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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Carlyn Cowen, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer of Chinese American Planning Council
4:57:20
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132 sec
Carlyn Cowen from the Chinese American Planning Council testified about the importance of funding social services programs, particularly SNAP benefits. She shared a story about a community member facing food insecurity and immigration concerns, highlighting the interconnected nature of various support programs.
- Only 28% of eligible Asian households are enrolled in SNAP, despite its importance as a lifesaving resource
- There is increased fear about using public benefits like SNAP and Medicaid, coupled with a growing need for these services
- Cowen emphasized the need for proper funding and timely payment for human services workers through the Just Pay for Human Services initiative
Carlyn Cowen
4:57:20
Good afternoon, Chair Brannan, Chair Ayala, and members of the council.
4:57:24
Thank you so much for the opportunity to testify today and for your tireless work on these important issues.
4:57:31
I'm the Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer at CPC, the Chinese American Planning Council.
4:57:36
I want to uplift the messaging that many of my colleagues have already offered from the deep need for funding for SNAP to fair fares to housing support and others.
4:57:48
And while that's all outlined in my full testimony today, I simply want to share with you a story about one of our community members.
4:57:56
This particular community member, we have been working to support out of a domestic violence situation, got her placed in a domestic violence shelter.
4:58:05
And through the process of the move, she came into us because she had been unable to feed her young children, but she was scared of going on SNAP benefits because even though she was eligible, was worried about how it might impact her immigration status.
4:58:25
We were able to, of course, immediately get her food to meet the short term needs and then work with her to get her enrolled in benefits.
4:58:33
But this is just one example of what we've been seeing in our community members.
4:58:38
At the same time as there are increased fears about being on public benefits like SNAP, like Medicaid and others, we're also seeing a hugely increased need for it.
4:58:50
And we're also seeing underenrollment in our communities.
4:58:53
Only 28% of eligible Asian households are enrolled in SNAP, which is a lifesaving resource.
4:58:59
All of that is to say it is more important than ever that the city fund these very important programs because they are so closely related.
4:59:07
They're all necessary to support the community member I told you about and our other community members as well.
4:59:13
And I would be remiss if I didn't use my last few seconds to mention that making sure that the human services workers that provide these important services are fully paid through Just Pay for Human Services and that we ensure that the contracts are delivered on time and fully meet costs.
4:59:29
Thank you again for your time and your advocacy.