Budget Cuts Unravel Fabric of Life

by Viviana Lopez
LA County Medical Case Worker
The state budget crisis is already unraveling the fabric of life in California. As a medical case worker for the children’s clinic at Edelman Westside Mental Health Center, I’m part of a team that’s trying to keep the threads–and families–from breaking.

Budget cuts have already hurt children who I work with. Because summer school is cancelled in Los Angeles, I am trying to find options for a family of three children. Summer camps, even those run by the YMCA or city programs, cost money. With three kids, the family can’t even afford the fees. I’m still trying to find something for them, but, with all the budget cuts, I’m having doubts.
And it will get even worse if the governor’s proposed budget is approved. Families like the one I’m trying to help, along with millions of Californians, will be deprived of basic health care and other services they need to survive. The governor and legislature needs to strike a fair balance between cuts and revenue to create a common sense state budget.