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GovOps proposes $5 million belonging initiative to combat loneliness; LAO questions measurability and priority
Summary
GovOps requested $5 million one-time to launch a statewide "belonging" campaign focused on social connection and resilience; the LAO said the proposal lacks clarity on metrics and activities and urged caution given the state's fiscal condition, while community groups asked for larger continued funding.
The Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (within GoServe/GovOps) proposed a $5,000,000 one‑time general fund appropriation to launch a "belonging" initiative aimed at strengthening social connection in California neighborhoods and reducing isolation.
Yumi Sara, executive director of the office, told the subcommittee that research—including a U.S. Surgeon General statement and reports from the National Academy of Sciences—identifies social disconnection and loneliness as public‑health concerns that affect schools, workplaces and civic life. The proposal would fund data‑driven research to identify communities with acute needs, public‑awareness campaigns, and grants to community‑based organizations to support local engagement efforts.
The Legislative Analyst's Office, represented by Rachel Ehlers, recommended a high bar for new general‑fund programs in a projected deficit year and said the proposal lacks clarity about how "belonging" will be defined and measured, which activities the funds would support, and how success would be evaluated.
GovOps responded that the proposal is intended as a one‑time, research‑and‑pilot investment so the state can identify effective outreach methods, prioritize high‑need populations (the office cited seniors and youth as acute needs), and support local organizations with grants and outreach.
Public commenters offered differing perspectives: the "trusted messenger" coalition and the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation asked the Legislature to consider a larger ongoing investment—$25,000,000—to continue grant funding for community‑based organizations that have been doing targeted outreach in multiple languages, citing prior work on heat, COVID‑19 and youth behavioral health. The office said the proposal is intentionally one‑time to permit learning and testing before any scale‑up.
The subcommittee acknowledged the public‑health concern but also noted competing budget priorities and asked for clearer metrics and program specifics before committing ongoing funds.
