Latest news with #SacramentoLGBTCommunityCenter
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sacramento LGBT Center considers reducing services as it faces funding cuts
The Sacramento LGBT Community Center warned that hundreds of youth, many at risk of homelessness or in crisis, could lose access to life-saving mental health counseling and gender-affirming care if the City Council fails to approve additional funding. A $500,000 loss for the center from a terminated federal grant has already affected youth and adult mental health services, said Executive Director David Heitstuman. 'We do have another $1.2 million in federal funding that could be at risk depending on federal action,' Heitstuman said. 'So, we are in a very challenging position as an organization that's sort of at the top of the target list for the administration, which makes this funding even more vital.' The center provides counseling, drop-in respite care, and community resource navigation under its mental health program. Additionally, the center holds Coming Out, Golden Grounds LGBTQ Elders, Transgender, and Twenty-Somethings support groups. Jon Garcia, director of youth and family programs, spoke at the May 20 City Council meeting and estimated that the center serves about 400 youth aged 14-24, who predominantly reside in the city of Sacramento. Of these 400, 20% identify as African American, 12% identify as Latinx, 42% are homeless or at risk of being homeless, and 17% have had prior foster care experience. At the center, 33% of recent mental health clients required emergency intervention for suicidal ideation or attempts, 84% of whom were youth, Garcia said. The center has requested $1.5 million from the City Council, through the city's Measure L to address this growing need. At the May 20 meeting, representatives from the center recommended the adoption of a scenario to provide $417,000 in funding. The council will vote on the funding Tuesday. During the meeting, Rene Kausin, youth development project manager for the city's Department of Youth, Parks and Community Enrichment, explained that the awards were funded by taxes on cannabis operations to child and youth services. The funds were then guided by an investment plan adopted by the city last September to support youth and youth violence prevention programming to nonprofits and public entities. Organizations that qualify must apply for the grants through a competitive process. The grants range from $25,000 to $500,000, pulled from a pool of $17.9 million. When asked about the implications if the center were unable to receive the grant, Heitstuman said that cuts would have to be made. 'It means that we're going to continue to have a big deficit in our region for LGBTQ-affirming services, particularly dire for low-income folks, who don't have access to be able to pay for an affirming provider,' Heitstuman said. 'And if we aren't able to secure funding to continue this program, it's going to mean that we're going to have to make service reductions.' Heitstuman is optimistic, though, that the council will approve the funding or create their own allocation plan to support the center. 'It's really, really hard to replace hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in grant funds with $20 donations,' Heitstuman said. 'With all the economic uncertainty and the lack of availability of funding at the federal and state level, we really do need to see local officials step up and support our business.'
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sacramento LGBT Center loses $500K in federal funds for mental health services
( — The Sacramento LGBT Community Center says federal action caused it to suddenly loose nearly $500,000 dollars in government funding.•Video above: Sacramento LGBT Center opens its doors for a forum to address some concerns The federal Department of Health and Human Services suddenly canceled more than billions of dollars in federal grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Mental Health Services Administration to states for mental health, recovery support, HIV, and other infectious diseases prevention. According to the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, the result of this action has caused an immediate termination of a mental health grant to the center with nearly $500,000 remaining on their contracts. As a result, the center is now calling for community support and for the government to take action on this. 'This decision leaves some of the most vulnerable members of our community without access to critical services,' said David Heitstuman, CEO. 'We are working around the clock to preserve continuity of care and ensure clients aren't showing up for their counseling appointments with no one to see them, but we cannot do it alone.' Priya Kumar, Communications and Marketing Manager for Sacramento LGBT Community Center stated the center serves hundreds of LGBTQ+ individuals every year under the program, which includes unhoused youth, people living with substance use disorder, and those navigating mental health crises. The center was notified on April 1 that all funding ceased as of March 24 with no warning and no phase-out period, stated Kumar in a news release. The termination not only has affected the Sacramento region but also communities across California and the United States. 'We are still seeking clarification from the federal government as to the specific reasons for this lapse in communication,' said Kumar. 'The lack of timely notification created a situation where the Center had to retroactively adjust to the loss of funding.' Kumar stated the center is looking for emergency funding, public support, and legislative advocacy to continue serving those whose care is at risk. Kumar says the one-week delay has caused many disruptions to their services. 'This has created a very difficult situation for our clients & community,' said Kumar. Kumar told that now their priority is to mitigate the damage and continue to provide essential services to our community and still advocate for greater transparency when it comes to future funding decisions. LGBTQ+ youths face mental health emergencies that are heightened by hostile legislation, social stigma, and identity-based discrimination, stated Kumar. To highlight the work done by the center, Kumar points to The Trevor Project's 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People. According to that survey: 39% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year Among transgender and nonbinary youth, the rate jumps to 46% 50% of LGBTQ+ youth who sought mental health care were unable to access it LGBTQ+ youth in affirming environments — have significantly lower suicide risk If you would like to donate to the center you can click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
