May 19 Siskiyou Community Alliance Forum, Cont.

Several themes surfaced in the remarks made by the speakers with "uncertainty", "chaos" and "major cuts to our most vulnerable" being the key ones.  The proposed federal budget cuts have already had an impact on our Siskiyou County programs and services.  Below is a summary of just a few of the cuts that have already take place - even before the new budget has been passed.

Steven Bryan - Several grants have been frozen or adjusted downward for the resource centers.  Digital literacy, which was designed to provide a "hand-up" not a "hand-out" to individuals who need help navigating the internet was frozen - even though a contract was signed and the program was ready to begin (very disruptive for the agencies).  Another federal grant which helps individuals get work experience to get back into the workforce experienced a decrease in funding work hours from 15-18 hours per week to 10 hours per week.

Marie Caldwell - Federal forest funding (about $2 million per year in our county) and workforce development programs were two key areas being impacted in K-12 education.  For example, a workforce development program providing work experience for students was half-way through their grant when the staff was told not to come into work.  The uncertainty and chaos makes planning for the upcoming school year challenging.

Jeremiah LaRue - The changes being made with respect to law enforcement seem to be positive, with the possibility of more funding for training, equipment and positions.  However, these are times of uncertainty, so it is difficult to predict.  With respect to ICE and the arrests of undocumented individuals, he explained there is a California law which prohibits local law enforcement for reporting undocumented individuals to ICE.

Dr. Char Perlas - These past few months have been very challenging for the college, even worse than the COVID years. Uncertainty prevails with respect to the college's TRIO programs which serve low income students and support their success, the Career & Technical Education program (funded in part by federal Perkins dollars), and PELL grants which provide funding for low income students.  With around 17% poverty rate in the county, students in Siskiyou county are more in need of support than other areas.

Cathy Scott - With the high poverty rate in our county, child care financial assistance is critical for low income workers and federal child care dollars are proposed to be cut.  Child care is essential for a healthy economy as it supports workers.  A particularly critical program is the Alternate Payment Program which helps offset child care costs and is in jeopardy.  After school programs which are critical for working parents may also be cut.  Head Start, a highly effective 60 year old program funded by the federal government, was also a program considered for cutting.  At this time, it appears the tremendous support from citizens has spared it (for now).

Nancy Swift - Several programs are slated to be cut - to include such projects as the women's business center, volunteer tax prep program, and small business support.  These are all economic drivers for our county.

Dr. Dan Axelrod - The OMB initial plans are to cut 28% from NOAA (where the National Weather Service is located) and to decrease research and equipment.  550 employees nationwide have already left (10% of workforce in the agency).  Our western National Weather Service offices are down 30+ people.  A key impact will be on weather predictions during fire season, which are critical.