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Human Rights Commission warns cutting transgender employment program would be a false economy
Summary
The Human Rights Commission told the committee the Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative has placed 106 people and that eliminating its ~$229,000 allocation would harm a population with very high unemployment; Commissioners urged restoring funding or finding an immediate replacement.
The Human Rights Commission urged supervisors to preserve a city-funded program that helps transgender residents obtain employment and workplace integration. Executive Director Teresa Sparks told the Budget and Finance Committee that the Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative (TEEI) has placed 106 participants and provides counseling, job training and workplace-inclusion training that staff said directly reduces costly enforcement and recidivist outcomes.
The commission noted a historically high unemployment rate within the transgender community (citing earlier studies) and said program costs are modest: approximately $229,000 in general-fund support through HSA. "If you just do the financial implications of employing 106 people, it's more than 10 times the cost of the program as a positive implication for the city," Sparks said. The commission offered to serve as a fiscal agent if the board wanted to preserve the program outside HSA.
Committee members said they were concerned about the mayor's proposed elimination and asked the HRC and HSA to return with options. The HRC said it could consider acting as a fiscal agent and will coordinate further analysis of alternatives.
Outcome: No immediate decision; the Commission and HSA will follow up during the next budget hearings.
