Council Member Gutiérrez Questions Impact of Preventive Cuts and Voucher Recertification

Councilmember Gutierrez, followed by uh Council uh Majority Leader.

I don't know if he's here or Brayou, but we'll move on, if not.

Thank you, Chairs.

Good to see everyone.

Welcome, Commissioner.

Councilmember Shulman about the preventative service.

I understand the role of the chief savings officer.

Obviously, I think we're all in agreement.

If we want to be able to fund programs that we have money for and fund effective programs, I do want to say that families in my district, I know the folks from Canva and Forestale are here.

They will be testifying.

But I really think that putting something out or making a proposal that cuts severely cuts this program without much of like a safety, without an explanation of what's going to happen to those jobs, without explaining what's gonna happen to those families impacted is deeply, deeply concerning.

And you heard from uh Chair Lee about just the the very simple math of the cost the eventual cost savings to the city when we do invest in preventative care.

So I just want to uplift uh council member Lee.

I of course am also asking some questions about the child care vouchers.

It's a hot topic.

Um, and mainly because obviously we care deeply about early child care, as I think this administration does, but we have families that are saying, What about me?

When the mayor is talking about child care, he's not talking about me, he's not talking about the voucher that I'm desperately waiting on.

So I just have some data if you can if you have them specifically, and I'll I'll sign up for round two if I need.

Um, but can you share what percentage as I understand it, every family was able to recertify uh within this fiscal year?

The vast majority of families have the opportunity to recertify, provided they submit a recertification application, it's timely, it's complete.

Um there is a small percentage, it's about, and not to minimize how important childcare is to this population, but there are about six to seven percent of families that we serve that are not able to continue with their voucher because when we have limited funding, we are required by federal rules to serve three populations first families that are unhoused, families with a child with special needs, and families that are very low income, which is under 300% of the state income standard.

Okay, and so that's around six six percent of those folks unable to kind of maintain their voucher.

Okay.