSON
HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF KIND OF
SUMMARIZING THE STATUS OF THE
SINGLE ALLOCATION AND WHAT IT
IS. UM I WILL JUST SAY THAT, UH
THE BULK OF THE MONEY THAT'S
PROVIDED IN THE SINGLE
ALLOCATION IS BUDGETED FOR
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ABOUT 69% OF
IT, UM THE MOST OF THE REMAINDER
IS BUDGETED FOR, UM, THE
ELIGIBILITY COMPONENT, BUT IT IS
A IT'S A FUNGIBLE SOURCE. AND SO
WE COVER COSTS ACROSS THOSE TWO
MAIN COMPONENTS OF THE SINGLE AS
WE NEED TO UM, THIS IS ALL VERY
DRY. I'M GOING TO TRY TO PUT
SOME ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, FEELING
BEHIND SOME OF THIS, BUT FIRST,
SOME MORE NUMBERS FOR YOU. UM
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE PROJECTED
CASELOAD ADJUSTMENTS IN THERE
AND SOME OTHER JUST STRAIGHT UP
CUTS. THE IMPLICATION OF THAT IS
THIS OR THE RESULT OF IT IS
THIS. IT'S A NET $200 MILLION.
ONGOING FUNDING REDUCTION TO THE
SINGLE ALLOCATION OF THAT 46
MILLION STARTS THIS YEAR AND THE
REST THE 172 MILLION STARTS NEXT
YEAR, AND IT'S ONGOING. UM IT'S
A 13% YEAR OVER YEAR REDUCTION
TO THE FUNDING THAT'S BEING
PROVIDED FOR US AND THAT MAP BUT
THAT MASKS WHAT'S GOING ON
WITHIN THE SINGLE ALLOCATION
WITHIN THE SINGLE THE
ELIGIBILITY COMPONENT IS LOOKING
AT A 25% YEAR OVER YEAR
REDUCTION, WHEREAS THE
ELIGIBILITY PIECES LOOKING AT A
7.5% REDUCTION, AND I'LL TELL DO
YOU WHY THAT MATTERS. BECAUSE UM
, EVEN THOUGH IT'S TRUE WE'VE
UNDER SPENT THE SINGLE
ALLOCATION IN THE PAST FEW YEARS
, AND I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE
CONTEXT FOR THAT IF YOU'RE
INTERESTED, BUT EVEN THOUGH
THAT'S TRUE AT OUR CURRENT
SPENDING LEVELS FOR THE SINGLE
ALLOCATION WHAT THESE CUTS MEAN
FOR US IS THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY
KIND OF CUTTING TO THE BONE
HERE. THE THIS THESE FUNDING
REDUCTIONS WILL PUT THE SINGLE
ALLOCATION AT A LEVEL LOWER THAN
WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY SPENDING
RIGHT NOW. UM AND THAT'S LARGELY
DUE TO THE UNDERFUNDING OF THE
ELIGIBILITY COMPONENT BASED ON
OUR BACK OF THE ENVELOPE
CALCULATIONS THE ELIGIBILITY
COMPONENT NEXT YEAR. IF THESE
CUTS GO THROUGH, IT'S GOING TO
BE OVER $340 MILLION
UNDERFUNDED. THAT'S ABOUT HALF
IT'S ABOUT 45% UNDERFUNDING. AND
WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE HAVE TO
TAKE FUNDING FROM THE EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES COMPONENT TO COVER TO
BACKFILL FOR THAT SHORTFALL IN
THE ELIGIBILITY SIDE BECAUSE WE
HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DO THOSE
ELIGIBILITY FUNCTIONS, WHICH ARE
MANDATED BY LAW, AND WE WANT TO
PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE PROGRAM
FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE IN NEED OF
THE SERVICES AND THE CASH AID.
UM SO JUST TO START NOW, PUTTING
SOME SOME REAL IMPACTS BEHIND
IT. WHAT THIS MEANS IS IT
COMPLETELY ERODES ALL THE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WE HAVE
BEEN PROVIDED FOR THE ENHANCED
CASE MANAGEMENT. IT IS
THEORETICALLY STILL BUDGETED
THERE, BUT WE'VE GOT A SHIFT AT
ALL OVER AND COVER THE SHORTFALL
IN THE ELIGIBILITY SIDE. THIS IS
THE FUNDING THAT WE USE TO
PROVIDE. UM CASE MANAGEMENT TO
THOSE FAMILIES WITH THE MOST
INTENSIVE NEEDS THAT YOU'VE JUST
HEARD UP. YOU'RE TESTIFYING
THOSE WITH THE HIGHEST BARRIERS,
OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE THAT
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT THE LINKAGES,
UM AND TO OTHER SERVICES, AND TO
FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THAT IT'S
COMPLETELY GONE WITH THESE
REDUCTIONS. UM, WE'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO DISCONTINUE CRUCIAL
SERVICES AND CONTRACTUAL
COMMITMENTS. HELP FAMILIES
OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT.
THIS ISN'T JUST JOB SEARCH
CLASSES OR RESUME WRITING HELP,
LIKE THIS IS A PROVISION OF
CREDIT REDUCTION SERVICES THAT
PROVIDE PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN
FACILITATING ACCESS TO HOUSING
AND EMPLOYMENT AND LEGAL
SERVICES TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER
ADVANCEMENT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
TANGIBLE SUPPORTS TO PARENTS.
THAT SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL
EMPLOYMENT, TAINMENT BOOKS,
UNIFORMS, OTHER SUPPLIES
TRANSPORTATION TO ACHIEVE A CUT
OF $100 MILLION COUNTIES ARE
GOING TO NEED TO IMPOSE HIRING
FREEZES IF WE HAD TO ELIMINATE,
UM STAFF AND POSITIONS TO ABSORB
A CUT OF THAT MAGNITUDE. WE'D BE
LOOKING AT THE LOSS OF 500
POSITIONS IN THE COW WORKS
PROGRAM STATEWIDE. AND I KNOW
IT'S EASY TO GET FRUSTRATED WITH
COUNTY WORKERS WERE AN EASY
TARGET, BUT WE'RE ASKING THEM TO
DO AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB. THEY'VE
GOT TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR
A PROGRAM WITH RULES DESIGNED TO
BE AS COMPLICATED AS POSSIBLE
AND HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE
SILOED AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS, ALL
WITH THESE REALLY HIGH CASELOADS
THAT THEY CARRY ELIGIBILITY WORK
IS NOT ADMINISTRATION. IT'S A
SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE, AND
IT'S A SERVICE THAT THAT OUR
FAMILIES ARE ENTITLED TO, UM AND
NEED. UM IT'S A SERVICE. WE'VE
MOSTLY STARVED FOR AT LEAST THE
LAST DECADE AND THEN WE GET
FRUSTRATED WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK
AS WELL AS WE THINK IT SHOULD.
COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES
FROM THE LEADERSHIP DOWN TO THE
LINE WORKER HAVE WORKED
TIRELESSLY OVER THE PAST DECADE
TO CHANGE THE CULTURE OF THE COW
WORKS PROGRAM FROM A COMPLIANCE
ORIENTED SYSTEM TO A FAMILY
FOCUSED ONE THAT SEEKS TO
ADDRESS THE SOURCES OF ECONOMIC
AND FINANCIAL INSTABILITY AND
HELP FAMILIES BUT FOR THE MOST
TOXIC EFFECTS OF DEEP POVERTY
AND, UM, THESE CUTS TO THE
SINGLE ALLOCATION LAYERED UPON
THE OTHER PROPOSED ELIMINATIONS
ARE GOING TO REVERSE ALL THAT
GOOD WORK THAT WE'VE DONE AND
REALLY PREVENT US FROM DOING
MORE OF THE WORK THAT WE
ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE DOING
GOING FORWARD, SO I KNOW I'VE
I'VE HIT YOUR BUZZER. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
MARSHALL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
NO ADDITIONAL COMMENT. ELIO.
SONIA SUGARY SO WITH THE
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S OFFICE, UM
THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE
PROPOSED REDUCTION AND DELAY
HERE ARE NOT FULLY CLEAR WHILE
AS MENTIONED THE OVERALL SINGLE
ALLOCATION HAS BEEN UNDER SPENT
IN RECENT YEARS, COUNTIES DO
REPORT AGAIN, AS HAS BEEN
MENTIONED THAT THEY'RE
CONSISTENTLY USING EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES FUNDS FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY
COSTS, WHICH AGAIN AS MENTIONED
ARE REQUIRED OF THEM. AND THE
REPORTING THAT THE FUNDING FOR
THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPONENT OF
THE SINGLE ALLOCATION HAS NOT
KEPT UP WITH GROWING LOCAL COSTS
. WE THEREFORE RECOMMEND THAT
THE LEGISLATURE CONSIDER THE
POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS OF
THESE PROPOSED REDUCTIONS,
ESPECIALLY ON EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES, AND THE ABILITY TO
PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES TO LOCAL
KAU WORKS RECIPIENTS, ESPECIALLY
AS THE STATE CONTINUES TO
INCREASE ITS FOCUS ON
ALTERNATIVE OUTCOME MEASURES
WITHIN OUR WORKS. SUCH AS LONG
TERM EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES.
ADDITIONALLY GIVEN THE UPCOMING
TRIENNIAL REASSESSMENT FOR THIS
COMPONENT OF THE SINGLE
ALLOCATION, WE ALSO RECOMMEND
THAT THE LEGISLATURE ASKED THE
ADMINISTRATION IF THIS PROPOSAL
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A
PLACEHOLDER UNTIL MAY, AT WHICH
TIME BASED ON OUR UNDERSTANDING
THE METHODOLOGY FOR THIS
COMPONENT WILL BE REASSESSED. IT
IS OF THE OPINION THIS COMMITTEE
THAT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH
GOING ON IN THAT IN THAT AREA, I
BELIEVE WE BELIEVE THAT THERE
THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS IN WHICH
WE, UM WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT,
BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE WE WANT
TO PRESERVE THE ABILITY TO
PROCESS PEOPLE APPROPRIATELY SO
THAT THEY CANNOT FALL INTO
CRISIS AND SO THAT THEY CAN OR
THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO REMAIN
STABLE, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION
ON THIS AND TAKING A DIP A
DEEPER DIVE WITH STAKEHOLDERS AS
WELL AS L. A 02 KIND OF SPARSE
OUT ALL OF THE KIND OF
COMPONENTS HERE. YOU KNOW,
OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE SOME
REVERSION IN TERMS OF THINGS
THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE SPENT FROM
PAST FISCAL YEAR. YOU KNOW, I
HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THAT IS
REASONABLE, HOWEVER, WHEN WE
TALK ABOUT MOVING FORWARD, WE
GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT
IMPACTING WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
THERE IS NO DOUBT CASELOADS ARE
HORRIFIC. I GET IT. AND WE'VE
GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
PROCESSING PEOPLE IN A IN A MORE
TIMELY MANNER. SO LET'S CONTINUE
TO DIG OUT INTO THIS IS GONNA
TAKE SOME BACK AND FORTH. UM,
BUT OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE'RE BEING
RESPONSIBLE. WITH THE PEOPLE
THAT ARE BEING SERVED, BUT ALSO
MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE HELPING
TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO OUR BUDGET
ISSUES AS WELL. SO WE WILL HOLD
THIS ISSUE OPEN. AND SO I WANT
TO THANK THIS PANEL, AND WE
WILL, UH RECESS UNTIL FIVE
O'CLOCK, I'LL TRY TO COME BACK
EARLIER. BUT RIGHT NOW THE TIME
IS FIVE O'CLOCK. THANK YOU.
WE ARE GOING TO BRING THIS
HEARING BACK TO ORDER. UH,
STARTING OFF. WE ACTUALLY MADE
SOME GREAT PROGRESS BEFORE WE
HAD RECESS. SO NOW WE'RE
STARTING OFF WITH ISSUE NUMBER
SIX. èC WORKS, HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS AND THE COW WORKS.
POPULATION UH PLEASE COME ON UP,
PANELIST. FOR ISSUE NUMBER SIX.
AND AS ALWAYS, WE ASK EVERYONE
HAVE IT UNTIL, UH, KEEP IT TO
FIVE MINUTES OR LESS. UM I
SHOULD START HAVING SOME CANDY.
AND IF YOU'RE UNDER FIVE
MINUTES, I'LL THROW YOU SOME
CANDY. SO I THINK THAT'S GONNA
START DOING IT. YEAH I WE WILL
TRY IT. AND UM, AS ALWAYS,
PLEASE. JUST UH UM, INTRODUCE
YOURSELF, UM, AND WE WILL GO BY
THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA. YOU MAY
BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY. GOOD
AFTERNOON. UH, MY NAME IS HANNAH
ZAMATA. AND I'M THE DEPUTY
DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES,
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
DIVISION, OR HÌ. HÌ Dð HÌ HÌ Dð
DESIGN SUPPORTS AND OVERSEES THE
DELIVERY OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE
TAILORED TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF
FAMILIES, OLDER ADULTS AND
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR
HOUSING INSTABILITY IN ARE
SERVED THROUGH LOCAL SOCIAL
SERVICE AGENCIES. WE OVERSEE TWO
PROGRAMS THAT WERE CREATED IN
RESPONSE TO THE CRITICAL NEED
FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
SERVICES AMONGST FAMILIES IN
RECEIPT. èC WORKS, THE CAL
WORKS HOMELESS ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM, OR HÌ, A AS WELL AS THE
èC WORKS HOUSING SUPPORT
PROGRAM. UH OR HÌ S¼ P. HÌ A IS
AN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM AVAILABLE
IN ALL 58 COUNTIES. IT CAN HELP
A FAMILY SECURE OR MAINTAIN
PERMANENT HOUSING BY PAYING FOR
SECURITY DEPOSIT AND LAST
MONTH'S RENT OR UP TO TWO MONTHS
OF BACK THROUGH TEMPORARY HÌ. A
THE PROGRAM CAN ALSO HELP A
FAMILY OBTAIN UP TO 16 NIGHTS OF
EMERGENCY SHELTER WHEN
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. IT IS
TYPICALLY AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES
UP TO ONCE A YEAR. HÌ S¼ P IS
INTENDED TO FOSTER HOUSING
STABILITY. FOR FAMILIES
EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF
HOMELESSNESS IN THE COW WORKS
PROGRAM AND IS AVAILABLE IN 55
COUNTIES. IT PROVIDES FAMILIES
WITH A HOST OF SUPPORTS NEEDED
TO OVERCOME A HOUSING CRISIS,
INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT,
HOUSING, NAVIGATION AND FLEXIBLE
HOUSING RELATED FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE, WHICH CAN COVER
ANYTHING FROM RENTAL SUBSIDIES.
SECURITY DEPOSITS, MOVING COSTS,
ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS,
LANDLORD MEDIATION AND OTHER
NEEDS. THE AGENDA ALREADY
INCLUDED A ROBUST SUMMARY OF
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE RATES OF
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS IN THE
COW WORKS POPULATION, SO IN THE
INTEREST OF TIME, I WILL MOVE TO
THE SECOND QUESTION IN THE
AGENDA ON TRENDS IN HOUSING
SUPPORT AND HOMELESSNESS. OVER
THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, I WILL
START BY HIGHLIGHTING RECENT
BUDGET TRENDS FOR HÌ S¼ B, THE
BUDGET ACT OF 2021 AND 2022 EACH
APPROPRIATED A HISTORIC $285
MILLION, INCLUDING ONE TIME
FUNDING OF 190 MILLION AS WELL
AS THE ANN ONGOING FUNDING OF 95
MILLION THE FIRST TRANCHE OF ONE
TIME FUNDING IS SCHEDULED TO
SUNSET AT THE END OF JUNE 2024
AND IS PROPOSED IN THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET TO BE EXTENDED
UNTIL THE END OF JUNE. 2025 THE
SECOND AND FINAL TRANCHE OF THE
ONE TIME FUNDS WILL SUNSET JUNE
30TH 2025. IN RESPONSE TO THE
SIGNIFICANT ONE TIME INFUSIONS.
THE 55 COUNTIES OPERATING HÌ S¼
P WERE ABLE TO RAPIDLY SCALE UP
PROGRAMS TO MEET THE NEED OF
FAMILY EXPERIENCING HOUSING,
INSTABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS IN
THEIR COMMUNITIES. AND AS WE
APPROACH THE END OF THE ONE TIME
FUNDS, COUNTIES ARE NOW ACTIVELY
PLANNING FOR HOW THEY CAN
CONTINUE TO LEVERAGE HÌ S¼ P TO
EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT AS MANY
FAMILIES AS POSSIBLE, BUT AT THE
MORE LIMITED SCALE OF THE ONE OF
THE ONGOING FUNDING I WILL NOW
SPEAK TO THE RECENT TRENDS
RELATED TO PROGRAM IMPACT AND
OUTCOMES. CDSS SAW A LARGE
TEMPORARY DIP IN FISCAL YEAR
2020 2021 IN REQUEST AND
APPROVALS FOR OUR PROGRAMS DUE
TO COVID RELATED RESOURCES AND
POLICIES AS THOSE ENDED THE
NUMBER OF REQUESTS AND APPROVALS
FOR OUR PROGRAMS REBOUNDED AND
EVEN SURPASSED PRE COVID LEVELS.
FOR WE HAVE SEEN A LARGE
INCREASE IN DEMAND OVER THE TWO
YEAR PERIOD ENDING JUNE 2023
REQUESTS FOR TEMPORARY HÌ A HAVE
DOUBLED AND REQUESTS FOR
PERMANENT HÌ HAVE NEARLY TRIPLED
IN THIS TWO YEAR PERIOD.
SIMILARLY FOR HÌ S¼ P. WE HAVE
SEEN A LARGE INCREASE IN THE
DEMAND FOR SERVICES AND COUNTIES
AND LOCAL OPERATORS HAVE RISEN
TO THE OCCASION TO ADDRESS THE
SURGING NEED OVER THE TWO YEAR
PERIOD ENDING JUNE 2020 THREE
REQUESTS FOR HÌ S¼ P HAVE MORE
THAN DOUBLED. SIMILARLY THE
NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED NEARLY
DOUBLED AS WELL. FURTHERMORE
WITH A CHANGE IN STATUTE,
ALLOWING HÌ S¼ P TO SERVE
FAMILIES AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS
, WE HAVE SEEN THE PROPORTION OF
AT RISK HOW WORKS FAMILIES AND
HÌ S¼ P NEARLY TRIPLE OVER THE
TWO YEAR PERIOD ENDING JUNE
2023. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO
DELIVER ON OUTCOMES. SINCE HSP
INCEPTION IN 2014 THROUGH JUNE
2020 THREE MORE THAN 74,100
FAMILIES WERE WERE SERVED AND OF
THOSE 40,100 FAMILIES WERE
PERMANENTLY HOUSED THROUGH HÌ S¼
P. FINALLY I WILL ADDRESS THE
3RD AND 4TH QUESTIONS REGARDING
THE CONDITIONS OF FAMILIES IN
THE PROGRAM, AND THE BARRIERS TO
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ARE FACING
MORE BROADLY AS WELL AS THE
SUPPORTS AND SERVICES THAT THIS
SUGGESTS SHOULD BE INCREASED.
COUNTIES HAVE REPORTED THAT THE
CORE COMPONENTS OF HÌ S¼ P HAVE
SUPPORTED FAMILIES IN ADDRESSING
BARRIERS TO HOUSING IN A WAY
THAT THEY COULD NOT HAVE DONE
ALONE. IN PARTICULAR HÌ S¼ P IS
A FLEXIBLE FUNDING EMPHASIS ON
TAILORED WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND
ONGOING CONNECTIONS TO BROADER
SET OF COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES
AS NEEDED HAVE BEEN CRITICAL.
COUNTIES HAVE REPORTED THAT 88%
OF PARTICIPANTS RETAINED HOUSING
SIX MONTHS AFTER EXITING HÌ S¼ P
IF THEY WERE HOUSED. AND 70%
INCREASED INCOME DURING AND
AFTER HSP AND 25 25% IMPROVED
EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL
CIRCUMSTANCES. AT èC Dð S¼ S¼.
WE BELIEVE THAT HOUSING
STABILITY IS THE FOUNDATION FOR
FAMILIES SUCCEEDING IN OTHER
SYSTEMS, INCLUDING EDUCATION,
WORKFORCE, CHILD AND FAMILY,
WELL BEING AND HEALTH.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND
OBTAINING AND RETAINING STABLE
HOUSING IS CRITICAL NOT ONLY TO
ADDRESS THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS
BUT ALSO TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF
INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY, WHICH
DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS. UH
UM, UH PEOPLE OF COLOR. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY AND I'LL
BE HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS AND
COMMENTS. WE'RE GOING BY THE
ORDER OF THE AGENDA. DO YOU KNOW
WHERE Y'ALL ARE? LINDA I THINK
I'M BROWN THERE. THAT WOULD BE
ME. OK, YOU'RE ON. OK, SO GOOD
AFTERNOON CHAIR AND MEMBERS. UH,
MY NAME IS LINDA BROWNELL AND I
AM A SPARK LEADER WITH PROJECT
SPARK. STUDENT PARENTS ARE
REIMAGINING èC WORKS AND I AM A
STUDENT AT AMERICAN RIVER
COLLEGE. WE ARE AGAINST MAKING
CUTS TO èC WORK SERVICES. UM
AND ANY CHANGES TO CAL WORKS
SHOULD SUPPORT FAMILIES, NOT
HURT THEM. HOUSING SERVICES
PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT FOR
FAMILIES ON èC WORKS, WHO ARE
STILL STRUGGLING TO STRETCH
THEIR GRANT TO COVER BASIC
NECESSITIES BY PROVIDING
ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO SUPPORT
FAMILIES EXPERIENCING CRISIS. AS
A èC WORK STUDENT. PARENT
ATTENDING A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
AND WORKING MORE THAN 20 HOURS A
WEEK I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH
HOUSING. HOUSING COSTS TAKE UP
ALL OF MY CO WORKS GRANT MONEY
AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR MY WORK,
STUDY JOB, I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO
MAKE ENDS MEET. I'VE EXPERIENCED
, UM HOUSING INSTABILITY MANY
TIMES WHILE ON CAL WORKS. THE
COW WORKS. FAMILY STABILITY
PROGRAMS ARE A CRUCIAL PART OF
GIVING FAMILIES THE STEP UP. WE
NEED TO IMPROVE OUR LIVES. WHEN
WE GET THE RESOURCES WE NEED, UM
WE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR OUR
FAMILIES, OUR CHILDREN SUCCESS,
HEALTH AND HAPPINESS BECOME A
DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF OUR
STABILITY. INSTEAD OF PROPOSING
CUTS. WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT
IMPROVING THE PROGRAM. WE SHOULD
. WE SHOULD, UM, BE TALKING.
ABOUT CHANGES PROPOSED CHANGES
THAT COULD BENEFIT FAMILIES LIKE
MINE NOT HURT THEM. SO I FACED
HOMELESSNESS, AND ONE OF MY
GREATEST FEARS IS TO BE LIVING
ON THE STREETS. BUT I CAN TELL
YOU, I'M HERE TODAY. THERE'S A
DIRECT RESULT OF THE PROGRAM.
BUT I CAN'T SAY THAT IT WASN'T
EASY THAT IT WAS EASY, RIGHT? IT
WAS HARD. IT WAS A STRUGGLE,
TRYING TO GET THE SERVICES THAT
I NEED. I HAD TO GO BACK AND
FORTH. YOU KNOW, THEY GAVE ME A
SEVEN DAY VOUCHER. AND THEN I
HAD TO WHEN THAT SEVEN DAYS,
RIGHT? I HAD TO GO BACK AND LIKE
JUST WAITING TO GET APPROVED WAS
SO STRESSFUL IT WAS A STRESSFUL
MOMENT IN OUR LIVES. UM BUT I AM
GRATEFUL FOR THE PROGRAM, RIGHT?
BECAUSE I'M HERE TODAY. TO SAY
THAT I'M A DIRECT RESULT OF THAT
PROGRAM AND I HAVE AN APARTMENT.
AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE MY
WRITTEN BILLS WITHOUT BECOMING,
YOU KNOW, WITHOUT THE FEAR OF
BECOMING HOMELESS, YOU KNOW, I'M
ABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL. YOU KNOW,
MY KIDS ARE HAPPY. YOU KNOW THAT
THAT STABILITY MEANS A LOT
RIGHT? SO BUT I CAN'T SAY WITH
CERTAINTY THAT I WON'T NEED THAT
ASSISTANCE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE,
RIGHT? UM THOSE CO WORKS HOUSING
SERVICES. OUR LIFE SAVER FOR
MANY FAMILIES. I OFTEN WONDER
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. SO THE
THOUSANDS OF OTHER VULNERABLE
COWARDS FAMILIES IF THIS SERVICE
IS CUT YOU KNOW ME AND MY FAMILY
HAVE BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM
AND TO THINK THAT IT WILL NÓ
LONGER BE THERE FOR ME. IF I
NEED IT IN THE FUTURE IS
FRIGHTENING. OUR HOUSING CRISIS
ACROSS ACROSS CALIFORNIA, AS
MANY OF YOU KNOW, HAS YOU KNOW,
GROWN EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE
PAST FEW YEARS. AND CUTTING
THESE THIS VITAL RESOURCE TO FOR
FAMILIES LIKE MINE. CALIFORNIA'S
MOST VULNERABLE MEANS WE WILL
LIKELY ADD TO THE CRISIS. BY
PROVIDING CAL WORKS FAMILIES
WITH THE SUPPORT YOU ENSURE THAT
WE PROVIDE RELIEF TO
CALIFORNIANS, AND IT IS CRITICAL
BECAUSE NOT ONLY YOUR BASIC
NECESSITIES CRUCIAL TO PROVIDING
FOR OUR FAMILIES FOR OUR
CHILDREN'S STABILITY. BUT STABLE
HOUSING IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR
TO THE STABILITY OF OUR FAMILY
LIVES. MEMBERS. ALL RIGHT, UH,
CHAIR JACKSON STEAM COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
THIS EVENING. MY NAME IS NOLAN
SULLIVAN. UH I. I HAVE THE BEST
JOB IN THE WORLD. I AM. UH, THE
YOLO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DIRECTOR. I AM ONE OF
THE 55 COUNTIES THAT OPERATES
THE HÌ S¼ P PROGRAM PROUDLY. I'M
HERE REPRESENTING MY HUNDREDS OF
WORKERS THAT OPERATE THE PROGRAM
AS WELL AS ABOUT 3000 AMAZING
PARTICIPANTS THAT RECEIVE
BENEFITS FROM THAT PROGRAM EVERY
SINGLE DAY. I WAS THINKING ABOUT
WHAT I WOULD TALK ABOUT TODAY
AND I THINK I'M GOING TO FOCUS
MOSTLY ON NUMBER TWO. AND WHAT
I'D LIKE TO SHARE REALLY IS THE
POWER OF THE HSP PROGRAM. WHAT
IT'S DONE LOCALLY, IN FACT, JUST
ACROSS THE RIVER FROM THIS
BUILDING, UH, IN YOLO COUNTY.
UH, YOLO COUNTY IS A MID SIZE
COUNTY. UH, WE HAVE 217,000
PEOPLE. WE HAVE ONE OF THE
FASTEST GROWING POPULATIONS OF
ALL 58 COUNTIES. AND NOW TO SOME
OF THE BAD NEWS. YOLO COUNTY HAS
AN ABOVE AVERAGE RATE OF
HOMELESSNESS COMPARED TO BOTH
THE U S¼ AND CALIFORNIA
AVERAGES. UH, THE U S¼ AVERAGES
ABOUT 15 HOMELESS FAMILIES PER
100. RESIDENTS CALIFORNIA
AVERAGES ABOUT 21 HOMELESS
FAMILIES PER 100,000 RESIDENTS.
YOLO COUNTY AVERAGES 22 PER
100,000. SO WE HAVE MORE
HOMELESS FAMILIES PER CAPITA
THAN MOST, UH, OUR PRELIMINARY
POINT IN TIME COUNT FOR 2024
SITS AT 813 PERSONS. THAT'S UP
FROM 746 LAST YEAR, WHICH IS UP
BY 10% SO HOMELESSNESS IS
GROWING NOT GROWING AS MUCH AS A
LOT OF OTHER PLACES IN
CALIFORNIA, WHICH WE'RE VERY
PROUD OF, BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE
EFFORTS, UH THROUGH THE HÌ S¼ P
TEAM. THIS IS KIND OF A SHOCKER.
UM ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC
POLICY INSTITUTE OF CALIFORNIA,
THEY PUT OUT A CALIFORNIA
POVERTY MEASURE. EVERY COUPLE OF
YEARS. UH, YOLO COUNTY RANKS
DEAD LAST. WE ARE 19.5% WE HAVE
THE HIGHEST POVERTY RATE IN ALL
OF CALIFORNIA. UM AND I'M GONNA
EXPLAIN WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT IN
JUST A SECOND, UH, TRYING TO
ESSENTIALLY SET THE STAGE FOR
WHAT HÌ S¼ P DOES IN YOLO COUNTY
. UH I'M GONNA SHARE ANOTHER SET
OF DATA NOW ON POINT IN TIME
COUNTS. SO THE POINT IN TIME
COUNT IS A NATIONAL COUNT ACROSS
THE U S¼, WHICH I'M SURE MOST
OF, YOU KNOW, HUD PUTS IT OUT.
TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS AND FOLKS GO
OUT. WE LITERALLY HAND COUNT AND
DO A HAND CENSUS FOR HOMELESS
FOLKS THE WAY THE POINT IN TIME
COUNT WORKS IS YOU BREAK IT INTO
TWO CATEGORIES. SO YOU'VE GOT
INDIVIDUALS. YOU'VE GOT FAMILIES
AND THEN WITHIN INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES. YOU HAVE UNSHELTERED
MEANING LIVING ON THE STREETS,
LIVING IN THEIR CAR LIVING IN A
CREEK BED, AND YOU HAVE
SHELTERED MEANING, LIVING IN
TEMPORARY HOUSING, A SHELTER OR
SOMEWHERE SHELTERED. I WANNA
SHARE SOME COMPARISON DATA, UH
FROM THE U S¼, CALIFORNIA AND
YOLO COUNTY OVER THE LAST COUPLE
OF YEARS, AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY
THAT'S IMPORTANT. IN 2018. THE U
S¼ OUT OF ALL HOMELESS FAMILIES.
9% OF U S¼ FAMILIES THAT WERE
HOMELESS WERE LIVING UNSHELTERED
CALIFORNIA WAS AT 25% SO OUT OUT
OF ONE OUT OF FOUR FAMILIES IN
CALIFORNIA THAT WAS HOMELESS WAS
LIVING UNSHELTERED IN YOLO
COUNTY. THAT NUMBER WAS 2. IN
2019, THE U S¼ HAD A 9%
UNSHELTERED FAMILY HOMELESSNESS
RATE. CALIFORNIA HAD A 28%
UNSHELTERED FAMILY HOMELESSNESS
RATE. YOLO COUNTY HAD 0%
UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS RATE IN
2019 IN 2020, THE U S¼ HAD A 10%
UNSHELTERED FAMILY HOMELESSNESS
RATE. CALIFORNIA HAD A 28%
UNSHELTERED FAMILY HOMELESSNESS
RATE AND YOLO COUNTY AGAIN HAD
0% UNSHELTERED FAMILIES LIVING
IN HOMELESSNESS IN THE COUNTY IN
2022, THE LAST COUNT THAT WE
HAVE THERE WERE 12% ACROSS THE U
S¼. 18% IN CALIFORNIA, AND WE
HAD GROWN TO 4. I SHARE THAT
DATA BECAUSE THE REASON WE HAD
0% 2% OR 4% IS BECAUSE OF HÌ S¼
P. THERE IS NOT A SINGLE FAMILY
IN YOLA COUNTY THAT WILL SLEEP
OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF THIS PROGRAM,
AND I JUST WANNA TELL YOU, UM
UNEQUIVOCALLY. THAT THE COW
WORKS HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM HÌ
S¼ P. IN ADDITION TO PROGRAMS
LIKE FAMILY STABILIZATION, THE
SINGLE ALLOCATION AND MANY OF
THE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE
PROPOSED TO BE CUT WILL HAVE A
DEVASTATING EFFECT ON LOCAL
CALIFORNIA FAMILIES. THANK YOU
SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME IN
LISTENING TODAY. HØI. GOOD
AFTERNOON. OH, YEAH, I CAN'T SAY
GOOD EVENING YET IT DON'T EVEN
MATTER WHAT TIME IT IS NOW. IT'S
JUST YOU KNOW, LET'S NOT LET'S
NOT THINK ABOUT IT. SO THE STATE
OF THE HOW IT WORKS HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. IS LIKE
SWISS CHEESE. THERE SO MANY
HOLES. THAT IS JUST HORRIBLE.
UM, THE PROGRAM. THE HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHICH IS AN
ENTITLEMENT. SERVES IN 2022 22
22 23. 72,000 CASES. HÌ S¼ P
SERVED 19,000 AND THE HOUSING
SUPPORT PROGRAM SERVED 12,000.
SO THE MAJORITY OF THE POOR THE
PROGRAM THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING
SERVED BY THE HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THE HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ISSUES.
TEMPORARY HOMELESS ASSISTANCE.
TO A HOTEL MOTEL FOR 16 DAYS.
AND THE 16 DAYS IS ISSUED AT
SEVENTH DAY INCREMENTS. SO YOU
APPLY YOU COME IN. YOU GET SEVEN
DAYS. THEN YOU, UH AFTER SEVEN
DAYS, YOU HAVE TO COME BACK TO
THE WELFARE OFFICE. HANG AROUND
FOR BA BASICALLY AN HOUR 23
HOURS WITH THE KIDS HOMELESS AND
GET YOUR SECOND SEVEN DAYS AND
THEN AFTER THAT YOU COME BACK
AND GET TWO MORE DAYS. IF YOU
ARE Tð VÆ VICTIM, YOU GET 32
DAYS WHEN YOU GET 32 DAYS, THAT
MEANS 772 AND THEN COME BACK AT
SEVEN MORE DAYS. SEVEN MORE DAYS
AND TWO MORE DAYS. THAT'S SIX
TRIPS. FOR THE WELFARE
DEPARTMENT. THE 16 DAYS THAT YOU
GET WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS
ESTABLISHED IN 1987. THEY
FIGURED IT WOULD TAKE 16 DAYS
FOR FOLKS TO TRY TO FIND
PERMANENT HOUSING. TODAY IN
2024. IT STILL 16 DAYS. THINGS
HAVE CHANGED IMMENSELY FROM UH,
FROM THE PREVIOUS CENTURY TO
THIS CENTURY NOWADAYS, WHEN YOU
GO AND APPLY FOR USED TO BE ABLE
TO GO TO A PLACE AND THEY WOULD
RENT TO YOU, YOU WOULD GET YOUR,
UM THE MONEY AND YOU WOULD MOVE
IN. NOWADAYS YOU HAVE TO FILL
OUT AN APPLICATION YOU HAVE TO
THEY CHECK YOUR CREDIT AND ALL
OF A SUDDEN STUFF. SO UM AND, UM
AND ALSO IN ORDER TO GET
PERMANENT HOUSING. YOU HAVE TO
YOUR RENT HAS TO BE LESS THAN
80% OF YOUR INCOME, WHICH IS A
MAJOR BARRIER. THE REASON THAT
PEOPLE HAVE TO GO THROUGH
WELFARE OFFICE. WE TRY TO
RESOLVE THIS WITH BENEFITS COW
COWS TO INFECT. THEY AGREED IN
2019 TO HAVE AAA SYSTEM WHERE
PEOPLE COULD GO ONLINE AND APPLY
, GO ONLINE AND SUBMIT THEIR
HOUSE SEARCH PAPERS AND GET
THEIR BENEFIT AND GET THEIR
BENEFITS AUTOMATICALLY RATHER
THAN COMING DOWN THROUGH WELFARE
DEPARTMENT 772772. BUT THAT HAS
NOT BEEN DONE TO THIS STATE. IN
FACT, THEY GOT PAID TO DO THIS.
THEY AGREED TO DO THIS AND THEY
DIDN'T DO THIS. AND NOW THEY'RE
ASKING FOR. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT
$10 MILLION OR SOMETHING LIKE
THAT TO DO WHAT THEY ALREADY GOT
PAID IN THE PAST TO DO IT GETS A
LITTLE BIT WORSE IN L, A COUNTY
IF YOU WANT PERMANENT HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE. YOU FIRST BRING IN
THE PAY YOU APPLY FOR HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE. YOU GIVE IT TO THE
COUNTY TO WORK UP. THE WORKER
SENDS THAT TO WHAT THEY CALL THE
COW WORKS. SPECIALIZED HOUSING
APPROVED UNIT. IN EL MONTE. AND
THEY TAKE A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS OR
SO THEN TO UH TO, UH, TO SAY
THAT, YES. THAT IS A RENTAL
PROPERTY. WHAT'S THAT IS DONE.
AND MEANWHILE, I SHOULD REMIND
YOU THAT Tð PERMANENT HOME
ASSISTANCE IS SUPPOSED TO ISSUE
BY LAW ON THE DATE OF
APPLICATION, BUT NÓ LATER THAN
THE NEXT WORKING DAY, BECAUSE WE
DON'T WANT PEOPLE IN THE
STREETS. BUT L A COUNTY YOU HAVE
TO WAIT ONE WEEK OR TWO WEEKS
AND THEN AFTER AFTER THIS UNIT
APPROVED, SAYS, YEAH, THAT'S A
RENTAL PROPERTY. THEN IT GOES
BACK TO THE DISTRICT. THEN THE
DISTRICT CALLS UP THE LANDLORD
AND SAY, ARE YOU WILLING TO? UH
UH, I'M FROM THE WELFARE
DEPARTMENT. ARE YOU WILLING TO
RENT TO KEVIN? HE SAYS HE'S
HOMELESS. ARE YOU WILLING TO DO
THAT? AND THE LANDLORD SAYS, UH,
I DON'T THINK SO. AND OFTEN,
PEOPLE LOSE THEIR HOUSING THAT
THEY COULD HAVE GOTTEN. SO AND
ON THE SLIDE. FIVE WE LOOKED AT
THE DATA AND IT SHOWS LIKE IN IN
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2023. THERE WERE
6600 APPLICATIONS THAT WERE
RECEIVED FOR HOMELESS ASSISTANCE
AND AT THE END OF THE MONTH
THERE WAS THREE 1000 PENDING. IF
AN APPLICATION IS APPROVED ON
DATE OF APPLICATION, BUT NÓ IN
THE NEXT WORKING DAY. THAT'S
ONLY TWO DAYS. SO HOW CAN YOU
HAVE HALF THE CASELOAD PENDING?
SO IT APPEARS THAT THEY'RE
BREAKING THE LAW. IN FACT, MY
ESTIMATE IS THAT THERE'S NINE
DAYS PENDING WHICH IS ILLEGAL.
SO WHAT SHOULD BE DONE? WE WOULD
SUGGEST THAT THE LEGISLATURE
LOOK AT THE 16 DAY ISSUE AND
MAYBE BRING IT BACK INTO THE
21ST CENTURY AND GIVE PEOPLE A
LITTLE BIT MORE. UM MORE TIME TO
FIND A PERMANENT PLACE. UM IN
THE SAME THING FOR THE, UH,
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. YOU GET 32
DAYS, YOU SHOULD GET IT ALL IN
ONE SHOT RATHER THAN COMING BACK
AND FORTH LIKE A YO YO, THINK MY
TIME IS UP, RIGHT? YEAH UM, BUT,
UM, YOU WERE YOU MAY WONDER HOW
WE PAY FOR THIS. IT'S VERY
SIMPLE. UM, THE COW WORKS
PROGRAM, ACCORDING TO THE
GOVERNMENT, 9.4 BILLION IS USED
FOR THE COW WORKS PROGRAM. ONLY
4.4 IS USED FOR PAYMENT TO
FAMILIES. 2.4 BILLION IS USED
FOR NON COW WORKS ISSUES. SO
THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY.
CAL WORKS MONEY THAT SHOULD BE
USED FOR THE COW WORKS PROGRAM.
BUT WHEN THEY BUILD A BUDGET,
THEY FIRST OF ALL GO AND ROB
MONEY FROM THE COW WORKS PROGRAM
AND THEN START ADDING TO THAT,
AND THAT'S UH, THAT'S
UNCONSCIONABLE. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
EMILY MARSHALL DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE NÓ ADDITIONAL COMMENT L
A Ó. SONIA SAR, RUSSO WITH THE
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST OFFICE. UM
OUR OFFICE WOULD NOTE THAT
THEY'RE NOT ARE NÓ PROPOSED
REDUCTIONS TO CAL WORKS HOUSING
PROGRAMS AND THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET, WHICH ARE SOME OF THE
MOST USED SERVICES WITHIN CAL
WORKS. HOWEVER THERE ARE OTHER
DSS HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT HAVE
PROPOSED DELAYS. WE WOULD,
HOWEVER, POINT OUT FOR THE
LEGISLATURE THAT HOUSING
ASSISTANCE IS ONE OF THE MOST
FREQUENTLY PROVIDED SUPPORT
THROUGH FAMILY STABILIZATION.
