Santa Cruz County Local Crisis & Personal Support News Articles and Digest

Families & Children Homelessness Housing Community Service & Support Crisis & Personal Support Government

Domestic Violence Shelters Play a Key Role in Fighting Homelessness. Now They Face Deep Funding Cuts

12/19/2023
Federal funding for domestic violence shelters and housing programs is declining. Advocates want the state to step in, but with a record projected deficit new spending is unlikely.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children Crisis & Personal Support

An EPIC Mission: End Poverty in California

12/10/2023
Image for display with article titled An EPIC Mission: End Poverty in California

Nonprofit founded by former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs has been on listening tour since early 2022

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

COVID-19 Business, Economy & Jobs Homelessness Housing Crisis & Personal Support Government

COVID Rent Relief Delays: 70,000 Households at Risk of Eviction

12/04/2023
Image for display with article titled 70,000 California Households at Risk of Eviction as State Drags Feet on COVID Rent Relief Applications

Image for display with article titled 70,000 California Households at Risk of Eviction as State Drags Feet on COVID Rent Relief Applications

State program has run so low on money that applications have been delayed for two years or more.

From KSQD...

Health Crisis & Personal Support

Janus Opens New Peri-Natal Center

12/01/2023
Image for display with article titled Janus Opens New Peri-Natal Center

Janus has been the go-to recovery center in Santa Cruz County for the past 30 years. Board chair Edison Jensen, and CEO Amber Williams talk about ways to support recovery during the holidays and share news about the new center for women and their children.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Crisis & Personal Support Crime & Justice

Sacramento Court Orders State to Revoke Harm Reduction Coalition Permit

11/21/2023
A Sacramento judge has ordered local syringe exchange program Harm Reduction Coalition to cease state-authorized syringe operations in Santa Cruz County. The ruling is the latest in a lengthy legal saga between plaintiff Grant Park Neighborhood Association Advocates and the state’s Department of Public Health.

From New York Times...

Public Safety Crisis & Personal Support Government

Why It’s Taken So Long for the Golden Gate Bridge to Get a Protective Barrier

11/14/2023
Workers are in the final stages of a long, $217 million project: Install a protective barrier at the Golden Gate Bridge. Roughly 2,000 people have died by suicide jumping from the bridge since it opened in 1937.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Health Homelessness Elections & Politics Crisis & Personal Support Government

Newsom Taking New Approach to California’s 10,000 Homeless Veterans

11/05/2023
California’s population of homeless veterans has plateaued despite billions of dollars in state spending to create housing for former service members. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to shift resources to focus on veterans with serious mental health conditions.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Public Safety Health Homelessness Crisis & Personal Support Government

Californians’ Mental Health: Newsom Signs Law to Overhaul System

10/11/2023
Image for display with article titled Sweeping Mental Health Reform Now California Law After Newsom Signs Bill

But opponents fear that new involuntary treatment rules violate civil liberties.

From CalMatters...

Families & Children Health Community Service & Support Crisis & Personal Support Government

California Sues ‘Crisis’ Pregnancy Centers That Promise ‘Abortion Pill Reversal’

09/21/2023
Several anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers are advertising abortion pill reversal. California Attorney General Rob Bonta calls the claims false advertising that mislead vulnerable patients.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Health Crisis & Personal Support State of California

Newsom’s Mental Health Plan Heads to Voters. What Does It Say?

09/15/2023
Image for display with article titled Newsom’s Mental Health Plan Heads to Voters. Here’s What You’ll be Voting On

New plan redirects funds from “millionaire’s tax” to affordable housing for homeless with mental health issues.

From CalMatters...

Health Crisis & Personal Support Government

‘We Are Horrified’: Late Changes to Newsom’s $6 Billion Mental Health Bond Surprise Providers

09/14/2023
California voters likely will see a mental health ballot measure on the March 2024 election. One would issue a $6 billion bond to create housing for people with mental illnesses.

From Palo Alto Online...

Health Crisis & Personal Support

Opioid Antidote Now Available in Drug Stores

09/12/2023
Naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse the adverse effects of opioids, became available in drug stores last week. The drug is sold under the brand names Narcan and RiVive and can be purchased over the counter.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

COVID-19 Families & Children Crisis & Personal Support Government

Workers Suffering Increased Retaliation for on-Job Complaints

09/01/2023
Image for display with article titled Californian Workers Who Report On-Job Violations Say Bosses Stepping Up Illegal Retaliation

50 percent more complaints of retaliation were filed last year compared to pre-pandemic numbers

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Education Families & Children Crisis & Personal Support Government

State Moves to Stop Anti-Lgbtq+ Local School Board Policies

08/29/2023
Image for display with article titled State Moves to Stop Anti-LGBTQ+ Local School Board Policies

Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta says San Bernardino County school anti-trans policy "has no place in California."

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Agriculture, Food & Gardening Crisis & Personal Support Government

Tropical Storm Hilary Cost Farmworkers Hundreds of Dollars in Crucial Paychecks. But Help Is Not on the Way

08/29/2023
Many farmworkers in Coachella Valley lack legal status as citizens and don't qualify for most federal and state disaster aid. Even a new $95 million storm assistance program for immigrants that Governor Gavin Newsom recently touted is out of reach because it pertains to the winter and spring storms and floods.

From KSQD...

Sustainability Crisis & Personal Support

The Good Grief Network: Transforming Eco-Despair Into Meaningful Action

08/25/2023
Image for display with article titled Transforming Eco-Despair Into Meaningful Action

Is grief good for you? The folks at The Good Grief Network has a program that metabolizes eco-distress and transforms it into action.

From KSQD...

Sustainability Crisis & Personal Support

Jeri Bodemar – Honeybee

08/25/2023
Image for display with article titled Jeri Bodemar – Honeybee

Jeri Bodemar Photo courtesy of Lisa Fotios

From Good Times...

Health Animals Crisis & Personal Support

The Horse Therapy Tales

08/15/2023
Image for display with article titled The Horse Therapy Tales

For humans, a horse may be the greatest bio-feedback tool on earth.

From CalMatters...

Economy & Jobs Housing Crisis & Personal Support Government

8 Months After Storms, California Disaster Relief Flows Slowly to Undocumented Workers Who Lost Homes, Income

08/15/2023
Gov. Gavin Newsom promised $95 million would help undocumented workers rebuild after winter storms and floods. Months later, $18 million is being doled out and there are translation issues with the state’s website.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Health Crisis & Personal Support Crime & Justice

Appellate Panel Returns Santa Cruz Syringe Distribution Battle to Sacramento

08/14/2023
A state appellate panel has set aside a lower court's ruling favoring a local group’s clean syringe distribution efforts.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Crisis & Personal Support