Press Release: Session Wraps Up with Wins for Women and More Work to Be Done
Salt Lake City: With the House and Senate agreeing to a state budget, YWCA Utah is celebrating because two of our Health & Safety for Women and Girls priorities this session will receive funding: maternal mental health resources and a domestic violence program. “As ‘skinny budget’ proposals started circulating late last week, we were very concerned that new maternal mental health and domestic violence programs (which were both previously highly prioritized in the budget) would go unfunded. We are relieved that with the ultimate budget deal, there is support for these life-saving efforts.” - YWCA Utah Director of Public Policy Erin Jemison For Immediate ReleaseMarch 14, 2019Media Contact: Erin Jemison ejemison@ywcautah.org or 801-871-8034
Session Wraps Up with Wins for Women and More Work to Be Done
Good News for YWCA Funding Priorities with Budget Deal
Salt Lake City: With the House and Senate agreeing to a state budget, YWCA Utah is celebrating because two of our Health & Safety for Women and Girls priorities this session will receive funding: maternal mental health resources and a domestic violence program.“As ‘skinny budget’ proposals started circulating late last week, we were very concerned that new maternal mental health and domestic violence programs (which were both previously highly prioritized in the budget) would go unfunded. We are relieved that with the ultimate budget deal, there is support for these life-saving efforts.” - YWCA Utah Director of Public Policy Erin JemisonTwo years of work with legislators and partners to increase maternal mental health resources for the one in seven Utah mothers who suffer from maternal anxiety and depression was successful in securing funding this session. The final budget allocates ongoing funding increasing statewide capacity to provide healthcare services and peer support for women and families. These services will focus on increasing capacity of a statewide resource and referral network and expanding tele-mental health outreach to mothers and families in rural areas with limited access to providers and to mothers who find it difficult to leave their homes for care.Funding for the new Home Safe Domestic Violence program facilitates cross-sector collaboration with domestic violence, homelessness, and child advocates to increase wraparound housing stabilization, child care, and related services for the most at-risk, vulnerable demographic in the homelessness community—women and children fleeing domestic violence and abuse. Although we have seen increasing state investment in emergency shelter and supportive services for the broader homeless community, there remains a lack of safe, supportive, and affordable housing and child care for survivors of domestic violence who have children. This funding supports these critical resources.See more of YWCA Utah’s top bills in our three priority areas, Health & Safety for Women and Girls, Racial Justice & Civil Rights for Women and Girls of Color, and Empowerment & Economic Advancement for Women and Girls at ywcautah.org/billtracker.
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About the YWCA YWCA Utah is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.YWCA Utah advances the well-being of women in Utah through safety, opportunity, and advocacy. Since 1906 the YWCA has designed its work to encourage women’s aspirations, protect and promote their rights, and meet their changing needs. The YWCA’s enduring belief has been that better lives for all women lead to stronger families, communities, and societies. For more information, visit ywcautah.org.