In California 22.8% of our children live in poverty. That’s 2 million kids facing the negative impacts of poverty—and they’re disproportionately kids of color. These inequities are unconscionable. And they’re unacceptable.
That’s why I introduced #AB875—reestablishing the Healthy Start in California.
The Healthy Start Initiative was incredibly impactful—and made a huge difference in connecting families with critical services to improve health and academic outcomes, and remedy trauma and violence.
It ended in 2007—and never came back. But this year we’re pushing to bring it back!
Healthy Start 2.0 services include: school-based health, dental and vision care, substance use counseling, job readiness, and additional emphasis on addressing trauma and preventing violence.
It would mean $60M over 4 years—much needed resources going directly to schools and school districts!
Thank you to all the organizations working to get #AB875 through, including: Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, Alliance for Safety and Justice, United Ways of California, United Way Bay Area, and Children’s Defense Fund–California.
Now is the time for Healthy Start 2.0 — let’s get it passed!
Originally posted on Twitter. Re-posted with permission.