News

Sep 23, 2024

What you need to know: California is launching a campaign to empower one million Californians to take climate action in their communities.

SACRAMENTO - During Climate Week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new state initiative to mobilize one million Californians to take climate action at home and in their neighborhoods to help build resilient communities.

California's Climate Action Counts initiative aims to educate and inspire people to reimagine the power of volunteerism by taking impactful, everyday actions in their communities.

"Every day, Californians are taking small actions that collectively are helping us create a better world for our kids and grandkids. From saving water and planting trees to taking public transit and being disaster ready - we're all in this together.

The Climate Action Counts campaign will empower Californians to be a part of something big and impactful - making all of our climate action truly count."

Governor Gavin Newsom

The campaign highlights 10 priority actions and encourages participants to take the pledge to action. Those taking the pledge join hundreds of California Climate Action Corps fellows in efforts to combat the effects of climate change.

Reduce waste: Donate, upcycle and thrift.

Compost food scraps: Toss in your green bin or compost in your yard.

Support local farmers: Shop at local farmers markets or join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).

Green your ride: Walk, bike, use public transit, carpool whenever you can - or consider a zero-emission vehicle.

Get planting: Plant trees and native plants or start a community garden.

Be disaster ready: Be prepared for wildfire and extreme heat.

Save energy, water and money: Use a smart thermostat, conserve water and capture savings.

Discover nature: Enjoy nature at your local parks and trails.

Tell a friend: Encourage your friends and family to take part in Climate Action Counts.

Get connected: Sign up to serve or volunteer in your community!

Campaign partners span cities, colleges and universities, state agencies, community-based organizations, business and climate leaders, including the cities of Long Beach, Riverside and Sacramento, California Community Colleges, University of California, California State University, California Natural Resources Agency, CalRecycle, California ReLeaf, Sierra Club, Jane Goodall Institute and Patagonia.

"This campaign will inspire hope - showing when it comes to the climate crisis, we are not powerless," said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. "We are calling on one million Californians to take simple, everyday actions for collective impact."

"The best solutions to the climate crisis come from the grassroots," said Corley Kenna, Vice President of Communications and Public Policy at Patagonia. "We're partnering with the Climate Action Counts campaign to help one million Californians build thriving communities while protecting the natural world. Everyone has a role to play in this movement."

As a part of California's comprehensive strategy to address the climate crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom created the California Climate Action Corps in 2020 - the nation's first state-level service and volunteer program focused on combating climate change. Since then, numerous states have adopted California's model to establish their own Climate Corps.

News SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills: AB 262 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) - Children's camps: safety and regulation.AB 460 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) - State Water...

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News

Sep 23, 2024

What you need to know: The passage of Proposition 1 by California voters adds rocket fuel to Governor Gavin Newsom's transformational overhaul of the state's behavioral health system. These reforms refocus existing funds to prioritize Californians with the most serious mental health and substance use issues, who are too often experiencing homelessness. They also fund more than 11,150 new behavioral health beds and supportive housing units and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots.

Los Angeles, California - California took a major step forward in correcting the damage from 50 years of neglect to the state's mental health system with the passage of Proposition 1. This historic measure - a signature priority of Governor Gavin Newsom - adds rocket fuel to California's overhaul of the state's behavioral health systems. It provides a full range of mental health and substance abuse care, with new accountability metrics to ensure local governments deliver for their communities.

This is the biggest reform of the California mental health system in decades and will finally equip partners to deliver the results all Californians need and deserve. Treatment centers will prioritize mental health and substance use support in the community like never before. Now, it's time to roll up our sleeves and begin implementing this critical reform - working closely with city and county leaders to ensure we see results.

Governor Gavin Newsom

What they're saying:

• Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, original author of the Mental Health Services Act: "Twenty years ago, I never could have dreamed that we would have the strong leadership we have today, committing billions and making courageous policy changes that question the conventional wisdom on mental health. Now, with the passage of Proposition 1. California is delivering on decades old promises to help people living with brain-based illnesses, to live better lives, to live independently and to live with dignity in our communities. This is a historic moment and the hard work is ahead of us."
• Senator Susan Eggman (D-Stockton), author of Senate Bill 326: "Today marks a day of hope for thousands of Californians who are struggling with mental illness - many of whom are living unhoused. I am tremendously grateful to my fellow Californian's for passing this important measure. And I am very appreciative of this Governor's leadership to transform our behavioral health care system!"
• Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), author of Assembly Bill 531: "This started as an audacious proposal to address the root cause of homelessness and today, Californians can be proud to know that they did the right thing by passing Proposition 1. Now, it's time for all of us to get to work, and make sure these reforms are implemented and that we see results."

Bigger picture: Transforming the Mental Health Services Act into the Behavioral Health Services Act and building more community mental health treatment sites and supportive housing is the last main pillar of Governor Newsom'sMental Health Movement- pulling together significant recent reforms like 988 crisis line, CalHOPE, CARE Court, conservatorship reform, CalAIM behavioral health expansion (including mobile crisis care and telehealth), Medi-Cal expansion to all low-income Californians, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (including expanding services in schools and on-line), Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative, Veterans Mental Health Initiative, Behavioral Health Community Infrastructure Program, Behavioral Health Bridge Housing, Health Care Workforce for All and more.

More details on next step here

News SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills: AB 262 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) - Children's camps: safety and regulation.AB 460 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) - State Water...

News What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to provide more safety, care, and accountability for services that help older adults and their families thrive, as more Californians live longer lives. This action further advances California's...

News SACRAMENTO - Moving to protect the health and well-being of youth on digital platforms, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed SB 976 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), which prohibits online platforms from knowingly providing an addictive feed to a minor without...