THEREFORE WE RECOMMEND THAT THE
LEGISLATURE ASK THE
ADMINISTRATION FOR INFORMATION
ON HOW THE FAMILY STABILIZATION
A NATION THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED
MIGHT IMPACT DEMAND FOR THESE
OTHER HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
PROGRAMS, BOTH WITHIN CAL WORKS
AND OUTSIDE OF THE PROGRAM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UM FOR, UH,
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
CAN YOU TELL ME? UM, I I'VE
HEARD THAT THERE'S STILL, A RATE
OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN COW WORKS
THAT ARE FALLING INTO
HOMELESSNESS. IS THAT TRUE? THAT
THAT I'M SORRY. CAN YOU REPEAT
THE QUESTION THAT THERE STILL A
RATE OF PEOPLE WITHIN CAL WORKS
THAT ARE STILL FALLING INTO
HOMELESSNESS, EVEN THOUGH
THEY'RE PART OF THE PROGRAM IS
THAT TRUE? YES SO THE TWO
PROGRAMS THAT, UH, THE HOUSING
SUPPORT PROGRAM AND THE HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ARE
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO SUPPORT
FAMILIES THAT ARE ALREADY IN
RECEIPT OF èC WORKS, UH, AND
THAT ARE EXPERIENCING EITHER
HOUSING, INSTABILITY OR
HOMELESSNESS. SO UM, THAT'S
CORRECT. AND BASED ON OUR
ESTIMATES ABOUT, UM 15% OF CAL
WORKS FAMILIES RECEIVING CO
WORKS UTILIZE THE HÌ, A PROGRAM,
THE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
AND ABOUT 4% OF, UM èC FAMILIES
RECEIVING èC WORKS UTILIZE THE
HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM AND
WE'VE SEEN THOSE PERCENTAGES
INCREASE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS
TO REACH THAT LEVEL OF DEMAND.
SO HOW ARE WE? UM, AND SO ONCE
THEY HAVE RECEIVED ONCE THEY ARE
RECEIVING THE HOUSING ASSISTANCE
, THEN THEY BECOME STABLE, OR
ARE THEY STILL FALLING INTO
HOMELESSNESS? EVEN WHEN THEY
WERE RECEIVING THAT, SO THE
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS
REALLY A CRISIS INTERVENTION
PROGRAM. IT'S LIMITED IN SCOPE.
BUT IT IS OUR ENTITLEMENT
PROGRAM. IT IS OUR ONE
ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM WITHIN THE
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
PROGRAMS, THE HOUSING SUPPORT
PROGRAM AND SO I SHOULD SAY THAT
UH, THERE IS BOTH TEMPORARY
HOUSING COMPONENT TO THE
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AS
WELL AS PERMANENT HOUSING, AND
WE'VE SEEN A REALLY LARGE
INCREASE IN UTILIZATION OF BOTH
OF THOSE PROGRAMS. AS I WAS
SAYING THE TEMPORARY HOUSING UH
UH, HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
HAS SEEN A 33% INCREASE OVER THE
PAST YEAR, UH, ENDING IN FISCAL
YEAR 2223 AND THE PERMANENT
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAS
SEEN 128% INCREASE IN
UTILIZATION. UM, OVER THAT SAME
TIME. IT. SO WE'RE SEEING THAT
THE PROGRAM IS BECOMING MORE
AVAILABLE AND MORE IN DEMAND ON
THE HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM,
WHICH IS A MUCH MORE, UM, MUCH
DEEPER INTERVENTION THAT FOCUSES
ON WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS AND
REALLY EMPHASIZES THAT FAMILIES
SHOULD RECEIVE SUPPORT AS LONG
AS THEY NEED IT UNTIL THEY ARE
STABLY HOUSED. UH, THAT PROGRAM
IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM,
SO WE SAW A REALLY LARGE
INCREASE IN AVAILABILITY AND
EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM IN
RESPONSE TO THE ONE TIME FUNDING
AND AS I WAS NOTING IN IN MY THE
MONEY 88% OF FAMILIES THAT ARE
HOUSED THROUGH THE PROGRAM
RETAIN HOUSING SIX MONTHS AFTER,
UH THEY ARE PLACED IN HOUSING.
SO UM, WE'RE SEEING THAT THERE
ARE A LOT OF SUCCESSES COMING
OUT OF THAT PROGRAM, WHICH IS
NOT IN A TIME OF PROGRAM BUT IS
MUCH DEEPER IN TERMS OF THE
SUPPORT THAT IT PROVIDES TO
FAMILIES IN RECEIPT OF CAL WORKS
ALSO EXPERIENCING, UH,
HOMELESSNESS, SO YOU'RE SEEING
BETTER OUTCOMES WHEN THEY'RE A
PART OF THAT PROGRAM. IS THAT AM
I PROVIDES IT PROVIDES MUCH
DEEPER INTERVENTION. AND
THEREFORE, UM, UH, THE OUTCOMES
ARE SORT OF ARE WE EXPLORING,
ADDING THOSE COMPONENTS WITHIN
THE ACTUAL ENTITLEMENT PART
PROGRAM? WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE
A PROPOSAL, UM IN THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET, BUT WE'RE ALWAYS
INTERESTED IN OPEN TO DISCUSSING
IMPROVEMENTS TO EITHER OF THOSE
PROGRAMS. SO PANELISTS WHAT?
WHAT CAN WE DO TO STRENGTHEN?
THE COW WORKS PROGRAM SO WE
DON'T FIND PEOPLE FALLING INTO
HOMELESSNESS. AND LIKE WHAT
IMPROVEMENTS DO WE NEED TO MAKE
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE WE HAVE
A 21ST CENTURY PROGRAM THAT
MEETS THE CURRENT NEEDS OF THE
POPULATION, GIVEN THE COST OF
LIVING THAT NOW EXISTS, RIGHT?
WHERE SHOULD WE BE DOING? I I
THINK ALONG THE LINE OF
QUESTIONING THAT WE'RE JUST
TALKING ABOUT. I THINK YOU KNOW,
I. I PULLED MY STAFF TOGETHER
AND ASKED, KIND OF WHAT WOULD
YOU TELL MR JACKSON TODAY? WHEN?
WHEN I GO SPEAK TO HIM, AND YOU
KNOW, ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS
THEY HAD IS PLANNED FOR LONGER
INTERVENTION. SO TWO, THREE,
FOUR YEARS WHEN WE WERE TALKING
SIX MONTHS AND WE'RE NOT SEEING
FAMILIES ABLE TO MOVE ON ON èC
WORKS GRANTS ON THEIR OWN RIGHT.
AND SO SELF SUFFICIENCY IS
HARDER AND HARDER. SO I THINK
PLANNING FOR A LONGER RUNWAY IS
SOMETHING WE'RE LOOKING AT. I
THINK IN YOLO COUNTY VACANCY
RATES ACROSS THE STATE ARE
BELOW. YOU KNOW 2% 1% IN MANY
AREAS, SO WE'RE BUILDING
INVENTORY. WE'RE MASTER LEASING
APARTMENT COMPLEXES. WE'RE
CONVERTING DORMITORY BUILDINGS.
UH, WE'RE CREATING NEW HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES OUT OF RETAIL
SPACE FOR OUR CLIENTS, SO I
THINK MAYBE ENCOURAGING OR KIND
OF CREATING SOME POCKETS TO
ACTUALLY CREATE SOME RENTAL
INVENTORY. AND I THINK MOST
IMPORTANTLY, WITH HÌ S¼ P IS
CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN FLEXIBILITY
. IT'S ONE OF THE MOST FLEXIBLE
PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO
IN THE COUNTIES. AND THAT'S WHY
IT'S SO POWERFUL AND SUCCESSFUL,
I THINK AGAIN ENCOURAGING
COUNTIES TO BE CREATIVE TO HOUSE
FAMILIES AND KIND OF FREEING
THEM FROM REGULATIONS. ENABLE US
EVEN WITHOUT MORE MONEY TO DO
BETTER THINGS. AND SO I THINK,
IN TIMES OF BUDGET CUTS, UH,
EXPANDING FLEXIBILITY IS A WAY
TO MAKE THOSE DOLLARS, GO
FURTHER AND HELP US SERVE
FAMILIES. ANYONE ELSE LIKE THAT?
UM AS YOU CAN SEE, IN 2020
THREE, THERE WAS 72,000 CASES
THAT GOT, UM, UM, HOMELESS
ASSISTANCE OF THEM. THEY ALL GOT
TEMPORARY HOMELESS ASSISTANCE OF
THE MAYBE 3 4000 GOT PERMANENT.
SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REST OF
THE 6 TO 8000? AFTER 16 DAYS,
THEY END UP IN THE STREETS IN
THE HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM ONLY
COULD SERVE MAYBE 20,000 I. I
MEAN, I GET THAT, BUT HOW DO WE
SOLVE THE PROBLEM? UH FOR THE,
UM, THE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM. THAT IS, UH UH, THAT
SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE
THE SERVICES AND MORE. THAT'S
THE PROGRAM THAT SHOULD BE BUILT
UP. NOT THIS SIDE PROGRAMS. YOU
SHOULD HAVE ONE PROGRAM THAT IS
AN ENTITLEMENT AND ITS BUILD UP
TO BASIC. GIVE HIM A NUMBER OF
DAYS TO FIND A PLACE AND THEN
HELP THEM FIND A PLACE. THERE
SHOULD BE ONE PROGRAM THAT IS
HOLISTIC, IF THAT MAKES ANY
SENSE. YOU KNOW, UM. PROBABLY
FROM THE LAST TWO YEARS. I'VE
BEEN TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF
WHAT THE STATE OF OUR POPULATION
IS. UM DIRECTOR JOHNSON. WE'VE
KIND OF TALKED ABOUT
CONTRADICTORY DATA. WHAT IS
CAUSING SOME OF THESE ISSUES?
HOW CAN WE GET A CLEARER
PICTURE? ON THE NEWER DYNAMICS.
MEANING ARE WE IN A NEW NORMAL?
IS THIS POPULATION. STILL NOT
STABLE ENOUGH TO CALL IT A NEW
NORMAL, RIGHT? AND SO A PART OF
ME WANTS TO, UM I WONDER IF
THERE'S WAYS THAT WE CAN USE, UM
DATA FROM THE FAMILY
STABILIZATION PROGRAM, THE
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THE
HOUSING SUPPORT SUPPORT PROGRAM.
HOW CAN WE TRACK THAT DATA TO
GET A BETTER PICTURE OF WHAT
PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH? I MEAN,
YOU HAVE ANY IS THAT UH, ALREADY
IN THE WORKS. IS THAT SOMETHING
WE CAN YOU'LL BE WILLING TO WORK
WITH US ON TO SEE HOW WE CAN
MAKE THAT HAPPEN? I JUST THINK
WE GOTTA GET A BETTER PICTURE SO
WE CAN REALLY PINPOINT YOU KNOW,
I MEAN, WE GOT SOME GREAT BREXIT
PRACTICES AND SOME OF THE
PROGRAMS YOU'RE ADMINISTERING,
RIGHT? BUT THEN HOW DO YOU MAKE
SURE YOU WE REALLY UNDERSTAND
WHO WE'RE TRYING TO SERVE HERE.
YOU KNOW THAT GREAT QUESTION
CHAIR AND A COUPLE OF THINGS I
WANT TO JUST POINT OUT. ONE IS
OUR COW WORKS, OUTCOMES,
ACCOUNTABILITY AND REVIEW ARE
èC OR IS SOMETHING THAT WE
CREATED TOGETHER TO GIVE A
CLEARER PICTURE. WE ARE IN OUR
FIRST PHASE OF THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT PROJECT
IN IN. IN FACT, THAT'S THE
HOLISTIC SET OF OUTCOME MEASURES
THAT WE EXPECT TO SEE, UH, IN
TERMS OF WHAT FAMILIES ARE
EXPERIENCING WILL HAVE THAT
ABILITY TO SET UM AND
UNDERSTAND. STATEWIDE LEVEL.
WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS OR WHAT
ARE WE SEEING IN TERMS OF UPTAKE
OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE
COW WORKS ARRAY, AND WE'LL ALSO
BE ABLE TO SEE AND THIS IS BY
COUNTY AND STATEWIDE LEVEL AND
WE WILL BE SETTING SOME
STATEWIDE THRESHOLDS. SO THEN
THERE'S SOME CONTEXT FOR IF A
COUNTY IS SOMEWHERE OUT OF
BOUNDS WITHIN THOSE WE WANT
BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT AND WHY
THAT IS SO THAT FRAMEWORK AND
STRUCTURE, UM IS ABSOLUTELY AND
BY THE WAY AGAIN WAS BUILT WITH
CURRENT AND FORMER PARTICIPANTS.
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
UH, OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES,
COUNTY HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES.
ET CETERA. THAT WILL GIVE US A
CLEARER PICTURE OF WHAT'S GOING
ON TRENDS OVER TIME. IT IT IS WE
HAVE. WE HAVE SOME OF THAT DATA
AVAILABLE TODAY. BUT WE ARE IN
THE FIRST, UM COMPONENT OF THAT
CYCLE. BUT I THINK YOUR POINT IS
WELL TAKEN COLLECTIVELY. WHAT I
SEE AS I MEAN, AS IT RELATES TO
SOME OF THESE COMPONENTS THAT WE
HAVE BUILT OVER TIME, THE
ADMINISTRATION, PREVIOUS
ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATURE
HAVE BUILT THESE COMPONENTS OVER
TIME. WHY DOES HOUSING SUPPORT
PROGRAM EXISTS? BECAUSE WE SAW
THAT FAMILIES EXPERIENCING
POVERTY IN THE èC WORKS PROGRAM
HAD A GREATER NEED FOR HOUSING
SUPPORT? SO YOU JUST HEARD A
DEPUTY DIRECTOR AMARI SPEAK TO
THE INCREASED KIND OF
UTILIZATION OF SOME OF THESE
PROGRAMS GOING FORWARD. WE'VE
ALSO WITH EXPANDED FUNDING AND
HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM BEEN
ABLE TO DO MORE IN THE
PREVENTATIVE END, YOU KNOW,
EVICTION PREVENTION AND SUPPORT,
SO I THINK WE ARE TOGETHER. THE
ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATURE,
ALWAYS LOOKING AT WHAT ARE THE
COMPONENTS IN THE RAY? WHAT
CHALLENGES ARE FAMILIES STILL
EXPERIENCING? AND HOW DO WE
ADDRESS THOSE GOING FORWARD TO
YOUR QUESTION? AND I DO THINK
THE CALER FRAMEWORK IS PART OF
OUR ABILITY TO BE TO BE A LITTLE
MORE SPECIFIC AND REALLY
UNDERSTANDING THAT CONTEXT AT
BOTH THE STATE LEVEL BUT ALSO AT
THE COUNTY SPECIFIC LEVEL. AND
WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE, YOU
KNOW, BEING ABLE TO REALLY
ANALYZE THAT DATA AND BE ABLE TO
PRESENT KIND OF SNAPSHOTS OF OUR
POPULATION THROUGHOUT THE STATE?
SURE THERE ARE DIFFERENT PHASES
OF IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH OF THE
MEASURES AND, UH AND WE ARE
ALREADY AT SOME OF THAT IS
AVAILABLE PUBLICLY ON A
DASHBOARD TODAY. UM IT'S A FIVE
YEAR CYCLE, SO WE WILL HAVE THE
TOTALITY OF THAT CYCLE.
COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS. WE PAUSE
IMPLEMENTATION OF CAL OR DURING
THE PANDEMIC, SO A LITTLE LATER
THAN WE HAD ORIGINALLY
ANTICIPATED. UH, BUT WE WILL
HAVE THAT INFORMATION
HOLISTICALLY WITHIN THE NEXT
YEAR. OR SO AFTER WE COMPLETE
OUR FIRST CYCLE, SO SOMETIME IN
2025 AROUND THERE. YES, YES, OK.
UM ALSO, UM, WE ARE, UM AS A
COMMITTEE. UM. WE HAVE FOUND
THAT, UH, WE MIGHT NEED TO LOOK
AT, UH, A CHANGE IN STATE LAW
THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR INDIVIDUAL
INFORMATION TO BE SHARED WITH
THE HOMELESSNESS INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THAT
PROTECTED INDIVIDUALS, PRIVACY,
BUT SOMETHING UH IS THAT SOME?
SO WE WANNA BE WORKING AND WE'RE
WORKING ON TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE
TO PROVIDE A COW WORKS RATE OF
HOMELESSNESS NUMBER AND
EVENTUALLY TREND OUT ACROSS THE
PROGRAM AND THEY TIRE CASE
WORKLOAD. UM I WANT TO JUST MAKE
SURE THAT YOU'RE AWARE THAT I,
UM WE ARE INSTRUCTING OUR
SUBCOMITTEE TO WORK WITH, UM,
YOUR TEAM TO FOR SOME TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE. UM WITH THAT,
ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY VERY, VERY
VERY IMPORTANT PROGRAM. WE KNOW
THAT, UH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT ANY
ME METRICS THAT WE CAN'T KEEP
PEOPLE HOUSED AS A STATE UH, WE
ARE, UH, WE GOT A BIGGER PROBLEM
AS A STATE IF WE CAN'T DO THAT,
SO, UH, GREAT OPPORTUNITY WILL
HOLD THIS, UH, ITEM OPEN AND I
WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PANEL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE
IT. THANKS. ISSUE NUMBER SEVEN
AND THEN WE WILL FOLLOW THAT UP
WITH PUBLIC COMMENT. ISSUE
NUMBER SEVEN CALS CALIFORNIA'S
APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE FEDERAL FISCAL
RESPONSIBILITY ACT PILOT. HELLO.
NÓ PLEA. SURE, THAT'S FINE.
THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU. KI¾M
JOHNSON, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THIS IS
A BRIGHT SPOT AND OPPORTUNITY
FOR US IN CALIFORNIA AND AS YOUR
AGENDA OUTLINES THE FEDERAL
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF
2020 THREE ALLOWS UP TO FIVE
STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
PILOT TO PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY
AND TEST ALTERNATIVE BENCHMARKS
FOR WORK AND FAMILY OUTCOMES IN
LIEU OF THE WORK PARTICIPATION
RATE, AND WE KNOW THAT SINGULAR
METRIC OF UNDERSTANDING HOW MANY
HOURS A PARTICULAR FAMILY IS
WORKING, IS CERTAINLY NOT GIVING
THE HOLISTIC PICTURE OF ALL OF
THE, UH, SUPPORTS IN WAYS IN
WHICH FAMILIES ARE SUPPORTED. SO
WE HAVE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
UH, BOTH THE DEPARTMENT AND
OTHER CALIFORNIANS BEEN SEEKING
ALTERNATIVES TO JUST THAT
SINGULAR METRIC AND AGAIN, OUR
COW OR COW WORKS OUT COMES AND
ACCOUNTABILITY REVIEW PROCESS
GIVES US A SIGNIFICANT UH UH,
ADVANTAGE IN TERMS OF THE
APPLICATION TO THIS PARTICULAR
OPPORTUNITY, SO WE'RE REALLY
GRATEFUL TO BE IN THAT SPACE AND
AGAIN, I WOULD JUST SAY KIND OF
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE IN HOW WE
CAME TO CREATE. UH, THE ARRAY OF
PERFORMANCE MEASURES IS MAKING
SURE WE'RE MINDFUL ABOUT NOT
JUST THE SHORT TERM OUTCOMES
THAT WE'RE HAVING FAMILY AND
CHILDREN HAVING THEIR BASIC
NEEDS, MET, MET INCREASED
ATTENDANCE AND ACTIVITIES
PARTICIPANT SATISFACTION WITH
THE PROGRAM BUT ALSO LOOKING AT
MEDIUM TERM INCOMES, OUTCOMES
IMPROVE WELL BEING IMPROVED GOAL
ACHIEVEMENT, DEGREE AND
CERTIFICATE. ACHIEVEMENT BARRIER
MITIGATION, INCREASED, EMPLOY
EMPLOYMENT AND IMPROVED WAGES TO
THE LONG TERM TO YOUR POINTS AT
THE TOP OF THE HEARING. HOW ARE
WE ACTUALLY REDUCING
INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY? UH,
WHAT IS THAT? EMPLOYMENT WITH
INCREASES WAGE LOOK LIKE OVER
TIME TO EARLIER PANELISTS WHO
SPOKE TO THE NEED NOT JUST FOR
ANY JOB, BUT JOBS THAT PROVIDE
THAT CAREER PATHWAY AND ECONOMIC
MOBILITY OPPORTUNITY. SO WE
REALLY DID SEEK, UH, THE TIME TO
CRAFT A MUCH MORE HOLISTIC
PICTURE OF WHAT WE WANT TO
SUPPORT FAMILIES EXPERIENCING
POVERTY IN CALIFORNIA, YOUR
AGENDA ON PAGES, 48 AND 49
OUTLINE THE TIMELINE FOR
APPLICATION SO WE ARE LOOKING TO
RECEIVE FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT. THE, UH UH,
APPLICATION. COMPONENTS A VERY
SHORTLY WE WILL THEN RESPOND TO
THAT APPLICATION WITH OUR
PROPOSAL. UM AND, UH AND WE
SHOULD KNOW, UH, LATE SUMMER IN
TERMS OF SELECTION OF COUNTIES,
UM I AGAIN THAT ONE OF THE
QUESTIONS IN THE AGENDA POINTED
TO WHAT DO THE PROPOSED
REDUCTIONS? HOW DOES THAT HOW
DOES THAT INTERSECT WITH OUR
ABILITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE
PILOT? UH, CERTAINLY, AS WE'VE
ALREADY HAD THE CONVERSATION
TODAY, THERE ARE CHANGES IN
TERMS OF LIMITATIONS OF SERVICES
BEING PROVIDED WITH THE PROPOSED
REDUCTIONS, BUT WOULD SAY THAT
CALIFORNIA DOES HAVE AND WILL
CONTINUE TO HAVE THE MOST, UH,
COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF SERVICES
IN ITS TANF PROGRAM THAN ANY
OTHER STATE IN THE NATION. SO
AGAIN, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO
THIS OPPORTUNITY AND REALLY ALSO
APPRECIATE THE TREMENDOUS
ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVE FROM ALL
WHO WERE LOOKING AT WHAT
ALTERNATIVES CAN WE SEEK AND
BEING REALLY READY TO APPLY FOR
THIS BETTER OPPORTUNITY? OH, HØI
I'M BRIANNA. BRIANNA BURKES. I
AM A PARENT. I'M A LEADER OF
PARENT VOICES. CONTRA COSTA. I'M
A MAMA FOR DE NIRO, 16, EMILIANA
11 DEREK JUNIOR 10 AND MY
YOUNGEST JACOB IS FIVE. I'M HERE
TODAY TO TALK ABOUT MY
EXPERIENCE WITH CAL WORKS I'VE
BEEN ON AND OFF CAL WORKS FOR
SINCE I WAS 17 YEARS OLD AND
PREGNANT WITH DE NIRO. I WAS
GETTING èC WORKS AND WAS ONLY
AND WAS ONLY GETTING THE CASH
AID. I WAS NEVER OFFERED CHILD
CARE. NOT ONCE I DIDN'T EVEN
KNOW I CAN GET CHILDCARE. WORKS
UNTIL RECENTLY, NÓ NÓ ONE HAS
EVER ASKED ME IN MY CAREER GOES
THE FIRST TIME I GOT OFF èC
WORKS. IT WAS AFTER A FRIEND OF
MINE TOLD SUGGESTED THAT WE BOTH
WE BOTH STOPPED THE, UM THE
WELFARE TO WORK PROGRAM SO WE
COULD JUST GO GET OUR OUR OUR
èC N A LICENSE? UM I? I ASKED.
I ASKED MY WORKER IF I COULD GET
HELP WITH PAYING FOR MY WITH MY
èC N A LICENSE AND HE TOLD ME
THEY TOLD ME AT THE TIME THE
WORKER TOLD ME NÓ THAT THEY WERE
ONLY ALLOWED TO PAY FOR BOOKS.
UM UH, YEAH. SO I OK, SO I FOUND
A JOB, I. I GOT A SECURITY GUARD
JOB AND AGAIN BY MYSELF. I PAY
FOR THE GUARD CARD WITH NÓ, WITH
NÓ HELP FROM THE COUNTY SAVED UP
THE MONEY AND PUT MYSELF THROUGH
SCHOOL. UM I BECAME A èC N A
AND IT WAS GOOD FOR ME. I WAS
RAISED WITH MY GRANDPARENTS. ME
AND MY SIBLINGS. WE WERE RAISED
WITH OUR GRANDPARENTS. UH, MY
FATHER DIED WHEN I WAS A WHEN I
WAS YOUNG WHEN I WAS A BABY,
AND, UM, WE WERE RAISED WITH MY
GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND MY AND OUR
GRANDPARENTS, AND SO I ALWAYS
FELT THE NEED THAT I WANTED TO
BE TO BE A CARETAKER, AND, UM,
SO THE NEXT FEW YEARS OH, OH,
AND THEN I GOT MY èC N A. I'M
SORRY. I'M NERVOUS. AND SO I GOT
MY èC N A LICENSE. TAKE YOUR
TIME. THIS IS YOUR TIME. TAKE
CARE OF THAT. OK ALL RIGHT, YOU
TURN OFF THE ALARM. WE MAKE SURE
YOU I DON'T WANT YOU PASSING OUT
ON ME. ALL RIGHT, TAKE YOUR TIME
. YOU OK? OK SO I WORKED AS A
èC N A FOR A FEW YEARS. WHEN I
GOT PREGNANT WITH MY DAUGHTER. I
TOOK MATERNITY LEAVE. AND WHEN?
WHEN THAT WAS OVER, I WENT BACK
TO WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND
SHORTLY I BECAME PREGNANT WITH
MY WITH MY OTHER SON, JUNIOR. SO
FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS, I DIDN'T
WORK SO I COULD STAY HOME WITH
THEM. THAT'S WHEN I GOT BACK ON.
CAL WORKS THOSE NEXT FEW YEARS I
GOT SANCTIONED FOR ALL SORTS OF
THINGS I'VE BEEN SANCTIONED FOR.
HAVING UP TO DATE IMMUNIZATION
RECORDS. I'VE LEARNED OVER THE
YEARS NEVER TO USE NEVER TO LOSE
THAT YELLOW IMMUNIZATION CARD
BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU'LL GET
SANCTIONED. I GOT SANCTIONED FOR
NOT HAVING ONE OF MY KIDS BIRTH
CERTIFICATES ON FILE. MIND YOU
AT THE TIME. I'M JUST NOW I'M
JUST GETTING OUT OF THE HOSPITAL
AFTER GIVING BIRTH WITH
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION I GOT
SANCTIONED FOR NOT TURNING IN
CHECK STUBS. MEANWHILE I FIND
OUT THAT YOU CAN SEE ALL MY
CHECK STUBS IN THE SYSTEMS
ANYWAY. SOMETIMES I'M NOT EVEN
SURE WHY I GOT SANCTIONED. IT'S
STRESSFUL. SANCTION YOU SANCTION
ME THREE $100 FOR NOT BRINGING
IN A PIECE OF PAPERWORK, AND NOW
I'M SHORT $300 ON MY RENT AND MY
CAR PAYMENT. HOW AM I GONNA GET
THE MONEY WHEN I'M ALREADY
ASKING YOU FOR HELP? NOW I GOTTA
BORROW THREE $100 FROM SOMEONE
OR DO SOMETHING THAT I DON'T
WANNA DO FOR $300 JUST TO MAKE
ENDS MEET IT MESSES WITH THEIR
LIVELIHOOD AND YOUR AND YOUR AND
YOUR MIND. YOU MEAN IT. IT
DRIVES YOU CRAZY, IT STRESSFUL.
UM, THIS MONTH THIS MONTH, I
HAVE ZERO IN FOOD STAMPS LEFT
ONE PACK OF MEAT IN THE FREEZER.
LITERALLY. THE MONEY GOES BY
FAST. AT ONE POINT IN TIME I WAS
TRYING TO APPLY FOR CAL WORKS
AND THE WORKER CALLED ME FROM A
BLOCKED NUMBER. MY DAUGHTER AT
THE TIME WAS SIX OR SEVEN YEARS
OLD, AND SHE PICKED UP THE PHONE
AND A JOKING VOICE AND SAID SHE
SHE SHE LOWERED HER VOICE AND
WAS LIKE HELLO, LIKE SOUNDED
LIKE A MAN. AND SO THE WORKER,
SO THE WORKER THOUGHT IT WAS A
MAN. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS. SHE
THOUGHT IT WAS MY KID'S DAD AND
ACCUSED ME OF LYING AND THEN AND
THEN SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING TO
DENY ME SO I. I TOLD HER, SHE
SHE CAN KEEP THE MONEY AND NOT
TO CALL MY PHONE BACK AGAIN. UM
MOST RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN TRYING
TO GET HELP PAYING MY RENT
BECAUSE I FELL BEHIND. I ASKED
FOR HOUSING SUPPORT. GOD DENIED.
YOU HAVE TO BE. YOU HAVE TO
LITERALLY BE ON THE CHOPPING
BLOCK THIS LIKE LITERALLY THIS
CLOSE TO GETTING KICKED OUT
BEFORE THEY HELP YOU, BUT
SOMETIMES WHEN YOU NEED HELP,
YOU CAN'T GET A HOLD OF SOMEONE.
IF YOU'RE IF THEY'RE DOING ME
LIKE THIS, HOW MANY OTHER
FAMILIES ARE THEY DOING LIKE
THIS? I HAVE CALLED AND CALLED
AND SOMETIMES I DON'T GET A CALL
BACK FOR WEEKS. NOW THAT I'M
PART OF PARENT VOICES AND HAVE
STARTED MEETING PEOPLE AND
LEARNING MORE ABOUT ABOUT THE
SYSTEM. I KNOW WHAT TO DO. I
HAVE MY SISTER WITH ME. LAST
TIME I CALLED AND SHE SAID IT
AND SHE SHE POLITELY SAID EXCUSE
ME. UM BUT WE HEARD FROM KI¾M
JOHNSON KI¾M JOHNSON THAT YOU'RE
SUPPOSED TO HELP WHEN FAMILIES
NEED HELP, BECAUSE BECAUSE THEY
FELL BEHIND ON THEIR RENT. SO
THE WORKER PUT ME ON HOLD THE
WORKER PUT ME ON HOLD. AND SAID,
LET ME GO SPEAK TO MY
SUPERVISOR, LITERALLY THE NEXT
DAY. I'M SORRY. YEAH. PUT ME ON
HOLD. THE VERY NEXT DAY, I GOT A
CALL BACK FROM THE WORKER AT THE
COUNTY AT THE COUNTY ABLE TO
HELP PAY WITH MY PAY WITH MY
BACK RENT FROM JANUARY, FEBRUARY
AND MARCH, WHEN I GOT THE CALL,
I LITERALLY FELL TO MY KNEES, ME
AND MY KIDS. WE JUST WE JUST GOT
DONE BEING HOMELESS. WE WERE
MOVING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE. UH,
MY KIDS GOT SPLIT UP. WE WERE.
WE WERE MOVING AROUND
EVERYWHERE. IT DID A LOT TO ME
AND THEM. MY OLDEST HAS ALOPECIA
AND I'M I'M TRYING NOT TO PUT
HIM IN IN ANY MORE STRESSFUL
SITUATIONS AS IT IS, AND NOW
THAT WE'RE ALL BACK TOGETHER,
HIS HAIR, HIS EYELASHES, HIS HIS
EYEBROWS. HE HAS A FULL HEAD OF
HAIR NOW, SO YOU KNOW, I'M JUST
I'M VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT, UM ON
ONE HAND. OH, I'M SORRY. OK I
REFUSE TO GO BACK TO
HOMELESSNESS. WHEN THEY TOLD ME
THEY WERE GOING TO PAY THOSE
THREE MONTHS I CRIED. I EVEN
CALLED MY WORKER EVEN THOUGH
HE'D BEEN PUTTING ME OFF AND
PUTTING ME OFF FOR SO LONG. I
STILL CALLED HIM AND LEFT HIM
LEFT HIM A MESSAGE TO JUST TO
TELL HIM THANKFUL, AND I'M VERY
GRATEFUL FOR THEIR HELP. UM ON
ONE HAND, I. I AM GLAD THAT I
GOT THE HELP, BUT IT SUCKS THAT
THE WELFARE OFFICE HAS THESE
PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES. BUT
THEY DON'T WANT TO OFFER IT TO
YOU. YOU GOTTA KNOW SOMEBODY TO
GET SOMETHING, AND THAT'S NOT
RIGHT. NOBODY TAUGHT US HOW TO
DO THIS. NOBODY IS HERE HOLDING
OUR HANDS. WE'RE DOING THIS ON
OUR OWN. MY LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN
DIFFERENT IN THE BEGINNING WHEN
I FIRST GOT CAL WORKS IF THEY
HAD OFFERED ME HELP WITH MY
EDUCATION WITH MY CHILDCARE WITH
CLOTHES FOR ME AND MY SON,
PERHAPS I WOULD BE A REGISTERED
NURSE BY NOW AND MADE MY
CHILDHOOD DREAMS COME TRUE
INSTEAD OF PEOPLE HAVING TO FIND
OUT ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS ON ON
THEIR OWN. I FEEL LIKE AS
WORKERS THEY NEED TO OPEN THESE
DOORS FOR US HAVE DIFFERENT
OPTIONS FOR CAREER PATHS AND I'M
UNDERSTANDING, TOO. I KNOW THAT
THE WORKERS HAVE A LOT ON THEIR
PLATE, BUT THEY LOOK AT ME LIKE
I'M TRYING TO CHEAT THE SYSTEM
AND GET EXTRA MONEY OUT OF THEM.
I DON'T WANNA BE HERE. I NEED TO
BE HERE TO HELP MY KIDS. I
WANTED EDUCATION. I WANT A
BETTER JOB. I WANT A BETTER
CAREER, BUT THAT DON'T BUT THEY
DON'T HELP YOU DO THAT. I HAVE
FOUR KIDS, ONE OF THEM. MY NIECE
IS ONE OF THEM. MY NEED IS HELP.
ONE DAY OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS
ARE OUR GRANDKIDS. SOMEBODY
SOMEBODY ELSE DOWN. THE LINE IS
GONNA NEED HELP AND I. I JUST
WANT IT TO BE EASIER FOR THEM.
WE NEED TO STOP THIS SO OUR
FUTURE WON'T BE DISCOURAGED AND
WHEN IT'S TIME SO OUR FUTURE
WON'T BE DISCOURAGED. WHEN IT'S
TIME TO ASK FOR HELP. IT'S EASY
TO STEAL. IT'S EASY TO ROB. IT'S
EASY TO SELL DRUGS, BUT WHEN
IT'S TIME TO GET ON, BUT WHEN
IT'S TIME TO GET ON THEIR FEET
AND DO IT, DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.
YOU DON'T THEY DON'T WANNA HELP.
NOW WHEN THEY NOW WHEN THEY GET
A FELONY, AND WHEN THEY HAVE
WHEN THEY GET MISDEMEANORS
BECAUSE NOBODY WAS THERE TO HELP
THEM. YOU HAVE YOU HAVE NÓ
TROUBLE LOCKING THEM UP AND
TELLING THEM THAT THEY'RE THE
PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO END TODAY.
THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. WE NEED TO
DEFEND THESE PROGRAMS AGAINST
CUTS, GET RID OF THE UNNECESSARY
SANCTIONS AND REIMAGINE èC
WORKS INTO INTO A PROGRAM THAT
OPENS DOORS TO HELP US TO GET US
TO WHERE WE NEED TO GO. THANK
YOU. WELL DONE. WELL DONE. UM,
NEXT. MINI EILEEN CUBANS WAS A
COUNTY WELFARE DIRECTORS
ASSOCIATION AND I'M REALLY
BUMMED TO HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT.
SO UH BUT BUT I WILL SAY THAT.
UM UH, I THINK THAT STORY. JUST
A MINUTE. CAN PEOPLE IN THE
AUDIENCE KEEP IT DOWN, PLEASE?
WE'RE HEARING TOO MUCH, UH,
NOISE BACK THERE. ILL IS THAT
STORY ILLUSTRATES, UM, THE
EXCITING UH, OPPORTUNITY TO ECHO
DIRECTOR JOHNSON'S, UM, COMMENTS
A BEHIND THIS PILOT. UH, CULTURE
CHANGE IS REALLY HARD, AND FOR
DECADES WE'VE HAD A SYSTEM
THAT'S BEEN VERY COMPLIANCE
ORIENTED. UM VERY MUCH FOCUSED
ON THE RULES, AND THAT'S BEEN
THE TRAINING THAT WE'VE KIND OF
HAMMERED INTO OUR COUNTY
WORKERS. AND WE EMBARKED AT èC
W Dð. A WITH OUR COUNTY HUMAN
SERVICES AGENCIES ON CAL WORKS
2.0. IT'S THIS VERY, YOU KNOW,
LET'S SAY LAME NAME, BUT BUT IT
IS AN EFFORT TO REFOCUS THE
PROGRAM IN A FAMILY CENTERED WAY
AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN THEIR
GOALS, AND WE EMBARKED WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES ON
CAL, OR TO REALLY LOOK AT WAYS
WE CAN STRENGTHEN. UM AND THE
MEASURES OF THE PROGRAM BEYOND
THE PARTICIPATION RATE BECAUSE
THAT BEING THE SOLE MEASURE OF
THE PROGRAM, UM IT'S ROOTED IN
RACIST, SEXIST HISTORY. UM
CENTERED ON THE NOTION THAT LOW
INCOME PEOPLE WOMEN OF COLOR
NEED. NEED TO BE PUNISHED TO GO
AND FIND A JOB AND TAKE CARE OF
THEIR FAMILIES. UM THE
OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE AWAY FROM
THAT, AS THE SOLE MEASURE OF
SUCCESS IN THIS PROGRAM IS
REALLY EXCITING, AND THAT'S WHAT
THIS THIS PILOT PROVIDES US THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DO. UM WE'RE
LOOKING FORWARD TO BUILDING ON
THE CAL OR WORK THAT WE'RE DOING
, UH AND ANTICIPATING THAT'S
GONNA BE A CORE CRITICAL PART OF
OUR APPLICATION AND THINK THAT
THAT REALLY GIVES US AN
IMPORTANT EDGE. UM WE'RE
PREPARING FOR THAT SECOND CYCLE
OF CALOR, FOCUSING ON LESSONS
LEARNED TRYING TO ANALYZE GAPS
IN SERVICES. HOW CAN WE IMPROVE
BOTH OUR SYSTEM BUT HOW WE'RE
ACCOUNTABLE IN THAT SYSTEM. UM I
. I DO HAVE TO NOTE THAT SINGLE
ALLOCATION REDUCTIONS COULD
POTENTIALLY JEOPARDIZE OUR
ABILITY TO KIND OF PERFORM TO
OUR BEST IN IN THE CALOR, UM,
PROGRAM AND, UM, CERTAINLY THOSE
CUTS ARE GOING TO COMPOUND
WHATEVER SERVICE GAPS WE
IDENTIFY FILLING THOSE UM, BUT
WE THINK THAT THERE'S
OPPORTUNITY TO IN THE EVEN IN
THE ABSENCE OF THE PILOT AND SO
HOPE THAT WE WILL USE THAT PILOT
OPPORTUNITY TO, UM TO TEST UM TO
TEST THESE THESE THINGS AND, UM
AND AGAIN. WE COULD DO THESE
ANYWAY, BUT BUT THE PILOT, I
THINK IN THE FREEING FROM THE W
PR REALLY PROVIDES THAT
OPPORTUNITY. UM WE THINK
PERMANENT ELIMINATION OF THE W
PR IS ULTIMATELY GOING TO BE
CORE TO CHANGING THE CULTURE AND
IMPROVING THE PROGRAM. UM AND
JUST PHASING IT OUT, IS NOT
GONNA NOT GONNA CUT IT OVER THE
LONG TERM. UM WE'D LIKE TO SEE
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS AND
INCENTIVES TO ENHANCE ENGAGEMENT
AND CELEBRATE FAMILY SUCCESS. UM
IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND I DON'T
THINK WE CAN, UH WE SHOULDN'T
UNDER SELL INCENTIVES FOR, UM,
PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM AND
WE'VE GOT LOTS OF IDEAS FOR
THOSE WE THINK EXPANDING, NOT
ELIMINATING FAMILY
STABILIZATION. SERVICES UM, IS
GONNA BE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO
ENSURE THAT FAMILIES RECEIVE
THAT WHOLE RANGE OF CRISIS
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS AND
ONGOING SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
AND WE'VE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT E
S¼ E AND OBVIOUSLY NOT
ELIMINATING THAT PROGRAM. HOW IT
FILLS GAPS IN TRAINING AND, UH,
SKILLS, IDENTIFIED CAREER
INTERESTS AND SUPPORTING, UM,
FAMILIES. PARENTS IN IN PURSUING
THOSE GOALS IS GOING TO BE
REALLY IMPORTANT. SO UM, I I'LL
CONCLUDE BUT JUST AGREE THAT UH,
PILOT PROVIDES SOME EXCITING
OPPORTUNITIES AND WE'RE LOOKING
FORWARD TO TESTING OUT AS MUCH
AS WE CAN WHILE WE HAVE THIS
OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. CHAIR AND MEMBERS AND STAFF
ANDREW SHANE. HE HIM WITH GRACE
AND SHALL POVERTY, CALIFORNIA
YOU KNOW, JUST A VERY BRIEFLY.
