FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kelly Pijl
January 8, 2010 714-834-5186 (office) 714-390-9567 (cell)
Kelly.Pijl@cfcoc.ocgov.com
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released the 2010-11 budget with startling impact to local health and homeless prevention programs.
IRVINE, CA – The Governor released the 2010-11 budget today in Sacramento that includes diverting over $550 million of Proposition 10 revenue from state and county commissions to fund failing state programs. First 5 Commissions, including the Children and Families Commission of Orange County, are funded by Proposition 10 to support local health care, early education and homeless services for young children and families.
The impact of this action would seriously jeopardize successful local Proposition 10 funded programs. In Orange County, and throughout the state of California, the funding is administered by county commissions through multi-year agreements for programs that are not typically funded by the state. Examples of currently funded programs include dental care, school nurses, community clinics, medical specialists, and support to families that have lost their homes due to the crippling recession and financial issues.
“County commissions are interested in working with the state as partner in the economic crisis, but this proposal treats us as a piggy bank,” said Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell, chairman of the Commission, “Organizations like ours are finding ways to accomplish our mission even as our revenues decline. State government must do the same, instead of making fiscally responsible local agencies pay for years of irresponsible state budgeting.”
This month the Commission received an update on the partnership with Mercy House for the Armory Redirection Program that enables families with small children to be relocated from the Cold Weather Emergency Armory to more suitable temporary shelters. To date, no eligible family has spent a night in the Armory. The Commission’s investment in homeless services supported 127 families last year, including 180 children under 5 years of age.
The impact of the Governor’s budget proposal on critical children’s medical services is particularly drastic. “The Commission invested in the early identification and treatment of autism to help prepare children for school and life,” said Dr. Joseph H. Donnelly, Director of For OCKids, the only comprehensive autism clinic in Orange County. “Without Proposition 10, we could lose up to 70 percent of our funding and would need to close. The ripple effect would include increased costs to school districts when undiagnosed and untreated children begin school; and increased costs to the social services system when these same children are unable to graduate and hold jobs as adults. The cost to the children themselves and their families would be devastating. ”
Since approving it in 1998, California voters have turned back every attempt to repeal or redirect Proposition 10. The Legislature’s attempt to divert Proposition 10 money to the state general fund was overwhelmingly rejected by California voters in May 2009. In 2000, voters voted against repealing Proposition 10 by a lopsided margin. It is clear that California voters oppose the hijacking of Proposition 10 funds and support having revenues for programs and services for young children administered locally through county (First 5) Children and Families Commissions.
About the Children and Families Commission of Orange County
The Children and Families Commission of Orange County oversees the allocation of funds from Proposition 10, which added a 50-cent tax on tobacco products sold in California. Funds help pay for education, health care and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage to age five and their families. The Commission’s goal is to ensure all children are healthy and ready to learn when they enter school. For more information, please visit www.occhildrenandfamilies.com.
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