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Due to the Governor’s budget revision in May, two hearings were held on May 20th at the Assembly and Senate focusing on a proposal to eliminate critical funding for programs under the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) Office of Health Equity (OHE) California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP). Earlier in the day, a press conference was held in front of the CDPH office in downtown Sacramento.
MAS-SSF’s Shifa for Today Program has been sustained by this funding for more than nine years. During that time, it has delivered culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services and education that directly reduces and decreases stigma in our community. The impact is clear: demand for our services continues to grow, reflecting deep community trust and need. Cutting this funding would dismantle a proven, community-defined solution at a time when support is needed more than ever.
More than 27 MAS-SSF representatives, staff and volunteers--including one of our founding members, Laurel Benhamida--played a powerful part in advocating against the proposed funding cuts. After each hearing, representatives from MAS-SSF, the numerous agencies potentially impacted by the cuts, and the general public had the opportunity to express concern and advocate directly to committee members regarding the positive impact these programs have had on them, their families and their communities.
In the Senate Subcommittee on Health and Human Services meeting, MAS-SSF leadership, staff, volunteers and supporting community members were at the Capitol well into the evening waiting for the opportunity to make public comments to the committee about the positive impact of our programs. All public comments were recorded and are part of the official records.
Watch the public comments recorded during the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 Health hearing here starting at 1:40.
Watch MAS-SSF representatives providing public comments recorded during the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee on Health and Human Services hearing here starting around 4:55.
MAS-SSF is one of the 34 nonprofit organizations facing potential budget cuts. These proposed cuts would potentially end funding for all 34 programs—funds that have already been awarded through existing contracts—all of which have launched, provided services for over 9 years and have staff to implement the programs based on those commitments.
To learn more, read this San Francisco Examiner article published today:
California Reducing Disparities Project Hangs by a Thread
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