RECAP WE HEARD FROM THE PREVIOUS
PANEL THAT THE CUTS ACTUALLY
WILL THREATEN LIVES THAT THEY
WILL RAISE COSTS 8 TO 1 AND MAKE
THE BUDGET PROBLEM WORSE, AND
THEY WILL UNDERMINE THE PROGRAM
AND THE PILOTS BY DEGRADING THE
PREVENTION, POWER OF CAL WORKS
AND THE DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS OF
DEEPER, DEEPER CHILD POVERTY,
CHILD WELFARE, INVOLVEMENT,
HOMELESSNESS AND LOST POTENTIAL
AND WITH THE RIGHT CHANGES THAT
IS A TWO GENERATIONAL
INTERVENTION, HELPING PARENTS
SUCCEED AND BUILD THE LIFE THEY
WANT FOR THEIR CHILDREN. SO
FORGIVE THEIR ABRUPT TRANSITION,
BUT WE SHARE THE EXCITEMENT
ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO PURSUE
THE PILOTS. THIS IS A
GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITY. IT'S
REALLY HARD TO OVERSTATE THAT
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE
1996 SINCE THE NEWT GINGRICH
THAT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THE
PETE WILSON INSTITUTION OF CAL
WORKS IN CALIFORNIA TO FORMALLY
SET ASIDE THE WORK PARTICIPATION
RATE, THIS MEANS, FOR EXAMPLE,
THAT WE CAN RECOGNIZE THE UNPAID
CAREGIVING WORK THAT YOU SPOKE
TO. YOU HAD TO LEAVE THE PROGRAM
THAT IS NORMALLY EXCLUDED. UNDER
THE FEDERAL RULES. WE HAVE A
CHANCE FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
TO DRIVE THE TANNER REFORM
CONVERSATION IN WASHINGTON AND
NÓ REASON NOT TO TAKE FULL
ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.
SO WE'VE BEEN VOCAL WITH
STAKEHOLDERS IN WASHINGTON, Dð
èC CELEBRATING THE GOVERNOR'S
PLAN AND MAKING SURE EVERYONE
KNOWS OF CALIFORNIA'S INTEREST
AND WE SHARE THE VIEW THAT CAL
OR AND 2.0 DO MAKE US WELL
POSITIONED. I SAW THAT FIRST
HAND AT A NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF
THE TAF ADMINISTRATORS WHERE THE
DEPARTMENT IS INVITED TO PRESENT
ON CALL OR TO THE REST OF THE
STATE AGENCIES. BUT WE CANNOT
UNDERSCORE ENOUGH THAT THE STATE
CANNOT APPLY ON èC, ORE AND 2.0
ALONE IF WE'RE NOT IF WE DO JUST
THAT WE'RE NOT PILOTING
ANYTHING. AND WE DON'T WANNA
SHOW THE FLAWS OF THE PROGRAM WE
HAVE TODAY AND WE THESE CUTS ARE
ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. WE DON'T WANT
TO SHOW IN FIVE YEARS THAT WE'VE
TAKEN A STEP BACKWARDS. RIGHT SO
ONE OF THE MEASURES OUGHT TO BE,
YOU KNOW, CHEEKY ABOUT IT. ONE
OF THE MEASURES THAT THEY'RE
GOING TO BE DEVELOPING IS FAMILY
STABILITY AND WELL BEING, AND
YET WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REDUCING
FAMILY STABILIZATION FUNDING TO
ZERO. SO WHAT ARE THE CHANGES
THAT WE SHOULD BE BUILDING ON
THE J 10 PROPOSAL? FIRST TO STOP
PUNISHING FAMILIES TO PURSUE THE
FEDERAL PILOTS BY MAKING POLICY
CHANGES BY GOING TO THE FEDERAL
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON THE
WELFARE TO WORK SANCTION. YOU'VE
HEARD THAT IT'S OFTEN PAPERWORK
THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE
SANCTION, OR IT'S OFTEN A MISSED
APPOINTMENT. WE HAVE THINGS LIKE
FAILS TO WE HAVE, YOU KNOW,
LANGUAGE WELL BEYOND WHAT WE'RE
REQUIRED TO, UNDER UNDER FEDERAL
LAW, AND AGAIN, WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT A PROGRAM WHERE NEARLY TWO
THIRDS OF ADULT OF ADULTS I
THINK IS 60 3% LACK OF HIGH
SCHOOL DIPLOMA. SO THE NEED FOR
A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT, I
THINK IS EVIDENT. YET TODAY,
NEARLY 70,000 CHILDREN ARE IN A
HOUSEHOLD EXPERIENCING SANCTION,
NEARLY 40% OF WHOM ARE IN LONG
TERM SANCTION, MEANING A YEAR OR
MORE, AND TO PUT THIS IN DOLLARS
AND CENTS. AND THIS IS NOW
REFERRING TO THE CHART YOU'RE
SEEING. THIS IS A 20% LOSS IN
INCOME. UH, WE'VE HEARD
EXTENSIVELY TODAY THE BENEFIT OF
HAVING A GUARANTEED INCOME. THIS
IS A GUARANTEED INCOME THAT IS
BEING TAKEN AWAY THROUGH THE
SANCTION POLICY. SO I DON'T NEED
TO RE REITERATE THAT, BUT JUST
TO REALLY UNDERSCORE THE POINT
THAT EILEEN WAS MAKING THAT WE
CALIFORNIA WE COULD BE DOING
THESE CHANGES ALREADY. IF YOU
LOOK AT THAT CHART, YOU CAN SEE
HOW MANY SEATS HAVE MOVED AHEAD
WITH THESE POLICIES. BUT THE
PILOT REALLY JUST TAKES AWAY
ANY, UH, REASON TO NOT TAKE
ACTION ON THIS, AND WE SHOULD BE
MAKING THESE USE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO TEST THIS POLICY.
SECOND TO PLACE FAMILIES AT THE
CENTER OF THE PROGRAM AND TRUST
BLACK AND BROWN MOMS AS BEST
POSITIONED DETERMINE THEIR
PATHWAY OUT OF SUCCESS. I CAN'T
PUT THAT ANY BETTER THAN BRIANNA
ALREADY DID, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE
SURE PARENTS KNOW THAT WHAT
THEIR OPPORTUNITIES ARE THAT
THEY CAN SELF DETERMINE THEIR
GOALS AND GET RID OF THE
ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS AROUND OUR
REQUIREMENTS. RESTRICTIONS ON
ACTIVITIES ALL OF THESE THINGS
THAT ARE THAT ARE PUTTING
BARRIERS IN FOLKS WAY. THIRD
IMPROVING ACCESS TO SUPPORT OF
SERVICES AGAIN YOU HEARD ABOUT
WE STILL HAVE ISSUES ACCESSING
CHILDCARE WE'VE HEARD FROM OTHER
MOMS AS WELL. THAT STAGE ONE
FROM DAY ONE IS ON THE BOOKS,
BUT WE'RE STILL SEEING SOME
PARENTS HAVING TO WATCH EACH
OTHER'S CHILDREN AT THE LOBBY AT
IN, UM, THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES
BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GETTING
CHILD CARE. AND THEN FINALLY, WE
AGREE TO PERMANENTLY REPEAL THE
W PR PENALTY PASS THROUGH AND
PUT REAL TEETH INTO WHAT BEGAN
WITH COW WORKS, 2.0. BUT MAKE
THAT REAL FOR EVERY FAMILY AS WE
HEARD WE HAVE THAT WORK TO DO.
SO THE MESSAGE FROM FAMILIES AS
WELL AS THE FORMAL EVALUATIONS
IS CLEAR. FAMILIES NEED CASH
WITHOUT STRINGS AND STIGMA, IN
PARTICULAR THAT PROVIDING BASIC
INCOME IMPROVES EMPLOYMENT AS WE
HEARD MANY HOURS AGO FROM CARRY
MILLER FROM LOS ANGELES COUNTY,
BUT SHE PUT THAT SO WELL, AND
FAMILIES NEED SERVICES TO GO
ALONG WITH CASH. CAL WORKS IS
THAT BASIC INCOME PROGRAM WITH
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT CAN
SAVE LIVES AND LET PARENTS
PURSUE THEIR DREAMS. IF WE
REIMAGINE IT, WE HAVE THE
SOLUTIONS IN HAND. SO IN
CLOSING, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK TO
WORK WITH YOU AND WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION. TRAIL LANGUAGE
TO ESTABLISH GOALS AND
PARAMETERS IN LINES WITH THESE
REFORMS THROUGH THE PILOT TO
REIMAGINE A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM
PILOT AND TO REJECT THE CUTS,
WHICH WOULD UNDERMINE IT. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE EMILY
MARSHALL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NOTHING FURTHER ON L A Ó. SONIA
TRIGGER RUSSO WITH THE
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST OFFICE, AS
HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.
THIS PILOT IS SET TO BEGIN IN
OCTOBER OF THE BUDGET YEAR FOR
STATES THAT ARE SELECTED TO
PARTICIPATE. AND WHILE WE DO
ANTICIPATE THAT AN ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION WILL BECOME
AVAILABLE IN THE COMING MONTHS,
THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS THAT
STILL REMAIN ABOUT THE PILOT, AS
NOT MUCH INFORMATION HAS BEEN
PROVIDED BY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AT THIS TIME. SINCE
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS INDICATED
AN INTENT TO APPLY FOR THE
PILOT. IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR
THE LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR
COW COW WORKS WITHIN THE CONTEXT
OF THE STATE'S APPLICATION AND
POTENTIAL PARTICIPATION IN THE
PILOT AND TO CONSIDER PI PILOT
PARTICIPATION WITH AN EYE
TOWARDS THESE UNKNOWN ELEMENTS.
THEREFORE WE RECOMMEND THAT THE
LEGISLATURE CONSIDER THE
POTENTIAL TRADEOFFS OF PILOT
PARTICIPATION, SUCH AS THE TIME
AND EFFORT THAT PARTICIPATING
MAY ENTAIL, VERSUS THE POTENTIAL
SHORT AND LONG TERM BENEFITS FOR
CALIFORNIA. THE PILOT DOES SEEM
ALIGNED WITH THE RECENT
LEGISLATIVE INTEREST IN
EXPANDING THE GOALS OF THE COW
WORKS PROGRAM AND SEEMS TO BE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SHIFT SOME OF THE
STATE'S FOCUS TOWARDS OTHER
DESIRED OUTCOME MEASURES OR
GOALS WITHIN THE èC PROGRAM. IT
MAY ALSO PRESENT AN OPPORTUNITY
TO DEMONSTRATE WHETHER
ALTERNATIVE MEASURES TO THE WORK
PARTICIPATION RATE OR W PR MIGHT
BE BETTER FOR BETTER MEASURES OF
SUCCESS FOR STATE TENANT
PROGRAMS, WHICH COULD BE
BENEFICIAL TO CALIFORNIA AFTER
THE PILOT IF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO INTRODUCE
MORE COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE
MEASURES, IN ADDITION TO THE W
PR, OR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE
W PR, WE RECOMMEND THAT THE
LEGISLATURE ALSO CONSIDER HOW
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSED
REDUCTIONS, ESPECIALLY THOSE TO
FAMILY STABILIZATION, INTENSIVE
CASE MANAGEMENT AND THREAT.
EMPLOYMENT THAT WE HAVE TALKED
ABOUT THUS FAR MIGHT IMPACT OUR
APPLICATION AND POTENTIAL
PERFORMANCE IN THE PILOT. THESE
REDUCTIONS MAY LIMIT THE TYPES
OF PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND
OUTCOMES THAT CALIFORNIA CAN
HIGHLIGHT IN ITS PILOT
APPLICATION. AND IF SELECTED TO
PARTICIPATE, HOW CALIFORNIA
MIGHT PERFORM ALONG THESE
MEASURES, HOWEVER, WITHOUT
COMPREHENSIVE OUTCOME
INFORMATION ON THESE PROGRAMS,
IT IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT HOW
SIGNIFICANTLY THE PROPOSALS
MIGHT IMPACT OUR APPLICATION AND
OUR POTENTIAL PERFORMANCE IF
SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE. UH,
THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT, UM UH,
OBVIOUSLY, UM THERE SEEMS TO BE,
UM MORE INFORMATION. I THINK
WE'RE ALL GONNA NEED TO BE ABLE
TO KIND OF THINK ABOUT NUMBER
ONE. THE APPLICATION. UM, YOU
KNOW, HOW CAN WE AS THE
LEGISLATURE BE SUPPORTIVE IN
THAT AND MAKING SURE THAT I,
EVEN AS UM YOU KNOW,
PARTICULARLY UM STARTING WITH
OUR PAST HERE, DOCTOR RAMBOW.
THE IDEA OF UH, HOW WE REIMAGINE
HOW CAL WORK SHOULD WORK, MAKING
SURE THAT WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT
MEETS THE NEEDS NOT OF PAST
CENTURIES. BUT THIS CENTURY. UM
IN TERMS OF THE POPULATIONS
CURRENT NEEDS. UM UH, THIS
COMMITTEE WILL WOULD LIKE TO,
UH, KIND OF HAVE MORE IN DEPTH
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS AND TO
SEE HOW YOU KNOW. UH, GET A
BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT YOU
ANTICIPATE IN PUTTING IN THE
APPLICATION. UM UH, MAKING SURE
WE'RE JUST SEEMS TO BE SOME
CONCERNS ADDRESSED BY L, A Ó
AND SOME STAKEHOLDERS AS WELL.
UM I. I WOULD LOVE I WOULD HATE
TO HAVE THIS APPLICATION GO
FORWARD, AND THERE'S YOU KNOW?
UH, WE NEED EVERYONE EXCITED
ABOUT THIS BABY, RIGHT? AND SO,
UH, UM, WANNA MAKE SURE THAT UH,
WE WORK TOGETHER ON THAT, UM,
YOU KNOW WHETHER IT REQUIRES,
YOU KNOW, TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE
OR NOT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S
SOMETHING WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO
DISCUSS. UM YOU KNOW US. WE LOVE
OUR TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE, SO UM
UH, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY,
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WIN
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THAT OUR
FAMILIES WENT OUT OF THIS RIGHT.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, ALSO, I
MEAN, I MEAN, LET'S JUST FACE
THE REALITY. I MEAN, WE WANT
SOMETHING TO BE SUSTAINABLE. UM,
AND SOMETHING THAT UH, THE NEXT
GOVERNOR DOESN'T FEEL THEY'RE
GOING TO NEED TO CHANGE, RIGHT?
I MEAN, WE'RE IN A WE'RE IN A
TRANSITION PERIOD IN A WAY. AND
HOW DO WE SET UP SOMETHING
THAT'S SUSTAINABLE THAT CAN
SURVIVED THE TEST OF TIME. UM
AND SO, UM, OUR SUB COMMITTEE
STAFF WILL BE REACHING OUT TO
YOU. WE'LL BE REACHING OUT TO L
A Ó AS WELL TO SEE HOW WE CAN
THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO THIS
PROCESS IN A WAY THAT UM WE CAN
BE SUPPORTIVE OF ONE ANOTHER, UM
AND, UH, MAKING SURE THAT WE GET
THIS RIGHT AND MAKING SURE
EVERYONE FEELS HURT ALONG THE
PROCESS. IS THAT AMENABLE TO YOU
ALL? èC W? A ABSOLUTELY SO YOU
SEE, SEE WHAT I SAY. èC W A.
WHAT IS èC W? A IS THAT AN OLD
AIRLINE ANYWAY? YOU KNOW WHO YOU
ARE? I DO. I KNOW WHO WE ARE. OK
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THIS
PANEL REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AND
WE'RE GOING TO ASK THE SERGEANTS
TO PREPARE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
AGAIN. WE'RE GONNA ASK PARENTS,
FAMILIES AND CLIENTS TO COME UP
FIRST. AND THEN AFTER THAT, UM
ADVOCATES AND LOBBYISTS CAN COME
UP AFTER THAT. I THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. PLEASE
STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION,
PLEASE. NOTHING. AND AGAIN,
WE'RE GOING TO SAY TWO MINUTES.
TWO MINUTES. TWO MINUTES. WHO'S
UP, FIRST UP. I NEED EVERYONE TO
KEEP IT DOWN. PLEASE. WE'RE
GONNA START PUBLIC COMMENTS. OK?
HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME? WE CAN
HEAR YOU. HELLO MY NAME IS
SALAM. JER I'M A MEMBER OF
PARENT VOICES. I LIVE WITH MY
EIGHT YEAR OLD SON AND SIX YEAR
OLD DAUGHTER IN SAN FRANCISCO.
I'M HERE TODAY TO REJECT THE
PROPOSED DOUBLE CUTS TO THE CAR
WORKS PROGRAM. I'M VERY LUCKY TO
LIVE IN A GREAT COUNTRY WHERE I
WAS BEFORE WE DON'T GET NONE OF
FROM GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.
HOWEVER THE COST OF LIVING HERE
IN OUR CITY IS TOO HIGH. I ALSO
GET CAR WORKS AND TRAINING FROM
WELFARE TO WORK LIKE A S¼ L
CLASSES, BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS,
AND THAT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
FOR MOTHER LIKE ME, WHO HAS
LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND FIND A
GOOD JOB. PAY JOB. I REMEMBER
BEFORE I DISCOVERED ABOUT CAL
WORKS, I STRUGGLED TO PUT FOOD
ON THE TABLE AND PAY RENT. STILL
MY STRUGGLE GOT WORSE AFTER
COVID GROCERIES TOO HIGH.
EVERYTHING IS EXPENSIVE WITHOUT
CAR WORKS. I WOULDN'T AND
COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT. MY FAMILY
IS STRUGGLING. IT'S IMPORTANT
THAT YOU WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR,
SO THE FINAL BUDGET DOES NOT
ELIMINATE ANY SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT FROM CAR WORKS AND
THE FAMILIES STABILIZATION FUND.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT UP. NEXT PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME. NEXT UP. COME ON UP. THIS
IS MY SON. HELLO. MY NAME IS
ZACHARY CHAP. I AM EIGHT YEARS
OLD. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT MY MOM.
GOVERNOR DON'T CUT CALL WALKS.
IT HELPED MY MOM AND MY SISTER
IN LAW. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK
YOU. MY NAME IS ABIGAIL. AND UM,
I'M SUPPORTING MY MOM. FOR WE
CAN HAVE MORE MONEY FOR OUR
HOUSE CAN BE, UM THANK YOU,
ABIGAIL. NEXT UP. HELLO. MY NAME
IS ELIA FERNANDEZ. AND I'M HERE.
UM TO TELL MY DAUGHTER STORY. MY
NAME IS FLORA FERNANDEZ. I'M A
MOTHER OF FOUR KIDS AND I'M IN
SCHOOL. SHE'S CURRENTLY STUDYING
TO BE A DOCTOR. SHE HAS ONE MORE
YEAR TO GO. AND UM, WE'RE PROUD
OF HER, BUT SHE NEEDS TO CAL
WORKS HELP HER BECAUSE SHE HAS
FOUR KIDS, THREE OF THEM WITH
DISABILITIES, AND ONE WAS, UM
MORE DISAB BECAUSE WITH, UM
AUTISM. AND, UM. AND SHE WANTS
TO SAY THAT THAT PLEASE BETTER
THE SERVICES FOR AUTOMATIC PHONE
CALLS ON ON COW WORKS. NOBODY
EVER ANSWERS. IT'S ONLY MACHINES
, AND IT TAKES HOURS THAT YOU
STAY IN THERE WAITING FOR
SOMEBODY TO ANSWER. THEY DON'T
ANSWER AT ALL. SO IT'S A THEY
NEED A BETTER SERVICE AND ALSO
PLEASE, UM REJECT THE PROPOSAL.
DOUBLE CUTS IN èC WORKS WITH
THE GOVERNOR TO PASS A BUDGET
THAT PROTECTS FAMILIES. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT UP. AND I'M
SEVEN YEARS OLD. OH, HERE WITH
MY MOM AND SISTER TO TELL YOU
QUITE NÓ THANK YOU. UM NÓ WAKE
HER UP. IT'S TIME TO TESTIFY. UM
. OH, YEAH, IT'S FINE. HØI MY
NAME IS YVONNE. BATAAN. UM I'M
SPANISH. UH, SO PADRE LEADER,
COMP VOICES. UM BENGU. CONDADO
IS A SAN FRANCISCO UH TENGO DOS
IJO AND DIEGO DE CTE DES. UH,
I'M SINGLE MOM AND DON SAYS, AND
OTROS REMOS APOLLO DE CAL WORKS
CUANDO MIFA MITO LARIS IS THE DE
MAMA. PODEMOS ESTOS TOMOS AID IN
MY MAMAS QUES FAMILIA ECU, PA
PAL P PORTA DE SABER TENEN OH
PLICA UN CASA MERSE DE LÀ POLLO
PERA BELISA IS A CARDEN, NOVA
FLOTE OF FAMILIA. GRACIAS
GRACIAS. NEXT UP. I SPEAK
SPANISH OR LÀ MÐI NOMBRE IS
JACQUELINE REYES BONACCI DE SAN
FRANCISCO. SO MADRE SOTERA I
IMMIGRANT, THE LATINA DE DOS
NINOS DE DIAZ E OCHO ANOS VÀ
DEVI SAN FRANCISCO MUTO, DONDE
SEPA FOR UNA MÐI 105. I MEAN,
MILTOS DORES. I SI CORTAN EL CID
DE CALOR, MUCH AS FA AS ESTAR IN
FONDO DE MERCIA AND EL COLA GUA
VES PODRIA OF 10 A POLLO COMO
MADRE LEADER COMO PROMOTORA COMO
DULA PIDO, PORQUE NÓ CORAL, SID
A LÀ FAMILIA PORQUE LO
NECESITAMOS. GRACIAS. GRACIAS.
HELLO MY NAME IS MONA BAKAS AND
I AM A PARENT LEADER HERE. ALSO
PREPARING VOICES. I AM ALSO A
FORMER FAMILY ADVOCATE FOR SAN
FRANCISCO HEAD START. WHICH IS A
COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION WITH HEALTH, NUTRITION
, PARENT INVOLVEMENT, SERVICES
TO LOW INCOME, UNDERPRIVILEGED
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. I AM HERE
TODAY TO REJECT THE PROPOSED
DOUBLE CUTS TO THE èC WORKS
PROGRAM. WE CANNOT BALANCE THE
BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF POOR
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. IT IS
IMPORTANT THAT YOU WORK WITH THE
GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR SO THAT THE
FINAL BUDGET DOES NOT ELIMINATE
PROGRAM LIKE FAMILIES,
STABILIZATION AND SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT FROM CAL WORKS. SO
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP THE
FAMILY STABILIZATION FUND
PROGRAM THAT WOULD HELP FAMILY A
LOT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT
UP. HØI. GOOD AFTERNOON. UM
ASSEMBLY MEMBERS. MY NAME IS
MARIA LURIA. I'VE BEEN ORGANIZER
VOICES FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS AND
I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT BACK
THIS AFTERNOON BECAUSE MY BAG
WENT THROUGH THE THING AND THE
GUY SAID, OH, THERE'S AN
ELEPHANT IN YOUR BAG. AND I
SAID, OH, MY GOD! WHAT IS IT? SO
THEY FOUND THE ELEPHANT. BUT
AFTER FINDING THE ELEPHANT, THEY
DECIDED THEY WANT TO CHECK MY
BAGS MORE WELL, ANYWAYS, TO MAKE
A LONG STORY SHORT, I'M HERE,
BUT I FEEL LIKE POVERTY
SHOULDN'T BE A VALUE JUDGMENT
AND FAMILIES AND WHAT I WENT
THROUGH UP THERE. I WAS GAS
LIGHTED ALL THAT AND IT'S ALL
RECORDED. I FELT WHAT MANY OF
OUR COWARDS FAMILIES FEEL WHEN
THEY GO TO THE WELFARE OFFICE,
AND THEY'RE NOT BEING HELPED.
AND I HAVE A SCRIPT. I'M GOING
OUT OF IT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE WE
ARE TREATED AS LESS WORTHY OF
GETTING THE ASSISTANCE. STATE
LOST $70 BILLION IN CORPORATE
TAX CREDIT THIS YEAR. COW WORKS
IS ONLY ABOUT 10% OF THAT
FUNDING. I THINK THE SOLUTION WE
NEED TO FIND TO FULLY FUND CAL
WORKS AND NOT CUT IT. IT'S RIGHT
THERE. WE NEED TO RECONSIDER THE
FUNDING. AND OF COURSE I WAS A
PARENT IN CAL WORKS, TOO. I CAME
TO THIS COUNTRY 30 YEARS AGO,
DREAMING OF BEING A HOTSHOT
ATTORNEY HERE BECAUSE I DID GET
MY LAW DEGREE BEFORE I CAME HERE
, BUT I HAD CHILDREN AND THE
PART THAT PUT A PLACE A PAUSE
AND ALL MY DREAMS AND CO WORKS.
I BECAME A SINGLE PARENT WITH
TWO KIDS AND CAL WORKS WAS THE
ONLY HELP I GOT. SO I. I STAYED
IN THE SHELTER AND AFTER SAVING
ENOUGH MONEY, I WAS ABLE TO, UM,
MOVE TO AN APARTMENT. AND WE GOT
MOVING ASSISTANCE WE GET, UM WE
WERE GIVEN A VOUCHER TO BUY PRE
LOVED FURNITURE AND A BRAND NEW
FUTON, AND THAT'S WHAT FAMILY
STABILIZATION DOES. SO FOR MANY
FAMILIES, THIS HELP IS LIFE
SAVING. AND SO WE CANNOT CUT
THAT. SO WE APPEAL. WE
APPRECIATE YOUR STRONG EMPATHY
AND WE HEARD IT OVER AND OVER.
TODAY AND WE APPEAL TO THE
GOVERNOR'S SENSE OF COMPASSION.
TO REJECT OR REVERSE HIS FUNDING
PROPOSAL TO CUT UH, AND REVERSE
THESE TWO DOUBLE èC èC WORKS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. NEXT. HELLO MY NAME
IS LATRICIA RANDOLPH AND I AM A
PARENT LEADER WITH PARENT
VOICES. I LIVE IN CONTRA COSTA.
AND I HAVE BEEN RAISING A FAMILY
MEMBER CHILDREN FOR THE LAST 20
YEARS. UM I DO WANT TO SAY THAT
I'M THANKFUL FOR THE PROGRAM.
UM, BUT IT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE.
UM, I WILL SAY THAT, UM I
BELIEVE IT IS THE DEPARTMENTS
THAT WE'RE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH
LIKE THEY SAID NÓ ONE EVER
ANSWERS. UM IT'S VERY STRENUOUS.
THEY MAKE YOU COME BACK AND
FORTH. UM SOMETIMES THEY, UH,
MAKE IT PERSONAL LIKE THEY'RE
TAKING IT OUT OF THEIR PERSONAL
BANKING ACCOUNT TO GIVE YOU
ASSISTANCE. UM AND THEY MAKE IT
REALLY HARD. UM ME AND MY KIDS
HAS BEEN DISPLACED MORE TIMES
THAN WE CAN COUNT. UM, THE MONEY
THAT THEY DO GIVE FOR THE
CHILDREN. IT IT IT IT ISN'T
ENOUGH TO GET BY. I AM
CONSIDERED A NON NEEDY RELATIVE.
SO THE MONEY IS ACTUALLY FOR THE
CHILDREN, SO I USE MY PORTION AS
WELL TO DO WHAT I NEED TO DO TO
MAKE ENDS MEET, BUT AT THE SAME
TIME, THE HELP THE PORTION THAT
THEY'RE GIVING ME IT REALLY
ISN'T ENOUGH. AND LIKE I STATED
BEFORE, UM, THE DEPARTMENT I
DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE
IMPLEMENTING THEIR OWN POLICY OR
MAKING IT UP AS THEY GO. UM I
HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO
GET SOME WORKERS THAT HAVE GIVEN
ME IN INSIDE INFORMATION. FOR AS
THE RESOURCES THAT IS AVAILABLE
TO ME AND EACH WORKER SHOULD
GIVE THAT TO YOU WILLINGLY. IT
IS. IT'S THERE FOR YOU WHEN
YOU'RE APPLYING. IT IS SUPPOSED
TO BE FOR YOU AND THE CHILD, BUT
IT IS NOT GIVEN ON A REGULAR
BASIS. I JUST HAVE BEEN
FORTUNATE TO GET WORKERS THAT
WERE, UM THAT WAS WILLING TO
GIVE ME THAT INFORMATION FOR ME
TO GET THE RESOURCES THAT I
NEED. SO I AM HERE TODAY TO
REJECT THE PROPOSED DO DOUBLE
CUTS TO THE COW WORKS PROGRAM.
WE CANNOT BALANCE THE BUDGET ON
THE BACK SUPPORT FAMILIES AND
CHILDREN. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT
YOU WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR SO
THAT THE FINAL BUDGET DOES NOT
IMPLEMENT ELIMINATE PROGRAMS
LIKE FAMILY STABILIZATION AND
SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT FROM CAL
WORKS. THANK YOU. NEXT UP. HØI
MY NAME IS LÀ. I AM A PARENT
LEADER WITH PARENT VOICES.
CONTRASTED COUNTY. THIS IS MY
SIX YEAR OLD JUNE I HAVE AN 18
MONTH OLD SON. AND WHAT I WANNA
SAY IS NÓ. THEY DON'T THEY DON'T
REALLY OFFER THE FAMILIES
STABILIZATION PROGRAM BUT TO THE
ONES THAT THEY DO OFFER IT TO.
IT'S CHANGING LIVES. IT'S SAVING
LIVES. IT'S NOT JUST A PROGRAM
THAT YOU GUYS ARE GIVING TO
SOMEBODY TO JUST HELP THEM GET
BY FOR A MONTH LIKE THE PEOPLE
THAT ARE GETTING IT AND ARE
USING IT THE RIGHT WAY. IT'S
CHANGING LIVES. SO BEFORE YOU
CUT THAT PROGRAM, THINK ABOUT
AND IF THE WORKERS ARE OFFERING
IT THE RIGHT WAY THAT THEY
SHOULD BE GIVING IT. THE PEOPLE
ARE GONNA GET OFF. THEY DON'T
HAVE TO STAY ON IT FOREVER. BUT
WHEN THEY ARE NOT GETTING THESE
PROGRAMS, THAT'S WHY THEY STAY
ON IT FOREVER. BECAUSE WHAT'S
NEXT FOR THEM? THEY HAVE NOTHING
NEXT TO DO. SO WE ARE ASKING
THAT YOU DON'T CUT THESE
PROGRAMS AND, UM, WE CANNOT
BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS
OF FAMILIES AND POOR PEOPLE. UM
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU WORK
WITH THE GOVERNOR SO THAT THE
FINAL BUDGET DOES NOT ELIMINATE
PROGRAMS LIKE FAMILY
STABILIZATION AND SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT FOR CAL WORKS. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. WOULD YOU WANT
TO SAY HØI HØI, WHAT'S YOUR
NAME? JUNE JUNE. ALL RIGHT, GOOD
TO SEE YOU, JOE. THANK YOU. WHY
DO YOU LOVE THE PROGRAM? WHAT DO
YOU GET TO DO? EXTRA FROM? THE
PROGRAM. OK BUT WHAT WHAT DO
KIDS GET TO DO EXTRA IF THEIR
PARENTS GET ON THE PROGRAM?
WHAT'S FUN AFTER SCHOOL THAT YOU
LOVE TO DO? COLORING. WHAT ELSE?
AND PLAY AND GYMNASTICS AND
SWIMMING, AND THEY GET TO DO
THINGS THAT KIDS DON'T NORMALLY
GET TO DO FROM THE PLACES THAT
WE COME FROM ALL OF THAT. YOU
GET TO DO ALL THAT. HOW DO I GET
INTO THE PROGRAM? MAN. I DIDN'T
GET TO DO THAT STUFF. HØI CHAIR
MEMBERS. II I JENNIFER GREY. I
WAS ABLE TO TESTIFY EARLIER
ABOUT SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT. BUT
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PARENT
POLICY WITH PARENT VOICES
CALIFORNIA AND YOU KNOW WE
BROUGHT, YOU KNOW 38 PARENTS
HERE TODAY WITH ALL THEIR KIDS,
YOU CAN HEAR THEM IN THE HALL.
UM SOME OF THEM HAD TO LEAVE.
AND THEY HAVE THEIR STORIES HERE
THAT THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT YOU GET SO WE'LL WE'LL
SHARE THOSE WITH YOU. UM AND WE
ALSO HAD 100 AND 50. PLUS PEOPLE
WRITE LETTERS TO THE GOVERNOR TO
SHARE WHY CAL WORKS IS SO
CRITICAL TO THEIR FAMILIES, AND
THEY LEFT PERSONAL STATEMENTS IN
THERE ABOUT YOU KNOW WHAT THESE
CUTS WOULD MEAN TO THEIR FAMILY.
AND SO WHILE WE UNDERSTAND THAT
THE LEGISLATURE HAS A ROLE IN
THIS, WE KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR
REALLY NEEDS TO LISTEN AND KNOW
THAT FAMILIES YOU KNOW, THE
BURDEN IS JUST TOO GREAT. WE
CANNOT CONTINUE TO BALANCE ABOUT
BUDGET ON THEIR BACKS, AND THE
REALITY IS THEY DID NOT CREATE
THIS BUDGET DEFICIT AND WE
CANNOT LOOK TO THEM TO SOLVE
THIS BUDGET DEFICIT. AND WE HAVE
, YOU KNOW BIG CORPORATIONS
MAKING RECORD PROFITS AND IT'S
TIME THAT WE LOOK TO THOSE
PEOPLE. UM TO PAY THEIR FAIR
SHARE. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING
, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS GUILLERMO
MATALIN B. I'M THE DIRECTOR FOR
THE DREAM CENTER CALS MONTEREY
BAY. THE DREAM CENTER PROVIDES
FREE RESOURCES TO UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS AND STUDENTS WHO MAKE
STATUS. FAMILIES ONE OF THE
RESOURCE THAT HAS BEEN
INSTRUMENTAL AT OUR CAMPUS IS
THE FREE IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICES. IT PROVIDES FREE LEGAL
SERVICES TO STUDENTS, FACULTY
AND STAFF, FAMILIES AND ALUMNI
UP TO TWO YEARS FROM GRADUATION.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE STUDENT
POPULATION THAT HAS BEEN
TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED, UM IN
HIGHER EDUCATION IS UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS AND ONE OF THE BUDGET
PROPOSALS FROM GOVERNOR NEWS AND
IS TO CUT BACK THIS RESOURCE
FROM 7 MILLION TO 1.8 MILLION
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOW IS IT
THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT
OUR STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
TO STAY IN COLLEGE AND FOCUS ON
GRADUATING IS BY ADDING MORE
RESOURCES, NOT TAKING RESOURCES
AWAY. I HAVE WITNESSED FIRST
HAND WHAT IT IS FOR STUDENTS TO
BENEFIT FROM THIS RESOURCE WHEN
IT COMES TO RENEWING THE DACA
APPLICATIONS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE
TO WORK ON CAMPUS, WHICH HELPS
HIM GRADUATE WHETHER THEY'RE
WORKING ON THEIR BACHELOR'S
DEGREE ON THEIR MASTER'S DEGREE
ON CREDENTIAL. YOU NAME IT. UM
THE RESOURCE IN ITSELF HAS NOT
ONLY HELPED STUDENTS BUT ALSO
STAFF AS WELL. THAT HAVE NEEDED
LEGAL REPRESENTATIONS FOR
PERHAPS THEMSELVES OR FAMILY
MEMBERS TODAY I'M HERE
REPRESENTING, UM, MY STUDENT
THAT I SERVE AND ASKING FOR THE
FUND FOR THE PROJECT TO REMAIN
FULLY FUNDED. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT UP. GOOD
EVENING. MY NAME IS JULIE
MITCHELL, LEGAL DIRECTOR AT KASA
IN THE CENTRAL AMERICAN RESOURCE
CENTER OF CALIFORNIA. I'M HERE
TO URGE THE LEGISLATURE TO
PROTECT AND PRESERVE ALL
IMMIGRATION SERVICE FUNDING,
INCLUDING èC, S¼ U AND Tð P S¼
FUNDING. THE STATE HAS SPENT THE
LAST FIVE YEARS INVESTING IN
INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDING FOR THE
èC S¼ U PROJECT. A DRASTIC CUT
LIKE THIS THREATENS TO
COMPLETELY DISMANTLE AN
EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM
THAT HAS SERVED OVER 11,000 èC,
S¼, U, IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND
EMPLOYEES THROUGH LEGAL SERVICES
AND OVER 20,000 THROUGH LEGAL
EDUCATION SERVICES. WE MAINTAIN
A WAITLIST FOR MOST CAMPUSES. WE
SERVE THE PROPOSED ALMOST 75%
CUT IN FUNDING WILL MAKE THOSE
SERVICES GROSSLY INADEQUATE TO
THE DEMONSTRATED NEED A 75. CUT
IN FUNDING MEANS LESS THAN
$79,000 PER EACH OF THE 23 èC
S¼ U CAMPUSES THAT IS LESS THAN
ONE LEGAL STAFF PER CAMPUS.
FAILURE TO FULLY RESTORE AND
PROTECT THIS PROGRAM MEANS THAT
OVER 10,000 STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES AT èC S¼ U CAMPUSES
THAT NEED AND RELY ON THESE
SERVICES WILL NOT GET THEM.
THANK YOU AND I URGE THE
COMMITTEE TO REJECT THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO CUT
IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICES AND
FULLY RESTORE THIS FUNDING.
THANK YOU. HELLO UH, MY NAME IS
MARIA MARTINEZ AND I'M, A
GRADUATE STUDENT AT STANISLAW
STATE. I'M CURRENTLY WORKING ON
GETTING MY MASTERS IN SOCIAL
WORK AND AS AN UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS. UH WELL, I'M HERE IN
SUPPORT FOR THE èC S¼ U
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES AS AN
UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT. I HAVE
USED THE SERVICES AND IT HAS
REALLY BENEFITED ME AND IMPACTED
MY LIFE IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY.
I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RENEW MY
DACA, UH, MULTIPLE TIMES. UM,
THEREFORE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO
PURSUE AND GET HAVE THE
CONFIDENCE TO CONTINUE WITH MY
EDUCATION AS WELL AS PROVIDE FOR
MY FAMILY. UM SO I DO SEE THIS
PROGRAM AS SOMETHING THAT IS
CRUCIAL FOR THE STUDENTS AND èC
S¼ U S¼ TO CONTINUE PURSUING
THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION AND ALSO
HELPING THE FAMILIES AS YOU
HEARD BEFORE THIS, UM, PROGRAM.
REALLY UM NOT JUST BENEFITS THE
STUDENTS BUT ALSO THE STAFF
MEMBERS, THE FACULTY AND ALSO
OUR FAMILY, FAMILY MEMBERS. UM
SO, UM, AGAIN, I FEEL LIKE IT'S
VERY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE. UM,
HAVING THIS PROGRAM, UM IN OUR
SEA U S¼. THANK YOU. HØI. MY
NAME IS PAULETTE HERNANDEZ. AND
I AM HERE. ALSO IN SUPPORT FOR
THE èC S¼ U IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICES. I HAVE BEEN A
BENEFICIARY OF THE PROGRAM. UM
AND ONE OF THE, UH, KEY ASPECTS
THAT IT HAS HELPED ME. I AM A
MOM OF TWO. AND IT HAS, UH,
HELPED ME IN, UH, IN FINDING A
PATH FOR ME TO BECOME A RESIDENT
AND HOPEFULLY A CITIZEN IN IN
THE PAST, BUT IN BEFORE I HAD
THIS, UH, PATH I WAS ALWAYS
AFRAID OF BEING DEPORTED AND SO
LEAVING MY CHILDREN BEHIND WHO
ARE CITIZENS FOR ME IS SOMETHING
THAT, UH, OFTEN COMES, UH, AS
WITH AN UNDOCUMENTED STATUS, THE
UNCERTAINTY THAT WE FACE AND
CUTTING UP UH, THIS PROGRAMS? UH
WE REALLY DEF UH IT WOULD BE
VERY DIFFICULT FOR OUR FAMILIES
TO GET ACCESS TO A FREE
IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICES
OWNERS, UH, ON OUR, UM, AREAS SO
, FOR EXAMPLE, I COME FROM
TURLOCK. IN THAT AREA. WE HAVE
VERY LIMITED LIMITED SERVICES
AVAILABLE THAT ARE EITHER PRO
BONO OR THAT EVEN TRUSTED THIS.
SERVICES HAVE BEEN AMAZING FOR
OUR COMMUNITIES, AND IT WOULD
DEFINITELY HAVE A BIG IMPACT. IF
WE REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SERVICES
WE CAN PROVIDE. THANK YOU.
HELLO. I'M KIND OF NERVOUS.
SORRY. MY NAME IS VIVIAN.
JACQUELINE PALAO. NUNO. I STAND
BEFORE YOU NOT ONLY AS A DACA
RECIPIENT OF NINE YEARS, BUT
ALSO AS A HARD WORKING MOTHER TO
A ONE YEAR OLD. AND A STUDENT
WHO HAS OVERCOME AND CONTINUES
TO FACE COUNTLESS BARRIERS
PLACED UPON OUR UNDOCUMENTED
COMMUNITY. MY JOURNEY IS A
TESTAMENT TO THE IMMENSE SUPPORT
PROVIDED THROUGH THE èC S¼ U
IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES PROJECT
. THIS PROJECT HAS CHANGED MY
LIFE BY OPENING DOORS.
OPPORTUNITIES I ONCE DEEMED
IMPOSSIBLE. TODAY I URGE YOU TO
RECONSIDER ANY PROPOSALS TO CUT
FUNDS TO THIS VITAL PROJECT.
