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Latino Health Access <br />LATINO <br />HEALTH <br />ACCESS <br />June 7th, 2022 <br />Mayor Sarmiento and the City Council Members <br />City of Santa Ana <br />22 Civic Center Plaza <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />450 W. Fourth Street, Suite 130 <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />714-542-7792 <br />www.latinohealthaccess.org <br />RE: Agenda Item 16: FY 22-23 City Budget - Invest in Community Care and Health <br />Latino Health Access strives to improve the physical, emotional and social health of the community by <br />providing services that address their immediate needs and advocate for policies that provide equitable access to <br />resources. We're proud to have partnered with other community organizations and the City of Santa Ana over <br />the years to bring much needed services that help level the playing field for low-income families in our City. <br />We've witnessed the great progress that the City has made in its goal of achieving equity, and we urge you to <br />continue by investing in the care and health of our community. <br />The ongoing pandemic has undoubtedly impacted the well being of working class families across Santa Ana. <br />Many are still in the process of recovering from financial setbacks and healing from emotional impacts. Our <br />youth and families in Santa Ana are asking for the expansion of direct services and programs that address a <br />myriad of mental health challenges that schools do not have the capacity to address. The funds that have been <br />allocated during the pandemic towards these services have been limited in time frame, scope, and or are not <br />sustainable for the years to come. <br />It is imperative that the City Council prioritizes a balanced and equitable budget that meets the material needs <br />and prioritizes the well being of Santa Ana residents. The Santa Ana City Council must invest in Community <br />Care and Health. <br />Latino Health Access asks that the Santa Ana City Council (Council) invest in community care and health <br />throughout the Fiscal Year 22-23 City Budget by adopting the following recommendations: <br />1. Allocate $1 Million to properly fund a robust and effective Police Oversight Board. <br />2. Allocate $150,000 of General Fund dollars to fund for grants to Community Based Organizations <br />that provide: <br />a. Mental Health Services for Trans/Queer and LGBTQ youth, <br />b. Re-entry programs and services for system impacted youth, and/or <br />c. Counseling support and preventative services for youth. <br />PREVENTION EDUCATION ACTION <br />