Amy Friedrich-Karnik National Alliance for Caregiving on behalf of Alejandra Ceja-Aguilar Southern Caregiver Resource Center NAC Caregiver Coalition Call April 19, 2012 Budget Cuts Threaten California’s Caregiver Resource Centers

Background California passed legislation in 1984 establishing a state-wide system of Caregiver Resource Centers (CRC) that provide a comprehensive range of services, education and support to family caregivers throughout the state In 2009, CRC state funding cut by approximately 70%

Today’s Challenge Governor’s FY budget proposes eliminating all remaining funding for the CRC system - $2.9 million Such cuts would: Threaten CRCs’ existence and the valuable services they provide Cause a further cut of $3.9 million in federal funds that come into the state based on the current match Threaten the future recovery of funds for caregiver services because there would no longer be the line-item in the budget for Caregiver Resource Centers

Advocacy Efforts Targeting the legislature to restore funding All CRC leaders are testifying at budget hearings in Sacramento CRCs started online petition through change.org – over 3,000 petitions signed so far! Local petitions and efforts from other orgs (e.g. National Stroke Association) generating petitions from their grassroots members Social media

Local Advocacy Initiative Southern Caregiver Resource Center in San Diego launched “There is Help” Campaign: Training volunteer family caregivers to become advocates for themselves locally and at the state level Involves partnership with a local state Assemblymember’s office These trained volunteers will be travelling to Sacramento in May to lobby their elected officials to oppose cuts to the CRC budget

Caregiver Coalition Involvement While the Caregiving Coalition of San Diego County is not currently engaged in advocacy – as a coalition – the Southern CRC has keep the coalition members informed of the budget fight, and many of them have: Signed petitions protesting CRC budget cuts Circulated petitions among their own members

Lesson Learned The power of involving caregivers in advocacy: Very compelling for lawmakers to hear stories from those who are directly affected by the policies Empowers family caregivers to speak with their own voice Outlook Legislature will consider and pass budget legislation for Governor’s signature this summer.

For More Information: Amy Friedrich-Karnik Legislative Consultant National Alliance for Caregiving