$17.2M in Mental Health for Clínica Romero

Dear Neighbor,

I am proud to announce a $17.2 million state investment to assist Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero in developing a full-scope social services and health center to address the physical and mental health needs of the community it serves - largely Salvadoran, Central American, Indigenous, Latino mixed status and undocumented families.

In 2018, I co-led a delegation of Assemblymembers to El Salvador with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. In 2019, I accompanied Governor Gavin Newsom to El Salvador for his first international trip. Both trips aimed to study and recognize the reasons for increased migration from the country to the United States, including the rise of migration from unaccompanied minors.

This funding is part of the solution to address what we learned. The new center conceptually referred to as Centro Alaxik, will focus on individual wellness through trauma-informed care that takes a multigenerational approach focused on healing.

For a full scope of funding and more on Clínica Romero, click here.

As the only Salvadoran-born legislator in California, one of my goals has been to bring awareness to the obstacles faced in the healthcare system by Central American immigrants, in an effort to promote equitable access to care at all levels.

A few days ago, the Biden Administration announced that Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for people from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Sudan, and Nepal is in jeopardy.

The continued distress of instability for immigrants and war refugees plays a role in generational trauma that is only amplified through the stigma of mental health treatment. My goal is that through this funding, Salvadoran, Central American, and all communities have access to care in a safe space.

In service,

WENDY CARRILLO
Assemblymember, District 51
Chair, Assembly Budget Subcommittee No.4 on State Administration
Chair, Select Committee on Young Girls and Women of Color
Vice Chair, Legislative Progressive Caucus