LET'S STAND TOGETHER TO ALLOW
THIS PROJECT TO CONTINUE BEING A
BEACON OF HOPE AND JUSTICE FOR
THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS LIKE
MYSELF. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT. HELLO MY NAME IS ISELA.
NUNO GARCIA. I AM A RECENT
GRADUATE OF SAN JOSE STATE
UNIVERSITY. UM I'M HERE TODAY TO
ADVOCATE AGAINST THE BUDGET CUTS
. THE SIGNIFICANT BUDGET CUTS
MIGHT I ADD, UM TO THE èC S¼ U,
UM, IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES
PROJECT. UM PERSONALLY, THIS
PROJECT HAS TRANSFORMED MY LIFE.
UM AS IT LIKELY DID TO THE
ALMOST 7200 INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE
SO FAR, UM, BEEN SERVED FULL
LEGAL, UH, REPRESENTATION
THROUGH THIS WITHOUT THIS
PROJECT, I PERSONALLY WOULD HAVE
NEVER FOUND OUT I WAS ELIGIBLE
FOR VERY SPECIFIC, UM, PROGRAM
THAT LETS TO THAT LEADS TO A
LEGAL PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP. UM
FROM A SIMPLE DACA RENEWAL
CONSULTATION THAT AROSE FROM,
UH, MUCH LESS HAVE THE HELP TO
COMPLETE IT ALL IN THE SPAN OF
FIVE WEEKS. UH, BEFORE I AGED
OUT ON MY 21ST BIRTHDAY UM, IT
WOULD TRULY BE A DISSERVICE, UM,
TO STUDENTS LIKE ME WHO COULD
EASILY FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS
AND LOSE ACCESS TO A FULLY
FUNDED IMMIGRATION LEGAL PROJECT
LIKE THIS ONE. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. NEXT UP. HØI I'M MARIA. I
AM A SOCIAL WORK GRADUATE
STUDENT AT STANISLAW STATE. I AM
HERE TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF
èC S¼ U IMMIGRATION, LEGAL
SERVICES WITH THIS PROGRAM, I
MYSELF WAS ABLE TO RENEW DACA
CONTINUOUSLY FOR MANY YEARS AND
RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
ADDITIONALLY AS A GRADUATE
STUDENT, I'M REQUIRED TO DO A
GRADUATE PROJECT SO I WAS ABLE
TO APPLY FOR ADVANCED PAROLE TO
CONDUCT INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL
WORK IN ACCRA, GHANA, LOCATED IN
EASTERN AFRICA. SO WITH THIS
PROGRAM UM, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO
SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT
HAS BENEFITED MANY
UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES
THAT INCLUDE UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS AND DOCUMENTED STUDENTS
LIKE MYSELF. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WHAT YEAR ARE YOU IN? I'M ON MY
LAST ONE. I'M GRADUATING IN MAY.
SO YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU COULD
MAKE IT, HUH? GOOD JOB.
ABSOLUTELY FOR YOUR TIME. HØI
THERE. MY NAME IS CRISELDA
GONZALEZ AND FIRST AND FOREMOST,
I WANNA THANK THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA FOR THEIR INVESTMENT
IN DREAMERS LIKE MYSELF, AND I
AM A BENEFICIARY OF THESE LEGAL
SERVICES. I AM A FORMER
UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT WHO WOULD
NOT BE HERE WITHOUT THESE
IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES, MAINLY
BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD PRIVATE
ATTORNEYS. THESE SERVICES HELP
ME AND MY PARENTS OBTAIN LEGAL
STATUS. AFTER 27 YEARS, I
IMMEDIATELY JOINED THE
CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD AND
SERVE THIS THIS GREAT STATE
DURING COVID AND THE WILDFIRE.
WILDFIRE STATE MISSIONS TODAY I
STAND BEFORE YOU A PROUD
CALIFORNIAN AND AN AND AN
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, PROVIDING
THE SAME LEGAL SERVICES THAT ARE
CRUCIAL FOR THE CONTINUED GROWTH
OF CALIFORNIA. I HOPE CALIFORNIA
CONTINUES TO FULLY FUND èC S¼ U
LEGAL SERVICES BECAUSE IN DOING
SO, YOU ARE INVESTING IN THE
FUTURE OF CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT UP. HARD TO
FOLLOW THAT MY NAME IS ELLIOT
MARTIN JIMENEZ. I WORK WITH IL
Dð, ONE OF THE ORYX, UH, THAT
WORKS WITH THE èC S¼ U
IMMIGRATION. UH LEGAL SERVICES.
UM AND I'VE SEEN HOW MANY
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GET
BENEFITED FROM THE PROGRAM. I
MYSELF HAVE BENEFITED AND MY
FAMILY. UH, THIS TOUCHES NOT
ONLY THE STUDENTS BUT FACULTY,
STAFF AND FAMILY MEMBERS, SO
IT'S AN INVESTMENT IN YOU KNOW,
IN CALIFORNIA AND MAKING SURE
THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO
QUALITY LEGAL. SAYS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT UP. HØI. MY NAME
IS CARLOS MARIN JIMENEZ. UM, I
ALSO WORK FOR L Dð AND I JUST
HERE TO SUPPORT THE CALIFORNIA
STATE. UNIVERSITY LEGAL DEFENSE
SERVICES AND AGAINST THE BUDGET
CUTS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT
UP. HELLO, CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF
THE COMMITTEE. UH, MY NAME IS
DYLAN MCCABE AND I'M SPEAKING ON
BEHALF OF YOLA FOOD BANK. UM,
DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE
HAD A 20% INCREASE. IN DEMAND
THAT OUR DISTRIBUTIONS AND NOW
IN 2024, THAT NUMBER IS THE
SAME. UM, THIS IS COUPLED WITH
UM PANDEMIC ERA FEDERAL AID
ENDING, UH GROCERS AND OTHER
FOOD SUPPLIERS ARE TIGHTENING UP
THEIR INVENTORY. SO WE'RE
PURCHASING TWICE AS MUCH FOOD AS
WE WERE TWO YEARS AGO. AND, UM
FOOD PRICES ARE ALSO MORE
EXPENSIVE THAN EVER. AND SO
THESE REASONS ARE WHY WE REALLY
NEED YOUR HELP. SO I URGE YOU TO
PLEASE SUPPORT ANTI POVERTY AND
ANTI HUNGER INVESTMENTS,
INCLUDING, UM FOOD BANK REQUESTS
FOR DISASTER, FOOD AND COW FOOD.
AND ALSO TO PLEASE REJECT CUTS
TO CAL WORKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME. THANK YOU. NEXT UP. GOOD
EVENING CHAIR JACKSON AND
COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS ARO FROM
UNITED WAY CALIFORNIA CAPITAL
REGION. WE HAVE A FIVE COUNTY
REGION THAT WE SUPPORT WITHIN
THE SACRAMENTO CAPITAL REGION.
AND I'M COMMENTING ON ITEM TWO,
WHICH IS GUARANTEED INCOME AND,
UM, HOMELESSNESS, PREVENTION AND
REALLY, UM, WANT TO IDENTIFY
THAT WE HAVE FOUR COHORTS OF
GUARANTEED INCOME THAT WE'VE
LAUNCHED OVER THE YEARS. EACH OF
THEM ARE PROFESSIONALLY
EVALUATED, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF,
UM RICH DATA THAT MAKES A
CONNECTION BETWEEN HOMELESSNESS
PREVENTION AND GUARANTEED INCOME
BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL
EMPOWERMENT TOOL WE'VE INVESTED
IN DIRECT SUBSIDIES FOR YEARS.
THIS TIME THAT WE INVEST INTO
OUR OWN FAMILIES. IN OUR FOLK
FOURTH COHORT, BARRY. UM
CONSERVATIVES, COUNTY BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS JUST APPROVED A
COHORT THAT WILL BENEFIT BLACK
AND INDIGENOUS FAMILIES $725 A
MONTH FOR A YEAR, AND SO I WANNA
URGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR GUARANTEED
INCOME AND DIRECTLY INVESTING
INTO OUR FAMILIES. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT UP. HELLO
EVERYONE. MY NAME IS CHRISTINA
HART. PLEASE BE A SUPPORTER,
ALLY, FRIEND AND ADVOCATE TO
PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL OR
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. I
HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
CALLED AUTISM. WHENEVER BUDGET
CUTS HAPPEN, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE
AWAY THE MONEY FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES. OUR SPECIAL DAY
PROGRAMS IN THE SERVICES THAT
HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
ARE VITAL. WE NEED THAT MONEY TO
KEEP PROGRAMS IN PLACE. SO
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN TH
AND GROW. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME
IS ALISON PENNINGTON. I'M A
MANAGING ATTORNEY. AND I'M HERE
TO SPEAK ABOUT, UM, THE CUTS
POTENTIAL CUTS TO THE èC S¼ U
IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES
PROGRAM, UM, AS MANAGING
ATTORNEY, WE HAVE A FRONT ROW
SEAT TO THE IMPACT OF THE
PROGRAM ON OUR CLIENTS. UM
BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE èC S¼ U
CAMPUSES IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY
AND THE CENTRAL COAST WHERE
THERE IS A DEARTH OF LEGAL
SERVICES. UM MANY OF OUR CLIENTS
HAVE NEVER MET WITH AN ATTORNEY
BEFORE. WHEN THEY THEN MEET WITH
US. THEY MIGHT THEY FIND OUT.
THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR A WORK
PERMIT. THEY FIND OUT THEY'RE ON
A PATH TO GETTING A GREEN CARD
OR ON A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP. IT
COMPLETELY CHANGES THEIR LIVES.
THEY STAY IN SCHOOL. THEY DREAM
BIGGER. THEY'RE ABLE TO START
FAMILIES AND START SERIOUSLY
THINKING ABOUT THEIR FUTURES. SO
IT'S AN EXCELLENT RETURN ON THE
INVESTMENT, AND WE STRONGLY URGE
YOU NOT TO CUT THE PROGRAM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.
NEXT UP. HELLO MY NAME IS
SIOBHAN WALDRON. I LIVE IN
VACAVILLE. I ALSO AM A MANAGING
ATTORNEY AND CO-FOUNDER AT
IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE WITH MY
COLLEAGUE, ALISON. WE'RE ONE OF
THE NONPROFITS THAT PROVIDES THE
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES AT
THE èC S¼ U CAMPUSES. WE SERVE
NINE DIFFERENT CAMPUSES, OUR
SPECIFIC ORGANIZATION. AND WHILE
WE DO SERVE SOME CAMPUSES THAT
ARE IN TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED
AREAS. WE ALSO DO SERVE SAN
FRANCISCO STATE AND SAN JOSE
STATE AREAS WHERE PEOPLE THINK
THERE'S ATTORNEYS EVERYWHERE,
AND EVERYONE HERE CAN ACCESS AN
ATTORNEY, AND THAT'S JUST NOT
TRUE. EVEN IN URBAN AREAS WHERE
THERE ARE A LOT OF LAWYERS,
STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
STILL DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE
ATTORNEYS. SO MANY PEOPLE WE
MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME ARE ABLE
TO SECURE LEGAL SERVICES AND WE
DON'T JUST SERVE THE STUDENTS.
WE SERVE STAFF, FACULTY,
FAMILIES AND ENTIRE COMMUNITIES.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR FIVE
YEARS TO BUILD ROBUST IN
STRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES TO
PROVIDE THESE SERVICES AND TO
THE STAGGERING PROPOSED CUTS.
UH, WOULD DRASTICALLY REDUCED
SERVICES AND REALLY TAKE AWAY
FROM THE FIVE YEARS OF HARD WORK
THAT HAVE GONE INTO SERVING THE
COMMUNITIES. SO FOR THAT REASON
WE DO ASK THAT YOU REJECT THE
PROPOSED STAGGERING CUTS AND
PLEASE FULLY FUND THE CALIFORNIA
STATE UNIVERSITY IMMIGRATION
LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT UP. THANK
YOU. MARK LOWRY, REPRESENTING
THE ORANGE COUNTY FOOD BANK. I'M
SPEAKING ON SUPPORT OF THE CAL
FOOD PROGRAM. THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
PROVIDES ALLOCATIONS TO FOOD
BANKS THAT CAN ONLY BE USED FOR
THE PURCHASE OF CALIFORNIA
PRODUCED AGRICULTURAL GOODS. ONE
OF THE GREAT ASSETS IN
CALIFORNIA IS THAT OUR
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF FOOD
BANKS HAS AN INCREDIBLY
EFFECTIVE FARMERS TO FAMILIES
PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS US TO
PURCHASE PRICE PRODUCTS AT A
VERY LOW PER POUND PRICE. UM BUT
WHEN YOU'RE PURCHASING MILLIONS
OF POUNDS OF FOOD, THE COST IS
CUMULATIVE. SO ONE OF THE
TENSIONS THAT FOOD EXPERIENCES
WHEN WE HAVE LESS COW FOOD MONEY
, WE HAVE TO PURCHASE THE LEAST
EXPENSIVE ITEMS SO WE'LL
PURCHASE SUMMER SQUASH. WHEN WE
HAVE MORE MONEY WE CAN ACCESS
CALIFORNIA PRODUCED EGGS AND
MILK AND CHICKEN, SO WE URGE
SUPPORT FOR COW FOOD FUNDING SO
WE CAN PROVIDE A MORE
COMPREHENSIVE MENU TO VULNERABLE
CALIFORNIANS. THANK YOU. GOOD
EVENING, MR CHAIR MONICA MILLER,
REPRESENTING THE NATIONAL
COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN IN LOS
ANGELES. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I
WANNA ECHO THE COMMENTS OF THE
PARENT VOICES AND REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT THEY WERE
WILLING TO COME. HERE TO
SACRAMENTO TODAY AND TALK ABOUT
THEIR, UM THEIR LIVED
EXPERIENCES THAT'S SO CRITICAL
AND THAT WE SUPPORT THEM AS
THEY'RE TRYING TO LIFT
THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY.
SECONDLY YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT
THE GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM
SPECIFICALLY, UM, THANK YOU. SO
MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS THAT YOU
MADE. WE DEFINITELY LOOK FORWARD
TO SEEING THE TRAILER BE
LANGUAGE THAT YOU HAD DISCUSSED.
WE ARE CURRENTLY COSPONSORING
WITH GRACE SLASH IN CHILDHOOD
POVERTY OF CALIFORNIA A B 2263
TO DO JUST WHAT YOU HAD
DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF SCALING UP
THE PROGRAM, LOOKING STATEWIDE,
MAKING IT MORE SUSTAINABLE,
MAKING IT LONG TERM THOSE LONG
TERM WE ARE CURRENTLY, UM, ONE
OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THE SEVEN
PILOT PROGRAM, SO WE'RE ONE OF
SEVEN. LOOKING FORWARD TO
CONTINUING TO WORK WITH Dð S¼ S¼
, UM èC, Dð S¼ S¼ AND ENSURING
THAT HOPEFULLY THEY ARE ABLE TO
GET THE PROGRAM EXTENSION
THROUGH 2028 AND LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING. OH,
SORRY, HONORABLE. HAVE THIS
RIGHT. HONORABLE CHAIR. DOCTOR
JACK. THERE WE GO. NÓ I WAS
STILL WRONG. NÓ NÓ NÓ NÓ. OK
THERE WE GO ALL OVER IT. GOOD
EVENING CHAIR, DOCTOR JACKSON.
THERE WE GO. CLIFTON WILSON WAS
SHOT YOU AN SCHMELZER LANG ON
BEHALF OF THE COUNTIES OF
CURRENT SONOMA AND TULARE IN
STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE
PROPOSED CAL WORKS CUTS. THANK
YOU. AND THANK YOU. ABSOLUTELY
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. NEXT
UP. HØI THERE? UM SAM WILKINSON
WITH GRAYSON AND CHILD POVERTY
IN CALIFORNIA. I'M HERE TO SHARE
SOME OF OUR PRIORITIES. WE WANT
TO ECHO IN SECOND, EVERYTHING
THAT WAS LIFTED UP BY THE PARENT
VOICES, FAMILIES. UM AND THEN IN
REGARDS TO CAL FRESH AND
GUARANTEED INCOME. WE'D LIKE TO
LIFT UP THAT WE HAVE, UM FOUR
PRIORITIES TO ENSURE ON TIME
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CAL. FRESH
MINIMUM NUTRITION BENEFIT PILOT
TO EXPAND FOOD FOR ALL TO ALL
CALIFORNIANS, UM AND THEN IN
REGARDS TO GUARANTEED INCOME TO
ENSURE èC Dð S¼ S'S REQUEST TO
EXTEND THE GUARANTEED INCOME
PILOT PROGRAM. THROUGH 2028. AND
THEN, AS MONICA MILLER MENTIONED
, UM TO FUND A B 226 THREE TO
CHART THE STATE'S COURSE FROM
GUARANTEED INCOME TO PILOTS TO A
PERMANENT STATEWIDE PROGRAM.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT STEP. GOOD EVENING CHAIR.
DR JACKSON AND MEMBERS OF THE
SUB COMMITTEE. UH, MY NAME IS
EZER PUAN. I'M HERE,
REPRESENTING ALAMEDA COUNTY
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK BASED IN
OAKLAND. UH RIGHT NOW, AROUND
ONE IN FOUR. ALAMEDA COUNTY
RESIDENTS ARE EITHER
EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY OR
AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING FOOD
INSECURITY, AND IN RESPONSE, THE
FOOD BACK IS CURRENTLY
DISTRIBUTING AROUND £1 MILLION
OF FOOD EVERY SINGLE WEEK TO TRY
TO MEET THIS NEED. AND SO TODAY,
UH, ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY
FOOD BANK, UH, WOULD LIKE TO BE
ON THE RECORD IN OPPOSITION TO
THE CAL WORKS DOUBLE CUT, AND
WE'D ALSO LIKE TO BE ON THE
RECORD, UH, IN SUPPORT OF THE
FOOD BANK REQUESTS FOR DISASTER,
FOOD AND CAL FOOD TO SUPPORT
CALIFORNIA'S FOOD BANKS ON TIME
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CF MINIMUM
NUTRITION BENEFIT PILOT.
ADMINISTRATIVE NEEDS FOR THE
SUMMER EB Tð IMPLEMENTATION
EXPANDING THE CAL CALIFORNIA
FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS
TO ALL REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE
OR IMMIGRATION STATUS AND
IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM WITHOUT
DELAY. NOT ALLOWING THE COW,
FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE
PROGRAM TO BE CUT. BUILDING ON
THE TAN OF PILOTS TO REIMAGINE
CAR WORKS, AND FINALLY, WE
SUPPORT THE GUARANTEED INCOME
PILOT PROJECT EXTENSION AND
PLANNING FOR THE STATEWIDE
GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM. THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK
YOU. NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING. MY
NAME IS SAVANNAH JORGENSEN WITH
THE LUTHERAN OFFICE OF PUBLIC
POLICY. CALIFORNIA WE ARE A
MEMBER OF THE N CHILD POVERTY
COALITION. OUR OFFICE REPRESENTS
THE CO ORDINATED WITNESS OF
HUNDREDS OF CONGREGATIONS ACROSS
THE STATE IN THE PURSUIT OF A
SUFFICIENT SUSTAINABLE
LIVELIHOOD FOR ALL WE JOIN AND
ALIGN OUR COMMENTS WITH OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS TESTIMONY TODAY
AND CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE
TO FUND A STATE BUDGET THAT
STOPS THE DOUBLE CUT TO THE
SAFETY NET RESERVE AND LIFE
SAVING èC WORK SERVICES EXPANDS
FOOD FOR ALL TO CALIFORNIANS AND
PROTECTS ALL PROGRAMS, PROVIDING
CRITICAL SERVICES TO
CALIFORNIA'S MOST VULNERABLE
COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. NEXT STEP. IT. IT'LL NEVER
DO. IT'LL NEVER DO WHAT YOU WANT
TO DO. THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH. UH,
GOOD EVENING. UH, DOCTOR JACKSON
, UM TO THE CHAIR TO THE MEMBERS
OF COMMITTEE WHO STUCK AROUND
THIS FAR. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A
LONG DAY. UM I REALLY APPRECIATE
YOUR TIME. AS DO I KNOW THAT
EVERYONE BEHIND ME APPRECIATES
YOUR TIME. MY NAME IS AAMIR
ROMERO. I'M A MANAGING ATTORNEY
AT IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE. I'M
GONNA BE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF
THE èC S¼ U IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICES PROJECT AND, UM,
ADDRESSING THE PROPOSED CUTS TO
THAT PROJECT. UM OR, UH, OFFICE
IS ONE OF THE FOUR OFFICES THAT
ARE IN CHARGE HAVE BEEN CHARGED
WITH REPRESENTING THE 23 èC S¼
U CAMPUSES FROM, UH, SAN DIEGO
ALL THE WAY UP TO HUMBOLDT. UM
THIS PROJECT HAS CREATED AN
INFRASTRUCTURE. UM, FOR FREE
LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN THE
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
DEPARTMENT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE
TO TOUCH STUDENTS, FACULTY STAFF
AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY
MEMBERS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.
FOR A LOT OF THE STUDENTS
SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE, I AM THE VERY FIRST
PERSON THAT THEY SPEAK TO THAT
IS AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, UM A
LOT OF THE TIMES EVEN STUDENTS
WHO HAVE SOME KIND OF STATUS OR
WHO ARE, UM COVERED BY THE DACA
PROGRAM HAVE NOT SPOKEN WITH AN
ATTORNEY HAVE NOT UNDERSTOOD
THEIR CURRENT LEGAL STANDING, DO
NOT KNOW WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE
AVAILABLE TO THEM. AND HAVING
THE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
BE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS FROM THE
CRUCIAL AGES. UM THAT OUR
STUDENTS AT THE CAL STATE SYSTEM
UH UH OR, UM UH IS IMMENSELY
IMPORTANT BECAUSE SOME OF THE
AGES AT WHICH IMMIGRATION
BENEFITS ARE NÓ LONGER AVAILABLE
TO FOLKS, UH, ARE CUT OFF AT AT,
UM, IN IN MOST CASES, THE AGE OF
21. SO SPEAKING TO SOMEBODY
BEFORE THEY TURN 21 IS OF VITAL
IMPORTANCE. I KNOW YOU HEARD
FROM A STUDENT EARLIER, WHO JUST
FIVE WEEKS BEFORE TURNING 21
YEARS OLD, UM, CAME TO OUR
OFFICE TO DISCOVER THAT SHE WAS
ELIGIBLE FOR PATHWAY TO
CITIZENSHIP. THIS IS NOT A
UNIQUE SITUATION. UM WE WIND UP
SPEAKING TO MANY, MANY, MANY
STUDENTS WHO ARE IN SIMILAR
SITUATIONS. UM AND FOR SOME
UNFORTUNATE STUDENTS. THEY'VE
ALREADY MADE IT PAST THAT
BIRTHDAY, BUT THEY HAVE SIBLINGS
. THEY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO
CAN STILL RECEIVE THAT
ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE
THAT THEY ARE SECURE. UM AND SO
OUR WHAT? I'VE NOTICED FIRST
HAND FROM DOING THIS WORK FOR
THE LAST YEARS IS THAT THESE
STUDENTS GAIN STABILITY. WHEN
THEY GO TO UNIVERSITY. THEY HAVE
ACCESS TO CERTAIN TYPES OF
RESOURCES AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE
ACCESS TO THIS TYPE OF STABILITY
. UM OF WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM
CLIENTS IS THAT IT'S JUST
SOMETHING THAT USED TO BE A
BURDEN. IT USED TO BE
TROUBLESOME. PEOPLE HAD LET
THINGS EXPIRE BECAUSE THEY COULD
NOT AFFORD THE REPRESENTATION
AND JUST HAVING ACCESS TO A
TRUSTED SOURCE THAT COMES FROM
THEIR UNIVERSITY HAS CREATED THE
FOR THEM TO STAY IN SCHOOL TO
GRADUATE AND HAVING ACCESS TO
OUR LEGAL SERVICES AND GETTING
ACCESS TO WORK PERMITS AND
STATUS HAS ALLOWED THEM TO
ACTUALLY PUT THOSE DEGREES TO
USE PAY INTO. UM UH, CALIFORNIA
TAXES AND FOR A LOT OF OUR, UM
CLIENTS EVENTUALLY BECOME U S¼
CITIZENS VOTING MEMBERS OF THE
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT STEP.
GOOD EVENING CHAIR AND MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ORTENZIO RODRIGUEZ.
I'M WITH THE ACACIA CENTER FOR
JUSTICE. I'M HERE IN STRONG
SUPPORT OF THE CHILDREN'S
HOLISTIC IMMIGRATION
REPRESENTATION. PROJECT CHIRP
PROVIDES HOLISTIC LEGAL
REPRESENTATION TO UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN ACROSS THE STATE.
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN FACE
UNIQUE HARDSHIPS AS THEY
NAVIGATE A COMPLEX IMMIGRATION
SYSTEM TOO OFTEN ALONE. MANY
HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA, SCHOOL
INTERRUPTION AND HOUSING
INSTABILITY. CHIRP BRIDGES,
LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES. EVERY
UNACCOMPANIED CHILD REPRESENTED
UNDER THIS PROGRAM IS ASSIGNED
AN ATTORNEY AS WELL AS A SOCIAL
WORKER OR A CASE MANAGER FOR THE
ENTIRETY OF THEIR CASE. THESE
POWERHOUSE TEAMS UNDER CHIRP
HAVE SUCCESSFULLY HELPED
CHILDREN AVOID HOMELESSNESS,
MITIGATE LABOR TRAFFICKING RISKS
AND STRENGTHEN THEIR
RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR
CAREGIVERS. CHIRP IS CRITICAL TO
ENSURING IMMIGRANT CHILDREN ARE
NOT LOST OR FORGOTTEN IN THE
COMPLEX PATH. THEY MUST
NAVIGATE. I ASK THAT COMMIT TO
REINVESTING IN TRIPS, CRITICAL
SERVICES AS WELL AS REINSTATING
THE PROPOSED CUTS TO èC, S¼ U
AND Tð P S¼ IMMIGRATION, LEGAL
SERVICES PROGRAMS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU NEXT UP. FRIENDS,
SMALL HØI. MY NAME IS JOCELYN
I'M A RECENT GRADUATE FROM
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF
FRESNO. UM I'M HERE TO REPRESENT
AND SUPPORT THE IMMIGRATION
LEGAL SERVICES THAT HELP èC S¼
U STUDENTS. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I
WOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE
AND BE A GRADUATE BECAUSE OF MY
IMMIGRATION STATUS. UM BUT WITH
THE HELP OF THIS PROGRAM,
THEY'VE HELPED ME RENEW MY DACA
AND COVER THE FEES AND AS WELL
AS OBTAINING A WORK PERMIT AND
THROUGH THIS PROCESS THROUGH
THESE YEARS I'M IN A SPOT NOW.
WHERE UM, TWO MONTHS AGO, I WAS
ACTUALLY ABLE TO GET MY MOM HER
OWN PLACE, AND I JUST FEEL LIKE
THAT'S EVERY IMMIGRANT'S DREAM.
AND I'M CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS
OF GETTING MY GREEN CARD. SO
HOPE ALL GOES WELL BECAUSE
ANOTHER DREAM OF MINE IS TO
VISIT MY BIRTHPLACE. UM BUT,
YEAH, I'M I'M HERE TO ASK TO
PROTECT AND PRESERVE IMMIGRATION
, LEGAL SERVICES THAT HELPS èC
S¼ U STUDENTS. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. NEXT UP. GOOD AFTERNOON.
HOW IT IS DONE ON BEHALF OF
IMMIGRANT DEFENSE ADVOCATES HERE
TO STATE MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR
IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICES. AT
THE CAL STATE UNIVERSITY PROGRAM
CHIRP AS WELL AS Tð P S¼. I
REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES ARE
NOT ONLY A LIFELINE FOR
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, BUT
THEY'RE AN INVESTMENT FROM THE
STATE INTO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THAT OFTEN
NEED LEGAL SERVICES TO STABILIZE
THEMSELVES. AND TO TURN INTO
ECONOMIC UNITS THAT CAN REINVEST
IN THIS STATE AND CONTINUE TO
THRIVE. WE KNOW THAT THIS
NOVEMBER. IMMIGRANTS MAY ONCE
AGAIN COME UNDER ATTACK. BY A
CHANGE IN PRESIDENTIAL
ADMINISTRATION. WE WOULD ASK
THAT CALIFORNIA PREPARE THESE
COMMUNITIES IN THE EVENT THAT
THEY FACE ONGOING ENFORCEMENT,
RACIST ATTACKS. AND FAMILY
SEPARATION, WHICH WE'VE SEEN
OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT UP.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS EDWIN
SOTO SALCEDO. I AM PROUD TO
SHARE THAT I WILL BE GRADUATING
THIS MAY WITH A MASTERS OF
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. I AM
UNDOCUMENTED AND PROTECTED UNDER
THE DACA PROGRAM, AND JUST LAST
YEAR I WAS ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM
THE SERVICES THAT ARE OFFERED BY
CARRE AND LEGAL SERVICES IN OUR
IN MY COMMUNI IN MY COLLEGE AND
MY UNIVERSITY AND I WAS ABLE TO
TRAVEL TO GUATEMALA TO IMMERSE
MYSELF IN THE MAYAN INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES TO LEARN ALTERNATIVE
WAYS IN WHICH THEY BUSINESS AND
HAVE CREATED BEAUTIFUL WAYS TO
THRIVE THEIR BUSINESSES USING
ANCESTRAL KNOWLEDGE AND
PRACTICES. I WAS ABLE TO ALSO
TRAVEL TO MY HOMETOWN OF MEXICO
AND SEE MY FATHER WHO I HAD NOT
SEEN IN 13 YEARS, I GOT TO
CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS SINCE I
CAME TO THE U S¼ BACK IN MEXICO
WITH MY FAMILY. I GOT TO DANCE
WITH MY FATHER. I GOT TO GO TO
SOME PRIDE IN MEXICO CITY TO
CELEBRATE MY MOST AUTHENTIC
SELF. I THOSE ARE. ALTHOUGH I
WAS THERE ONLY THREE WEEKS I
WASN'T ABLE TO. REALLY UM DO
MUCH, UM AND REALLY GET BACK
THOSE 13 YEARS THAT I WAS
SEPARATED WITH MY DAD, AND THAT
WAS BECAUSE OF THE SERVICES THAT
KEN WAS ABLE TO DO AND HELP ME
GETTING AN ADVANCED PAROLE LAST
MONTH ON FEBRUARY 12TH AT 630.
IN THE MORNING, I RECEIVED A
CALL THAT MY FATHER HAD SUDDENLY
PASSED AWAY IN MEXICO. AND IT'S
NOT THE CALL THAT ANY CHILD
WANTS TO GET, ESPECIALLY BEING
SO FAR AWAY AND IN MY STATUS,
NOT HAVING THE LEGAL AUTHORITY
TO JUST EXIT THE COUNTRY. UM THE
FIRST PEOPLE THAT I CALLED WAS
THE CAR IN COLLEGE LEGAL
SERVICES, AND THE ATTORNEYS
IMMEDIATELY WITHIN HOURS WERE
ABLE TO PROVIDE ME PAPERWORK AND
THE FUNDING AND ALL THE SUPPORT.
I NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO GET THE
PERMISSION TO TRAVEL BACK TO
MEXICO CITY TO SEE MY DAD ONE
LAST TIME. I GOT TO CLOSE MY
COUGHING AND I GOT TO LAY HIM TO
REST AND I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT THE
COLLEGE, THE CAR IN COLLEGE
LEGAL SERVICES AND I ASK THAT
YOU CONTINUE FUNDING THE èC S¼
U COLLEGE LEGAL PROGRAM WITHOUT
THE PROPOSED BUDGET CUT, AND WE
CONTINUE TO PRESERVE AND REALLY
PROTECT THE FUNDS THAT GO
BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER STUDENTS
THAT MIGHT GO THROUGH THIS AND
THIS IS TRULY LIFE CHANGING AND
VITAL PART OF OUR IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITY AT THE èC S¼ U
SYSTEM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING. KI¾M. LE
IS REPRESENTING CHILDREN NOW AND
I'M PROUD MEMBER OF THE N CHILD
POVERTY COALITION AND ADD OUR
VOICES TO THE CHORUS AND NOT
REPEAT ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAS
ALREADY BEEN SAID AND JUST URGE
YOU TO REJECT THE CUTS. UM, FOR
OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU NEXT. GOOD EVENING CHAIR
MEMBERS. MY NAME IS KEVIN BUFFO.
I'M HERE WITH SACRAMENTO FOOD,
BANK AND FAMILY SERVICES. UH OUR
ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN IN
EXISTENCE FOR 48 YEARS, BUT
WE'RE CURRENTLY PROVIDING FOOD
TO MORE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
THAN EVER BEFORE. FOOD
INSECURITY IS TRULY AT AN ALL
TIME HIGH, EVEN HIGHER THAN
DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE
PANDEMIC. WE'RE NOW PROVIDING
FOOD ASSISTANCE TO ABOUT 300,000
SACRAMENTS EVERY MONTH, WHICH IS
DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WE
ARE FEEDING JUST FOUR YEARS AGO
IN 2019, IT'S CLEAR THAT LOW
INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS
ARE HURTING. WITH PANDEMIC ERA
SUPPORT PROGRAMS NOW ENDED AND
HUNGER IS STILL ON THE RISE. WE
URGE THE LEGISLATOR TO
LEGISLATURE TO PROTECT AND
STRENGTHEN ANTI HUNGER AND ANTI
POVERTY PROGRAMS CRITICAL FOR
MILLIONS OF CALIFORNIANS. I URGE
YOU TO REJECT CUTS TO COW WORKS
AND SUPPORT FOOD BANK REQUESTS
FOR DISASTER, FOOD AND COW FOOD
ON TIME IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
èC FRESH MINIMUM NUTRITION
BENEFIT PILOT ADMIN NEEDS FOR
SUMMER EB Tð. AND EXPAND FOOD
FOR ALL TO ALL AGES AND
IMPLEMENTING WITHOUT
IMPLEMENTING IT WITHOUT DELAY.
I'M ALSO HERE ON BEHALF OF THE
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF DIAPER
BANKS, OF WHICH SACRAMENTO FOOD
BANK AND FAMILY SERVICES IS ONE
RELATIVE TO THE POVERTY PROGRAMS
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES BEING CONSIDERED FOR
CUTS. WE WANT TO NOTE THAT THE
STATE FUNDING FOR CALIFORNIA'S
EIGHT DIAPER BANKS WHICH ARE
PROVIDED OVER 160 MILLION FREE
DIAPERS TO FAMILIES IN NEED OVER
THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, IS
EXPIRING ON JUNE 30TH. WITHOUT
CONTINUED FUNDING. THE STATE
FUNDED DIAPER BANKS WILL CEASE
OPERATIONS AND THE
INFRASTRUCTURE WE'VE BUILT OVER
THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS WILL
CRUMBLE. THE OVER 1 MILLION
FAMILIES THAT RELY ON US FOR
FREE DIAPERS. WE'LL HAVE TO
START SPENDING ABOUT 80 TO $100
PER MONTH ON DIAPERS AND MAKING
IMPOSSIBLE DECISIONS BETWEEN
NECESSITIES LIKE FOOD, UTILITIES
, RENT, TRANSPORTATION,
CHILDCARE AND THE HEALTH OF
THEIR INFANTS. WE URGE THE SUB
COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO
CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM, WHICH IS
BEING CHAMPIONED BY ASSEMBLY
MEMBERS ORTEGA, PELLERIN AND
ADDIS PLEASE KEEP THE
ELIMINATION OF OUR STATE DIAPER
BANKS IN MIND AT YOUR REVIEW THE
CUTS TO OTHER èC Dð S¼ S¼
PROGRAMS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING
. JEAN YAMASAKI IMMIGRANT LEGAL
DEFENSE BASED IN OAKLAND,
CALIFORNIA. UH, CO FOUNDER AND
MANAGING ATTORNEY, UM I URGE YOU
THE LEGISLATURE TO REJECT THE
PROPOSED CUTS IN THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET AND TO FULLY FUND THE èC
S¼ U. UM, IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICES PROJECT. WE WITNESS
FIRST HAND EVERY DAY. THE
ENORMOUS EFFECT THIS PROJECT HAS
ON THE LIVES OF THE STUDENTS
THAT THESE 23 CAMPUSES, MANY OF
THEM WHICH ARE LOCATED IN WHAT
YOU CALL LEGAL SERVICES,
DESERTS. UM I'D SAY MOST OF THE
STUDENTS WE TALKED TO HAVE NEVER
SPOKEN TO AN IMMIGRATION
ATTORNEY. THEY JUST DIDN'T HAVE
ACCESS AND MANY OF THEM NEVER
KNEW THAT THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR
A FORM OF RELIEF THAT IS A
PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP. WE
THROUGH THROUGH GAINING. THE
RIGHT TO WORK AND LEGAL STATUS
IS STUDENTS CAN CONTINUE THEIR
COLLEGE EDUCATION BECAUSE THEY
CAN WORK IN THE SUMMER TO
SUPPORT THEMSELVES. THEY CAN
ENTER INTO THEIR CHOSEN
PROFESSION BECAUSE THEY CAN GET
LICENSE SHARES OR OR WHATEVER
THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN
THEIR PROFESSION. THEY FIND
STABILITY FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR
THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEY CAN
FULLY PARTICIPATE IN AND
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CALIFORNIA
ECONOMY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU. NEXT UP. UM MY NAME
IS YOSHIDA MENDEZ. AND I WORK AT
IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE. UM AND
I'M HERE TO ASK YOU FOR YOUR
SUPPORT OF THE èC S¼ U, UM,
LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM. IT
DEFINITELY MAKES A HUGE
DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. UM
I GET TO WORK WITH CLIENTS WITH,
UM STUDENTS THAT ARE EITHER IN
SAN FRANCISCO OR ALL THE WAY TO
BAKERSFIELD AND ESPECIALLY IN
THE BAKERSFIELD FRESNO AREA. IT
MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. BE AS
MENTIONED BEFORE. THERE ARE NOT
A LOT OF, UM TRUSTED
ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL HELP
THEIR CASES AND WE ARE ONE OF
THOSE ORGANIZATIONS. WE ARE
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR
LIVES AND AT THE END WHEN THEY
GET THE WORK PERMIT, UH MANY
TIMES. WHEN THEY WHEN THEY GET
THEIR WORK FROM IT. THEY ARE
DEFINITELY SUPER EXCITED AND
THANKFUL. UM SO I'M SURE THAT
THEY WILL BE GREATLY. UM THEY
WORK GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. IF
YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS
PROGRAM, THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT UP. THANK YOU, MR CHAIR.
GOOD TO SEE YOU. KATHY SUNDERLIN
MCDONALD ON BEHALF OF THE
ALAMEDA COUNTY BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS, URGING REJECTION OF
THE CAL WORKS CUTS. THESE UM
SEVERE CUTS WILL FORCE THE
COUNTY TO SEVERELY CURTAIL
STAFFING AND SERVICES EXACTLY
THE TYPES OF SERVICES THAT
PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE
CRITICAL NEED FOR INCREASING NOT
REDUCING, AND IT DOES SHIFT THE
BURDEN OF THE BUDGET DEFICIT
ONTO OUR LOWEST INCOME AND MOST
VULNERABLE FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES IN, UM ANOTHER WAY.
THINK ABOUT IT, TOO. IS THESE
GOALS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT
WITH THE Kò OR PROGRAM THAT YOU
HEARD ABOUT WITH THE PILOT,
WHICH PRESENTS SUCH A CRITICAL
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STATE TO
REALLY MAKE CHANGES TO THE
PROGRAM TO MAKE IT MUCH MORE
RESPONSIVE AND MUCH MORE OF A
PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES AND
MEETING THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES
AND THEIR CHILDREN? IT WILL
UNDERMINE THOSE GOALS AS WELL TO
HAVE THE SEVERE CUTS THAT ARE
PROPOSED COME TO PASS. FOR THOSE
REASONS. WE URGE A REJECTION AND
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT UP.
EILEEN CUBANS WITH CW Dð. UM UH,
BUT BECAUSE WORKING MOMS NEED TO
HELP EACH OTHER OUT. I'M
STANDING RIGHT HERE NOW ON
BEHALF OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN STRONG
ON OPPOSITION TO ALL THE COW
WORKS CUTS AND URGING YOU TO
REJECT THOSE. THANK YOU. NEXT
UP. GOOD EVENING, DANIELLE
BRADLEY ON BEHALF OF THE
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF
COUNTIES. UM I WANNA ECHO UM, MY
OUR COUNTY, OTHER COUNTY. UM
REPRESENTATIVES HERE AND, UH,
VOICE OUR STRONG OPPOSITION TO
THE COW WORKS CUTS. UM AS STATED
, THIS WILL MAKE IT EXTREMELY
DIFFICULT FOR COUNTIES TO
ADMINISTER THESE ESSENTIAL
SERVICES. UM AND ULTIMATELY, UM,
OUR MOST VULNERABLE VULNERABLE
RESIDENTS WILL FEEL THE BURDEN.
