San Francisco Youth Commission's Housing and Homelessness Committee Statement on the Department of Human Services' Proposed 2003-2004 Budget

The Housing and Homelessness Committee of the San Francisco Youth Commission recognizes that the Department of Human Services has done a good job in the face of proposed budget cuts so far, but we are concerned that vital programs and services are being cut in the 10% contingency plan. We are especially concerned about Priority 2- the CalWorks housing subsidies and Priority 3 – the South Beach Homeless Resource Center. We feel that housing and homeless services should not be on the list of proposed cuts at all. Since the city passed Care Not Cash and the economy is experiencing a downturn, more people will be using CalWorks housing subsidies and South Beach homeless services. It is essential to ensure adequate funding level to these programs. A great percentage of homeless people are families and youth, and we are particularly concerned about their welfare.

Moreover, the Mayor has proposed the complete cut of the STEP program, a fundamental service for youth coming out of foster care. The Department of Human Services valued this program to the extent that it didn’t propose any cuts to the program in the original budget cut plan, but rather proposed increasing funds. Please save this program; its demise is a serious loss for all youth coming out of foster care who want to use the stipend for stable housing or developing their skills in education or employment.

Thank you for your consideration as you approve the Department of Human Services’ 2003-04 budget.

San Francisco Youth Commission's Youth Justice Committee Statement on the Juvenile Probation Department's Proposed 2003-04 Budget

After exploring the possibility of the closure of Log Cabin Ranch through testimonies given by employees of the facility, by members of the Juvenile Probation Department, and the community, we believe that it is in the best interest of the city to close Log Cabin Ranch. There is a $2.5 million budget for Log Cabin Ranch.

Due to the budget crunch San Francisco is experiencing, the budget allocated for community-based organizations serving youth in the juvenile system has been drastically reduced. The Juvenile Probation Department, for the 10% contingency plan that the Mayor has requested, has proposed a cut of ten percent of the budget for community-based organizations serving youth in this community. The contingency will most likely go into effect, depriving these youth of vital resources they need.

Although we don't like seeing the ranch closed, we believe that the costs of running the program is excessive when compared to the number of youth served. There are less costly ways to serve youth. The youth served at the ranch are unique in the individuals they are and the situations they face. We are aware that Log Cabin is a therapeutic honors facility run by the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department to serve youth who have been adjudicated for approximately one year.

By shutting the facility, thereby relocating the youth, we are advocating that great care is taken toensure that the needs of Log Cabin Ranch youth are met, comparable to those of the Ranch, and that the relocation be to San Francisco. Thank you for your time. The funds that would be saved from the closure of the program would be better directed towards community based services that served detained and at-risk youth, such as prevention, counseling, treatment, and case management.

San Francisco Youth Commission's Public Health Committee

Statement on the Department of Public Health's 2003-04 Budget

The San Francisco Youth Commission was created by the voters to advise the Mayor, Board of Supervisors and relevant City Departments on the needs and wants of San Francisco's youth. The City and County charter directs the Youth Commission to be actively involved in setting budget priorities. The Youth Commission is divided into five issue area committees. The Youth Commission's Public Health Committee has reviewed the Department of Public Health's proposed budget and has the following concerns.

We understand that the Department of Public Health faces very drastic cuts and has crafted its budget based on usage rates. We are worried that specialized services could be particularly hurt by this approach. We think that the Department should consider how many services are out there for a particular population or a particular need. You cannot cut a program for people who could not be served by another program. Regardless of how small the group you are serving may seem to be, they often have no option besides these unique programs.

As an example, the Public Health Department is proposing cuts to Ark House, a homeless shelter for LGBTQQ youth. According to the Department, Ark House has more beds than are being used. There are very few services available to LGBTQQ youth (only 5 or 6 agencies provide these services) and Ark House is the only shelter for homeless LGBTQQ youth. If this program is cut, it will significantly damage that population. The Youth Commission's Public Health Committee fought very hard for this program last year and it was saved. We hope that it will not be cut this year. It has been a great program for youth in San Francisco and is extremely important to the LGBTQQ community in San Francisco.

We are very concerned about the cuts to outreach in this budget. Overall, the Department has proposed cutting nearly $1 million to outreach programs. The Department wants to cut programs by usage rates, but then plans to cut outreach that could increase utilization of programs. Outreach is particularly important to programs that are under-utilized.

We are also concerned about cuts in services to under resourced neighborhoods. The Department is proposing cuts to services in Bayview/Hunter's Point. We believe that this neighborhood is under served and should have as many programs as can possibly be run.

We are concerned about the significant cuts to the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic. The Department is proposing cuts to three different programs of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic, totaling over $1 million. This clinic is very important to the people of Haight Ashbury.

There is a substantial need for mental health services in San Francisco. The cuts would lead to a reduction in just under 8000 units of services to the Family Service Agency Mental Health Day Treatment Services.

Again, we understand that the Department of Public Health is specifically hurt by the Mayor's proposed budget cuts. We plan to express these concerns throughout the budget process and engage all City officials in a conversation about citywide priorities.

We thank you for considering our concerns in the budget process. Please contact the Youth Commission's Public Health Committee at (415) 554-6446 for more information.

San Francisco Youth Commission's Youth Recreation & Services Committee Statement on the Recreation and Parks Department's

Proposed 2003/2004 Budget

The San Francisco Youth Commission's Youth Recreation and Services Committee is aware of the budget crisis throughout the city. Although we realize the pressure made by Mayor Brown to decrease all departments' spending, we would like to stress the importance of the services for youth provided by the Park and Recreation Department. Cutting back on pool and recreation center hours, as well as cutting back on recreation center programming, will have a very negative effect on the youth in the city. Our committee would like to see funds reallocated from various departments who have extra funds (i.e.: the San Francisco Fire Department), and see it put into programs for youth. The youth of the city need recreational activities.