What is this letter about?
The spread of COVID-19 has been particularly devastating for California’s children and families who were already in crises before the pandemic began: families with young children – the cohort of our state’s population most in poverty – who couldn’t access essential supports, including sufficient nutrition and quality child care and preschool; children who were abused and neglected and/or witness to domestic violence; the majority of California students who lacked the educational supports they needed to meet basic grade-level reading and math standards; many children living in immigrant or undocumented families; the unacceptably low number of children in Medi-Cal who received preventive care and health screenings; and the millions of young people experiencing mental health challenges, including many who struggled with suicidal thoughts.
This letter calls on California Governor Gavin Newsom and state legislators to prioritize kids in the upcoming 2020-21 state budget – holding crucial children’s programs and services harmless and increasing targeted supports as much as possible.
How does it align with yli’s values?
State funding will directly and profoundly impact our youth – from education to health care, to housing stability and food security – as well as the organizations (like yli!) that provide youth with critical programming.
What is yli doing about it?
We have just signed this open letter, crafted by The Children’s Movement of California. And, we are voicing our support on social media: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Who else has signed this letter?
Hundreds of organizations have signed the letter – click the link below for the full list.