UM OF THESE CUTS, YOU KNOW, WE
RECOGNIZE DURING DIFFICULT
BUDGET. YEARS UM DIFFICULT
DECISIONS MUST BE MADE, BUT WE
MUST PRESERVE OUR SOCIAL SAFETY
NET PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, UH,
TO PREVENT FAMILIES FROM FALLING
DEEPER INTO POVERTY. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH, AND HAVE A GOOD
EVENING. THANK YOU. NEXT UP.
GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU. CHAIR
AND ME. LET ME FIX THAT FIRST.
THERE WE GO. GOOD AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU, CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF
THE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS JOSE
VARGAS ON BEHALF OF UNITED WAYS
OF CALIFORNIA AND POVERTY IN
CALIFORNIA AND MEMBERS OF THE
ANS POVERTY COALITION. UH OUR
PRIORITIES AS THEY RELATE TO THE
STRING ARE TO STOP THE CUTS, UH,
THAT ARE PROPOSED FOR THE CAL
WORK PROGRAM, A BUILD ON THE
GOVERNOR'S TAMP PILOT PROPOSAL
TO REIMAGINE COW WORKS AND DEEP
CHILD POVERTY BY RAISING GRANTS
TO AT LEAST 50% OF THE FEDERAL
POVERTY LEVEL FOR ALL FAMILIES
EXPAND FOOD FOR ALL TO ALL
CALIFORNIANS ENSURE P S¼ S¼ HAS
WHAT IT NEEDS TO MAXIMIZE SUMMER
EB Tð SUPPORT èC Dð S¼ REQUEST
TO EXTEND THEIR GUARANTEED
INCOME PILOT PROGRAM AUTHORITY
THROUGH 2028 FUND, A B 2260
THREE TO CHART THE STATE'S
COURSE FROM GUARANTEED INCOME
PILOT TO STATEWIDE POLICY AND
LASTLY, ON BEHALF OF UNITED WAYS
OF CALIFORNIA. WE HOPE THAT THE
COMMITTEE WILL LOOK TO PROTECT
THE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS LIKE THE
ONES MENTIONED TODAY, AS WELL AS
COMPLEMENTARY SYSTEMS LIKE TWO
AND ONE THAT INVEST IN WHAT WE
KNOW WORKS BEST MEETING PEOPLE
WHERE THEY ARE AND HELPING THEM
NAVIGATE THE SYSTEMS OF CARE AS
A STATE. LET'S NOT MAKE THE
DECISION TO PEOPLE IN POVERTY TO
KEEP FIGHTING IT. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT UP. GOOD
AFTERNOON ON THE ROYAL CHAIR AND
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY
NAME IS MATTHIAS BENAL AND I
HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
AND LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION, AN
ORGANIZATION BASED IN FRESNO,
CALIFORNIA SERVING IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES, STUDENTS AND
PROVIDING VARIOUS SPECIAL
PROJECTS TODAY. I'M SPEAKING, UH
, TO ASK THE COMMITTEE TO SEND A
MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR THAT WE
CANNOT CUT PROGRAMS LIKE THE èC
S¼ U AND Tð P S¼ IMMIGRATION
LEGAL SERVICES THAT ARE
TRANSFORMATIVE SERVICES. I AM A
PROUD GRADUATE. PRESENT STATE IN
2011 AND MASTERS IN 2012. AND IF
THIS PROGRAM HAD BEEN IN EFFECT
BACK WHEN I WAS A STUDENT, I
WOULD HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE
SPECIAL JUVENILE VISA. AS I CAME
TO THIS COUNTRY AND DOCUMENTED
BY MYSELF AT 14 YEARS OLD, BUT
BECAUSE THE PROGRAM WAS NOT IN
EXISTENCE, AND I DID NOT KNOW
NOR HAD ACCESS TO LEGAL
SERVICES, I AM STILL A
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT BUT A
PROUD DACA RECIPIENT. IN MY WORK
AS EDUCATION LEADERSHIP
FOUNDATION. WE ALSO ARE
RECIPIENTS OF THE ONE CALIFORNIA
FUNDING THAT PROVIDES
IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICES TO
OUR COMMUNITIES, AND WE ARE
PROUD TO SERVE ABOUT 3000
INDIVIDUALS IN SUCCESSFUL
APPLICATIONS EVERY YEAR, BUT WE
COULDN'T DO THAT WITHOUT
PARTNERS LIKE ID, CARRE AND
OTHERS THAT ARE SERVING OUR
STUDENTS WITHIN THEIR CAMPUS,
THEIR FAMILIES WE TRY TO SERVE
THE REST OF THE COMMUNITIES AND
IF YOU WERE TO CUT PROGRAMS LIKE
THIS ONE ARE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
MINE AND OTHERS. WE'RE GONNA TRY
TO FIND OUR BEST WAY TO, UH,
SUPPORT THOSE INDIVIDUALS AS
WELL. BUT WE'RE JUST ADDING MORE
TO OUR WAITING LIST, AND WE
CURRENTLY HAVE OVER 200 FOLKS
WAITING FOR LEGAL SERVICES JUST
FOR SCREENING. SO BY CUTTING
PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, WE WOULD BE
ADDING MORE AND MORE AND MORE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT UP. OH, HØI. GOOD EVENING.
I'M BARBARA PINTO. I'M THE CO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRANT
LEGAL DEFENSE WERE ONE OF THE
FOUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
THAT SERVE THE èC S¼ U
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
PROJECT. UM AND THIS PROGRAM, AS
YOU'VE HEARD, YOU KNOW, IS
CRUCIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. I
EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND WHAT IT'S
LIKE TO NOT HAVE THIS PROGRAM.
UM I'M A PROUD èC S¼ U ALUM
ALUM BUT ALSO FORMALLY
UNDOCUMENTED. SO UM, WHEN I WAS
A STUDENT AT SAN FRANCISCO
STATE, UH, MY PARENTS AND I WERE
UNDOCUMENTED AND WE WERE
ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A GREEN
CARD AFTER WAITING 20 YEARS HERE
IN IN THE U S¼ UNDOCUMENTED, AND
WE HAD NOWHERE TO GO FOR THESE
LEGAL SERVICES, AND I REALLY
WISH THEY EXISTED. AT THAT
POINT. WE COULD NOT AFFORD A
PRIVATE ATTORNEY. WE WERE IN SAN
FRANCISCO, BUT WE COULD NOT FIND
A FREE FREE HELP AND FREE
ATTORNEY. UM WE NAVIGATED THAT.
US BY OURSELVES. IT WAS VERY
ISOLATING, SCARY. UM AND BEFORE
THINGS YOU KNOW, WENT WRONG.
FORTUNATELY THERE WAS AN
ATTORNEY THAT HELPED US A LITTLE
BIT, UM, TO MAKE SURE THINGS
WENT. WELL, UM AND, UM BUT WE
REALLY NEEDED THE HELP OF
SERVICES AND YOU KNOW I HAVE
SEEN. WE NEED TO DO BETTER AS A
STATE FOR THIS NEW GENERATION OF
STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. UM WE
HAVE DONE BETTER. THIS PROGRAM
HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL THESE
PAST FIVE YEARS AS AN ATTORNEY,
I'VE WE'VE SERVED THOUSANDS OF
INDIVIDUALS AND I'VE SEEN HOW
LIFE CHANGING, UM THIS PROGRAM
WAS AND I REALLY WISH IT EXISTED
WHEN I WAS A STUDENT AND REALLY
NEEDED THAT SUPPORT. UM SO I'M
HOPING WE CONTINUE. UM, AND
HOPING THIS PROGRAM IS THRIVING
AND CONTINUES EVEN WHEN, UM MY
CHILDREN END UP IN IN COLLEGE
AND IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, SO
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME AND SUPPORT. SURVIVING. IS
NEXT UP. UH, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY
NAME IS FATIMA ZAO AND I AM A
SENIOR AT CALIFORNIA STATE
UNIVERSITY. LONG BEACH. I ALSO
SERVE AS A CAR IN LEGAL ADVOCACY
FELLOW AT èC S¼ èC Ó P WHERE
I HAVE RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE
OF THE èC S¼ U IMMIGRATION
LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM BACK IN
2020. I WAS TRANSITIONING FROM
MY EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY AS A
SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL TO A FIRST
YEAR COLLEGE STUDENT. I STRIVE
TO I STRUGGLE TO NAVIGATE THE
HIGHER EDUCATION PROCESS OF THE
FIRST GENERATION, A B 540
STUDENT COMING FROM AN IMMIGRANT
HOUSEHOLD. AT THE SAME TIME, THE
DACA PROGRAM HAD OPENED UP.
DIFFICULT FOR MY FAMILY AND I TO
FIND AN AFFORDABLE ATTORNEY THAT
COULD HELP ME FILE MY DACA
APPLICATION. FORTUNATELY AS AN
INCOMING STUDENT, I WAS
CONNECTED TO THE DREAM RESOURCE
CENTER AT èC S¼ U Ó VÆ, WHERE
I MET THE GES AND LEGAL SERVICES
TEAM. THEY WERE ABLE TO ASSIST
ME WITH FILING MY DACA
APPLICATION AT NÓ COST THAT
RELIEVED THE FINANCIAL BURDENS
MY FAMILY AND I WERE FACING
AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE
POTENTIAL 75% CUT TO THE PROGRAM
. IT IS DEVASTATING TO KNOW THAT
INCOMING AND CURRENT STUDENTS
WILL NÓ LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO
THESE SERVICES THAT MAKE A HUGE
DIFFERENCE FOR THEM AND THEIR I
URGE YOU ALL TO PLEASE HELP US
SAVE ALL THE FUNDING SO THAT THE
CALL LEGAL SERVICES CAN CONTINUE
TO SUPPORT STUDENTS, STAFF
FACULTY AND ALUMNI OF CAL STATE
UNIVERSITY. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. NEXT UP. HELLO THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. I
AM MERCEDES RAN AND MANAGING
ATTORNEY AT CENTRAL AMERICAN
RESOURCE CENTER, ONE OF THE FOUR
ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE FREE
LEGAL SERVICES TO THE èC S¼ U
SYSTEM. I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE
YOU TO STOP. YOU KNOW THE
PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS THAT WE
HAVE, UM IN THE FUTURE. UM
BECAUSE IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN,
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ESSENTIALLY
WIND DOWN THIS SERVICES THAT, UM
WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES
TO FACULTY STAFF AND STUDENTS
AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS IS AN
INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF
CALIFORNIA AS OUR SERVICES
ENSURE THAT CURRENT AND FUTURE
PROFESSIONALS ARE ABLE TO STAY
IN THIS COUNTRY WITH IMMIGRATION
STATUS. ALSO I URGE YOU TO
PLEASE STOP THE BUDGET CUTS TO
Tð P S¼ SERVICES, AS THIS HELPS
PRESERVE UNITY AND STABILITY IN
MANY FAMILIES HERE IN
CALIFORNIA, ESPECIALLY NOW IN
THIS VERY UNSTABLE TIMES. THANK
YOU. HELLO MY NAME IS ERICA
SANO. I AM A MANAGING ATTORNEY
AT KAZAN, ONE OF THE LEGAL
PROVIDERS OF IMMIGRATION
SERVICES FOR èC S¼ U STUDENTS.
I'M HERE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF
PRESERVING THE èC S¼ U
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
PROGRAM AT ITS FULL FUNDING OF
$7 MILLION AND ALSO IN SUPPORT
OF Tð P S¼ FUNDING. THE PROPOSED
BUDGET CUT OF 75% WILL ALL BUT
ELIMINATE THIS CRITICAL RESOURCE
STUDENTS HAVE GROWN TO RELY ON
FOR REPUTABLE LEGAL
REPRESENTATION DIRECTLY
ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THEIR CAMP.
THESE STUDENTS STRUGGLE TO
AFFORD THEIR TUITION, LET ALONE
EXUBERANT ATTORNEY FEES FOR
LEGAL ASSISTANCE. UH, FAILURE TO
RESTORE FULL FUNDING FOR THIS
PROGRAM WOULD BE A GRAVE
DISSERVICE TO THIS YOUNG
POPULATION STUDYING TO BECOME
OUR FUTURE ENGINEERS, TEACHERS,
NURSES AND MORE. I URGE YOU NOT
TO ABANDON THEM NOW. THANK YOU.
DID YOU GET YOUR JURIS DEGREE AT
LIKE AGE FIVE OR SOMETHING. I'M
32. I JUST LOOKED A LOT YOUNGER.
OH, THANK YOU. I'M SUCH AN
UNDERACHIEVER. YOU KNOW, I GOT I
GOT WORK TO DO. ALL RIGHT. THANK
YOU. NEXT UP. MM. GOOD EVENING,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY NAME IS
HECTOR. I LIVE IN BOYO HEIGHTS,
AND I'M A GRADUATING SENIOR AT
CASTLE STUDYING CIVIL
ENGINEERING. I USED TO CONSIDER
MYSELF A FOOLISH DREAMER WITH
NOTHING BUT HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
THAT CHANGED. WHEN I MET THE
AMAZING PEOPLE THROUGH THE èC
S¼ U IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
PROGRAM. IT EXTENDS TO THIS
PROGRAM THAT I GOT THE
OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP PURSUING MY
DREAM OF BECOMING A CIVIL
ENGINEER, AND I HAVE NOW
DEDICATED MY CAREER TO WORKING
FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR. I HAVE
TAKEN THE FIRST STEP BY BECOMING
A STUDENT ENGINEER FOR THE CITY,
LOS ANGELES DIRECTLY BENEFITING
THE PEOPLE IN THE TAXPAYERS THAT
HELPED ME GET TO WHERE I AM
TODAY. NOW WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT
NIGHT IS THE THOUGHT OF SOMEONE
LIKE MYSELF NOT HAVING ACCESS TO
THE QUALITY OF LEGAL
REPRESENTATION THAT HAS BEEN
BESTOWED UPON ME. AND SO I URGE
YOU PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE èC
S¼ U VÆ SERVICES PROGRAM. IT IS
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF
CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU. NEXT UP. THANK YOU. GOOD
EVENING, DR JACKSON. JACKIE
GONZALEZ, POLICY DIRECTOR AT
IMMIGRANT DEFENSE ADVOCATES. UM
I FEEL A LITTLE GUILTY BEING UP
HERE SINCE I WILL BE ON THE
PANEL LATER ON THE èC S¼ U S¼,
BUT AS A FORMER PRACTICING
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, SEEING SO
MANY OF MY FORMER COLLEAGUES
COME UP HERE, I DO WANT TO JUST
GIVE A SHOUT OUT THE BANG FOR
THE BUCK THAT THE STATE IS
GETTING WITH THE ATTORNEYS DOING
THESE CASES YOU COULDN'T HIRE
BETTER PRIVATE ATTORNEYS. UM
THAT'S WHAT THE èC S¼ U
PROGRAM. I WANNA DEDICATE MY
TIME TO CHIRP THE CHILDREN'S
HOLISTIC IMMIGRATION
REPRESENTATION PROJECT. IT WAS A
PROJECT FUNDING IS SET TO END
THIS YEAR. THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT
PROPOSED ANY DOLLARS IN THE
BUDGET FOR THIS PROGRAM.
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS HAVE A
SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. UM I
BECAME A MOM 10 YEARS AGO. 10
YEARS AGO IN 2014 WAS WHEN THE
STATE THEN THOUGHT WAS IT IT WAS
EXPERIENCING THE HIGHEST WAVE OF
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS COMING INTO
THE STATE. BEHIND ME, YOU'LL
HEAR A TESTIMONY MUCH MORE
POWERFUL THAN MINE ABOUT Tð, YOU
KNOW FROM SOME TEENAGERS WHO
HAVE COME AS UNACCOMPANIED
MINORS. UM, BUT THE KIDS THAT
ARE NOT HERE ARE NINE YEAR OLDS,
SIX YEAR OLDS, FIVE YEAR OLDS.
THOSE ARE THE KIDS I SAW IN MY
OFFICES AND I CAN'T FOR THE LIFE
OF ME BEING NINE MONTHS PREGNANT
SHAKE, UH, THE IMAGE OF A NINE
YEAR OLD GIRL WHO HELPED HER
SEVEN AND FIVE YEAR OLD SIBLINGS
ACROSS THE BORDER AND ARRIVED AT
MY OFFICE WITH A PAPER BAG. A
PROGRAM LIKE CHIRP DID NOT EXIST
AT THE TIME. SO FOR ETERNITIES
WHO ARE IN THESE OFFICES THAT
THEY'RE AT THE BORDER AND I WANT
TO STATE MY SUPPORT FOR THE
BORDER WHERE THEY'RE AT
METROPOLITAN AREAS. RURAL AREAS.
ALL OF THESE PEOPLE COME TO THE
OFFICES IS SO VULNERABLE WHEN
YOU'RE IN THOSE OFFICES YOU HAVE
TO BE. IF YOU YOU WORK ON THESE
ISSUES, YOU CARE ABOUT THESE
ISSUES. YOU HAVE TO BE
EVERYTHING TO THAT CHILD. SO
WHEN YOU HEAR THESE THINGS, I
WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S
NOT JUST TEENAGERS THAT ARE
COMING THERE. THERE ARE CHILDREN
COMING AND CHIRP PROVIDES NOT
JUST LEGAL SERVICES BUT SOCIAL
SERVICES, AND IT'S A REALLY
UNIQUE MODEL CENTERED ON THE
BEST PRACTICES FROM CHILD
WELFARE. UM CALIFORNIA IS RIGHT
TO BE PUTTING FORWARD THIS MODEL
AND LIKE SO MANY OF THE PROGRAMS
MENTIONED EARLIER TODAY, IT
PROVIDES AN INFRASTRUCTURE. IT
HAS 16 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE
STATE. I WILL STOP BECAUSE MANY
OF THEM ARE HERE BEHIND ME, AND
I WANNA SEE MY TIME TO THEM. BUT
THANK YOU FOR INDULGING MY CALM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT UP.
HØI. MY NAME IS CHRISTINA
MCKIBBEN SIZE AND I'M THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY
JUSTICE ALLIANCE, AND WE ARE SO
PROUD TO BE PART OF THE CHP
NETWORK. WE'RE HERE IN STRONG
SUPPORT OF CHIRP AND WE BELIEVE
THAT THIS IS THE MOST IMPACTFUL
AND ACCOMPANIED CHILD PROGRAM IN
THE NATION. AND THIS IS WHY, UM,
NUMBER ONE LANGUAGE ACCESS IS
UNPARALLELED. OUR TINY NONPROFIT
HAS BEEN ABLE TO OVERNIGHT SERVE
, UM, 16 LANGUAGES THROUGHOUT
THE STATE, UP TO THE OREGON
BORDER AND ALL THE WAY DOWN TO
THE GRAPEVINE BECAUSE OF THE
LANGUAGE ACCESS SUPPORT THAT WE
HAVE. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.
NUMBER TWO. THE SOCIAL SERVICES
SUPPORT IS COMPREHENSIVE AND HAS
LITERALLY SAVED LIVES. WE'VE
INTERVENED IN SUICIDES. WE'VE
MOVED CHILDREN OUT OF UNSAFE
HOUSING. UM AND IT ALSO MEANS
MORE YOUTH IN SCHOOLS AND NUMBER
THREE. THE WRAPAROUND SUPPORT
ALSO MEANS THAT CHILDREN WON'T
FACE DEPORTATION ALONE. AND
JACKIE'S RIGHT. WE'VE HAD
CLIENTS AS YOUNG AS TWO. AND SO,
UM THEY'RE FIGHTING DEPORTATION
ALONE, AND THIS NOT ONLY ENSURES
LONG TERM STABILITY BUT ALSO THE
SHORT TERM SHORT TERM STABILITY
THAT THEY CARE ABOUT. THEY
DESERVE SAFETY. WE'VE SEEN SOME
VERY SPLASHY NEW YORK TIMES
ARTICLES ABOUT THE EXPLOITATION
OF UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN. AND
THIS IS THE ANECDOTE. I FIRMLY
BELIEVE THAT AND I CALL FOR YOUR
INVESTMENT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU
NEXT. HEY COME WITH US, BMB.
WE'RE GONNA START WE GONNA JOSE
JOY. COMO HELLO. MY NAME IS JOSE
. I ARRIVED TO THE U S¼ AS AN
UNACCOMPANIED MINOR AT AGE 17.
HIS Kò Kò KA Kò ASSISTANT
LEGALES SOCIALES, A HOME COMO
TODAY. I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF
THE CHURCH PROGRAM. UM, THAT
PROVIDES SOCIAL SERVICES AND
LEGAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE TO
YOUTH LIKE ME. IS THE AMIR. KS
SUSA ESA AYUDA A AYUDA ME E
ASSISTANT LEGAL GRATIS ALGO THIS
PROGRAM TODAY IS GOING TO ASSIST
MY SISTER MARIA, WHO IS HERE
TODAY WHO RECENTLY ARRIVED TO
THE U S¼ AS AN UNACCOMPANIED
MINOR. SHE WILL RECEIVE
ASSISTANCE TO HELP WITH SCHOOL
ENROLLMENT TO OBTAIN MEDICAL AND
EVEN TO RECEIVE FREE LEGAL
IMMIGRATION SERVICES, SOMETHING
THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO GET IN THE
PAST. RECEIVING MASS APOLLOS.
TODAY. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK
FOR YOUR SUPPORT. FOR PROGRAMS
LIKE TURP. THAT WILL CONTINUE TO
ASSIST INDIVIDUALS LIKE MY
SISTER AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU. GRACIAS. HØI. GOOD
EVENING. MY NAME IS VALENTINA
SAN. I'M COMING FROM MARINA
VALLEY, CALIFORNIA. I AM A
RECENT GRADUATE FROM CALCI SAN
BERNARDINO. I'VE BEEN HERE, YOU
ONE OF MY BOSSES. LET ME GET GET
HERE. UM I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 16
YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES. I
CAME AT 10 YEARS OLD WITH MY
SISTER, WHO WAS EIGHT. AT THE
TIME. MY PARENTS BROUGHT US HERE
FOR A BETTER LIFE. LIKE MANY OF
THESE KIDS AND MANY OF THESE
PEOPLE THAT HAVE TALKED TO YOU
TODAY, UM, I GRADUATED IN 2020
WITH A BACHELOR DEGREE IN MEDIA
COMMUNICATIONS. AND THROUGHOUT
MY SCHOOL YEARS, I WAS
EXPERIENCING A VERY TOUGH
IMMIGRATION CASE THAT WAS OUT OF
MY HANDS AND NOT MY FAULT. UH,
THIS CASE LED ME TO BE IN
DEPORTATION PROCEDURES AND I
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I DIDN'T
HAVE THE, UM, INCOME OR THE
MONEY TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD A
LAWYER. SO THEY UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENT CENTER FROM CALCI SAN
BERNARDINO, UH, REACHED OUT TO
ME AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A
FREE SERVICE FOR ME, WHICH IS
CARS AND, UH, FOR FREE LEGAL
SERVICE. THEY HELPED ME OUT
TREMENDOUSLY. IT WAS A VERY LONG
CASE. 4.5 YEARS TO BE EXACT, UM,
THEY HELP ME THROUGH EVERYTHING.
THEY GOT ME AWAY FROM
IMMIGRATION. OR I'M SORRY FROM
DEPORTATION PROCEDURES. AND NOW
I CAN, YOU KNOW HAPPILY AND
LUCKILY SAY THAT I'M A PERMANENT
RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS
OF DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, UH,
CUTTING, YOU KNOW THIS FUNDS FOR
THIS PROGRAM. IS GONNA TAKE AWAY
OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE ONE THAT
I HAD FOR A BUNCH OF KIDS. I
PERSONALLY KNOW TWO CASES THAT
ARE GOING ON RIGHT NOW THAT I
MENTIONED TO THEM THAT FUNDS
MIGHT GET CUT. AND WITHOUT THAT,
THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO FIX
ANYTHING. THEIR LIFE WON'T
CHANGE AND WE'RE ALL HERE. WE
WERE BROUGHT HERE FOR A BETTER
LIFE, WHICH IS WHAT WE ALL WANT.
SO WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE, UM, YOU
KNOW, HELP US IN ANY WAY
POSSIBLE TO NOT CUT THESE FUNDS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT UP.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ALISA
AND I AM AFFILIATED WITH èC, S¼
UMB AND THE CENTRAL COAST.
THANKS TO THIS PROGRAM THREE
GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY,
INCLUDING MY MOTHER, WHO HAS
BEEN WORKING AT U èC S¼ E AFTER
20 YEARS, WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN
LEGAL AID, FINDING TEMPORARY
RELIEF FOR DEPORTATION, AND THIS
WAS JUST THE FIRST STEP IN OUR
LONG JOURNEY. AND FOR THE FIRST
TIME IN SEVEN YEARS AS A DACA
RECIPIENT, UM I WAS ABLE TO GO
BEYOND AND ABOVE SURFACE. UM TO
AID OUR FAMILY. THIS IS JUST ONE
OF THE MANY FAMILIES IN THE
CENTRAL AREA THAT HAVE
EXPERIENCED LACK OF NONPROFIT
LEGAL AID. I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE
SUPPORT A B AND VOTE AGAINST
CUTTING AND DEFUNDING THIS
PROGRAM, WHICH NOT ONLY DOES IT
AFFECT THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS
SEEKING SERVICES, RATHER, THE
ENTIRE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AS A
WHOLE DEFUNDING THIS PROGRAM,
UH, THIS PROGRAM TAKES AWAY
COMMUNITY WORKER WORKERS WHO,
THANKFULLY TO THE INVESTMENT IN
THIS PROGRAM HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
TURNED BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY AS
SOCIAL HEALTH, EDUCATION, LAW
AND LABOR WORKERS. I ASK THAT
YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT FUNDING
IN ORDER FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO
CONTINUE EVOLVING FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS TO PROVIDE. WHAT
TODAY'S èC S¼ U IMMIGRATION
LEGAL SERVICES HAS PROVIDED FOR
US. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU. NEXT UP. HELLO. GOOD
EVENING. MY NAME IS JOSE
MORALES. I'M FROM THE CENTRAL
COAST. I'M AFFILIATED WITH èC
S¼ UMB. I'VE BEEN QUITE IGNORANT
ON HOW POWERFUL HAPPENED IN THE
MID GREEN TURNING UNTIL I GOT IN
CONTACT WITH Dð DUE TO THE
LIMITED RESOURCES DEVELOPED TO
ME, AND THEY HAVE HELPED ME OUT
IN THE MOST VULNERABLE TIME IN
MY LIFE AND GOT ME PAST HIM. I
ASKED YOU TO SUPPORT IT AND VOTE
AGAINST CUTTING THE DEFUNDING OF
THIS PROGRAM. THANKS TO THE IL
Dð. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RENEW
MINE AND CONTINUE TO AFFORD MY
DACA RENEWAL. THIS HELPS ME TO
CONTINUE TO BE A LICENSED
CONTRACTOR OR PENNING CONTRACTOR
AND SERVE MY COMMUNITY. BECAUSE
OF THE FUNDING YOU I'VE BEEN
PROVIDING YOU HAVE NOT JUST
HELPED COLLEGE STUDENTS AND
THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS CREATE A
BETTER FUTURE. BUT YOU HAVE
PROVIDED THE MOST IMPORTANT
THING. AND THAT IS HOPE THAT
SOMEDAY IN THE FUTURE THEY'RE
GOING TO HELP CREATE A FRUIT FOR
YOU. A FRUITFUL NATION. THEY
FROM YOU. GO TO èC S¼ U
MONTEREY BAY. THAT'S RIGHT. OK,
BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
INVESTMENT. NEXT UP. GOOD
EVENING. MY NAME IS MONICA
ORTEGA AND I'M AN ATTORNEY WITH
COMMUNITY JUSTICE ALLIANCE, AND
I'M HERE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF
THE CHILDREN'S HOLISTIC
IMMIGRATION REPRESENTATION
PROJECT OR CHIRP. THE PROGRAM
ENSURES THAT UNACCOMPANIED
IMMIGRANT YOUTH ARE ASSIGNED TO
A FULLY INTEGRATED TEAM THAT
INCLUDES AN ATTORNEY AND SOCIAL
SERVICES STAFF MEMBER TO SUPPORT
THEM. THROUGHOUT THEIR CASE.
IT'S OFTEN THAT ATTORNEYS DON'T
ALWAYS GET THE CHANCE TO PROVIDE
THEIR CLIENTS, WHICH IS THE MUCH
NEEDED HOLISTIC APPROACH. MOST
OF MY CLIENTS HAVE SUFFERED
IMMENSE TRAUMA AND NEED MORE
THAN ANYTHING FOR THEIR MENTAL
HEALTH AND BASIC ASSISTANCE IN
ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN A COUNTRY
WHERE THEY DON'T KNOW THE
LANGUAGE WHILE WORKING WITH MOST
OF MY CLIENTS. THE FIRST
QUESTION IS NEVER WHAT KIND OF
RELIEF AM I ABLE TO GET, BUT
RATHER IT'S HOW CAN I ENROLL
SCHOOL? HOW CAN I GET HEALTH
INSURANCE? BASIC NEEDS ARE
WITHOUT A PROGRAM LIKE CHIRP
THESE THEY WOULDN'T BE MEN. I
HAVE THE HONOR OF WORKING WITH
SOCIAL WORKERS TO PROVIDE THESE
NEEDS TO MY CLIENTS. AND I URGE
YOU TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION
THAT CHURCH IS A LIFE ALTERING
PROGRAM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME
IS NATALIA SORE ZONDO. AND I'M A
LEGAL ADVOCATE FOR UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN. I'M HERE IN STRONG
SUPPORT OF THE CHIRP LEGAL
SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM FOR
UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH THAT
PROVIDES YOUTH WITH AN ATTORNEY
AS WELL AS A SOCIAL WORKER. TRIP
HAS BEEN TRANSFORMATIVE NOT ONLY
FOR INDIVIDUAL YOUTH, BUT FOR IN
FOR LEGAL SERVICES AS A WHOLE.
TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS DO NOT
PROVIDE FUNDING TO TACKLE
EXTERNAL CHALLENGES THAT
INFLUENCE A CHILD'S IMMIGRATION
CASE. CHIRP ALLOWS US TO ADDRESS
A CLIENT SITUATION HOLISTICALLY
WHETHER THAT BE OBTAINING A
PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT
ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN IN THE
EDUCATIONAL SETTING OR SETTING
ASIDE A CLIENT'S DEPORTATION
ORDER. UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
WITH AN ATTORNEY ARE SEVEN TIMES
MORE LIKELY TO RECEIVE AN
OUTCOME TO STAY IN THE U S¼,
HOWEVER, ONLY ONE IN 78
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN HAVE
ACCESS TO A FREE OR LOW COST.
ATTORNEY CHP IS CRITICAL TO
CLOSING THE GAP, AND IT WILL
LEAD TO MORE CHILDREN AND
ELIMINATION OF THIS PROGRAM WILL
LEAD TO MORE CHILDREN DEFENDING
THEMSELVES IN IMMIGRATION COURT
ALONE AND, UM, NAVIGATING
COMPLEX SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEMS
ON THEIR OWN. I URGE CONGRESS TO
REFUND THE PROGRAM AS PART OF
NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT UP. HELLO MY
NAME IS JENNIFER MAJANO BEMAN
AND I AM WITH THE ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY JUSTICE ALLIANCE HERE
IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE
CHILDREN HOLISTIC IMMIGRATION
REPRESENTATION PROJECT OR CHIRP
CHIRP IS AN ESSENTIAL PROGRAM
FOR UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH WHO
OFTEN DO NOT HAVE THE CARE,
GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT THAT ALL
CHILDREN DESERVE. I HAVE SEEN
FIRST HAND HOW YOUTH HAVE
BENEFITED GREATLY FROM THIS
PROGRAM FROM HAVING FROM HAVING
LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO AN
ASSIGNED SOCIAL WORKER AND CASE
MANAGER. THIS PROGRAM HAS
TRANSFORMED THEIR LIVES. IT'S
HELPED YOU HAVE HOPE. AGAIN AND
LET THEMSELVES ENVISION A
BRIGHTER FUTURE. AS WE FACE A
DIFFICULT BUDGET PROCESS. WE
SHOULDN'T BE MINDFUL THAT WE DO
NOT ASK THE MOST VULNERABLE
AMONGST US TO PAY THE HEAVIEST
PRICE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
YOUR TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME
IS JESSICA. I MEET YOU AND I AM
WITH COMMUNITY JUSTICE ALLIANCE.
I AM HERE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF
CHILDREN'S HOLISTIC IMMIGRATION,
IMMIGRATION REPRESENTATION
PROJECT OR CHIRP. I STAND BEFORE
YOU TODAY AS A WITNESS TO THE
REMARKABLE EVOLUTION OF
UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH THAT HAVE
GONE THROUGH PROGRAMS DESIGNED
TO SUPPORT THEM. I'VE SEEN THESE
RESILIENT YOUTH ARRIVE TO A NEW
COUNTRY, OFTEN WITHOUT SUPPORT
FACING VARIOUS OBSTACLES. YET
THROUGH THE CO ORDINATED EFFORTS
OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND LEGAL
SUPPORT, I'VE SEEN THEM
TRANSFORM FROM CLOSED OFF YOUNG
PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE AS
INVISIBLE AS POSSIBLE TO
COURAGEOUS INDIVIDUALS THAT USE
THEIR VOICE TO ADVOCATE FOR
SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS LIKE THIS
AND THAT CAN HELP OTHER YOUTH AS
MUCH AS IT HAS HELPED THEM. YOU
HEARD FROM ONE OF THEM TODAY.
JOSE DID NOT LET LANGUAGE
BARRIERS STOP HIM FROM COMING
HERE TODAY TO STAND BEFORE YOU.
AND ADVOCATE FOR PROGRAMS THAT
HELP UNACCOMPANIED UNACCOMPANIED
YOUTH. I URGE YOU TO RECOGNIZE
THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF HAVING
BOTH LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE
SUPPORTS BECAUSE THESE YOUTH
REALLY NEED IT. WITHOUT THE
SUPPORTS THAT ARE OFTEN REALLY
HARD TO FIND. MANY YOUTH WILL
FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. IN
CONCLUSION. I ASKED FOR THE
CONTINUED SUPPORT OF HOLISTIC
PROGRAMS LIKE CHIRP. THAT
SUPPORT THE RIGHTS AND WELL
BEING OF UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT UP. GOOD
EVENING CHAIR MEMBERS. MY NAME
IS BRIAN. I'M WITH COMMUNITY
JUSTICE ALLIANCE, AND I'M HERE
IN STRONG SUPPORT OF CHIRP. I
URGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE
CONTINUED FUNDING OF VITAL
SERVICES AIMED TO ASSIST
UNACCOMPANIED UNDOCUMENTED
MINORS. THE LEGAL AND SOCIAL
WORK SERVICES PROVIDED TO THESE
VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS ARE
ESSENTIAL FOR ENSURING THEIR
WELL BEING AND SAFEGUARDING
THEIR RIGHTS. UNACCOMPANIED
MINORS ARRIVED TO CALIFORNIA,
OFTEN FACING NUMER NUMEROUS
CHALLENGES, INCLUDING NAVIGATING
COMPLEX LEGAL PROCESSES WITHOUT
PROPER REPRESENTATION AND COPING
WITH TRAUMA FROM SEPARATING FROM
THEIR FAMILIES. THE SERVICE
FUNDED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM PLAY
A CRUCIAL ROLE IN PROVIDING THE
MINERS WITH THE SUPPORT AND
RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACCESS
JUSTICE RECEIVE APPROPRIATE
CARE. AND INTEGRATE INTO OUR
COMMUNITIES. BY INVESTING IN
THESE SERVICES. WE NOT ONLY
UPHOLD OUR MORAL OBLIGATION TO
PROTECT VULNERABLE CHILDREN BUT
ALSO PROMOTE PROMOTE A MORE JUST
AND COMPASSIONATE IMMIGRATION
SYSTEM. THE SUCCESS OF THESE
MINERS IN ACCESSING LEGAL
REPRESENTATION AND SOCIAL
SUPPORT HAS FAR REACHING
BENEFITS, CONTRIBUTING TO
STRONGER COMMUNITIES AND
FOSTERING A SENSE OF DIGNITY AND
BELONGING FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS. I
URGE YOU TO PRIORITIZE THE WELL
BEING OF UNACCOMPANIED
UNDOCUMENTED MINORS BY
CONTINUING TO ALLOCATE FUNDING
FOR THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
YOUR SUPPORT WILL NOT ONLY MAKE
A DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF THE
VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS, BUT WILL
ALSO REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO
UPHOLD THE PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE
AND COMPASSION. THANK YOU FOR
ATTENTION FOR THIS MATTER. THANK
YOU. THANK THANK YOU NEXT UP.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JESSICA
MARTINEZ HIZAR. I'M AN ATTORNEY
AT COMMUNITY JUSTICE ALLIANCE,
AND I'M HERE IN VERY STRONG
SUPPORT OF THE TRIP PROGRAM. I
AM VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT, UM WE
ARE VERY PROUD OF THIS PROGRAM
BECAUSE IT'S TRULY ONE OF A KIND
IN THE WAY THAT IT PAIRS THESE
UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH WITH NOT
ONLY AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY TO
HELP WITH THE LEGAL CASE, BUT
ALSO WITH THE SOCIAL WORKER TO
HELP WITH THEIR VERY IMPORTANT
SOCIAL SERVICES NEEDS. AND FOR
EXAMPLE, UH, I HAVE A CLIENT WHO
IS 12 YEARS OLD CURRENTLY, UM
SHE ARRIVED TO THIS COUNTRY TWO
YEARS AGO AS AN UNACCOMPANIED
CHILD WHO HAD FACED SEVERE
TRAUMA AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE. UM
WHEN I MET HER LAST YEAR, SHE
HAD ACTUALLY ALREADY HAD A
DEPORTATION ORDER BECAUSE OF THE
VARIOUS OBSTACLES THAT
UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH LIKE HER
FACE. SHE HAD A SHE HAD MISSED
HER IMMIGRATION HEARING AND
WASN'T ABLE TO ATTEND AND
RECEIVED A DEPORTATION ORDER.
THROUGH THE èC PROGRAM. WE WERE
ABLE TO CONNECT HER TO VERY
IMPORTANT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
TO NOT ONLY SUPPORT HER WITH HER
TRAUMA, BUT ALSO PROVIDED AN
ASSESSMENT THAT I WAS ABLE TO
USE IN A MOTION TO REOPEN HER
CASE WHICH WAS SUCCESSFUL AND WE
WERE ABLE TO REMOVE HER
DEPORTATION ORDER. UM SHE IS NOT
ALONE. WE SEE CLIENTS LIKE HER,
UM ALL THE TIME AND, UM THROUGH
THE CHILL PROGRAM. WE'RE ABLE TO
SUCCESSFULLY HELP THEM, UM, NOT
ONLY WITH THE LEGAL CASE, BUT
ALSO SOCIALLY. UM, THIS CLIENT
SHE HAS YOU TO RECEIVE MENTAL
HEALTH SUPPORT. AND I'M VERY
PROUD TO SAY THAT, UM SHE HAS
HELPED HER TREMENDOUSLY SUCCEED,
UH, IN SCHOOL AS WELL. AFTER
ONLY BEING HERE FOR TWO YEARS.
SHE IS NOW FLUENT IN ENGLISH.
AND SO SHE IS, UM, JUST AN
EXAMPLE OF THE TREMENDOUS HELP
THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE
THROUGH THE èC PROGRAM. SO UM,
AS A FOR THIS REASON AS THE
DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANT PARENTS
MYSELF, I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO
CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE SHORT
PROGRAM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING
. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS. THANK YOU
FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK
TODAY. HELLO MY NAME IS OSVALDO
HIDALGO. TA MENDI. AND I'M AN
ATTORNEY WITH COMMUNITY JUSTICE
ALLIANCE PROUD TO BE HERE IN
STRONG SUPPORT OF THE CHILDREN'S
HOLISTIC IMMIGRATION
REPRESENTATION PROJECT OR CHIRP.
THE PROGRAM ENSURES THAT
UNACCOMPANIED IMMIGRANT YOUTH
ARE ASSIGNED TO FULLY INTEGRATED
TEAM THAT INCLUDES AN ATTORNEY
AND A SOCIAL SERVICES STAFF
MEMBER TO SUPPORT THEM THROUGH
THEIR CASE. AND AN EXAMPLE OF
THIS, MY COLLEAGUE, UH, EX
EXPRESSED THAT SHE SERVED
SOMEBODY WHO HAD RECEIVED A
DEPORTATION ORDER. THIS IS VERY
COMMON. I'VE ALSO SERVED A
CLIENT WHO CAME TO US BECAUSE
HIS FAMILY WHO WAS ALSO
UNDOCUMENTED, AND HERE IN THE
UNITED STATES, WE'RE NOT ABLE.
WE'RE TOO SCARED TO TAKE HIM TO
HIS IMMIGRATION CASE, AND HE WAS
GIVEN A DEPORTATION ORDER. HE
FINALLY FOUND HIS WAY.
ORGANIZATION AND WE WERE ABLE TO
NOT ONLY RE REVERSE THAT
DEPORTATION ORDER BUT PUT THEM
ON TRACK TO RECEIVE LEGAL STATUS
AND ON TRACK TO GET A, UH IN
EMPLOYMENT. I DID EMPLOYMENT
AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENTS SO HE
CAN WORK IN THE UNITED STATES
AND, YOU KNOW, GIVE HIM PEACE OF
MIND. NOW HE'S SUCCESSFUL IN
SCHOOL. WE HELP THEM UNCOVER
TRAUMA THAT HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW
THAT HE WAS DEALING WITH NOW HE
IS RECEIVING. WE HELPED HIM
CONNECT. WE HELPED CONNECT HIM
TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT
HE'S RECEIVING TO THIS DAY. NOW
HE'S CONCENTRATING IN SCHOOL.
