Last week, Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer held a press conference to announce successfully securing $37.3 million from the 2018-19 California State Budget that establishes the Youth Reinvestment Fund. The Youth Reinvestment fund will help improve the outcomes of vulnerable youth populations by using trauma informed community and health-based interventions in lieu of arrest, detention and incarceration. Over $1 million will be allocated to Native American Tribes for youth diversion programs.
“Every year, thousands of California youth are incarcerated for low-level offenses costing taxpayers millions of dollars while simultaneously failing to provide effective interventions for these kids and we all deserve better. It’s time we stop locking up our children and start investing in their future,” said Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer. “The Youth Reinvestment Fund will be used to divert our children from the juvenile justice system and begin to dismantle the school to prison pipeline.”
Sanctuary of Hope was happy to be part of the press conference. This new legislative investment will ensure that vulnerable youth are diverted from the prison pipeline and into programs that will help them thrive.