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Launched in 2018, the Medically Tailored Meals pilot program was designed to help Medi-Cal patients with congestive heart failure by reducing hospital readmissions and emergency department visits by providing tailored meals meeting specific dietary needs.

The program’s success in improving health outcomes and reducing costly emergency room visits encouraged the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to expand the Medically Tailored Meals program to all 58 counties through Medi-Cal transformation and a new set of services called Community Supports.

Medically Tailored Meals are one of 14 new services offered through Medi-Cal that provide members with access to new and improved services to get well-rounded care that goes beyond the doctor’s office or hospital.

Medically Tailored Meals: Overview

Malnutrition and poor nutrition can lead to severe health outcomes, especially among Medi-Cal patients with chronic health conditions. Medically Tailored Meals aim to improve health outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and enhance patient satisfaction by providing essential nutrition.

Key Features:

1. Post-Discharge Delivery: Meals are delivered to patients’ homes immediately following discharge from a hospital or nursing home.
2. Customized Nutrition: Meals are tailored to meet the dietary needs of those with chronic diseases, designed by registered dietitians (RD) or certified nutrition professionals based on evidence-based guidelines.
3. Comprehensive Services: Includes medically tailored groceries, healthy food vouchers, and food pharmacies.
4. Educational Support: Behavioral, cooking, and nutrition education is included when paired with direct food assistance.

Key Benefits:

• Address Food Insecurity: Mitigates poor health outcomes linked to food insecurity.
• Support Complex Care Needs: Tailored to individuals with chronic conditions.
• Improve Health Outcomes: Studies show improvements in diabetes control, fall prevention, and medication adherence.

Patient Testimonial:

“Three days a week, I come home from dialysis tired and hungry. In less than five minutes from fridge to plate, I have a great tasting meal ready to eat. My husband has diabetic needs and I have renal diet needs, so we order our meals and put them in the fridge separately. Mom’s Meals makes mealtime a lot easier in our household.”

Eligibility:

• Eligible Populations: Eligible Medi-Cal members include those with chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, congestive heart failure, stroke, chronic lung disorders, HIV, cancer, gestational diabetes, and chronic mental or behavioral health disorders. Also, those being discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing facility or at high risk of hospitalization or nursing facility placement are also eligible.
• Service Limitations: Up to two meals per day for up to 12 weeks, extendable if medically necessary. Meals eligible for reimbursement by alternate programs are not covered.

Cost Savings and Improved Health Outcomes:

• Health Outcomes: Research indicates a 22% to 58% decrease in emergency department visits and a 27% to 63% decrease in inpatient admissions among Medically Tailored Meals recipients, translating to significant health care cost savings.

Mom’s Meals: A Success Story

Mom’s Meals has partnered with Medi-Cal to deliver medically tailored meals to patients in the Inland Empire, focusing on individuals with severe and chronic illnesses such as diabetes and kidney disease. These meals, aligned with Medi-Cal’s mission to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, provide nutritious, balanced meals directly to patients’ homes. The goal is to help patients develop healthier eating habits, reduce hospital admissions, and lessen the strain on the healthcare system.

Inland Empire Health Plan, one of the Medi-Cal managed-care insurers, has contracted with Mom’s Meals to provide these services. Patients receive weekly deliveries of meals that are customized to their dietary needs. The meals are convenient, microwave-ready, and delivered within 48 hours of processing.

The program aims to empower patients to sustain a healthy diet long after the meal deliveries end. By making medically tailored nutrition accessible, Mom’s Meals is helping Medi-Cal to support some of its sickest and costliest patients in the Inland Empire, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and advancing Medi-Cal’s mission to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Join Us in Our Mission

You can experience the profound impact of Medically Tailored Meals by joining the Medi-Cal Community Supports services initiative. Your involvement can make a difference in promoting your health through nutrition.

Learn More

For more information about Medically Tailored Meals and how to get involved, call the state’s Medi-Cal Health Care options at 800-430-4263 or contact your local managed care plan.

In Riverside County and San Bernardino County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact the following managed care plans:
*   Inland Empire Health Plan: 800-440-4347

*   Kaiser Permanente: 855-839-7613

*   Molina HealthCare of California Partner Plan, Inc.: 888-665-4621

Your health and well-being are your health care provider’s top priority. Medically Tailored Meals are designed to enhance quality of life by advancing health care through the power of nutrition. Experience the benefits today and take the first step toward a healthier you.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Social Lites Inc., have served in helping provide scholarships for African American young men for the past 60 years. This past year with the communities support they were able to award $70,000 in scholarship and awards to their 2024 Knights for their education. This year marks the 58th year of the Social Lites Inc. being in existence in the Inland Empire area. The new season is quickly approaching, and their target population is African American high school seniors in the Inland Empire area who are planning on attending secondary education.

