Balancing priorities in times of economic uncertainty
California's proposed 2023-24 state budget prioritizes youth mental health and community schools.
After two years of surplus and historic investment, economic uncertainty and a projected $22.5 billion budget deficit has California leaders taking a more measured approach to the 2023-24 state budget. At the unveiling of his proposed budget last Tuesday, Governor Newsom promised to continue the large initiatives funded during the surplus years, including $4 billion for community schools and $4.7 billion for youth mental health needs. Proposed new investments include $3.5 million ongoing for opioid overdose response on middle and high school campuses and additional funds for local prevention efforts. Far from final, the proposed budget is the first step in a long negotiation process that ends when the Legislature approves a final budget by the June 15th deadline.
In the meantime, schools across Los Angeles are beginning to implement two ambitious initiatives at the center of The L.A. Trust advocacy platform. Last year, L.A. County schools were awarded $92 million in implementation grants and $1.7 million in planning grants in the first round of California Community Schools Partnership Program funding. The L.A. Trust is thrilled to help schools implement these transformative investments as we partner with the L.A. County Office of Education and the UCLA Center for the Transformation of schools to serve as the Regional Technical Assistance Center for L.A. County.
Likewise, funding for school-based interventions through the $4.2 billion Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) will begin opening this year. The L.A. Trust School Health Policy Roundtable submitted recommendations to the state regarding CYBHI that we will uplift locally though partnerships with our county mental health department, Medi-Cal health plans, and school and community partners.
These and other initiatives present an exciting opportunity to advance youth-centered systems of support in schools that help students thrive. We look forward to collaborating across sectors to achieve this vision.
Share our priorities? We’d love to partner. Contact Gabby Tilley at g.tilley@thelatrust.org to learn more.