SACRAMENTO – CWDA continues to be inspired by Governor Newsom’s vision of a California for all, as evidenced by his May Revise investments to lift Californians out of poverty and homelessness. The 2019-20 May Revise continues to expand on programs that address underlying issues contributing to the state’s high poverty rate, including housing insecurity, trauma, and low wages. Proposed changes include greater funding for trauma screenings as well as funding for physician training and the time to properly roll out the policy change. This budget also expands the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), a proven anti-poverty measure.

“It’s exhilarating to watch an administration that has a depth of policy and research knowledge apply that expertise to transformative policies and invest in them accordingly,” said CWDA executive director, Frank Mecca. “This budget makes clear that California will continue its role as a leader and innovator nationally by comprehensively addressing the reasons we have the highest poverty rate in the nation.”

CWDA is pleased to see the major investment to lift our CalWORKs families out of deep poverty – those living 50 percent below the federal poverty level – by increasing the assistance they receive through CalWORKs and coupling that with 12-month continuous child care. It’s no secret that more resources and stable child care services will put families on a better path to self-sufficiency. Counties are also glad to have worked with the Administration to develop a new approach to funding services through the In-Home Supportive Services program.

Lastly, May Revise included funding that will be critical for child welfare and foster care supports in counties, including funds for foster parent recruitment and retention and resource family approval to improve the backlog that has occurred. “As we continue to seek ways to better support the foster families and youth in California, these investments will allow us to approve new foster parents and recruit new ones that are so desperately needed to care for so many children in our system,” said Frank Mecca.

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