The recently passed state budget included a historic level of funding for youth who have been in foster care or homeless. The press releases have been sent and the photo-ops are over.
So, what’s next? Implementation!
At JBAY, we pride ourselves on policy implementation. We don’t stop until we know that the policy changes we fought for are making a measurable difference in the lives of young people.
We know that in a big state like California, implementation is complex. To really make sustainable change for youth, it takes more than passing a bill and moving onto the next topic.
One great example of how JBAY focuses on implementation is Homekey, Governor Newsom’s $2.75 billion program to reduce homelessness. JBAY successfully advocated for 8% of this funding to address youth homelessness. That’s $220 million!
Since the budget was adopted, JBAY has worked closely with state agencies and housing providers to make sure this funding reaches homeless youth. This includes submitting public comment on the funding application, hosting a recent meeting of over 200 people to educate them about Homekey, developing educational materials and conducting technical assistance.
JBAY will also identify 5 to 7 Bay Area youth providers to receive planning grants to assist with applying for this funding in partnership with their city or county, generously provided by Tipping Point’s Better Futures for Foster Youth Initiative. This is just one of many examples of implementation work JBAY has underway.
According to Executive Director Amy Lemley, the generous supporters of JBAY make this possible. “Implementation takes time, and time costs money,” said Lemley “But there is no point in changing policy on the state level if those changes aren’t making a difference in the lives of young people. The generous support of JBAY supporters makes sure we get the job done.”