Advocates urge rejection of $15M cuts to California Reducing Disparities Project

In a pivotal meeting held on May 20, 2025, the California Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health was a stage for impassioned pleas from community leaders and advocates, all united in their opposition to proposed cuts to the California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP). The proposed reduction of $15.8 million has sparked widespread concern among those who rely on the program for essential mental health services.

As the meeting unfolded, voices from across the state echoed the urgent need to preserve funding for CRDP, which has been instrumental in addressing health disparities among marginalized communities. Eiraj Firoz, representing the Muslim American Society Social Services Foundation, emphasized the potential harm of slashing funding mid-contract, urging the committee to reconsider the cuts. “This program is cost-effective and saves taxpayers' money,” he asserted, highlighting the program's proven impact.

Participants included a diverse array of stakeholders, from mental health professionals to community members who have directly benefited from CRDP services. Hamid Bahrami, a service recipient, passionately urged the committee to reject the funding cuts, while Cesar Gonzales Garcia, representing the California Rural Indian Health Board, stressed the importance of CRDP for the 70 federally recognized tribes in California.

The emotional weight of the testimonies was palpable. Josefina Alvarado Mena, CEO of Safe Passages, shared the success of her organization in serving over 350 African American students in Oakland, stating, “It would be unconscionable to end services in about a month's time.” Similarly, Rachel Guerrero, a former architect of the project, underscored the critical evaluations that have demonstrated the program's effectiveness in reaching those most adversely affected by health care disparities.

The meeting also highlighted the voices of those serving specific communities, such as Sonia Young Adam from the California Black Women's Health Project, who spoke on behalf of 1.2 million Black women and girls in California. “We have served our community incredibly well,” she stated, calling for the preservation of funding.

As the testimonies continued, it became clear that the proposed cuts would not only jeopardize ongoing services but also dismantle years of progress made in addressing mental health disparities. Advocates from various organizations, including Whole Systems Learning and Asian American Recovery Services, echoed similar sentiments, warning that the elimination of funding would devastate their ability to serve vulnerable populations.

The subcommittee's decision on the proposed cuts will have significant implications for the future of mental health services in California. As community leaders continue to rally against the funding reductions, the urgency of their message resonates: investing in mental health is not just a budgetary decision; it is a commitment to the well-being of countless individuals and families across the state.