This afternoon, Governor Gavin Newsom released the May Revision to his proposed State Budget for FY 2020-21, reflecting the financial restrictions California faces due to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis while protecting California’s core values. The Children’s Partnership recognizes the incredible challenge of today’s economic crisis and thanks Governor Newsom for working to prioritize key protections like continuing health care subsidies for middle class families and the availability of the California Earned Income Tax Credit to more low-income working families. Yet in the midst of this pandemic, there is more work to do to support low-wage and immigrant families hit hardest by the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including expanding coverage for every Californian and strengthening health, learning and social supports for children.
“California has led the way as a model for the nation throughout this crisis. As we work to rebuild our communities, we must find creative solutions and investments that continue to prioritize the full range of needs for California children and families,” said The Children’s Partnership President, Mayra E. Alvarez. “We recognize the challenging reality our State leaders face today, however, now is the time to continue showing up for our most marginalized. Together, we can address the complex issues that face California’s families, lessen the burden to weather this crisis, and advance priorities that value our children.”
The Children’s Partnership looks forward to working with the Newsom Administration and Legislature to:
- Bring care to where children are through better access to telehealth solutions like AB 2164, that are not solely emergency responses, but long-term solutions to ensure access to care for all who face geographic, transportation, and language barriers
- Support schools as they prepare to reopen in responding to the pervasive mental health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and strengthening the infrastructure to deliver mental health services via telehealth on school campuses
- Invest in supports that strengthen families, including the creation of “safe spaces” policies for immigrant families at early childhood care and learning sites and improved coordination and streamlined enrollment of health, social and legal services, particularly for the 1.5-3 million more Californians newly enrolling in Medi-Cal as a result of the current climate.
The Children’s Partnership also strongly supports passage of the HEROES Act and applauds the Governor’s call for Congress to act swiftly. Many of the reductions reflected in the proposed May Revise can be “triggered off” by the immediate financial relief the Act would provide to support states, like California.
