April 12, 2024
The Honorable Alex Lee
Chair, Committee on Human Services
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 124
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support for AB 2007
Dear Chair Lee,
The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 2007 (Boerner), legislation which upon appropriation by the Legislature would establish the Unicorn Homes Transitional Housing for Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth Program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 18 to 14.
CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. Since CAYEN’s inception in 2006, CAYEN has taken many forms of action to empower TAY in their personal lives and spark progressive change in public policy.
We recognize housing as a crucial element in fostering a supportive environment for a youth’s recovery and wellness. This is especially important for our transitional age youth, ages 15 to 26, as 75% of mental health disorders manifest by age 24.[1] AB 2007 aims to support our homeless LGBTQ+ transitional age youth who have additionally experienced an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) of parental abandonment and neglect, with safe and stable housing.
In addition to housing, this bill aims to support the youth in addressing their adverse experiences with their families, in hopes of reunifying them. For these reasons, we support AB 2002 (Boerner). If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org.
In Community,
Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network
[1] California, S. of. (2024a, March 21). Early psychosis intervention plus. Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission . https://mhsoac.ca.gov/initiatives/early-psychosis-intervention-plus/