The program provides mentoring, leadership, networking, and guidance our young men to ensure that they are college bound and equipped to succeed in life and to realize their full potential as young men, career professionals, entrepreneurs, and productive outstanding citizens.

Please reach out to the Beautillion Chair, Tina Darling, at (909) 644-5816 or Elsie Paulino (VP/Beautillion Chair) at (951) 205-8823 or Sheri Lewis our Social Lites, Inc., President at (909) 320-0799 or you can email ad_4beauknight@yahoo.com and we will respond within 48 hours upon receipt of your inquiry.  They meet at 468 West 5th Street Room #102 in San Bernardino, 92410 every Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ETB Host Wallace Allen interviews Areva Martin, the attorney representing the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors Group, and joining the discussion is the organization’s founder, Pearl Devers. The Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors are victims of what the 1968 report from the California Attorney General’s Office describes as “A city engineered holocaust”, as an estimated 200 African American homes were burned, bulldozed. Demolished in the city of Palm Springs by the Palm Springs Fire Department.  As community organizations and government entities across the state participate in “Unite Against the Hate” activities, beginning September 21, we think that it is important to point out that as we voice our distain for hate, our government institutions are in some places still defending it!

What are the City of Palm Springs, the Attorney General and the Department of Social Services doing about the plight of the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors of the “City engineered Holocaust”?

As we grow older, our needs and priorities change. In California, a wide range of services is available to help you maintain your independence, stay connected, and lead a fulfilling life. Whether you’re looking for support with daily tasks, health care guidance, or planning for the future, California’s aging services are here to help.

Aging in Place

Many of you may prefer to stay in your own home as you get older. California offers programs that can assist with home repairs, transportation, and in-home care. Additionally, health and social care programs, including day centers with activities like arts and exercise, help you stay independent.

Nutrition Services

You can enjoy home-delivered meals or gather for group meals at local centers. For those with limited income, there are options to get fresh produce and other food benefits through the CalFresh Expansion program.

Health Insurance Guidance

Confused about health insurance options? The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides guidance on Medicare and long-term care insurance.

Support for Caregivers

If you are caring for an older adult, there are programs like Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) and the Family Caregiver Support Program offering respite, counseling, and assistance with paperwork. CRCs also provide action plans for families dealing with dementia.

Legal Assistance

Facing issues like consumer fraud, elder abuse, or age discrimination? Legal Services are available to help with Social Security, health insurance, pensions, and more.

Employment Opportunities

Looking for a job? Free training and job placement services are available for older Californians.

Emergency Preparedness

Planning for emergencies is especially important as we age. California offers resources to help you prepare for natural disasters, power outages, and other emergencies. Creating a personal emergency plan, keeping an emergency kit ready, and staying informed about local resources can make all the difference.

All these services and more are coordinated through local Area Agencies on Aging. Find yours by calling the California Aging and Adult Information Line at 800-510-2020 or visiting aging.ca.gov.

As part of the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) ongoing commitment to engaging in innovative work to improve the maternal health care landscape, inclusive of offering a comprehensive suite of services and benefits aimed at promoting health equity and addressing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, Medi-Cal now covers doula services.

This new and important benefit, added by DHCS in January 2023, helps to ensure that birthing individuals have additional options to receive physical, emotional, and nonmedical support, prevent perinatal complications, and improve health outcomes for birthing individuals and their infants.

What Are Doula Services?

Doula services include personal support to birthing individuals and their families throughout pregnancy and one year postpartum. This includes emotional and physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period, as well as support during miscarriage and abortion.

Services include guidance; health navigation; evidence-based education for prenatal, postpartum, childbirth, and newborn/infant care; lactation support; development of a birth plan; and, if appropriate, connecting birthing individuals to community-based resources (e.g., breastfeeding classes or maternal support groups) or other providers.

Addressing Health Equity & Maternal Health Disparities

Doula services may be especially important for Black birthing individuals, who face disproportionately higher rates of maternal and infant mortality.

In the United States, Black people are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White people. Additionally, Black infants are more than twice as likely to die in their first year of life compared to White infants.

Ultimately, Medi-Cal covered doula services are an important step in promoting greater health equity and reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Why Medi-Cal Covers Doula Services?

Doulas provide person-centered, culturally sensitive care that supports the racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of Medi-Cal members, which not only help to address the unique and varied needs of Medi-Cal members, but also help to promote equity and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Doula care is associated with positive birth outcomes, including a reduction in cesarean sections, epidural use, length of labor, low-birth weight, and premature deliveries. Additionally, the emotional support provided by doulas has been shown to help lower stress and anxiety during labor.