NOW HE PLAYS ON THE SOCCER TEAM.
NOW HE'S BEING A SUCCESSFUL
STUDENT BECAUSE WE GAVE HIM
THOSE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO DO
THAT. SO WE ASK WHEN YOU FUND
PROGRAMS LIKE CHIRP, YOU'RE
INVESTING IN SOME OF THE MOST
VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS IN
CALIFORNIA AND SETTING THEM UP
FOR SUCCESS. YOU'RE HELPING THEM
OBTAIN LEGAL GUARDIANS TO WATCH
OUT FOR THEM AND TAKE CARE OF
THEM HERE. YOU'RE HELPING THEM
FIGHT TO OBTAIN LEGAL STATUS.
YOU'RE HELPING THEM FIND WAYS TO
ENROLL IN SCHOOL AND YOU'RE
HELPING THEM OBTAIN MENTAL
HEALTH AND JUST REGULAR HEALTH
SERVICES. BUT ABOVE ALL, YOU'RE
HELPING THEM HEAL. YOU'RE
HELPING THEM HEAL FROM THE
TRAUMAS THEY'VE SUFFERED IN
THEIR HOME COUNTRY AND IN
ARRIVING TO THE UNITED STATES
WITHOUT THEIR PARENTS, CHIRP IS
AN IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT
WILL GIVE THESE YOUTH CRITICAL
TOOLS AND A CHANCE TO FULLY
PARTICIPATE IN THE CALIFORNIA
COMMUNITY BACK WHEN THIS THIS
ASSEMBLY FUNDED CHIRP YOU PUT
YOU PUT CALIFORNIA'S MONEY WHERE
ITS MOUTH IS SAYING THAT WE
SERVE THESE YOUTH. WE JUST THAT
YOU CONTINUE DOING SO THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING
CHAIR AND MEMBERS. MY NAME IS
ANNA MARTIN. AND I'M HERE ON
BEHALF OF THE CALIFORNIA
IMMIGRANT POLICY CENTER. WE URGE
THE LEGISLATURE TO PROTECT
FUNDING FOR THE Tð P S¼
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
PROGRAM AND THE èC S¼ U
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
PROJECT AND RESPECTFULLY REQUEST
CONTINUED INVESTMENTS FOR THE
CHILDREN, HOLISTIC IMMIGRATION
REPRESENTATION PROJECT OR CHIRP,
AS WELL AS A RAPID RESPONSE FUND
. THE RAPID RESPONSE FUND HAS
SUPPORTED INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES RELEASED AT THE
SOUTHWEST BORDER NATURAL
DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS FOR
IMMIGRANTS AND ELIGIBLE FOR
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AND WHO STILL
LACK ACCESS TO UNEMPLOYMENT
SAFETY NET AS WELL AS IMMIGRANT
NEEDS ARISING FROM CHANGES IN
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION POLICIES TO
THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, CALIFORNIA
SHOULD EXPAND, NOT ABANDON OUR
RESPONSE TO THIS HUMANITARIAN
EMERGENCY. LASTLY WE REQUEST
THAT THE LEGISLATURE HONOR THE
COMMITMENT TO EXTEND ELIGIBILITY
FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, SO ALL
INCOME ELIGIBLE ELIGIBLE
CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIANS AGED 55
AND OLDER, REGARDLESS OF
IMMIGRATION STATUS. STARTING
OCTOBER 2025. WE ALSO CALL ON
THE LEGISLATURE TO PRIORITIZE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO EXTEND THE
ACCESS TO CALIFORNIANS OF ALL
AGES, REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION
STATUS. WE ALSO VOICE OUR
SUPPORT FOR THE COW, FRESH FRUIT
AND VEGETABLES. PILOT PROGRAM.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT UP. LORD CHAIR, UH, CHAIR
AND MEMBERS. MY NAME IS JOSE
RIVER RADEZ GÓMEZ. I AM 30.
THREE YEARS OF AGE. I AM WITH
THE INTERFAITH MOVEMENT FOR
HUMAN INTEGRITY AS WELL AS THE
DIGNITY, NOT DETENTION
COALITION. UH I'M ACTUALLY A
COLLEGE STUDENT WITH THE FOR SAN
JOAQUIN COUNTY DELTA COLLEGE. UM
I'M HERE TO, UH, TO OPPOSE THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO CUT 15.2
MILLION TO THE CSU AND THE TPS
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
PROGRAMS AND ASKED THAT THE
STATE REINVEST 17.8 MILLION IN
CHIRP A PROGRAM FOR AN
ACCOMPANIMENT ACCOM
UNACCOMPANIED STU IMMIGRANT
CHILDREN. STAY ON IMMIGRATION,
LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS HELP
THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS, WORKERS,
FAMILIES AND VULNERABLE
INDIVIDUALS, ACCESS IMMIGRATION
AND A LEGAL SERVICES. EVERY YEAR
ACROSS CALIFORNIA. I MYSELF HAVE
BEEN HERE SINCE THE AGE OF
THREE. UM I HAVE BENEFITED FROM
THESE RESOURCES. I HAVE AVOIDED
BEING DEPORTED TO A COUNTRY
WHERE I MAY I SUFFER I. I MY
RISK OF SUFFERING HARM. UM I
MYSELF HAVE, YOU KNOW RECEIVED
ALL MY EDUCATION HERE, UM AND
BASICALLY, I'M I'M HERE, YOU
KNOW? YOU KNOW, UH, I'VE KEPT
HERE SAFE WITH MY FAMILY. YOU
KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SO, UM FOR
THIS REASON IS THAT, UM I
MYSELF, YOU KNOW, UM HAVE FOUND
A AAA FAITH COMMUNITY AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, I'M REALLY, REALLY
GROUNDED WITH A THROUGH A FAITH
COMMUNITY AND I MYSELF HAVE
CONTINUOUSLY ADVOCATE FOR OTHER
FOLKS WHO WERE FACING
DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS WHO ARE
BEING UH AT RISK OF BEING
SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES
AND LOVED ONES. UM AND FOR THIS,
UH, I PUBLICLY PRO FOR THIS
REASON, IP, UH P PUBLICLY FUNDED
LEGAL SERVICES, HELP FAMILIES
STAY SAFE AND SECURE. WE WERE WE
RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOU WERE TO
RESTORE THE PROPOSED 15.2
MILLION IN CUTS TO STATE FUNDED
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES THAT
THOUSANDS OF CALIFORNIA FAMILIES
RELY ON AND REINVEST ON CHIRP AT
17.8 MILLION. UH, THANK YOU, UH,
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND GOD
BLESS. APPRECIATE YOU ALL. THANK
YOU. NEXT UP. HØI CHAIR, UH
KELLY LONGO FLORES FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF FOOD
BANKS. UM, AS AN ASSOCIATION, WE
SEE THE IMPACT OF INCREASED
POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY
ACROSS THE STATE. WE URGE YOU TO
REJECT CUTS TO èC WORKS AND ASK
THAT YOU SUPPORT CRITICAL ANTI
HUNGER AND ANTI POVERTY
INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING DISASTER
AND COW FOOD FUNDING FOR FOOD
BANKS ON TIME IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE CRE MINIMUM NUTRITION
BENEFIT PILOT ADMIN NEEDS FOR
SUMMER EB Tð EXPANSION FOR FOOD
FOR ALL AND BUILDING. TANF
PILOTS TO REIMAGINE COW WORKS
AND, OF COURSE, SUSTAINING
DIAPERS AND PERIOD PRODUCTS. UM,
I'D LIKE TO ALSO ADD A ME TOO,
ON BEHALF OF GRACE IN CHILD
POVERTY, THE AFOREMENTIONED
AFOREMENTIONED ISSUES. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT UP. GOOD
EVENING CHAIR JACKSON. JARED
COLE WITH NOURISH CALIFORNIA.
UH, JUST WANNA SAY WHAT SHE
SAID, UH, KEEP IT QUICK, AND
THEN ALSO TO SAY WE'D LIKE TO
ALIGN OUR COMMENTS ON THE
IMMIGRATION ISSUES WITH THOSE OF
THE CALIFORNIA IMMIGRANT POLICY
CENTER. THANKS. 10 SECONDS.
AMEN. GOD BLESS YOU, SIR. NEXT
UP. GOOD EVENING, CHAIR. JACKSON
MY NAME IS ELI ZUKAS. I'M THE
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE POLICY
DIRECTOR AT SPUR. UH, SIMILAR TO
JARED BEFORE ME REALLY HOPE THAT
YOU ALL CAN, UH, KEEP ALL THE
FOOD PROGRAMS SUPPORTED
SPECIFICALLY FOOD FOR ALL COW
FOOD. WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT
SOME IN THE PANEL. I LOOK
FORWARD TO THAT. IT'S AT THE
TIME OF REALLY HIGH PRICES. WE
NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING CHAIR. MY
NAME IS KATE CLARK. I'M THE
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION
SERVICES AT JEWISH FAMILY
SERVICE OF SAN DIEGO SINCE THE
INCEPTION OF THE STATE'S
INVESTMENT OF THE èC S¼ U, UH,
LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM. WE'VE
HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING
ALONGSIDE STUDENTS, UH, STAFF
AND FACULTY AT SAN DIEGO STATE
UNIVERSITY AND èC S¼ U SAN
MARCOS. UH, I WANNA GIVE YOU A
PREVIEW OF HOW THIS PROGRAM
PLAYS OUT AT THE BORDER.
UNFORTUNATELY A HIGHLY
MILITARIZED REGION IN OUR STATE
WITH THE ALPHABET SOUP OF
FEDERAL AGENCIES LIKE
IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS
ENFORCEMENT. BORDER PROTECTION
AND OTHERS IMPORTANTLY, THROUGH%
OUR WORK SERVING SAN DIEGO STATE
UNIVERSITY, WE ARE ABLE TO
EXTEND OUR REACH TO THE CAMPUS
IN IMPERIAL VALLEY, A BEAUTIFUL
AND VIBRANT BINATIONAL COMMUNITY
, WHICH IS UNDERSERVED. OUR
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO MAKE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT
IN THIS REGION BY PROVIDING PRO
BONO LEGAL SERVICES ON SITE AT
THIS CAMPUS. THE ALTERNATIVE
WOULD BE AN HOURS LONG DRIVE TO
ANOTHER STATE, ARIZONA OR TO SAN
DIEGO TO SEEK LEGAL SERVICES. IF
THE HOURS DRIVE WASN'T ENOUGH. A
BARRIER IN EITHER DIRECTION ARE
INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD HAVE TO
FACE BORDER PATROL CHECKPOINTS
AND QUITE LITERALLY RISK THEIR
LIVES TO ACCESS LEGAL SERVICES.
THIS IS AN IMPOSSIBLE DECISION
WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE
ALTERNATIVE WHICH IS FULLY
FUNDING THE èC S¼ U PROGRAM.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING DOCTOR
JACKSON, REBECCA GONZALEZ, WITH
THE WESTERN CENTER ON LAW AND
POVERTY REALLY QUICKLY REITERATE
OUR SUPPORT FOR NOT CUTTING HOW
WORKS, UM AND REDUCING THE
SAFETY NET AND ALSO, UM, LOOKING
TOWARDS REIMAGINING COW WORKS
AND MAKING IT A BETTER PROGRAM.
WE ALSO WANT TO END DEEP CHILD
POVERTY BY RAISING THE GRANTS TO
AT LEAST 50% OF THE FEDERAL
POVERTY LEVEL. WE'RE SUPPORTIVE
OF THE PROPOSALS ON THE
GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM TO
EXTEND THE, UM, PROGRAM OF PILOT
AUTHORITY. UM AND WE ALSO WANT
TO SUPPORT THE FOOD BANK. AND
THE REQUEST THAT THEY'VE MADE
ESPECIALLY FOOD FOR ALL AND ALSO
SUPPORT THE, UM Tð P S¼ COMMENTS
ON THAT PROGRAM AND ALSO LEGAL
SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT UP. GOOD
EVENING. MY NAME IS REBECCA
MILLER AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING
THE TRUTH AND JUSTICE AND CHILD
SUPPORT COALITION. THE
COALITION'S MAIN GOAL IS TO STOP
THE INTERCEPTION OF CHILD
SUPPORT PAYMENTS TO REIMBURSE
THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
FOR COW WORK BENEFITS RECEIVED
BY CUSTODIAL PARENTS AND
ELIMINATE DECADES OF UNCOLLECTED
, UNCOLLECTED STAIN ON DEBT DUE
TO THIS POLICY BECAUSE OF THE
COALITION'S GOALS TO INCREASE
THE FINANCIAL WELL BEING AND LOW
INCOME FAM OF LOW INCOME
FAMILIES AND REDUCE CHILD
POVERTY, THE COALITION IS HERE
TO STRONGLY OPPOSE THE THOSE
DOUBLE CUTS TO COW WORKS. THE
COALITION ALSO VOICES ITS
SUPPORT OF THE REIMAGINED COW
WORKS GOALS TO MOVE AWAY FROM
INEFFECTIVE AND HARMFUL
SANCTIONS AND TO RAISE GRANT
LEVELS TO END DEEP CHILD
POVERTY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
NEXT UP. HØI MY NAME IS ELENI
WBA, AND I'M, THE CO EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR AT IMMIGRANT LEGAL
DEFENSE. I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK
YOU TO REJECT ALL OF THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS TO CUT
SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS IN OUR
STATE. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A REALLY
LONG NIGHT, SO I'M GOING TO JUST
SHARE ONE BRIEF STORY. I'VE HAD
THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING TO
LAUNCH OVER THE LAST 12 YEARS,
SEVERAL PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIP
WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN
ORDER TO ENSURE THAT IMMIGRANTS
IN THE MOST VULNERABLE REGIONS
OF OUR STATE HAVE ACCESS TO
SERVICES THE FIRST CLINIC EVER
HELD UNDER THE èC S¼ U LEGAL
SERVICES PROGRAM WAS AT FRESNO
STATE, AND I MET A YEAR OLD WHO
WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN HER
FAMILY, A FARM WORKING FAMILY TO
BE ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE. WE MET
HER THAT DAY, AND SHE WAS MONTHS
AWAY FROM AGING OUT OF SPECIAL
IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS. WHEN
WE TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS GOING
TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS FREE LEGAL
SERVICES, AND THEY WERE PAID FOR
BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, SHE
SAID. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN
HER LIFE SHE FELT SEEN BY HER
STATE. AND THIS IS SOMEONE WHO
GROWN UP HERE SINCE THEY WERE
NINE MONTHS OLD. TODAY SHE'S A
CITIZEN, AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO
REPRESENT THE REST OF HER FAMILY
AND SEEKING STATUS. SHE'S
CURRENTLY UM, GOING TO SCHOOL.
SHE'S GRADUATED GOING TO SCHOOL
AND IS GOING TO LAW SCHOOL IN
ORDER TO HELP OTHER INDIVIDUALS
TRY AND, UM, ACCESS THE SAME
SERVICES. SHE DID. I URGE YOU TO
NOT CUT THESE VITAL SERVICES.
THANK YOU. BRING US HOME. GOOD
EVENING, MR CHAIR MEMBERS.
CHRISTOPHER SANCHEZ HERE ON
BEHALF OF OUR FRIENDS FROM
CHILE, WHO WANT TO ECHO ALL THE
GREAT COMMENTS FROM ALL THE
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ADVOCATES.
THANK YOU. OH, WOW. I WAS
FANTASTIC. ALL RIGHT. WE ARE IN
OUR LAST STRETCH, FOLKS. LET'S
CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT. WE
WILL NOW GO TO ISSUE NUMBER
EIGHT. AND WE ARE GONNA FLY
THROUGH THESE BABIES. HOW ARE
YOU? GOOD. HOW ARE YOU? YEAH, I
CAN HEAR YOU. AND YOU MAY BEGIN
WHEN YOU'RE READY. OK GOOD
EVENING, MR CHAIR. HEARD A FEW
GOOD AFTERNOONS AND I CHUCKLED.
I'LL SAY GOOD EVENING, UM
JENNIFER TROIA, CHIEF DEPUTY
DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
UH ITEM EIGHT, IS A WITH RESPECT
TO A VARIETY OF OUR NUTRITION
PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CALF FRESH,
THE LARGEST PROGRAM IN THE STATE
. BUT YOUR QUESTIONS IN
PARTICULAR FOCUSED ON TWO OF
THOSE, UH, THE FOOD FOR ALL
PROGRAM OR THE EXPANSION OF THE
CFA, A PROGRAM AND THE FRUIT AND
VEGETABLE PILOT UPDATES SO I
WILL FOCUS MY COMMENTS THERE.
WITH RESPECT TO THE EXPANSION OF
èC FA, CALIFORNIA CURRENTLY
PROVIDES STATE FUNDED FOOD
BENEFITS TO CERTAIN NONCITIZEN
WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL
CASH BENEFITS SOLELY BECAUSE OF
THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. IN
2022, THE LEGISLATURE AND THE
GOVERNOR ENACTED TRAILER BILL
LANGUAGE TO MAKE INDIVIDUALS AGE
55 AND OLDER WHO ARE INELIGIBLE
FOR CAL FRESH SOLELY BECAUSE OF
IMMIGRATION STATUS. SO IN
ADDITIONAL GROUP OF IMMIGRANTS
ELIGIBLE FOR èC FA ONCE THE
CHANGES COULD BE IMPLEMENTED, SO
I'M REFERRING TO THIS AS THE CFP
EXPANSION. èC S¼ S¼ HAS BEEN
WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR
COUNTY ADVOCATE AND OTHER
PARTNERS TO PLAN FOR THIS
EXPANSION. IT IS ON TRACK AND
EXPECTED IN OCTOBER 2025. OUR
PLANNING EFFORTS HAVE INCLUDED
POLICY GUIDANCE TO INFORM
AUTOMATION, A QUARTERLY ALL
STAKEHOLDER WEBINAR SERIES
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS, A SURVEY
TO GATHER CLIENT INPUT REGARDING
FOOD INSECURITY AND IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES AND THE DESIGN OF
THE EXPANSION. THREE ADVISORY
WORK GROUPS ON OUTREACH DATA AND
PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE. SAYS. ONCE
IMPLEMENTED. THE CFP EXPANSION
IS ANTICIPATED TO SERVE ABOUT
75,000 CALIFORNIANS. UM, I'LL
MOVE ON FROM THERE TO YOUR
QUESTIONS ON THE FRUIT AND
VEGETABLE EB Tð PILOT PROJECT.
THIS PILOT PROJECT IS A HEALTHY
INCENTIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO
PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD
BENEFITS TO HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING
CAL FRESH UPON THEIR PURCHASE OF
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AT
RETAILERS AND FARMERS MARKETS
THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT,
SO THE INCENTIVE PROVIDES THEM
WITH A BENEFIT MATCH. THAT'S 1
TO 1 AND, UH, UP TO $60 THAT
THEY CAN USE TO PURCHASE OTHER
CAL FRESH ELIGIBLE FOODS. THERE
ARE THREE PILOT GRANTEES WHO WE
SELECTED AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
SECURING THE COMMITMENT OF
RETAILERS AND FARMERS MARKETS IN
THE PILOT. THE PILOT IS
CURRENTLY SUPPORTING THREE
PARTICIPATING FARMERS MARKETS
AND 88 RETAIL FOOD LOCATIONS IN
10 COUNTIES. AS OF MARCH, 12TH
2024 THERE WERE OVER 75,000 CRE
HOUSEHOLDS WHO EARNED OVER $7
MILLION IN INCENTIVES. YOU ALSO
ASKED ABOUT THE OUTREACH PROCESS
WITH RESPECT TO THE PILOT, UM,
IN TERMS OF THOSE QUESTIONS, OUR
PILOT GRANTEES DEVELOPED BOTH
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND IN STORE
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS TO RAISE
PUBLIC AWARENESS. THEY ARE. WE
ALSO ISSUED AN ALL COUNTY
WELFARE DIRECTOR'S LETTER
INFORMING THE COUNTIES OF THE
PILOT AND CONDUCTED MEDIA
OUTREACH WHEN IT FIRST LAUNCHED
PARTICIPANTS IN CAL FRESH WHO
PURCHASE FRUITS OR VEGETABLES AT
A PARTICIPATING RETAILER.
AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE THE
INCENTIVES. THERE'S NÓ WAITLIST
TO PARTICIPATE. THEY DON'T NEED
TO SIGN UP IN SOME SPECIAL
FORMAT. HE SIMPLY SHOP AND
PURCHASE THE FRESH PRODUCE AT
ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING
RETAILERS. AS PART OF OUR
AGREEMENTS WITH CDSS. OUR
GRANTEES WERE TASKED WITH THE
RECRUITMENT OF RETAILERS TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT AND THE
GRANTEES WERE ABLE TO LEVERAGE
EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE
RETAILERS AND FARMERS MARKETS AS
THE PILOTS FULLY IMPLEMENTED.
THERE'S NÓ LONGER AN ACTIVE
OUTREACH PROCESS FOR ADDITIONAL
RETAILERS OR MARKETS TO
PARTICIPATE. UH YOU NOTED IN
YOUR AGENDA THAT THE PILOT IS
COMING TO A CLOSE AS WE ARE
RUNNING OUT OF FUNDS AND ASKED
ABOUT, UM WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
THERE AND SO JUST WANTED TO
EMPHASIZE THAT, UM, IT WAS
INTENDED TO BE A PILOT WITH THE
OBJECTIVE OF DEVELOPING AND
IMPLEMENTING SCALABLE TECHNOLOGY
IN THE EB Tð SYSTEM SO WE COULD
TEST THAT WITH COUNTIES TO
INFORM ANY BROADER STATEWIDE
SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS PROGRAMS
WE MIGHT CONSIDER IN THE FUTURE.
WE DO CURRENTLY ANTICIPATE THE
PILOT ENDING NEXT MONTH IN APRIL
2024. AT WHICH POINT WE WOULD BE
TRANSITIONING TO FOCUSING WITH
THE GRANTEE PARTNERS ON
DEVELOPING THE EVALUATIONS OF
THE PILOT, WHICH WE OWE TO YOU
IN THE COMING YEARS. WITH THAT I
AM HAPPY TO PAUSE AND TAKE YOUR
QUESTIONS AT THE APPROPRIATE
TIME. UH, GOOD EVENING. CHAIR
JACKSON. JARED COLE WITH NOURISH
CALIFORNIA AGAIN, UM, WANT TO
COMPLIMENT YOU ON YOUR STAMINA?
UM ALSO, I WANT TO START BY
THANKING OUR CO SPONSORS AT THE
CALIFORNIA IMMIGRANT POLICY
CENTER AND THE OVER 100 AND 50
ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE PART OF
THE VERY DIVERSE STATEWIDE FOOD
FOR ALL COALITION. FOOD FOR ALL
IS VERY SIMPLE. LET'S STOP
DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PEOPLE
BASED ON THEIR IMMIGRATION
STATUS. WHEN IT COMES TO BASIC
FOOD ASSISTANCE. WE'VE DONE IT
FOR HEALTH COVERAGE. NUTRITION
AND HEALTH. GO TOGETHER. UM, SO
I KNOW OUR PARTNERS AT FOOD
BANKS ARE ON THE NEXT PANEL, AND
THEY THEY SHARE SOME OTHER
TROUBLING, ALARMING RATES OF
INSECURE FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS
THE STATE. UM ABOUT ONE IN FIVE
PEOPLE NOT TO STEAL THE THUNDER
OR ONE IN FOUR CHILDREN ARE FOOD
, INSECURE AND THE BUT THE RATES
FOR UNDOCUMENTED, UH,
INDIVIDUALS IN CALIFORNIA ARE
MUCH, MUCH HIGHER, NEARLY TWICE
45% OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
ARE IMPACTED BY FOOD INSECURITY
ACROSS THE STATE. AND FOR
CHILDREN. THAT NUMBER IS ALMOST
TWO THIRDS 64% SO THE PROBLEM IS
MUCH MORE STARK AND OBVIOUSLY A
BIG PART OF THAT ISSUE. IS THERE
, UH, INELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL COW
FRESH BELT BENEFITS BECAUSE OF
THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. UM SO
YOU KNOW, THESE ARE HARD WORKING
CALIFORNIANS WHO PAY TAXES, MANY
OF THEM ARE GROW HARVEST. SH. SO
SERVE THE FOOD THAT WE ALL ENJOY
THE BOUNTY OF CALIFORNIA AND
CAN'T THEMSELVES AFFORD TO PUT
HEALTHY FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR
THEIR FAMILIES. SO WE ARE
GRATEFUL TO THE LEGISLATURE AND
TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE
DEPARTMENT, UM AND THE
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMITTING TO
EXPANDING èC FA TO AGES 55 AND
OVER, BUT DO YOU WANNA SHARE
ANOTHER TROUBLING STATISTIC? UM
A, ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC
POLICY INSTITUTE OF CALIFORNIA
THAT PLANNED EXPANSION TO OLDER
ADULTS, UH, WOULD ONLY IMPACT 8%
OF DOCUMENTED FARM WORKERS, SO
92% OF UNDOCUMENTED FARM WORKERS
ARE BELOW THAT AGE THRESHOLD AND
WOULD NOT BE HELPED BY THE
CURRENT PLANNED EXPANSION. UM SO
WE OBVIOUSLY LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUING TO WORKING, UH, WITH
THE LEGISLATURE, THE
ADMINISTRATION THE DEPARTMENT,
UM, TO IMPLEMENT THE PLANNED
EXPANSION, PARTIAL EXPANSION AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT WE NEED
FOOD FOR ALL THAT'S HOW PEOPLE
EAT AROUND THE TABLE WITH THEIR
ENTIRE FAMILY. UM YOU KNOW, WE
ARE OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE
BUDGET PICTURE. UM BUT AS WE
HEARD EARLIER TODAY, POVERTY AND
HUNGER HAVE VERY REAL SHORT TERM
AND LONG TERM COSTS IN THE FORM
OF HIGHER HEALTH. UM UH UH,
HEALTH CARE COSTS. LO UH, LOSS
OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT. UM,
LOWER PRODUCTIVITY. UM AND IN
FACT, RECENT STUDIES SHOW THAT
ACCESS TO SNAP, PARTICULARLY FOR
OLDER ADULTS, SNAPPER COW FRESH,
UM REDUCED HEALTH, HEALTH CARE
COSTS AND HEALTH CARE SPENDING
ON AN AVERAGE OF OVER $2000 A
YEAR FOR OLDER THAT'S MORE THAN
THE COW. FRESH BENEFIT WOULD BE
SO IT'S NOT JUST SMART. POLICY
IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AND
SO IF I CAN, UM, I'LL JUST CLOSE
WITH A QUOTE FROM, UM, A
COALITION MEMBER WHO'S ACTUALLY
FROM YOUR DISTRICT. UH, CHAIR
JACKSON NAYELI TORRES, SHE TOLD
US AS AN UNDOCUMENTED MOTHER OF
THREE CHILDREN. I OFTEN STRUGGLE
TO FIND HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS FOR
MY FAMILY. FOOD FOR ALL WOULD
ALLEVIATE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF
STRESS TO ALL MOTHERS WHO ARE
TASKED WITH PROVIDING THE BEST
FOOD OPTIONS FOR OUR CHILDREN.
SO LET'S TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ENDING HUNGER AND INVESTING
CALIFORNIA'S FUTURE AND FAMILIES
LIKE NELLY'S, UM, THANKS AGAIN
FOR, UH, ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT
AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS. GOOD EVENING CHAIR
JACKSON AND EVERYONE ELSE. MY
NAME IS ELI ZIGS. I'M THE FOOD
AND AGRICULTURE POLICY DIRECTOR
AT SPUR AND I'LL BE SPEAKING
ABOUT THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE EB
Tð PILOT AND PROGRAM. VERY MUCH
APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING THIS ON
THE AGENDA. UM BECAUSE WHAT WE
HAVE HERE IS A PROGRAM THAT
WORKS. IT IS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL,
AND IT IS VERY EFFICIENT. AND AS
YOU HEARD IT IS ABOUT TO END FOR
LACK OF FUNDS. SO WE HAVE
SOMETHING GREAT. THAT IS ABOUT
TO HAVE TO BE PUT ON PAUSE FOR
LACK OF FUNDS, AND, UH, WHETHER
IT IS ABLE TO CONTINUE IS REALLY
IN THE LEGISLATURE AND
GOVERNOR'S HANDS. WE KNOW IT
WORKS. IT REDUCES HUNGER. IT
IMPROVES HEALTH, AND IT SUPPORTS
THE CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL
ECONOMY. THERE'S LOTS OF
RESEARCH TO BACK THIS UP FROM
CALIFORNIA AND ACROSS THE
COUNTRY. WE ALSO HAVE INCREDIBLE
TESTIMONIALS FROM PEOPLE WHO
HAVE BEEN USING THE PROGRAM, UM,
ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA, WHERE THE STORE
THAT'S PARTICIPATING DOES AN
AMAZING JOB OF CAPTURING THOSE
AND I WILL SEND THOSE AROUND
AFTER. UM IT'S HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL
. YOU HEARD SOME STATISTICS. THE
ONE THE DATA WE'VE SEEN, UH, WAS
FROM FEBRUARY 43,000 HOUSEHOLDS
REACHING 75,000 PEOPLE. UM AND
WHAT THAT TRANSLATES TO IS ABOUT
$44 PER MONTH. SO HOUSEHOLDS CAN
GET UP TO $60 A MONTH IN MONEY
IN REBATES FOR FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES THAT THEY BUY WITH
COW FRESH. MOST ON AVERAGE ARE
GETTING 44 AND THAT'S ABOUT TO
END. SO THERE ARE 75,000 PEOPLE
WHO HAVE BEEN BENEFITING FROM
$44 A MONTH ON AVERAGE, UH,
WHICH IS GOING TO DISAPPEAR IN
THE NEXT MONTH. THAT TRANSLATES
TO APPROXIMATELY $2 MILLION PER
MONTH STATEWIDE. FOR WHAT THE
PROGRAM COSTS. UM THE DATA KEEPS
COMING IN THE POPULARITY GROWS
THAT MAY THAT MAY GROW OVER
TIME. SPEAKING TO THE PILOT, ITS
INTENT IT WAS LOOKING FOR
SCALABLE WAYS OF DELIVERING
SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS AND IN
OCTOBER IT WAS DELIVERING ABOUT
$400,000 A MONTH. IT IS NOW AT
$2 MILLION A MONTH THAT IS A 10
TIMES INCREASE, AND THERE WAS NÓ
NEED TO INCREASE STAFFING. TO
ACCOMPLISH THAT SCALING, SO THE
PILOT HAS DEMONSTRATED. I THINK
IT'S DOING WHAT WE WANT IT TO
DO. UM, IT CAN DELIVER BENEFITS
AT SCALE WITH AUTOMATION THAT
THE STATE PUT A LOT OF
INVESTMENT IN AND THAT'S
FANTASTIC. IT'S INCREDIBLY
EFFICIENT. THERE IS A REQUEST
FROM ASSEMBLY MEMBER LEE WHICH
YOU ALL ARE WELL AWARE OF FOR
$30 MILLION TO KEEP THIS
PROPOSAL GOING FOR 12 MORE
MONTHS OF THAT FUNDING, OUR
UNDERSTANDING IS THAT 99% OF
THOSE FUNDS WOULD GO STRAIGHT
INTO PEOPLE'S POCKETS. BECAUSE
IT HAS BEEN AUTOMATED BECAUSE
THE CURRENT SCALE IS BEING MET
BY CURRENT STAFFING NEEDS.
THERE'S NOT HUGE OVERHEAD IN
ADDITION, SO IT'S FROM OUR
PERSPECTIVE IS ONE OF THE MOST
EFFICIENT WAYS TO DELIVER
BENEFITS. AND IN A TIME OF
REALLY TIGHT BUDGETS, IT'S A
WISE EFFICIENT INVESTMENT FOR
THAT REASON. AS YOU HEARD IT SO
SUCCESSFUL, IT'S RUNNING OUT OF
MONEY. WE'VE BEEN GIVEN GUIDANCE
TO TALK TO OUR PARTNER
RETAILERS. WE PARTNER WITH A
THREE OF THEM, UM, THAT THE
PROGRAM COULD END AS SOON AS
APRIL. 14TH SO THIS IS REAL. IT
IS COMING. UM PEOPLE ARE GOING
TO LOSE BENEFITS THAT THEY'VE
BEGUN COUNTING ON, UM SO WHERE
THIS ALL BRINGS US IS, UM, YOU
HAVE REALLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS
TO MAKE. YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR
HOURS. I DO NOT ENVY THE
POSITION YOU'RE IN. AS WE LOOK
AT WHERE THE STATE CAN CONTINUE
TO INVEST FUNDS. YOU ARE
STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE
SAFETY NET, AND WHAT I WOULD SAY
IS THIS IS ONE PROGRAM AMONG
MANY, BUT THIS IS ONE THAT IS
VERY SUCCESSFUL AT DOING WHAT IT
SEEKS OUT TO ACCOMPLISH. IT IS
VERY POPULAR BOTH FOR THE PEOPLE
WHO ARE USING IT FOR THE
RETAILERS WHO ARE PARTNERING
WITH IT. AND POLITICALLY, UM AND
IT IS INCREDIBLY EFFICIENT AND
THOSE THREE THINGS IN MY MIND
MAKE THIS PROGRAM STAND OUT. IF
IT IS NOT FUNDED, THE PROGRAM
WILL BE ON INDEFINITE PAUSE. IT
WILL BE ON INDEFINITE END. SO IF
WE DON'T GET MONEY FROM THE
LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR IN THIS
CYCLE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE
FUTURE HOLDS FOR THIS AND THAT
WOULD BE A SHAME BECAUSE WE'VE
INVESTED A LOT. WE HAVE A GREAT
THING GOING, AND I HOPE WE CAN
KEEP IT GOING. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. EMILY
MARSHALL DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
NÓ ADDITIONAL COMMENT BUT HAPPY
TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. SO
SHAAR RUSSO WITH THE LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST'S OFFICE AS MENTIONED,
OUR OFFICE DOES INDEPENDENTLY
FORECAST CAL FRESH AND CFA CASE
LOAD AT THIS TIME. WE BELIEVE
THAT THE ADMINISTRATION'S
ASSUMPTIONS FOR CAL FRESH AND
CFA CASELOAD APPEAR REASONABLE.
BASED ON OUR ESTIMATES. WE ALSO
RECOMMEND THAT THE LEGISLATURE
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE CPAP
EXPANSION TO INDIVIDUALS AGED 55
AND OLDER BASED ON THE COST AND
THE ANTICIPATED CASELOAD, GIVEN
THE POTENTIAL FOR A SIGNIFICANT
OUTY COSTS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
UM I THINK, UH, UH, DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES. WHAT ARE YOU
? UM I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY YOU BUILT
OUT THIS INFRASTRUCTURE. SEEM TO
BE A GREAT PROGRAM. UM WHAT DO
WE INTEND TO DO WITH THIS
INFRASTRUCTURE WHEN THE PROGRAM
EXPIRES IN A MONTH? THANK YOU
FOR THE QUESTION. UM I WOULD
AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE BELIEVE
IT'S BEEN A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM
AND THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS
SUCCESSFUL INFRASTRUCTURE. UM
THAT SAID IT WAS ALWAYS DESIGNED
TO BE A PILOT PROGRAM. AND SO WE
DO OWE YOU THE EVALUATION THAT
WILL GIVE ADDITIONAL DETAIL TO
OUR EXPERIENCE OF THE PROGRAM.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, UM,
EXTENDING THE PROGRAM NOW OR
INTO THE FUTURE REALLY DOES
REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT FISCAL
RESOURCES FOR THE FUNDING OF THE
BENEFITS, AND THAT'S REALLY THE
MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WHEN DO
YOU TO THE LEGISLATURE RECEIVING
THAT REPORT. THE THERE ARE TWO
REPORTS. THE FIRST ONE IS DUE IN
2025 AND THE SECOND IN 2026. WE
WILL AS SOON AS WE, UH, BEGIN
THE A. AS SOON AS WE HAVE
COMPLETED THE PROCESS OF MOVING
AWAY FROM THE PROGRAM AND, UM,
ENDING IT. WE WILL THEN BE
ENGAGING WITH OUR PARTNERS TO
GATHER FEEDBACK AND PERHAPS EVEN
WE COULD PROVIDE IT EARLY. OK
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UH, WE WILL
CONCLUDE THIS PANEL. WE'LL LEAVE
THIS, UM, ITEM OPEN, AND, UH,
WE'LL MOVE ON. TO THE NEXT PANEL
ON EMERGENCY FOOD, BANK FUNDING
AND INCREASING DEMAND.
AND YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE
READY. THANK YOU AGAIN, JENNIFER
TROYA ON BEHALF OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
UM èC Dð S¼ S¼ ADMINISTERS A
VARIETY OF EMERGENCY FOOD
DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS ACROSS
CALIFORNIA, UH, MANY OF WHICH
ARE OUTLINED IN THE BACKGROUND
ON YOUR AGENDA. THEY INCLUDE
FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS SUCH
AS THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM AND STATE FUNDED
BENEFITS SUCH AS COW FOOD OR THE
TRIBAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM, ALONG WITH CALF, FRESH
AND OTHER NUTRITION BENEFITS
PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE
INTENDED TO ADDRESS FOOD
INSECURITY. AND PROMOTE ACCESS
TO ESSENTIAL NUTRITION FOR
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED
. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE
WITH RESPECT TO THE QUESTIONS IN
YOUR AGENDA ABOUT THE, UM NEEDS
THAT THE FOOD BANKS ARE SEEING
THAT THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS. WE DO
PARTNER WITH A RELATIVELY SMALL
NUMBER OF THE EMERGENCY FOOD
PARTNERS IN COMPARISON TO THE
MUCH BROADER NETWORK OF FOOD
BANKS AND PANTRIES ACROSS THE
STATE, SO I THINK I WILL DEFER
TO THEM AND THEY'LL BE BETTER
POSITIONED TO SPEAK TO THE
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEED AND
DEMAND THAT THEY'RE SEEING
OVERALL ACROSS THE STATE. THAT
SAID. I WILL, UM, ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT WE ARE HEARING FROM OUR
CONTRACTED REPORTERS OR
CONTRACTED PARTNERS, UH,
REPORTING HIGHER DEMAND FOR
SERVICES COMPARED TO THE PRE
PANIC LEVELS. AND CERTAINLY, AS
YOU HEARD IN THE PUBLIC
TESTIMONY AS WELL. THEY HAVE
EXPRESSED TO US THEIR CONCERN
ABOUT LOSSES OF THE TEMPORARY
RESOURCES AT A TIME WHEN THE
DEMAND IS HIGH. OUR PARTNERS
HAVE REPORTED THAT THEY'RE
TRYING TO LEVERAGE STATE AND
FEDERAL FUNDING STREAMS AGAINST
THEIR PRIVATELY FUNDED STREAMS
OR PHILANTHROPIC FUNDS TO DO
THEIR BEST TO RESPOND TO THAT
IMMEDIATE DEMAND FOR FOOD WHILE
ALSO PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
DEMANDS AND TO BLEND THE FUNDING
SOURCES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. SO
IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING HUNGER
AMONG CALIFORNIANS MORE BROADLY,
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO
HEARKEN BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF
THE HEARING AND TO TALK MORE
ABOUT THE CALF, FRESH OUTREACH
THAT CAME UP EARLIER AND THE
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES THAT WE'VE
SEEN ON AN INTENTIONAL BASIS IN
THE CAL. PROGRAM WITH █5.04
MILLION RECIPIENTS. CALF FRESH
IS THE STATE'S LARGEST NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, AND THE
ASSISTANCE IT PROVIDES IS
CRITICAL FOR COMBATING HUNGER
AND ALSO, UH, MEETING SOME OF
THOSE NEEDS SO THAT THERE ARE
FEWER FOLKS WHO NEED TO AT AT
REACH OUT TO OUR PARTNERS IN THE
FOOD BANKS AND PANTRIES. WE ARE
DEDICATED TO CONTINUING OUR
EFFORTS ALONG WITH YOUR
PARTNERSHIP TO MAXIMIZE
PARTICIPATION IN CALF FRESH AND
AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT ON THE
LAST ISSUE TO EXPANDING THE CFA,
A PROGRAM AS WELL. HØI THANK
YOU. KELLY LONGO FLORES FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF FOOD
BANKS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU
HAVING US HERE TODAY. UH, WE
WORK ALONGSIDE 41 FOOD BANKS
LIKE JOSUE FROM ACROSS THE STATE
WITH OUR MISSION TO END HUNGER.
UM AND WE'VE ALREADY HEARD A LOT
ABOUT, UM, HUNGER STATISTICS
ACROSS THE STATE. JARED OUR
COLLEAGUE, UM AND IN THE FIRST
PANEL AND THROUGHOUT BUT AGAIN
JUST REITERATE ONE IN FIVE
HOUSEHOLDS. UM, ONE IN FOUR
HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN ARE
EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY.
