Accomplishments
Protecting Californians: Human ServicesGovernor Davis has worked hard to make sure that all Californians are able to live and work in safe, supportive homes and communities.
Combating Homelessness
• Governor Davis signed an Executive Order making preventing and reducing homelessness central to every state agency's mission.
• In April 2002, Governor Davis held the first statewide summit on homelessness.
• He signed legislation to support services for the homeless mentally ill and has supported over $60 million in funding for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program.
• The 2002 Housing Bond provided $195 million for shelter development for the homeless.
Reducing Welfare Dependency
To reduce dependency on the welfare system, the Governor implemented a comprehensive plan that includes work requirements and childcare services. Since Governor Davis took office, welfare caseloads have declined from approximately 640,000 to 493,000.
Reaching Out to Children at Risk
• Child Support Services - Governor Davis created the State Department of Child Support Services to make the system more accountable to parents and children. Under his leadership, collections have increased every year, rising from $1.8 billion in 1999-00 to more than $2.3 billion this year. California's child support program is also the largest in the nation, serving more than two million children.
• Child Welfare/Foster Care - The Governor has increased investments for at-risk children, expanded the Independent Living Program for emancipated foster youth, and has opened homes for foster children by revoking regulations that automatically excluded adoptions by gay and unmarried couples.
• Mentoring - The Governor's Mentoring Partnership has established a solid core of more than 400 mentoring programs and built 32 mentor coalitions. The First Lady has made increasing public involvement in this program a top priority.
• Child Care - In his first three budgets, Governor Davis committed approximately $8 billion to child care and development programs. Through increased funding and program expansions, he has provided services to an additional 159,000 children.
Advocacy for the Disabled
Governor Davis provided the leadership and resources to help disabled persons overcome barriers to employment, access government services and remain at home rather than live in an institution. | Accomplishments |