City approves Measure L spending plan for youth services

Sacramento (Sept. 25, 2024) - The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the first spending plan for the Measure L Children’s Fund. This voter-approved initiative was designed to support positive youth development and violence prevention programs.

Measure L, approved in November 2022, established the Sacramento Children’s Fund along with a planning and oversight commission. This commission consists of one voter from each of the city’s nine districts who make recommendations on fund allocation. The measure mandates that the city allocate an estimated $46 million in grants over the next five years for services benefiting youth under age 25.

Under the council-approved plan, $9.2 million will be set aside for foster youth guaranteed income programs, and the remaining $36.9 million will be split evenly between community-based organizations and public agencies.

“By approving this plan tonight, we move forward together on building something that over time will amount to tens of millions of dollars to support young people,” said Mayor Steinberg. “We must work together to ensure that the money is spent in focused ways to maximize opportunities for the greatest impact.”

Community-based organizations and the city must apply for this funding and will be evaluated under the same criteria. The city expects to disburse grants for approved programs around February, with all programs undergoing performance evaluations.

The Sacramento Children’s Fund may only be utilized by qualified organizations to provide “youth services” in accordance with the five main goals for the funds: supporting the mental health and emotional wellness of youth; preventing and reducing youth homelessness; preventing and reducing youth substance abuse; preventing and reducing youth violence; and supporting the healthy development of children ages 0 to 5.

To learn more please visit: Sacramento Children's Fund Measure L