WE'RE LOOKING AT PANDEMIC
LEVELS. UM, AND DEEP, DEEP
DISPARITIES. FOR HOUSEHOLDS, UM,
OF COLOR, SO I, YOU KNOW, JUST
TO KIND OF DIVE INTO WHAT WE'RE
SEEING AT THE FOOD BANKS BECAUSE
WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF THE
DISCUSSION AROUND HUNGER
GENERALLY, UH, WE FEEL A SURVEY
LAST MONTH WITH OUR MEMBER FOOD
BANKS, AND WE FOUND THAT 33 OUT
OF FOUR HAD, UM, HAD TO ADJUST
THEIR OPERATIONS TO COPE WITH
INCREASED DEMAND AND FEWER
RESOURCES AND HALF LIMITED AND
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT
THEY WERE PROVIDING A QUARTER
SCALED BACK PROGRAMS AND ARE
EVEN CLOSING THEIR FOOD
DISTRIBUTION SITES, UH, REDUCING
THEIR PAID WORKFORCE OR TURNING
AWAY CLIENTS. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE
. THIS IS HEARTBREAKING FOR OUR
FOOD BANKS, UM, WHO ARE AT THE
CORE OF SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY
AND EVEN MORE HEARTBREAKING FOR
THOSE WHO NEED THOSE, UH, NEED
THAT FOOD. BUT UM WHAT? WHAT
WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY
ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL
PROGRAMS THAT HAS SUPPORTED FOOD
BANKS DURING THIS TIME OF
INCREASED NEED IS CALLED COW
FOOD. UH COW FOOD ALLOWS FOOD
BANKS TO PURCHASE CALIFORNIAN
GROWN AND PRODUCED FOODS. SO
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE
PROTEIN AND DAIRY FOOD THAT
SERVES THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR
DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. UH, IT'S
BEEN FUNDED AT $8 MILLION
ANNUALLY SINCE 2017 AND THANKS
TO THE LEGIS, LEGISLATURE AND
GOVERNOR, WE'VE SEEN ONE TIME
INVESTMENTS OF 100 AND 12
MILLION IN 2022 23 BUDGET AND 52
MILLION IN THE 2324. THAT MEANS
ABOUT 62.7 ON AN ON AVERAGE OVER
THREE YEARS, AND IT'S BEEN AN
ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER FOR OUR
FOOD BANKS. I REALLY CAN'T SAY
THAT ENOUGH. UM, FOOD BANKS, UM,
ARE SPENDING AS YOU CAN IMAGINE
COW FOOD FUNDING AT A RAPID PACE
AND ARE EXTRAORDINARILY WORRIED
ABOUT THE HUNGER CLIFF THAT
WE'LL FACE WHEN THOSE ONE TIME
INVESTMENTS RUN OUT. UH, WE KNOW
THAT $8 MILLION WAS NEVER ENOUGH
FOR CONTEXT. WHEN YOU LOOK UM
OTHER STATES THAT HAVE SIMILAR
INVESTMENTS IN FOOD BANKS.
CALIFORNIA IS ONE OF THE LAST AT
$1 PER PERSON, UH, OTHER STATES
LIKE NEW YORK $65 PER PERSON IN
VERMONT, 32. AND I KNOW THAT IN
THIS CURRENT BUDGET CONTEXT,
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EFFICIENCIES
. HOW ARE WE DOING THINGS BETTER
. AND I JUST THIS IS PRETTY
STRIKING THAT BECAUSE OF FOOD
BANKS, TREMENDOUS PURCHASING
POWER AND SCALE. UH, IN ON
AVERAGE $1 OF COW FOOD EQUALS
FIVE MEALS, SO OUR REQUEST IS TO
SET 6 60 MILLION AS NEW ANNUAL
BASELINE, STARTING IN 2025, WHEN
THE CURRENT ONE TIME FUNDING
RUNS OUT, AND THEN LASTLY AND I
WON'T TAKE TOO MUCH TIME ON
THIS, BECAUSE, UM, JOU WILL BE
TALKING ABOUT THIS, BUT, UM,
I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR
DISASTER. FOOD UH, UM, PROGRAMS
FOR FOOD BANKS. AND OF COURSE,
WE WANT TO START WITH A HUGE
THANK YOU TO CHAIR FOR BEING A
CHAMPION ON THIS FOR FOOD BANKS
ACROSS THE STATE, SO I THINK
EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM CAN THINK
BACK OVER THE LAST YEAR AND
REMEMBER A NATURAL DISASTER THAT
IMPACTED THEM. FAMILY MEMBER, UM
OR AND SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA I
HAVE FOOD BANK ASSOCIATION
COLLEAGUES AND SONOMA COUNTY WHO
TALK ABOUT DOING ANNUAL FIRE
DRILLS, UM, OR PREPARATION FOR
FIRES WITH THEIR FAMILY IN
SACRAMENTO IS FLOODING. I HAVE
FAMILY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
IT'S EARTHQUAKE PREPARATION. UM
THEN THE NATIONAL RISK INDEX WAS
UPDATED BY FA IN SEPTEMBER OF
LAST YEAR AND PREDICTED VERY
HIGH AND RELATIVELY HIGH RISK
FOR WELL OVER HALF A
CALIFORNIA'S 58 COUNTIES AND AT
LEAST MODERATE RISK FOR ALMOST
THE ENTIRE STATE. SO IN, UH, IN
2019, CALIFORNIA CREATED THE
STATE DISASTER FOOD ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO MASSIVE
FIRES AND EVEN MORE WIDESPREAD
POWER SHUTOFFS THAT WERE
IMPACTING THE MAJORITY OF THE
STATE. SINCE THEN, AND AGAIN,
WE'LL HEAR ABOUT THIS A LITTLE
BIT MORE, UM, THE EMERGENCY FOOD
RESOURCE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY
EFFECTIVE FOR OUR FOOD BANKS. UM
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
FEATURES THAT I WANT TO
HIGHLIGHT IS THAT IT'S
IMMEDIATE, UH, A FOOD BANK WILL
REACH OUT TO èC B S¼ S¼ AND
THAT FOOD CAN BE EN ROUTE THE
NEXT DAY. UH, THIS ALLOWS FOOD
BANKS TO QUICKLY TRIBUTE SHELF,
STABLE BOXES OF FOOD THAT
REQUIRE MINIMAL COOKING TO
PEOPLE IN, UM, CRISIS. UM SO OUR
REQUEST IS TO PERMANENTLY PLACE
THIS PROGRAM IN STATUTE AND FUND
IT THREE MILLION OVER THREE
YEARS SO THAT IT CONTINUE TO
OPERATE SEAMLESSLY AND WITHOUT
DELAY WITH DISASTERS MORE
FREQUENT, WE ARE SIMPLY ASKING
THE STATE TO MAINTAIN THIS
PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO
BE INVALUABLE FOR COUNTLESS
COMMUNITIES ON THE FRONT LINE OF
DISASTER RESPONSE. WE LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, AND
NOW I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO
JOS FROM, UM SECOND HARVEST
SANTA CRUZ, WHO'S GOING TO GIVE
YOU AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR
EXPERIENCE, PROVIDING FOOD
DURING THE TORRENTIAL RAIN AND
DEVASTATING FLOODS THAT IMPACT
THEM LAST YEAR. THANK YOU, UH
JOSE BARAJAS, SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
FOOD BANK. UH, CHAIR JACKSON AND
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. I CAN
CERTAINLY ADD EMERGENCY RESPONSE
INCIDENT COMMANDER TO MY RESUME.
IN MY TENURE AT THE FOOD BANK.
SINCE 2019 WE HAVE SEEN DISASTER
AFTER DISASTER COVID-19 THE èC
ZU LIGHTNING COMPLEX FIRES THE
JANUARY 2020 20 THREE FLOODS AND
THE MARCH BAJA LEVY BREACHED
FLATS. ALL THESE DISASTERS HAVE
A FEW THINGS IN COMMON. THREE
THINGS TO BE EXACT ADDED STRESS
INSECURITIES AND THE
DISPLACEMENT OF PEOPLE. FOOD
BANKS WORK TO PROVIDE DIFFERENT
RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO THE
COMMUNITY ON OUR FOOD BANK. WE
ARE VERY LUCKY TO PROVIDE NOT
ONLY FOOD BUT SAFETY NET
PROGRAMS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT
TODAY, SUCH AS CRE èC WORKS AND
ME. WE LEAN ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD,
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO
SEND AND RECEIVE OTHER REFERRALS
. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, MOST
IMPORTANTLY, WE PROVIDE FOOD
SECURITY SO THAT OUR FAMILIES
DON'T HAVE TO GO HUNGRY AND
DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHERE
THEIR NEXT MEAL WILL COME FROM.
IN EVERY DISASTER, THE FOOD BANK
HAS STEPPED UP AND PROVIDED
DISASTER RELIEF SO THAT PEOPLE
AGAIN DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
WHAT WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL WILL
COME, AND THEY CAN FOCUS ON THE
BUREAUCRATIC THINGS OF FINDING
OUT WHEN FM MA PROCESS WILL
BEGIN REBUILDING THEIR HOUSES OR
WHERE THEY'RE GONNA GO NEXT
BECAUSE THEY'VE LOST THEIR HOUSE
COMPLETELY. AND IT'S GOOD TO
HEAR THAT SOME OF THOSE FAMILIES
HAVE REALLY BENEFITED FROM THESE
PROGRAMS. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS
FOOD BANKS IN A WAY THAT IS
PHENOMENAL FOR THE COMMUNITY.
SINCE 2020. WE'VE DISTRIBUTED
ALMOST 10,000 STATE DISASTER
FOOD BOXES, AND AS MY COLLEAGUE
MENTIONED ANY DISASTER THAT
HAPPENED, WE WERE REALLY, UM,
YOU KNOW? ABLE TO REACH OUT TO
THE STATE AND GET THOSE BOXES
THE NEXT DAY. I'M GOING TO SHARE
ABOUT TWO TESTIMONIES THAT
REALLY SPEAK TO THAT THE FIRST
ONE AGAIN GOING BACK TO THOSE
THINGS OF INSECURITY. IN APRIL
OF WELL IN MARCH OF 2027. WE
ACTUALLY STARTED OUR MASS
DISTRIBUTIONS. WE WERE SERVING
ABOUT THREE 1000 FAMILIES EVERY
WEEK AT THE BOARDWALK AND AT THE
COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS AND WHAT WE
SAW WAS THERE WAS INSECURITY.
PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOBS ONE DAY
FROM ANOTHER. OUR HUGE
HOSPITALITY. AND AGRICULTURAL
COMMUNITY HAD LOST AND THEY
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY
CAME TO THE FOOD BANK AND THEY
GOT THESE BOXES OF FOOD THEY
WERE ABLE TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR
RENT, PAY FOR THE ELECTRICITY
BILL AND BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE
FOOD THAT WAS PROVIDED. IN TERMS
OF ADDED STRESS. WHEN THE FIRES
HAPPENED, PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO HAD
NEVER KNOWN ABOUT THE FOOD BANK
ENDED UP SHOWING UP AGAIN TO OUR
MASS DISTRIBUTIONS, BECAUSE IF
YOU ALL REMEMBER WE HAD THOSE
FIRES AT THE SAME TIME THE
PANDEMIC WAS OCCURRING. WE HAD
SOMEBODY REACH OUT TO US AND
SAY, HOW DO I GET THIS? HOW DO
I? HOW IS THE SERVICE PROVIDED
AND TO THEIR TO THEIR, UM, TO
THEIR LUCK. THEY WAITED IN LINE.
THEY GOT THE FOOD BOX AND THEY
AND THEY LEFT AWAY. THEY CAME
BACK NEXT WEEK, AND THEY TALKED
ABOUT HOW USEFUL THOSE POP TOPS
WERE THAT THEY WERE EASILY ABLE
TO OPEN UP BECAUSE THEY HAD LOST
THEIR HOMES. HOW EASY IT WAS TO
OPEN UP THOSE, UH POP TOP HAMS
AND ENJOY THAT THEY'RE KIDDOS
WERE ABLE TO STILL ENJOY FRUITS
AND VEGETABLES THAT WERE
PROVIDED AT NÓ COST. THOSE ARE
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE
BOXES HAVE PROVIDED WHEN THERE
WAS ADDED STRESS. AND LASTLY,
DISPLACEMENT OF PEOPLE DURING
THE FLOODS. AS WE ALL KNOW THERE
WAS ABOUT 10,000 TO 30,000
PEOPLE THAT WERE DISPLACED
BECAUSE OF THE BAJO LEVY BREACH,
PEOPLE SLEEPING IN THEIR CARS,
NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO COOK WITH
AND AGAIN. THESE BOXES WERE
THERE TO SUPPORT AND THEY WERE
ABLE TO LIVE OFF OF THEM FOR AS
MUCH FOR AS LONG AS THEY NEED
IT. SOME OF THESE FOLKS WERE
ABLE TO FIND SHELTER AT LOCAL
HOTELS. BUT AGAIN, THERE'S NÓ.
THERE'S NÓ PLACE TO COOK AT SOME
POINTS YOU'VE JUST GOT MICROWAVE
IN A REFRIGERATOR. THESE BOXES
SUPPORTED THAT COMMUNITY. WE
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND WE
REALLY APPRECIATE YOU
CHAMPIONSHIP. THIS THIS, UM,
PROJECT AND WE HOPE THAT YOU ALL
CONTINUE TO FUND THIS. THANK
YOU. FOR A MINUTE THERE WHEN YOU
SAY POP TOP, I THOUGHT YOU SAID
POP TARTS. AND THEN YOU STARTED
MAKING ME HUNGRY. WHEN I STARTED
. I SAID DANG, THAT POP TART
WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD RIGHT NOW.
UM, NOW WE HAVE WHO DO WE HAVE
HERE? DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE? YOU
GOT ANY FOOD? YOU WANNA TALK
ABOUT? EMILY MARSHALL DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE NÓ COMMENT AT THIS
TIME, OK, THANK YOU, LAL. ANYA
SAR. RUSSO WITH THE LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST OFFICE, AS HAS BEEN
MENTIONED BY THE PANELISTS. MANY
OF THESE PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY
THE CAL FOOD PROGRAM, RECEIVED
SIGNIFICANT ONE TIME FUNDING AT
A DISCRETIONARY LEVEL IN RECENT
YEARS. UM AND AS A Dð,
ADDITIONALLY, AS HAS BEEN
MENTIONED, THE FUNDING FOR THIS
PROGRAM HAS BEEN REDUCED TO ITS
BASELINE LEVEL IN THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET FOR 2425. THEREFORE OUR
OFFICE IS WORKING TO BETTER
UNDERSTAND THE EXPENDITURES OF
THE PREVIOUS DISCRETIONARY
FUNDING FOR THESE PROGRAMS. UH,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UM Dð S¼
AND DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. I'M
ACTUALLY GONNA MAKE THIS ONE OF
MY, UH, AT THIS TO ONE OF MY TOP
PRIORITY PRIORITIES. UM, AS
CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE, I WANNA
MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MEET THE
DEMAND INTO NEXT YEAR. I KNOW
THAT ALSO MEANS PUTTING ONE
THING ON MIGHT HAVE TO PAY A
REDUCTION IN SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT
I THINK THAT THIS IS ONE OF
THOSE BASIC HUMAN NEEDS
DECISIONS WE'RE GONNA NEED TO
MAKE SO I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE
TO WORK WITH, UH, WORK WITH YOU
ALL WORK WITH L A Ó TO FIND OUT
EVEN IF WE HAVE TO MAKE CUTS
SOMEWHERE ELSE. WE NEED TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE CAN MEET THE
INCREASING DEMAND AGAIN. GREAT
DAD IN TERMS OF ECONOMY, BUT
INCREASE IN FOOD SCARCITY. WHAT
DOES THAT MEAN? WHEN IS THAT
COMING FROM LIKE THAT'S JUST SO
IRRITATING WHEN YOU CAN'T PUT
YOUR FOOT ON, YOU KNOW, FINGER
ON IT FOOT ON IT ANYTHING ON IT,
ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S LET'S TRY TO
FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN HOW WE
CAN, UH BE PREPARED, UH, FOR THE
COMING YEAR, AS WELL AS THE
DISASTERS. WE KNOW THE DISASTERS
ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING MORE
FREQUENTLY. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH
IT'S GOING TO BE. WE NEED TO
START EXPECTING IT HAPPENING. ON
A MASS SCALE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
UM AND SO ARE WE PREPARING TO
ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE
EMERGENCY FOOD NECESSARY FOR THE
CONTINUED ANNUAL DISASTERS THAT
ARE GOING TO HAPPEN THAT WILL
DISPLACE PEOPLE, SO I JUST WANNA
MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PREPARED
TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. AND SEE
IF WE CAN WORK TO HAVE A
SOMETHING THAT CAN BE INCLUDED,
UH, HOPEFULLY IN THE GOVERNOR'S
MAY REVISE AS WELL, IF WE CAN
MAKE THAT HAPPEN, OK, UM, WE'RE
GOING TO HOLD THIS ITEM. UM,
OPEN. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH
VERY MUCH.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS ON THE, UM
ABSENCE OF RAPID RESPONSE
FUNDING ON THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
. UH, YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN YOU ARE
READY. GOOD EVENING CHAIR AND
MEMBERS AND COLLEAGUES. MY NAME
IS ELIANA KOWITZ. I'M THE ACTING
OFFICE OF EQUITY DIRECTOR AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. I
WILL BE SPEAKING ON ITEM 10 AND
THE RAPID RESPONSE FUNDING AND
GIVING A LITTLE BIT OF
BACKGROUND IN ADDITION TO THE
BACKGROUND ALREADY PROVIDED IN
THE HEARING AGENDA REGARDING THE
USE OF RAPID RESPONSE FUNDING AT
THE BORDER. THE RAPID RESPONSE
FUNDING APPROPRIATED BY THE
GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS
ALLOWED THE DEPARTMENT TO
QUICKLY PROVIDE STATE FUNDING
FOR CRITICAL ASSISTANCE TO NON U
S¼ CITIZEN IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR
TIMES OF NEED WHEN FEDERAL
FUNDING IS UNAVAILABLE. WHILE
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR IMMIGRATION
POLICY AND PROCESSING. OVER THE
LAST FIVE YEARS, CALIFORNIA HAS
SERVED AS A MODEL OF PARTNERSHIP
FOR A SAFE AND WELCOMING BORDER.
UNDERTAKING HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR
NONPROFITS AND OUR BORDER
COMMUNITIES SINCE 2019 THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES IS PROVIDED GRANT
FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
TO NON PROFITS WHO OFFER
SHELTERING AND SUPPORT SERVICE
TO FEDERALLY PROCESSED MIGRANTS
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S BORDER
COMMUNITIES, AN EFFORT WE CALL
THE BORDER MISSION. IN 2021 IN
RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PUBLIC
HEALTH EMERGENCY AND A PARALLEL
INCREASE IN MIGRANT ARRIVALS,
THE STATE INCREASED ITS
INCREASED ITS INVESTMENT IN
MOBILIZED AND INTERAGENCY
RESPONSE, CO LAUNCHED BY THE
CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES AGENCY TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO NONPROFIT
LED OPERATION AND EXPANDED NON
CONGREGATE, SHELTERING MEDICAL
SCREENING, TESTING AND
VACCINATIONS TO MINIMIZE THE
SPREAD OF COVID-19. LAST YEAR,
THE BORDER MISSION TRANSITION
BACK TO A PRE PANDEMIC NONPROFIT
L SHELTERING MODEL FOCUSED ON
HELPING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
WITH CONTINUED STATE SUPPORT
THROUGH OUR èC, Dð, S¼ S¼ GRANT
FUNDING AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE. SINCE SEPTEMBER.
2023 THE STATE'S NONPROFIT
PARTNERS HAVE PRIORITIZED
LIMITED SHELTERING RESOURCES FOR
VULNERABLE MIGRANT ARRIVALS,
WHICH INCLUDES FAMILIES WITH
YOUNG CHILDREN, PREGNANT
INDIVIDUALS MEDICALLY VULNERABLE
AND L GB Tð QI, A PLUS
INDIVIDUALS. SINCE 2019,
CALIFORNIA HAS INVESTED OVER ONE
POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS TO
SUPPORT BORDER OPERATIONS,
IMMIGRATE, IMMIGRATION, LEGAL
SERVICES AND OTHER SUPPORT
SERVICES FOR RECENT MIGRANT
ARRIVALS. WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT
CONGRESS WILL CONTINUE TO FUND
AND INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF
FUNDING AVAILABLE THROUGH THE
FEDERAL SHELTER AND SERVICE
PROGRAM CURRENTLY ADMINISTERED
BY THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY, KNOWN AS
FEMA. THE FEDERAL SHELTER AND
SERVICE PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDS
TO NONFEDERAL ENTITIES,
INCLUDING THE NONPROFITS WORKING
AT CALIFORNIA'S BORDER MISSION
THAT PROVIDES SHELTERING AND
OTHER ELIGIBLE SERVICES TO
ARRIVING MIGRANTS WHO HAVE BEEN
ENCOUNTERED BY BORDER OFFICIALS
AND RELEASED FROM CUSTODY WHILE
AWAITING THE OUTCOMES OF THEIR
IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS. IT IS
DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHAT THE
NUMBERS WILL BE IN THE COMING
YEAR. THIS, IN TURN MAKES IT
DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHAT THE
IMPACT WILL BE OF REDUCING OR
ENDING A RAPID RESPONSE FUNDING.
AS STATED PREVIOUSLY, THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR IMMIGRATION
POLICY AND PROCESSING. WE WILL
CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR FEDERAL
FUNDING TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE FOR NEWLY ARRIVED
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT THE
BORDER. OUR STATE WILL ALSO
CONTINUE TO ADVANCE CURRENT
EQUITY EFFORTS AND FURTHER
IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION, INCLUDING
THROUGH OUR ONGOING PROGRAMS
SUCH AS OUR STATE FUNDED
IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICES THAT
YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
TONIGHT. THANK YOU. TAKE
QUESTION. GOOD EVENING CHAIR.
JACKSON MY NAME IS KATE CLARK.
I'M THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF
IMMIGRATION SERVICES AT JEWISH
FAMILY SERVICE OF SAN DIEGO.
JEER SAN DIEGO IS THE OPERATOR
OF THE SAN DIEGO RAPID RESPONSE
NETWORK MIGRANT SHELTER ACROSS
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIONS AND
ADMIT AMIDST A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
WE HAVE CENTERED PUBLIC HEALTH
AND WELCOMED 200,000 NONCITIZEN
SEEKING ASYLUM WITH DIGNITY,
COMPASSION AND RESPECT. OVER THE
LAST 5.5 YEARS, WHAT STARTED AS
JUST ONE RESPITE SHELTER IN THE
STATE? PUBLIC PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP HAS NOW BEEN SCALED
ANOTHER N G Ó SHELTERS IN
THREE COUNTIES. EACH OF THESE
SHELTERS HAVE AN ESTABLISHED
INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE,
INCLUDING CONGREGATE AND NON
CONGREGATE SHELTER MODELS. THE
ALLOW FOR A HUMAN CENTERED
COORDINATE RECEPTION OF
NONCITIZEN THAT ARE BEING
RELEASED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY INTO THE CARE
OF THESE N G Ó SHELTER
PROVIDERS. AND SINCE WE'VE SEEN
FOLKS RECENTLY BE, UM, DIRECTED
TO THE STREETS BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF HOMELAND SECURITY, ONCE THE
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO'S, UH,
SUPPORT FOR HUMANITARIAN
SERVICES HAS STOPPED, AND WE
ANTICIPATE THAT IF THE STATE
DOES NOT CONTINUE ITS FUNDING
THAT THESE WILL ONLY HAPPEN IN
IN LARGER NUMBERS. AT THIS
MOMENT, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
HAS A CRITICAL CHOICE. WILL THE
STATE MAINTAIN ITS CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SERVES AS A
HIGHLY EFFICIENT MODEL NATIONAL
MODEL FOR ENSURING THAT ASYLUM
SEEKERS AND OTHERS ARE LEGALLY
ALLOWED THAT ARE LEGALLY ALLOWED
IN THIS COUNTRY THAT ARE
RELEASED BY Dð HÌ S¼ THAT ARE
SEEKING PROTECTION? OR WILL THE
STATE DECIDE TO STOP ITS
INVESTMENT, WHICH WILL
UNDOUBTEDLY NECESSITATE MOVING
TO A COSTLY EMERGENCY RESPONSE
APPROACH DOWN THE LINE THAT WILL
LEAVE THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES AND
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THAT ARE
ON THE STREETS OF OUR CITIES.
THE ROLE OF ASSISTING PEOPLE
SEEKING ASYLUM HAS BEEN TRIAGED
BY CIVIL SOCIETY AND COUNTIES
LIKE RIVERSIDE FOR MANY YEARS.
WHAT REMAINS IS THE URGENT
HUMANITARIAN NEED IN THE REGION
TO ASSIST PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM
AT THE U S¼ SOUTHERN BORDER, AND
THE FUNDING CURRENTLY MISSING
FROM THE STATE BUDGET WILL
RESERVE WILL RESULT IN A
HUMANITARIAN DISASTER. THE
GOVERNOR'S CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
25 BUDGET INCLUDES NÓ FUNDING
WHATSOEVER TO SUSTAIN THE
CRITICAL HUMANITARIAN AND
RESPITE SHELTER OPERATIONS,
INCLUDING THE SAN DIEGO RAPID
RESPONSE NETWORK, MIGRANT
SHELTER SERVICES. THIS IS A
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
CURRENTLY THAT SAVES TAXPAYERS
FROM FOOTING THE BILL FOR
SUBSTANTIALLY MORE EXPENSIVE
EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS AND
PROGRAMS THAT PUT THESE NON
CITIZENS ON A PATHWAY TO SELF
SUFFICIENCY. 98% OF THE ASYLUM
SEEKERS WE SERVE MOVE ONWARD TO
THEIR NETWORKS OF CARE OUTSIDE
OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY. THESE
FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS JUST
NEED A MOMENT OF SUPPORT TO
CHARGE THEIR PHONE, CONTACT
THEIR LOVED ONES AND OTHER PARTS
OF THE COUNTRY AND GET
ASSISTANCE WITH TRAVEL CO
ORDINATION. THE INTERSECTION OF
THE RESPITE SHELTER WORK IS AT
THE INTERSECTION OF TWO BROKEN
SYSTEMS, THE BROKEN IMMIGRATION
SYSTEM AND THE BROKEN
UNSHELTERED SERVICES SYSTEM.
IMPORTANTLY IT IS BECAUSE OF
THESE HUMANITARIAN SHELTERS THAT
MOST ASYLUM SEEKERS CAN
SUCCESSFULLY MOVE ON TO THEIR
NETWORKS OF CARE. INSTEAD OF
BEING LEFT, STRANDED AND
UNSHELTERED ON THE STREETS
THROUGH THE MEDICAL SUPPORT THAT
WE HAVE IN PLACE WITH OUR
PARTNERS AT U, èC SAN DIEGO
HEALTH, WE HAVE A LESS THAN 1%
REFERRAL RATE TO THE EMERGENCY
DEPARTMENT FROM SAN DIEGO BAY
SHELTERS. THIS MEANS THAT
ANOTHER TAX SYSTEM OUR HEALTH
SYSTEM CAN BE PRIORITIZED ONLY
FOR THOSE THAT NEED IT. YES
IMMIGRATION IS WITHIN THE
PURVIEW OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT. THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO INVEST IN
THIS CRITICAL SHELTER AND
SERVICES PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE
AND CALIFORNIA MUST GET ITS FAIR
SHARE, THOUGH IMPORTANTLY, THIS
FUNDING IS NOT GUARANTEED. FOR
THE LAST 5.5 YEARS. CALIFORNIA
HAS LED THE WAY WE'VE
DEMONSTRATED THAT IT IS BOTH
POSSIBLE TO COMPASSIONATELY
WELCOME FOR NEW NEW AND CARE FOR
NEWCOMERS AND EFFICIENTLY AND
PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
THROUGH INNOVATION AND PROACTIVE
PLANNING. WE'VE BEEN PART OF THE
SOLUTION, AVOIDING CHALLENGING
CIRCUMSTANCES AND HEADLINES THAT
OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN FACED
WITH TO AVOID THE LOSS OF
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN ALL
ITS SUPPORT FOR CALIFORNIA AS A
WHOLE. WE RESPECTFULLY AND
URGENTLY REQUEST THAT THE
LEGISLATURE PRIORITIZED
RESTORING THE $150 MILLION BY
THE STATE NECESSARY TO ENSURE UN
UNINTERRUPTED OPERATION
MANAGEMENT TO ASSIST NEW
ARRIVALS THAT ARE COMING AT THE
SOUTHERN BORDER. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE. THOMAS LOCKE.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. NOTHING
FOR, UH, ARE YOU NEW? YES, SIR.
WELCOME Y'ALL JUST BE POPPING UP
PLACES, YOU KNOW. GLAD TO BE
HERE. YEAH, UH L Ó. JUAN Dð
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST OFFICE. WE
HAVE NOTHING MORE TO ADD AT THIS
POINT. ARE YOU NEW, TOO? I AM
ALSO NEW PEOPLE JUST BE POPPING
UP ON YEAH. OK WELL, WELCOME.
ALL RIGHT. I WISH I COULD SET A
BETTER EXAMPLE FOR YOU. UM YOU
KNOW, UH, NUMBER ONE. I WANNA
THANK THE GOVERNOR'S
ADMINISTRATION. I'VE HAD A LOT
OF CONVERSATIONS. UH, IN REGARDS
TO UM OF MIGRANT SERVICES. UM,
AS A MATTER OF FACT, UM THE
SPEAKERS TO WASHINGTON, Dð èC
OFFICE HAS BEEN HIGHLY ENGAGED.
UM I PERSONALLY CIRCULATED A
LETTER IN WHICH 15 MEMBERS OF
THE LEGISLATURE. UM UH, TO THE
VICE PRESIDENT. TO BOTH OF OUR
US SENATORS. HIM AND TO, UH PETE
AGUILAR, OR HIGHEST RANKING
MEMBER, UH, IN CALIFORNIA IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. UM AND
IN THAT LETTER WE'RE ASKING FOR
ACTUALLY, UM, WE ASKED FOR 200
MILLION UM, BUT WE'VE, UM, HAD
SOME CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS,
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN
TERMS OF ASKING FOR AN EVEN
GREATER APPROPRIATION. TO ENSURE
THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES
ITS PART. CALIFORNIA STEPPED UP
BECAUSE OF WE ARE WE ARE
HUMANITARIAN STATE. UH BUT IT'S
TIME FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
TO DO WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO. UM
AND SO, UH, THE STATE ASSEMBLY
IS ALL IN AND MAKING SURE THAT
THE FEDERAL WE ASKED THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT FOR THE 150 MILLION
WAS GREAT TO ESTABLISH ONE OF
THE BEST PRACTICES IN THE
NATION. UH, BUT WE GONNA ASK FOR
MORE THAN THAT. UH SO THAT WE
CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN
THE FANTASTIC INFRASTRUCTURE
THAT HAS BEEN CREATED. TO TREAT
ALL PEOPLE. WITH THE DIGNITY AND
HUMANITY THAT THEY DESERVE. AND
SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH AND WE
WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE
GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION. UH,
THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE IN THE Dð
èC OFFICE IN OUR CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION TO GET THESE DOLLARS
HOME. UM BUT WE'RE NOT STOPPING
THERE. THE VICE PRESIDENT'S
OFFICE. UH, HAS SET UP MEETINGS
WITH US FOR HUD TO TRY TO SHAKE
DOWN SOME MORE ADDITIONAL
HOUSING VOUCHERS AND THINGS LIKE
THAT THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE
MIGRANT POPULATION AS WELL. UM
AND SO WE ARE. UM I'M REALLY
EXCITED WITH THE LEVEL OF UM OF
VIGOR. THAT PEOPLE ARE PUTTING
INTO THIS FROM THE
ADMINISTRATION ON DOWN AND SO I
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT
COMES FROM THAT. UH, BUT JUST
KNOW THAT WE THIS IS A
DEFINITELY A BIG, BIG PRIORITY.
BUT IT'S TIME FOR THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO UH, TO DO HIS JOB.
AND THAT IS TO GIVE US THE
NECESSARY FUNDS. WE NEED TO
HANDLE THIS CRISIS. UM AND SO,
UM, I WANT TO THANK THE
ADMINISTRATION AND WE WILL HOLD
THIS ISSUE OPEN. UH UH, AND MOVE
ON TO THE NEXT ISSUE. ISSUE
NUMBER 11. WE'RE STILL ON
MIGRANT SERVICES, UH, ISSUES AND
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE
TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE. UH,
SERVICES. UM AND, UH, YOU A
ADMINISTRATION MAY BEGIN. UH,
WHEN YOU ARE READY GOOD EVENING
AGAIN. ELIANA KOOS DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES. UM THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IS PROPOSING A
REVERSION OF THE $10 MILLION IN
GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION FOR THE
TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS
FUNDING IN BUDGET YEAR AND THE
ELIMINATION OF THE SPENDING
GOING FORWARD AS BACKGROUND. THE
STATE HAS PROVIDED A $10 MILLION
GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION TO THE
DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE
IMMIGRATION SERVICES TO
INDIVIDUALS WITH TEMPORARY
PROTECTED STATUS, UNACCOMPANIED
UNDOCUMENTED MINORS AND OTHER
GROUPS AND OTHER POPULATIONS
SINCE FISCAL YEAR 18 THESE
TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FUNDS
HAVE BEEN USED TO AUGMENT OR
SUPPLEMENT SERVICES PROVIDED
THROUGH THE IMMIGRATION SERVICES
FUNDING, ALSO KNOWN AS ONE
CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS A SEPARATE
GENERAL FUND. ALLOCATION OF 45
MILLION FOR IMMIGRATION, LEGAL
SERVICES. SPECIFICALLY THE
TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FUNDS
HAVE BEEN USED FOR SEVERAL
EQUITY AND CAPACITY PROJECTS
THAT HAVE ALLOWED OUR NONPROFIT
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICE
PROVIDERS TO REACH COMMUNITIES
THAT ARE HISTORICALLY
UNDERSERVED, SUCH AS ASIAN
PACIFIC ISLANDER AND BLACK
IMMIGRANT AND IMMIGRANTS AND
GEOGRAPHICALLY. DIFFICULT TO
SERVE AREAS SUCH AS RURAL
COMMUNITIES. THE FUNDING HAS
ALSO ALLOWED SERVICE PROVIDERS
SERV SERVICE PROVIDERS TO BUILD
THEIR EXPERTISE IN SPECIFIC
AREAS OF IMMIGRATION LAW TO
BETTER SERVE THE CHANGING NEEDS
OF THE IMMIGRANT POPULATION. IN
RECENT YEARS, THESE FUNDS HAVE
BEEN LARGELY USED TO FUND
STATEWIDE REMOVAL DEFENSE
SERVICES. OVER THE LAST FIVE
YEARS, THE SPENDING HAS PROVIDED
IMMIGRANTS ACROSS CALIFORNIA
LEGAL CONSULTATIONS, APPLICATION
ASSISTANCE FOR IMMIGRATION
BENEFITS AND LEGAL
REPRESENTATION IN COURT AND
ADMINISTRATIVE IMMIGRATION
PROCEEDINGS. IT IS ALSO FUNDED
EDUCATION OUTREACH TO IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS LEGAL
TRAINING AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING
FUNDING FOR IMMIGRATION. LEGAL
SERVICE PROVIDERS. SOME
IMMIGRANTS WILL CONTINUE TO
RECEIVE SERVICES TO OUR
IMMIGRATION SERVICES FUNDING,
WHILE OTHERS WILL NEED TO FIND
OTHER NONPROFIT IMMIGRATION
LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. OF THE
STATE FUNDED NETWORK. MANY
IMMIGRANTS ALREADY NAVIGATE OUR
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION PROCESS AND
COURT SYSTEMS ON THEIR OWN.
SINCE OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
DOES NOT OFFER COUNSEL TO
IMMIGRANTS IN FEDERAL COURT
PROCEEDINGS. THE SIGNIFICANT
STATE BUDGET SHORTFALL HAS LED
TO PROPOSED REDUCTIONS IN MANY
AREAS, INCLUDING IMMIGRATION
SERVICES. GOING FORWARD,
IMMIGRANTS WILL HAVE MORE
LIMITED ACCESS TO STATE FUNDED
IMMIGRATION SERVICES. SOME
INDIVIDUALS MAY TURN TO PRIVATE
ATTORNEYS, WHILE OTHERS MAY
STILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS SOME
STATE FUNDED IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICE PROVIDERS UNDER THE ONE
CALIFORNIA FUNDS, SOME
COMMUNITIES SUCH AS SAN
FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES,
PROVIDE LOCAL FUNDING FOR
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES.
THERE ARE ALSO SOME IMMIGRATION,
LEGAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND
ATTORNEY COLLABORATIVES ACROSS
THE STATE THAT DO NOT RECEIVE
STATE FUNDING AND CONTINUE TO
RELY SOLELY ON PRIVATE DONORS
AND FOUNDATION SUPPORT. AS
MENTIONED IN THE BACKGROUND,
PROVIDING THE AGENDA. OUR
REMOVAL DEFENSE SERVICES WILL
CONTINUE TO BE FUNDED THROUGH
THE SPRING OF 2025, GIVING LEGAL
SERVICE PROVIDERS TIME TO FIND
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF FUNDING
IF THEY ARE AVAILABLE AND
INDIVIDUALS TIME TO FIND OTHER
ATTORNEYS IF NECESSARY. I WOULD
LIKE TO KNOW A CORRECTION TO THE
INFORMATION IN THE AGENDA ON
PAGE 68, WHERE IT WAS NOTED THAT
OUR DEPARTMENT WAS REPRESENTING
THREE 100. 300,885 CLIENTS AND
THE REMOVAL OF DE DEPORTATION
CASES THROUGH OUR REDESIGNED
REMOVAL DEFENSE SERVICES FUNDING
MODEL WE EXPECT OUR PARTNERS TO
REPRESENT ABOUT 5% OF THE THREE
100,885 PENDING DEPORTATIONS IN
CALIFORNIA. IN THE PAST YEAR,
THE PROGRAM HAS SERVED 1991
CLIENTS FROM 56 DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN. THANK YOU.
HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS. HELLO
CHAIR DR COREY JACKSON AND STAFF
. MY NAME IS BRUNO WIZARD AND I
WORK AT THE CALIFORNIA IMMIGRANT
POLICY CENTER èC IP èC FOR THE
PAST 28 YEARS, èC IP èC HAS
PASSED LANDMARK LEGISLATION AND
POLICIES TO ENSURE CALIFORNIANS
WITH LOW INCOMES CAN ACCESS
HEALTH CARE, FOOD BENEFITS,
LEGAL AID AND SAFETY NET
PROGRAMS, REGARDLESS OF
IMMIGRATION STATUS. THANK YOU
FOR MAINTAINING THE ONGOING
SUPPORT OF 45 MILLION FOR THE
ONE CALIFORNIA IMMIGRATION
SERVICES FUNDING PROGRAM. TENS
OF THOUSANDS OF IMM CALIFORNIANS
RELY ON THESE CRITICAL SERVICES
TO APPLY FOR IMMIGRATION
BENEFITS AND RELIEF THEY'RE
ELIGIBLE FOR, SUCH AS
NATURALIZATION CITIZENSHIP
DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD
ARRIVALS. Dð A TEMPORARY
PROTECTIVE STATUS, Tð, P, S¼ AND
REMOVAL, DEFENSE, ASYLUM AND
OTHER IMMIGRATION REMEDIES.
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES ARE A
LIFELINE FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES,
IT COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN LOSING A PARENT OR A
FAMILY MEMBER TO DEPORTATION OR
HAVING A YOUNG PERSON ATTAIN
HIGHER EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY FOR 2024 2025. THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSED CUTS
OF 15.2 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING
FOR IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS THAT
PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO
CALIFORNIA STUDENTS, WORKERS,
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THIS
INCLUDES A 10 MILLION BUDGET CUT
THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE
TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS Tð P.
YES SERVICES PROGRAM, ALONG WITH
IMMIGRATION, EQUITY AND CAPACITY
BUILDING PROJECTS. THE PROPOSED
BUDGET CUTS WOULD REDUCE OR
ELIMINATE ACCESS TO VITAL LEGAL
SERVICES FOR LATINX BLACK AND
ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER FAMILIES.
SINCE 2018 19, THE STATE HAS
PROVIDED AN ANNUAL ALLOCATION OF
10 MILLION TO SUPPLEMENT
IMMIGRATION SERVICES FOR HARD TO
REACH POPULATIONS THROUGH THE Tð
P S¼ SERVICES PROGRAM. AS
MENTIONED. THE TPS PROGRAM
PROVIDES OUTREACH AND LEGAL
SERVICES TO FOLKS INDIVIDUALS
SEEKING TO APPLY OR RENEW THEIR
TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS AS
WELL AS EQUITY PROGRAMS. AN
EXAMPLE IS THE BLACK IMMIGRANT
REFUGEE EQUITY INITIATIVE THAT
SUPPORTS BLACK COMMUNITIES BY
INCREASING ACCESS TO LEGAL
SERVICES, WHICH HAS ALREADY
PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO OVER
600 BLACK IMMIGRANTS. THE ASIAN
AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER
CAPACITY PROJECT SUPPORTS ASIAN
PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITIES IN
THE BAY AREA AND CENTRAL VALLEY.
