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Lawmakers call for statewide raise‑the‑age services and dedicated innovation funding
Summary
Assembly and Senate members said nearly $1 billion appropriated for raise‑the‑age services should be used to build a statewide system of services and urged $100 million and $50 million innovation funds to support local programs and proven models.
Assemblymember Molitor and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesy addressed the need to ensure raise‑the‑age services are funded and accessible statewide rather than left solely to local jurisdictions.
Assemblymember Molitor, speaking from experience as a former prosecutor, said local capacity gaps have left some youth released from youth detention facilities without services or placements. He urged that the nearly $1,000,000,000 appropriated for raise‑the‑age services be used to build a statewide system so communities and youth receive consistent supports.
Assemblymember Hevesy said the Assembly plans to put $100,000,000 toward services and to fund $50,000,000 for an innovation fund that can get money directly to community programs. He said Monroe County has a successful model that the state should replicate but insisted on maintaining both innovation and funding for established local services so youth and communities are protected.
No formal vote occurred at the subcommittee meeting; members urged conferees to include specific funding and program language in the final enacted budget to ensure statewide access to services.
