This video was produced in response to Governor Newsom’s proposed budget cuts, which would take away funding for Adult Day Health Services/Community Based Adult Services (meaning Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center) unless the federal government provides relief funding to California to restore them.
You may notice a few familiar faces.
Video Transcript
We need your help now, more than ever.
In the 1970s, nursing home placement was on the rise, while wrongful deaths and frightening stories highlighted on nightly news exposed problems.
Adult Day Health Care was born as an alternative to nursing home placement. California led the way.
Adult Day Health Care (ADHC), also known as Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS), are Department of Public Health licensed and Medi-Cal certified programs.
They treat the health and psycho-social needs of adults with chronic conditions in a safe day-program setting.
On April 3, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his daily COVID-19 briefing, calling seniors a top priority as the most vulnerable Californians.
He specifically mentioned working with Adult Day Health Care facilities to protect this population from the effects of COVID-19.
The issues that are our top focus in addition to homelessness—today we continue to also focus with acuity on what’s happening in our skilled nursing facilities, what’s happening with our senior centers and our adult care daycare facilities throughout the state of California. We said at the beginning of this epidemic that homelessness and our seniors were our top priorities. They remain so, and that’s where so much of our energy and focus resides, and appropriately so, because of the vulnerabilities within those populations within those communities.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, April 3, 2020
The governor’s recognition of the essential role that Adult Day Health Care plays inspired each of us.
Nurses, social workers, and other healthcare staff from 260 centers across California answered the governor’s call to action.
Center staff quickly worked in unprecedented partnership with the Newsom Administration to transform CBAS into an alternative home-based program to keep these most vulnerable seniors safely sheltering in place.
CBAS programs have provided over 36,000 COVID-19 screenings and psycho-social health assessments each week to frail elders and their families.
Our essential team members delivered meals and activities, coordinated medical care, conducted health screenings, and much more, to keep people safe at home.
Now, the impact of COVID-19 on the state budget threatens to undo 40 years of progress…
On May 14, 2020, the governor proposed to permanently eliminate this essential service unless federal relief funds are provided to California.
Governor Newsom’s budget delivered a grim message.
36,000 of our most vulnerable, chronically ill senior lives will be used to balance the budget.
If the legislature does not act NOW to reject the May budget revision, eliminating CBAS will leave 36,000 vulnerable seniors in grave danger.
Will you let this happen to your mother or father? Husband or wife? Grandparents? Neighbor? Friend?
We need a solution to our budget issues, but sacrificing senior lives to balance the budget is not the answer Californians want.
Poster: We Need Our CBAS Centers. #isthisthemasterplanforaging? #CBASisessential
Here is how you can help!
Contact your State Assembly Members and Senators. Tell them that eliminating ADHC/CBAS will be devastating.
http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
Share this video. Tag the governor (@gavinnewsom). Email the governor (gavin.newsom@gov.ca.gov).
This message has been endorsed by CAADS, Alliance for Leadership & Education, NADSA, County of Yolo, Choice in Aging, Family Bridges, Inc., Alzheimer’s Orange County, OC Adult Day Services Coalition, Neighborhood House Association, Easterseals, and Collabria Care.
Help Save Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center
Tell Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature why CBAS is essential to your family and the state’s economic recovery.