Dear Community,
Last week Governor Newsom released details of his proposal for California’s 2024-25 Budget. The Governor projected a $44.9 billion shortfall, or $27.6 billion shortfall with early budget action taken in April by the Legislature. On Tuesday, May 14, the Administration shared additional details of the California Budget.
As the Budget process moves forward, we encourage all stakeholders to remain engaged in continued legislative budget hearings and advocacy efforts alongside CBHA. With the proposed cuts, our community will need to be in intentional partnership more than ever, included below are takeaways that will impact the communities we serve and advocate for.
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
- Reducing $72.3 million one-time in 2023-24, $348.6 million in 2024-25, and $5 million in 2025-26 for school-linked health partnerships and capacity grants for higher education institutions, behavioral health services and supports platform, evidence-based and community-defined grants, public education and change campaign, and youth suicide reporting and crisis response pilot.
Family Urgent Response System
- The revised California state budget intends to address the housing crisis observed across the state while keeping counties accountable. Although CBHA appreciates the Administration’s efforts to help the vulnerable unhoused population, the reallocation of funds will negatively impact our foster youth and families who depend on the Family Urgent Response System.
Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program
- Eliminating $450.7 million one-time from the last round of the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, while maintaining a $30 million one-time General Fund in 2024-25.
Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program
- Reducing $132.5 million in 2024-25 and $207.5 million in 2025-26 for the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program, while maintaining $132.5 million General Fund in 2024-25 and $117.5 million ($90 million Mental Health Services Fund and $27.5 million General Fund) in 2025-26.
CalWORKs Home Visiting Program
- Reducing $47.1 million ongoing for the CalWORKs Home Visiting Program.
CalWORKs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
- Reducing $126.6 million ongoing for CalWORKs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Healthcare Workforce Reduction
- Eliminating $300.9 million in 2023‑24, $302.7 million in 2024-25, $216 million in 2025‑26, $19 million in 2026-27, and $16 million in 2027‑28 for various healthcare workforce initiatives including community health workers, nursing, social work, Song-Brown residencies, Health Professions Career Opportunities Program, and California Medicine Scholars Program. The May Revision also eliminates the $189.4 million Mental Health Services Fund for programs proposed to be delayed to 2025-26 at the Governor's Budget.
Despite these funding cuts, the following items can benefit the communities we represent and advocate for and we encourage all stakeholders to remain steadfast in continued advocacy:
The May Revision includes an additional $9.7 billion in MCO Tax funds over multiple years to support the Medi-Cal program.
Childcare Slot Expansion Pause at Current Level
- Approximately 119,000 slots have been added.
- A pause at the current level until fiscal conditions allow for resuming the expansion will result in a revenue gain of $489 million in 2024-25 and $951 million in 2025-26.
Officer Wellness and Training
- $65 million one-time General Fund for research and grants to support peace officers’ physical, mental, and emotional wellness, which is essential for creating safer communities. Additionally, a Use of Force and De-escalation Training pilot program was added to fortify positive policing strategies.
The Budget also includes $4.1 billion General Fund in 2024-25 for health care programs, which provide incarcerated individuals access to medical, mental health, and dental care services that are consistent with the standards and scopes of care appropriate within a custodial environment.
CBHA will continue to work in partnership with behavioral health stakeholders to uplift the stories and realities of the families who will be impacted the most by the 2024-25 budget.
In Community and Partnership,
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