INCREASING ACCESS TO
IMMIGRATION. SERVICES AND
CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. AND COULD
WE EQUITY PROJECTS ALLOW LEGAL
SERVICES OR TO ORGANIZATIONS TO
ADDRESS THE URGENT NEEDS OF
CALIFORNIA'S IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE
GROWING AFGHAN IMMIGRANT
POPULATIONS IN THE BAY AREA,
LEGAL SERVICES FOR FARM WORKERS
IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY AND
CENTRAL COAST AND LEGAL SERVICES
FOR DEPORTED VETERANS,
IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROGRAMS
HELP CALIFORNIA FAMILIES ACCESS
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND ACHIEVE
SAFETY AND STABILITY IN FISCAL
YEAR 2022 2020. OVER 2500
INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
ACCESS FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO
APPLY OR RENEW FOR APPLICATIONS
FOR Tð P S¼, WHICH HAVE GRANTED
ALLOW SOMEONE TEMPORARY
PROTECTION FROM DEPORTATION AND
A WORK PERMIT. THIS PROGRAM
HELPS ACHIEVE SAFETY AND
STABILITY FOR THOUSANDS OF
FAMILIES EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO JOIN
THE WORKFORCE AND PROTECT PEOPLE
FROM DEPORTATION. A ACROSS
CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA FAMILIES
ARE IMMIGRANT FAMILIES. ONE OUT
OF EVERY FOUR PEOPLE IN
CALIFORNIA ARE IMMIGRANTS. ONE
OUT OF EVERY THREE WORKERS IN
CALIFORNIA ARE IMMIGRANTS AND
NEARLY ONE OUT OF EVERY TWO
CHILDREN IN CALIFORNIA LIVE IN
AN IMMIGRANT FAMILY, ACCORDING
TO THE PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE
OF CALIFORNIA. BY REJECTING
THESE PROPOSED CUTS, YOU ARE NOT
ONLY BENEFITING IMMIGRANT
FAMILIES, YOU'RE BENEFITING ALL
CALIFORNIANS. ELIMINATING THESE
PROGRAMS ARE STEPS IN THE WRONG
DIRECTION AS THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS
THREATENED TO RAMP UP
DEPORTATIONS, CALIFORNIA SHOULD
BE INCREASING, NOT DECREASING
STATE FUNDS FOR IMMIGRATION
LEGAL SERVICES. THE PROPOSED
CUTS COULD POTENTIALLY CUT OFF
HUNDREDS OF CALIFORNIA STUDENTS,
WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM
ACCESS TO VITAL LEGAL SERVICES
IN 2024, 2025 AND THOUSANDS OF
CALIFORNIA FAMILIES FOR YEARS TO
COME. IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
PROVIDE IMMIGRANT CALIFORNIANS A
PATHWAY TO FAMILY UNITY
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. AND
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. 73 LEGAL
SERVICES, FAITH BASED AND
ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS SUBMITTED
A LETTER TO THIS COMMITTEE
RESPECTFULLY URGING YOU AND
STATE LAWMAKERS TO OPPOSE THE
15.2 MILLION BUDGET CUTS TO
IMMIGRATION SERVICES. 10 MILLION
FOR THE Tð P S¼ PROGRAM AND 5.2
FOR THE èC S¼ U PROGRAM THAT
YOU HEARD TODAY. BY RESTORING
THESE CUTS, CALIFORNIA CAN
CONTINUE BUILDING TRUST WITH
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES,
SAFEGUARDING FAMILIES FROM
DEPORTATION, EMPOWERING PEOPLE
TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR WORKFORCE
AND CREATING A STATE WHERE ALL
FAMILIES CAN THRIVE. THIS IS
ABOUT EQUITY. CALIFORNIA'S
HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES IS AN
INVESTMENT IN CALIFORNIA'S
FUTURE. CALIFORNIA IS STRONGER
WHEN ALL OF ITS RESIDENTS FEEL
SAFE AND SUPPORTED. STATE
LEADERS SHOULD CONTINUE FUNDING
SUPPORT FOR THESE CRITICAL
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES,
WHICH ARE A LIFELINE FOR
IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, NOT CUT THEM
. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SPEAK AND SHARE THE
IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING AND
RESTORING STATE FUNDING FOR
IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICES
PROGRAMS TO HELP CALIFORNIA
FAMILIES ACCESS SAFETY AND
STABILITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE. THOMAS LOCKE DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE NÓ ADDITIONAL
COMMENT. E, A Ó. JUAN TROTTER
LEGISLATIVE ANALYST OFFICE. SO
IT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME
OF THESE INITIATIVES WILL, UH,
UNDER THE Tð P S¼ PROGRAM WILL
CONTINUE TO RECEIVE SOME FUNDING
THROUGH THE IMMIGRATION SERVICES
PROGRAM. UM AT LEAST IN THE
SHORT RUN. BUT WITH THAT BEING
SAID THE LEGISLATURE MAY WANT TO
MONITOR. UM THE IMPACT OF THESE
REDUCTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF
IMMIGRANTS RECEIVING SERVICES
MOVING FORWARD. ADDITIONALLY THE
LEGISLATURE MAY WANT TO ASK
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE LONG
TERM PLAN FOR THE SERVICES
MOVING FORWARD AS WELL. UM,
ADDITIONALLY FROM OUR
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE
DEPARTMENT, IT IS OUR
UNDERSTANDING THAT DUE TO THE
GOVERNOR'S, UM REDUCTION
PROPOSALS. PROPOSAL NÓ FUNDING
FROM THE 2020 2023 2024
ALLOCATIONS HAVE BEEN ENCUMBERED
TO DATE, LEAVING THESE THESE
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR REVERSION.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE WANNA
CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THAT THERE
IS NÓ DOUBT. UH, THAT, UH, MANY
OF THESE, UH UH, IMMIGRANTS, UH,
REPRESENTS THE FUTURE OF THE
STATE. AND I THINK IT TO ALL OF
OUR BENEFIT TO MAKE SURE THAT
THEY RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THAT
THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO THRIVE.
SO THAT THE FUTURE OF
CALIFORNIA, UH, CAN THRIVE.
AGAIN THAT'S WHY WE'RE WORKING
CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNORS. UH
ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE SURE THAT
, UM, WITH ALL, UH, I'M HOPING
WE CAN GET THESE FEDERAL FUNDS
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO. TO BE
HONEST, UH, I'M SO I'M VERY
ACTIVE SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO
OPPOSE WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS
TRYING TO DO, BUT WE CAN FIND
THE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT. UH, BUT IF WE DON'T
FIND THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT UM, WE'RE GONNA HAVE
TO COME BACK HERE AND TRY TO SEE
WHAT WE CAN DO. UM BUT OF
COURSE, UM UH UH, THERE. I
HAVEN'T RECEIVED A BUDGET UPDATE
RIGHT NOW. THAT'S GIVING ME GOOD
NEWS YET. UM AND SO AND
HOPEFULLY I AM PRAYING. I AM
PRAYING, UH, THAT UH, WE DON'T,
UH, HAVE TO ELIMINATE ALL
SERVICES FOR THESE. UH UH. FOR
FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS. UM
BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR
EYE ON IT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO
DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN, UH,
TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE
THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED TO
THRIVE. UH, WITH THAT WE WILL
KEEP THIS ITEM OPEN AND WE WILL
MOVE ON TO THE NEXT. ITEM, WHICH
IS ITEM 12. ON THE CAL STATE
UNIVERSITY LEGAL SERVICES
PROGRAM. AND YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN
YOU'RE READY. THANK YOU. ELIANA
KOWITZ, UH, CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IS
PROPOSING TO REVERT 5.2 MILLION
TO THE, UM TO THE GENERAL FUND
IN BUDGET YEAR FOR THE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
PROGRAM AND MAKE THIS REDUCTION
IN STATEVILLE SCHOOL YEAR 2425
AND GOING FORWARD. THE PROPOSAL
MAINTAINS 1.8 MILLION IN GENERAL
FUND ONGOING FOR THE PROGRAM.
ITS BACKGROUND BEGINNING IN 2019
, THE èC S¼ U IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICES PROGRAM BEGAN OFFERING
FREE IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICES
TO STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF
AT THE 23 èC S¼ U CAMPUSES WITH
PRIORITY GIVEN TO UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS. MORE RECENTLY,
SERVICES HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO
OTHER èC S¼ U AFFILIATED
POPULATIONS, SUCH AS IMMEDIATE
FAMILY MEMBERS, RECENT ALUMNI
AND ENROLLING STUDENTS SINCE THE
FIRST ONE TIME ALLOCATION WAS
PROVIDED IN 2018 19/27 MILLION
DOLLARS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO SIX
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO
PROVIDE IMMIGRATION, LEGAL
SERVICES, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
SERVICES INCLUDE LEGAL
CONSULTATION APPLICATION
ASSISTANCE FOR IMMIGRATION
BENEFITS, SUCH AS DACA DEFERRED
ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD RIVALS AND
NATURALIZATION AND
REPRESENTATION IN IMMIGRATION,
COURT AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCEEDINGS. IN 2020. THE
SERVICES WERE EXPANDED TO
INCLUDE REMOVAL DEFENSE WITH A
REDUCTION IN FUNDING. IT IS
LIKELY THAT A SMALLER NUMBER OF
èC S¼ U STUDENTS WILL HAVE
ACCESS TO THE IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICES ON THEIR CAMPUS.
CURRENT CLIENTS MAY NEED TO FIND
OTHER IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICE
PROVIDERS TO TAKE THEIR CASES IF
THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE
THEM IN THE NEXT YEAR, AND A
HALF AND ENTERING STUDENTS MAY
NÓ LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES AS
PART OF THEIR CAMPUS SUPPORT
SERVICES. CDSS WILL WORK CLOSELY
WITH THE èC S¼ U CHANCELLOR'S
OFFICE AND OUR NONPROFIT
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICE
PROVIDERS TO DETERMINE WHICH
POPULATIONS AMONG STUDENTS,
STAFF AND FACULTY AND
POTENTIALLY WHICH CAMPUSES TO
PRIORITIZE FOR CONTINUED
FUNDING. SINCE OUR CURRENT
FUNDING COVERS SERVICES THROUGH
JUNE 2025. WE WILL HAVE TIME TO
THINK THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT
DECISIONS WITH OUR PARTNERS.
GIVEN THIS REDUCTION IN FUNDING
FOR IMMIGRATION SERVICES, SOME
INDIVIDUALS MAY HAVE TO PAY FOR
A PRIVATE ATTORNEY, WHILE OTHERS
MAY STILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS FREE
STATE FUNDING FREE STATE FUNDED
IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICES
THROUGH THE ONE CALIFORNIA
FUNDING AND SOME COMMUNITIES
THERE MAY BE OTHER IMMIGRATION,
LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS AND
ATTORNEY COLLABORATIVES GET THAT
CAN PROVIDE FREE OR REDUCED
PRICE IMMIGRATION SERVICES
FUNDED THROUGH PRIVATE DONORS,
FOUNDATIONS AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH NEXT. THANK YOU. I
THINK I'M THE LAST ADVOCATE
TONIGHT. SO THANK YOU, UM, TO
EVERYONE, UH, TO BE HERE SO LATE
IN THE NIGHT. MY NAME IS JACKIE
GONZALEZ. I'M THE POLICY
DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRANT DEFENSE
ADVOCATES. BEFORE BEGINNING MY
PRESENTATION. I WOULD LIKE TO
EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED
INVESTMENTS IN ALL THE
IMMIGRATION AREAS THAT, UM THE
PANELISTS HAVE DISCUSSED AS I'VE
STATED MANY TIMES, INCLUDING TO
YOU THE CHAIR. UM YOU KNOW,
IMMIGRATION IS A CONTINUUM.
THESE PROGRAMS ARE ALL
INTERRELATED AND TO SUPPORT ONE
OVER ANOTHER, UM, WOULD TO FAIL
TO RECOGNIZE HOW THEY ALL REALLY
ARE SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER AND
REALLY CREATE AN EFFICIENCY IN
THE INVESTMENTS CALIFORNIA HAS
MADE. THE èC S¼ U IMMIGRATION
LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM IS A
CRITICAL PROGRAM FOR THE PRESENT
AND FUTURE OF OUR STATE. THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO CUT THE
PROGRAM BACK BY ESSENTIALLY 75%
BY 5.2 MILLION WOULD BE
DEVASTATING. THERE ARE MANY
REASONS WHY THE PROGRAM IS
IMPORTANT. I WANNA TOUCH ON
THREE FIRST THE èC S¼ U I S¼ P
IS A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL MODEL
THAT PROVIDES QUALITY LEGAL
SERVICES IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER
COVERING THE MAJORITY OF OUR
STATE. I'VE PROVIDED THE
COMMITTEE WITH A MAP. UM, THAT
TRACKS THIS, UH, COVERAGE. IT'S
REALLY QUITE ASTONISHING. UM,
THE EF AND VOLUME OF THIS
PROGRAM SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN
2019 OVER 11,001 ON ONE
CONSULTATIONS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED
. I WANT TO EXPLAIN WHAT THAT
NUMBER MEANS YOU HEARD DURING
PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY. A YOUNG
WOMAN SAY SHE HAD DACA, BUT IT
WASN'T UNTIL SHE HAD A IN DEPTH
CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF THE
ATTORNEYS FROM THIS PROGRAM, AND
SHE REALIZED SHE HAD FIVE WEEKS
BEFORE TURNING 21 TO ACCESS
SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE
STATUS. I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 11,001 ON
ONE CONSULTATIONS WITH REALLY
EXPERIENCED IMMIGRATION
ATTORNEYS PROVIDED LEGAL
REPRESENTATION TO OVER 7000
IMMIGRATION, UH, INDIVIDUALS IN
IMMIGRATION CASES IN ADDITION TO
THE VOLUME, THEY HAVE NOTABLY
COVERED SERVICES AND PORTIONS OF
THE STATE THAT HAVE BEEN LEGAL
DESERTS. YOU KNOW THIS? WELL UM,
CHAIR JACKSON FROM YOUR REGION,
UM, CENTRAL COAST, CENTRAL
VALLEY AND THE IE. THE SECOND
MAJOR REASON WHY THE èC S¼ U S¼
P IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE IT
AFFORDS LEGAL RESOURCE
INTERVENTION IN A CONTINUUM OF
HIGHER EDUCATION THAT ULTIMATELY
LEADS TO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. SO
WHILE THIS BEGINS AS A LEGAL
SERVICES PROGRAM, WOULD IT
ACTUALLY LEADS TO ESPECIALLY IN
UNDER RESOURCED COMMUNITIES IS A
PATHWAY TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND
STABILIZATION, NOT JUST FOR THE
STUDENT, BUT FOR THE FAMILIES.
AS WE'VE HEARD THIS PROGRAM
SERVES IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS,
FACULTY STUDENTS NUMEROUS
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT STUDENTS
WITH IMMIGRANT BACKGROUNDS ARE
ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY CONCERNS
ABOUT THEIR STATUS, OFTENTIMES
EXPERIENCING ANXIETY ABOUT
THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES AND
BEING UNABLE TO FOCUS ON THEIR
EDUCATION AGAIN. WE'VE HEARD
COUNTLESS STORIES OF THAT TODAY.
THIS PROGRAM ALLEVIATES THAT AND
ENSURES THAT THE GENERATION OF
THE èC S¼ U S¼ IS THRIVING.
FINALLY THE èC S¼ U. I S¼ P
PROVIDES A STATEWIDE
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S CRITICAL
TO BUILDING BRIDGES TO OUR
COMMUNITIES. IT TAKES YEARS TO
DEVELOP TRUST WITH THESE
COMMUNITIES AND EVEN LONGER TO
GROW LEGAL CAPACITY IN THESE
AREAS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, UM
THE PROGRAM, IN ADDITION TO
PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES DOES
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. THIS IS
ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT IN
COMMUNITIES. UM, WHERE FOLKS
CAN'T HAVE THESE ONE ON ONE
CONSULTATIONS AND PEOPLE ARE
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF BY NOTARIO.
THEY WASTE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
ONLY TO BE PUT INTO REMOVAL
PROCEEDINGS AND THEN NOT HAVE AN
ATTORNEY TO DEFEND THEM AGAINST
DEPORTATION. EVERY TIME THERE'S
A CHANGE IN THE LAW ON UNIVISION
OR TELEMUNDO, SOME POOR
IMMIGRANT WILL GO AND GET LIKE
DEFRAUDED, THINKING THAT THEY
HAVE THE CHANCE. THESE CLINICS
TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEIR RIGHTS
ARE. AND THE ENSURE THAT PEOPLE
DON'T BECOME VICTIMS OF THESE
KINDS OF BEHAVIORS. FINALLY IN
CLOSING, UM, I WANNA SHARE
EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT US THAT
THE FAMILIES AND THE STUDENTS
AND COMMUNITIES OF THE èC S¼ U
PROGRAM ARE OFTEN THE FIRST TO
BE TARGETED BY AGGRESSIVE
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT BUT THE
LEAST ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES
DUE TO A LACK OF LEGAL SERVICES
TO FUNDING THIS PROGRAM. NOW AS
WE FACE THE PROSPECT OF A CHANGE
IN PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION
AND RENEWED ATTACKS ON OUR
COMMUNITIES IS TRULY A STEP
BACKWARDS FOR OUR STATE. IT'S
COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT THE
DECISION TO REDUCE THE FUNDING
OF THIS PROGRAM TO 1.8 MILLION
WAS MADE TO ALIGN IT WITH THE U
èC SYSTEM. AND I WILL SAY THIS
AS RESPECTFULLY AS I CAN,
BECAUSE I AM A U èC ALUM AND
BLESSED TO BE SO OVERLY EDUCATED
, BUT THE U èC SYSTEM IS FAR
MORE RESOURCE THAN THE èC S¼ U
SYSTEM FOR US TO PRETEND THAT WE
DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DISTINCTION
BETWEEN THOSE TWO SYSTEMS AND
WHY GIVING THOSE TWO SYSTEMS THE
SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY, UM, FOR
LEGAL SERVICES WOULD BE
DISINGENUOUS. THE U èC SYSTEM
SERVES NINE CAMPUSES. $1.8
MILLION AND AN UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENT POPULATION OF
APPROXIMATELY 4000. THE èC S¼ U
CAMPUS PRO PROJECT, UM, OPERATES
IN 23 èC S¼ U CAMPUSES WITH AN
UNDOCUMENTED POPULATION OF
APPROXIMATELY 10,000 STUDENTS,
SO ESSENTIALLY, THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL IS TO GIVE THE SAME
AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR A PROGRAM
THAT IS DOUBLE THE SIZE. FOR
THIS AND ALL THE OTHER IN
OUTLINED IN THIS TESTIMONY, AND
BECAUSE IT IS VERY LATE, I WILL
CONCLUDE UM I WANT TO POINT OUT
ONE MORE THING IN THE PACKET
BEFORE YOU, UM THE L A TIMES
JUST PUT OUT A PIECE ABOUT, UH,
ONE OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THIS
PROGRAM. HE WAS A STUDENT AT èC
S¼ U FRESNO. HE IS NOW A
PROFESSOR THERE. I WILL LET YOU
READ THAT WHEN YOU HAVE MORE
TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
THOMAS LOCKE DEPARTMENT OF
FINANCE. WE HAVE NÓ ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS L A Ó. JUAN TROTTER
LEGISLATIVE ANALYSTS OFFICE. SO
AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER. IT'S
OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE èC
S¼ U IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
PROGRAM WE HAVE ABOUT $8.8
MILLION AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE OF
2025. THIS INCLUDES $7 MILLION
FROM THE 2022 23 BUDGET
ALLOCATION AND $1.8 MILLION
REMAINING FROM THE 2023 24
BUDGET ALLOCATION. UM, AS SUCH
WE THINK THE LEGISLATURE MAY
WANT TO USE THIS TIME TO COME TO
A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW
THIS REDUCTION IN AND FUNDING
WILL IMPACT THE POPULATIONS
BEING SERVED BY THIS PROGRAM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM WHAT IS
THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN THAT
ARE SERVED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM?
DO WE HAVE THAT NUMBER? UH WHAT
WHEN YOU SAY PERCENTAGE. WHAT DO
YOU MEAN, LIKE JUST THOSE WHO
ARE RECEIVING LEGAL HAVE
RECEIVED LEGAL SERVICE WAS LIKE
STUDENTS VERSUS UNDERAGED. OH
THAT'S A I. I THINK WE I DON'T
KNOW IF èC Dð S¼ S¼ COLLECTS
THAT DATA FOR THIS, UM, BECAUSE
WE'D SERVED WE I MEAN, THE
ATTORNEYS MAY COLLECT THAT DATA
FOR THEIR CLIENT SPECIFICALLY,
BUT THEY REPORT BACK JUST
GENERAL DE DEMOGRAPHICS. UH, I
THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT BUT WE
COULD IF THE CHAIR IS INTERESTED
. I THINK THAT, UM, AMONG THE
LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS WE COULD
LOOK FOR THAT DATA. IF YOU'RE
LOOKING FOR AN IMPORTANT
DISTINCTION UNDER 18 UNDER 21
UNDER 18. LET'S START WITH UNDER
18. WELL, IT'S COLLEGE. SO YOU
KNOW, I THINK IT'LL BE WELL, NÓ.
I MEAN, THERE WAS THERE'S, UH,
THERE IS, UM I GUESS YOU CAN SAY
WELL, I GUESS UNDER 21 WOULD BE
OK. I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE
OUT, YOU KNOW. UH, IN OTHER
WORDS, THE YOUNGER YOU ARE THE
MOST VULNERABLE. YOU HAVE. YEAH,
WE CAN TRY TO GATHER THAT I'M
JUST TRYING TO GET SOME DUSTY.
SOME DISTINCTION. UH JUST TO TRY
TO KEEP AS MANY OPTIONS
AVAILABLE AND TRYING TO WORK
THINGS THROUGH IN MY OWN MIND
WOULD BE HELPFUL. UM SO WITH
THAT, UM, AS ALWAYS, WE WILL
CONTINUE TO, UM, WORK WITH, UH,
THE L A Ó TO CONTINUE TO
EXPAND. WHAT WE'RE CONSIDERING
FOR DIFFERENT CUTS AS WELL. UH
UM. AND OF COURSE, JUST TRYING
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AS
MANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE. UM AND
SO WE'LL LEAVE THIS. UM UH,
ISSUE OPEN AND WE'LL MOVE ON TO,
UH, THE NEXT ISSUE. OVERSIGHT OF
THE STUFF. THEY HATE FUNDING.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE CHAIR,
DR JACKSON, KI¾M JOHNSON.
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES. UH, WE ARE GRATEFUL TO
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OVERSEE
THE STOP THE HATE PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTED IN 2122, IN
CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSION
ON ASIAN, ASIAN AND PACIFIC
ISLANDER. AMERICAN AFFAIRS TO
ADMINISTER GRANT AWARDS TO
QUALIFIED NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
AND SERVICES TO VICTIMS AND
SURVIVORS OF HATE INCIDENTS AND
CRIMES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND TO
FACILITATE INCIDENT OR HATE
CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES. THE
EXPENDITURES FOR FISCAL YEARS.
21 22 22 20 THREE AND 2324 ARE
OUTLINED ON PAGE 72 OF YOUR
AGENDA. GRANTEES WERE AWARDED AS
FOLLOWS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2122 THE
èC Dð S¼ S¼ AWARDED $14.2
MILLION TO 80 ORGANIZATIONS. THE
TRANSFORM TRANSFORMATIVE GRANTS
PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE
GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT
DEMONSTRATE THE CAPACITY FOR
TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT IN THE
AREAS OF HATE CRIME AND HATE
INCIDENT. SURVIVOR SERVICES
PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION. IN
JULY OF 2022, THE èC Dð S¼ S¼
AWARDED AN ADDITIONAL 30 POINT
THREE MILLION TO 12
ORGANIZATIONS AND IN CURRENT
YEAR THE èC Dð S¼ S¼. ALLOCATED
$91.4 MILLION IN FUNDING TO 170
THREE ORGANIZATIONS. THIS, UH,
DURING THE FIRST YEAR
ORGANIZATIONS REPORTED THAT THEY
REACHED OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE.
THROUGH PREVENTION AND
INTERVENTION SERVICES AND SERVED
OVER 14,000 PEOPLE THROUGH
INDIVIDUAL DIRECT SERVICES, SUCH
AS MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING,
LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND OR CASE
MANAGEMENT. REMAINING FUNDED
ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES
INCLUDE AN EVALUATION COMPONENT
FOR WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAS
CONTRACTED WITH TANG AND SMITH
TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE
GRANT PROGRAM. IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SENATE BILL 102 BUDGET ACT
OF 2023 PAY DIFFERENTIALS OF
$1000 PER POSITION IS BEING
DISTRIBUTED EACH YEAR TO
GRANTEES FOR DIRECT SERVICE
PROFESSIONALS WHOSE PRIMARY JOB
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE
COMMUNICATING IN A LANGUAGE OR
MEDIUM OTHER THAN ENGLISH. AND
LASTLY, THE DEPARTMENT WILL
GRANT UP TO $9 MILLION IN
CURRENT YEAR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF A STATEWIDE COALITION. AND
WITH THAT I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS. UM IS IT MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT, UH, THERE'S
UH, THE REMAINING FUNDS IS AGAIN
TO BUILD. WHAT WHAT IS GOING TO
BE THE STATEWIDE COALITION? AND
WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE?
UM, THROUGH THAT? YES THE
REMAINING FUNDS ARE USED TO
SUPPORT. UH UH, OPERATIONS FOR
STATEWIDE COALITION. UM, WE'RE
REALLY BRINGING TOGETHER
NONPROFITS OF COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS TO FURTHER SUPPORT
EACH OTHER. I HAVE THE GREAT
FORTUNE OF ATTENDING SOME OF OUR
KICKOFF EVENTS WITH OUR
GRANTEES. AND UH, REALLY
APPRECIATED THE, UH,
COLLABORATION BETWEEN, UH,
KOREAN NAIL SHOP OWNERS AND
AFRICAN AMERICAN AND BLACK HAIR
SALON OWNERS AND THINKING ABOUT
THE WORKING CONDITIONS THAT THEY
ARE IN AND HOW THEY CAN BRIDGE
COMMUNITY AND BUILD TOGETHER.
IT'S THAT KIND. OF BRIDGE
BUILDING COMMUNITY BUILDING THAT
WE'LL WANT TO SEE MORE OF WITH
THOSE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. BUT
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANNA
CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS TO, UM
OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A TOUGH YEAR,
BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS AS WE GO
INTO EVEN FUTURE BUDGET YEARS ON
HOW WE CAN III. I REALLY BELIEVE
GIVEN THE TIME OF THE TIME IN
HISTORY. WE'RE IN, UH, THE NEED
FOR SUSTAINABLE AND MORE ROBUST.
ANTI RACIST, ANTI HATE ANTI
XENOPHOBIC INFRASTRUCTURE. UM
AND WOULD LIKE US TO REALLY
THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO
WE SEE? UM THE FUTURE OF THAT
LOOKING LIKE RIGHT, I. I THINK
WE'RE GONNA NEED MORE.
ABSOLUTELY. UM AND, UH, IN A
MORE SUSTAINABLE WAY AND ALSO
SOME OF THOSE FUNDERS ARE IN MY
DISTRICT AS WELL. AND ALTHOUGH
THEY'VE REACHED A LOT OF RIGHT
PEOPLE UM, I HAVE HEARD REPORTS
ON SOMETIMES IT'S ALMOST
PREACHING TO THE CHOIR, THOUGH.
RIGHT, AND WE KNOW THAT IT'S NOT
THE PEOPLE THAT OR PREACHING TO
THE CHOIR THAT NEEDS RIGHT? AND
SO HOW DO WE UM. REACH OUT OF
OUR CIRCLES OF INFLUENCE. TO BE
ABLE TO REACH PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT
SHARE. OUR CULTURE MAY NOT SHARE
RELIGION MAY NOT SHARE EVEN
LANGUAGE. AND TRADITIONS. AND
QUITE FRANKLY, MAY EVEN DISAGREE
. HOW DO WE REACH TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY HELPING TO
USE THIS PROGRAM TO TRANSFORM
PEOPLE AND BREAK CYCLES. OF HATE
AND RACISM. AND SO I THINK WE
STILL HAVE SOME WORK TO BE DONE
IN THAT, AND IT COULD BE A PART
OF THE HOW TO EVEN TRAINS THIS
COALITION ON HOW TO DO THAT?
BECAUSE I STILL BELIEVE THAT
WE'RE STILL DOING A BIT OF
PREACHING TO THE CHOIR, AS
OPPOSED TO WHAT WE REALLY NEED
TO DO. IN ORDER TO HOLD THE
LINE. FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS,
AND SO WE'LL WE'LL LOVE TO
CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE
DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU TO DO THAT.
UH, WITH THAT, WE WILL HOLD
THIS, UH, ITEM OPEN AND WE WILL
MOVE TO OUR FINAL. ISSUE. WHICH
IS LITTLE BUDGET CHANGE
PROPOSALS AND TRAILER BILL
LANGUAGE. AND YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN
YOU'RE READY. UH, ELIANA CAME
MOST DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES. FIRST I'M GONNA
OUTLINE THE IMPROVING OPERATIONS
TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
CHILDREN. BUDGET CHANGE PROPOSAL
. THIS BUDGET CHANGE PROPOSAL IS
REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR NINE. I
THINK IN THE AGENDA, IT MIGHT
HAVE BEEN EIGHT, BUT IT'S NINE
FEDERALLY FUNDED PERMANENT
POSITIONS AT AN ANNUAL COST OF
1.6 MILLION TO IMPLEMENT AND
OVERSEE NEW AND ONGOING FEDERAL
INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT REFUGEE
AND IMMIGRANT YOUTH AND THEIR
FAMILIES. THESE ADDITIONAL
POSITIONS WILL THE DEPARTMENT TO
SUPPORT THE GROWING NUMBER OF
REFUGEE CHILDREN. YOUTH ARRIVING
IN CALIFORNIA THROUGH PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT AND OVERSIGHT.
SPECIFICALLY THE STAFF RESOURCES
WILL SUPPORT THE UNACCOMPANIED
REFUGEE MINOR PROGRAM, THE
REFUGEE SCHOOL IMPACT PROGRAM,
THE YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM AND
SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS FOR
CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARRIVING FROM
AFGHANISTAN AND UKRAINE. THERE
IS NÓ IMPACT TO THE GENERAL
FUND. I WILL MOVE NEXT. IF
THERE'S IF THERE ARE NÓ
QUESTIONS, THE NEXT ONE IS THE
REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT INCREASE
STAFFING BUDGET CHANGE PROPOSAL.
THIS BUDGET CHANGE PROPOSAL
REQUESTS APPROVAL FOR 13
FEDERALLY FUNDED POSITIONS
PERMANENT POSITIONS AT AN ANNUAL
COST OF $2.4 MILLION. THESE
ADDITIONAL STAFF WILL IMPLEMENT
AND SUPPORT FEDERALLY FUNDED
INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT REFUGEE
INTEGRATION. OVERSEA POLICY
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION, COMMUNITY
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION AND
TRAINING AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE. SUPPORT NEW SERVICE
PROVIDERS, PRIVATE SPONSORS AND
COUNTY WELFARE DEPARTMENTS. THEY
WILL ALSO SUPPORT OVERSIGHT OF
MULTIPLE NEW FEDERAL INITIATIVES
, INCLUDING NEW AND EXPANDED
REFUGEE SUPPORT SERVICES AND THE
NEW FEDERAL PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP
PROGRAMS. THERE IS NÓ IMPACT TO
THE GENERAL FUND ON THIS ONE,
EITHER. UH, YOU KNOW, I JUST ON
SOME OF THESE, UH, REFUGEE
PROGRAMS. I. I KNOW THAT. UM THE
MAKE UP OF OUR REFUGEES. OUR
DIVERSIFYING I MEAN, TRULY
REPRESENTS THE WORLD IN TERMS OF
OUR REFUGEES AND UM, TOO MANY
REPORTS SOMETIMES COME OUT ON
THE DIFFERENT TREATMENT
DEPENDING ON WHICH KIND OF
REFUGEES AND WHAT COUNTRY
THEY'RE COMING FROM. UM, I AM
CONCERNED ABOUT UM THE NEEDS OF
OUR, UH, HAITIAN BROTHERS AND
SISTERS WHO REPORTS ARE COMING
OUT THAT WE'RE GONNA PROBABLY
SEE ANOTHER INFLUX HAPPENING
GIVEN THAT DRAMATIC UM VIOLENCE
AND THIS LOCATION THAT'S
HAPPENING THERE AND FAMINE. UM
I'M I'M SURE. UM WE SEE THINGS
ALL AROUND THE WORLD. UM BUT
CERTAINLY I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE
WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE. AND
MAYBE IN THE FUTURE YOU CAN
THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE WE DOING TO
DISTINGUISH THE NEEDS OF THESE
VARIOUS POPULATIONS? UM, BUT
THEN ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE
ELIMINATING AS MUCH
DISCRIMINATION BASED UPON THEIR
PLACE OF ORIGIN AS WELL. I HAVE
A SENSE WELL, I DON'T HAVE A
SENSE. I KNOW. UH, THAT
UNFORTUNATELY SOMETIME, UH, OUR
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DOING A
LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH OF THAT. UM
AND I I'M HOPING THAT CALIFORNIA
CAN LEAD THE WAY AND MAKING SURE
THAT NÓ MATTER WHERE YOUR PLACE
OF ORIGIN IS. WE ARE MAKING UH,
WE'RE TREATING YOU THE SAME.
WE'RE PROVIDING YOU WITH THE
SAME SERVICES AND THE WAY THAT,
UH, YOU NEED THEY NEED TO BE
SERVED. AND SO WE WOULD LOVE TO.
UM AT SOME POINT HAVE FUTURE
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT. AND EVEN
MAYBE ADD THAT TO A FUTURE PANEL
. IF WE HAVE SOME PANELS IN THE
FUTURE ABOUT THESE, UH, REFUGEE
ISSUES, BUT JUST WANT TO MAKE
SURE I'M ON RECORD IN SAYING
THAT PLEASE CONTINUE. I THINK
IT'S MY TURN TO JUMP IN.
JENNIFER TROIA, THE DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES, UM THERE ARE
ADDITIONAL B èC P S¼ IN THE
CALF AREA AND SOME TRAILER
BUILDING, WHICH THAT I WILL
CLOSE THIS OUT WITH ON THIS
PANEL. SO THE CAL FRESH
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OR CALF
FRESH. CONFIRM VÆ èC P IS THE
FIRST ONE CALF FRESH CONFIRM IS
A TOOL THAT PROVIDES
CONFIRMATION OF CALF FRESH
RECEIPT WITH THE CLIENT'S
CONSENT TO GIVE STREAMLINED
CONFIRMATION OF ELIGIBILITY TO
CAL FRESH EMPLOYMENT AND
TRAINING SERVICES AND ALSO OTHER
SERVICES AND BENEFITS FOR
AVAILABLE TO WITH LOW INCOMES.
THE B èC P IS REQUESTING SIMPLY
ONE STAFF SERVICES MANAGER, ONE
SPECIALIST POSITION AUTHORITY TO
MANAGE CURRENT AND FUTURE
WORKLOAD AND SUPPORT FEDERAL
COMPLIANCE WITH THE TOOL. IT IS
SUPPORTED BY FEDERAL AND ALSO
INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT FUNDING.
SO THERE IS NÓ STATE GENERAL
FUND IMPACT TO THIS P èC P. THE
NEXT ONE IS èC FRESH, HEALTHY
LIVING AND THE SECTION ALIGNMENT
. KISH HEALTHY LIVING IS A
PROGRAM THAT SERVES CALIFORNIANS
WITH LOW INCOMES BY PROMOTING
AND SUPPORTING HEALTHY LIVING
THROUGH GOOD NUTRITION AND
INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. IT
EMPLOYS INDIVIDUAL
ORGANIZATIONAL AND COMMUNITY
FOCUSED STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE
THIS, WITH EFFORTS FOCUSED ON
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT, HEALTHIER
CHOICES AND CO ORDINATION AND
COLLABORATION. THE REQUEST IS
FOR ONE STAFF SERVICES MANAGER
TO ONE STAFF SERVICES MANAGER
ONE AND ONE ASSOCIATE
GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAM ASSISTANT
TO BALANCE OUT THE MANAGEMENT
STRUCTURE OF OUR EXISTING STAFF
AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE
PROGRAM AGAIN. THESE POSITIONS
ARE FULLY FEDERALLY FUNDED.
THERE'S NÓ IMPACT TO THE GENERAL
FUND. THE THIRD B èC P IS THE
CALF FRESH OUTREACH UNIT AND THE
EXPANSION. THIS IS A FEDERAL
PROGRAM THAT LEVERAGES AVAILABLE
DATA TO TARGET OUTREACH EFFORTS
WHILE EXPANDING APPLICATION
ASSISTANCE. SO WE TALKED EARLIER
ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING
ADDITIONAL PEOPLE WHO ARE
ELIGIBLE. TAKE UP THE CAL FRESH
PROGRAM AND THIS IS ONE OF OUR
EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THAT. AND
THERE ARE SOME SPECIFIED TARGET
POPULATIONS. THE B èC P IS
REQUESTING ONE ASSOCIATE
GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAM ANALYST OR
A GPA POSITION TO ALLOW FOR
AGAIN THAT EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF
WORKLOAD AGAIN 100% FEDERALLY
FUNDED NÓ IMPACT TO THE STATE
GENERAL FUND. SO IT'S THE FINAL
B èC P. AND THEN THE FINAL ITEM
ON THE AGENDA IS, UH, AN ITEM OF
TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE WITH THE
CALIFORNIA FOOD ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM, OR èC. FA OVER
ISSUANCE COLLECTION. RETENTION
UH, AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT
EARLIER, WE ARE EXPANDING THE
èC FP PROGRAM. AND WITH RESPECT
TO THAT EXPANSION, WE ARE
SEEKING AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH,
UM, AN OVER ISSUANCE COLLECTION
POLICY, INCLUDING WHEN AND HOW
CLAIMS ARE COLLECTED IN THE
INSTANCE THAT A HOUSEHOLD
RECEIVES MORE BENEFITS THAN IT
WAS ENTITLED TO. THIS IS NOT A
NEW PRACTICE, BUT IT WAS
PREVIOUSLY INTERTWINED BETWEEN
THE CRES PROGRAM AND THE èC FT
PROGRAM, UH, IN TERMS OF WHAT WE
SUBMITTED TO THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AS WE EXPAND THE CFA
PROGRAM, WE'RE GOING TO BE
SEPARATING OUT HOW THAT WORKS.
AND SO WE NEED SEPARATE
STATUTORY AUTHOR. ON THE CFACC
SIDE. UM AND THERE IS NOT
CURRENTLY CLARITY ABOUT WHAT THE
RATIOS WOULD BE IN TERMS OF THE
PROPORTION OF THOSE RECOUPED
CLAIMS. SO THIS TRAILER BILL
LANGUAGE IS SIMPLY ALIGNING THE
POLICY WITH KRESH POLICY, UM, TO
MAINTAIN PARITY BETWEEN THE TWO
PROGRAMS ONCE THEY'RE SEPARATED
OUT IN PRACTICE BECAUSE OF THE
EXPANSION THANK YOU VERY MUCH I
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. THOMAS
LOCKE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. WE
HAVE NÓ FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE
FOLLOWING B èC P S¼ AND THE Tð
BL, UM, PROVISION FOR CPAP. L A
Ó. ONE DRAW LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST'S OFFICE. WE HAVE NÓ
CONCERNS AT THIS POINT, BUT
HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANY TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
UH, WHAT UM, WOULD LIKE TO THANK
, UH, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES, UM, AS WELL AS THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AS WE
BEGIN TO GO THROUGH. ARE LITANY
OF ITEMS IN TERMS OF TRAILER
BILL LANGUAGE. UH AND B èC P S¼
. UM I KNOW I HAVE A QUITE A BIT
ON MY LIST AS WELL. UH, BUT I
WANT TO UH, THANK EVERYONE FOR
THEIR RECEPTION AS WE CONTINUE
TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO
TRY TO SEE HOW CREATIVE WE CAN
BE, EVEN DURING TROUBLING TIMES.
WE DON'T WANT TO JUST BE
BLINDED. UH AND CONSUMED BY UH,
THE FISCAL SITUATION. THERE'S
STILL A LOT OF GOOD STUFF THAT
CAN BE DONE EVEN IN THE MIDST OF
HARD TIMES, AND SO I WOULD LIKE
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE THE
BEST USE OF OUR TIME AS WELL SO
THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME GOOD WINS
AS WELL AS SOME CRIES AT NIGHT
TOGETHER. UH, SO, UH, WANT TO
THANK EVERYONE VERY MUCH. WE'RE
GONNA HOLD THIS. UM, HOLD THIS
OPEN. OF THIS ENDS THE PANEL
PORTION OF OUR, UH, HEARING UM
WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD PUBLIC
COMMENT, AND SO WE WILL NOW
ADJOURN FOR THE NIGHT. I WANT TO
THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE IT
THROUGH. UH THIS, UH, HEARING UH
L, A Ó DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE,
UH, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES. AND OF COURSE, OUR
GREAT STAFF WHO'S HANGING IN
THERE? UM, AS WELL AND DEALING
WITH MY NONSENSE. UH, THANK YOU,
EVERYONE FOR THE TO THE ARS AS
WELL FOR KEEPING A SELF AND
KEEPING EVERYTHING GOING, UM AND
WE ARE ADJOURNED.