SAN DIEGO — Governor Gavin Newsom announced its revised proposed state budget for the next fiscal year that prompted some proposed cuts to preserve core services. Now, a group of organizations are concerned about how the current spending plan will affect their operations.
“The California Governor's office of Emergency Services has notified us that there would be a 44.7 percent reduction in their funding for victims services, "Center for Community Solutions Chief Executive Officer Cori Austin said.
Center for Community Solutions is an organization that serves people with wrap-around services to put an end to violence and empower survivors. They operate a crisis hotline, domestic violence shelters, legal services and more. Austin tells CBS 8 that the California Governor Office of Emergency Services is a primary funder for the organization.
“Don't people see how important this is? I'm scared…I'm scared for our community, I am scared for victims of violence and what this means,” Austin said.
The growing concern among local organizations throughout the state caused them to team up and send state senators a letter requesting funding to continue helping people in need.
“We understand that California budget is really tight this year ….they've had to make some really difficult decisions but this could be devastating for people,” Austin said.
Austin tells CBS 8 that the organization touches the lives of about 13,000 people a year, that's why it's a major concern to have funding available..
“It's going to mean a reduction in therapy services for traumatized youth and for adults, longer waitlists which means more than likely to be revictimized,” Austin said.
If the proposed budget passes, Cori affirms that the organization will continue to prioritize and care for victims of violence.
“But we'll be smaller, we'll have less support for survivors,” Austin said.
The budget proposal is for the next funding cycle which is annually. Cori hopes legislators will take a closer look at the budget before they vote. To learn more about the proposed budget click here.
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