Accessing Doula Services

Doulas are available through Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) and fee-for-service delivery systems. Doulas can offer personal support throughout pregnancy and one year postpartum, regardless of birth outcomes. To increase access to doula services and reduce barriers, DHCS issued a standing recommendation for doula services. This means that Medi-Cal members do not need to request a separate written referral to receive Medi-Cal-covered doula services, they can just go directly to a doula who accepts Medi-Cal patients and begin their journey with a doula who will support them throughout their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum period.

Comprehensive Care Coverage

Medi-Cal’s doula services include one initial 90-minute visit to establish care and support, eight additional visits combining prenatal and postpartum care tailored to individual needs, continuous support during labor and delivery, including in cases of stillbirth, miscarriage, or abortion, and up to two extended three-hour postpartum visits to ensure comprehensive postpartum care.

With an additional recommendation from a physician or other licensed practitioner, doulas can also provide up to nine additional postpartum visits to Medi-Cal members.

Real Stories, Real Impact

For many families, the support of a doula has been life-changing and significantly impacted their birth outcomes.

Mark and Jasmine, a young couple expecting their first child, were determined to have a positive birthing experience.

Mark recalls, “Having a doula was one of the best decisions we made. Our doula, Linda, was an advocate for us in the hospital, helping us understand our options and make informed decisions. When Jasmine went into labor, Linda’s presence transformed a fearful situation into an empowering experience. She offered comfort and emotional support that helped Jasmine stay strong and focused. After our baby was born, Linda’s continued support during the postpartum period was invaluable. She helped educate Jasmine about breastfeeding and provided us with resources that made our transition into parenthood smoother.”

Expanded Support Services

Medi-Cal extends its maternal coverage beyond doula services to include certified nurse midwives and licensed midwife services, delivering clinical care to birthing individuals and their newborns.

Additionally, DHCS is developing a comprehensive Birthing Care Pathway to guide Medi-Cal members from conception to 12 months post-birth. This project aims to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality disparities, particularly among Black, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), and Pacific Islander birthing individuals.

It also aims to enhance Medi-Cal’s care delivery policies for pregnant and postpartum individuals, standardize care processes across different settings, and encourage the adoption of these guidelines.

Investing in Health, Empowering Families

By integrating doulas into Medi-Cal, DHCS is helping to transform maternal and infant health care, ensuring that every Medi-Cal member has access to many options when it comes to choosing maternal care providers who are sensitive to cultural and language needs as well as individual preferences in terms of time, place, and manner of the birthing experience. DHCS’ commitment and ongoing investment in this space has already improved and will continue to improve health outcomes and foster long-term health and well-being for Medi-Cal members and their families across the state.

For more information and to find a doula near you, visit the Doula Directory at (https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Documents/Doula-Directory.pdf) or the Medi-Cal Doula Services page at (www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/pages/Doula-Services.aspx).

This list represents doulas who have enrolled in Medi-Cal. Beneficiaries who enrolled in a Medi-Cal managed care plan can check with their managed care plan regarding doulas who provide services to their members.

In Riverside County and San Bernardino County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact:

*   Inland Empire Health Plan: 800-440-4347

*   Kaiser Permanente: 855-839-7613

*   Molina HealthCare of California Partner Plan, Inc.: 888-665-4621

Empower your birth experience with Medi-Cal’s comprehensive doula services. Because every family deserves support, respect, and care.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond joined San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) during the Patriot Day observance at its Brier administrative site on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. SBCSS held ceremonies at each office location in observance of the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

County Superintendent Ted Alejandre offered remarks to the staff assembled at the administrative site. He spoke of the devastating loss of life that took place on that fateful day and described the events that transpired while taking a moment to thank the first responders who are currently battling the surrounding wildfires.

“These past few days have been devastating to our communities with the wildfires happening around us. We are grateful for the work of our firefighters and first responders. They’re out there on the front lines, doing the work that is so incredibly important,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “Today, we thank and pay our respects to firefighters and first responders for their dedication to save lives and save communities on 9/11 and beyond.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful to the first responders who rushed into action, many of them sacrificing their own lives. It was a moment of Americans helping Americans that we must remember,” said State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. “We always say we will never forget, so it’s important to teach this history to our students and recognize those who lost their lives that day and support our first responders who are supporting us right now as we combat these devastating fires.”

Employees at each site gathered for a moment of silence to pay respect to the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which officially began when a hijacked plane flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 A.M. EST.

Adalia De Luna, a sixth-grade student from Jehue Middle School, gave a moving rendition of “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” during the remembrance ceremony.

The ceremony highlighted that Patriot Day is not just a day of remembrance, but also a day of service. Citizens are called to volunteer in their communities to pay tribute to the selflessness of the first responders and members of the military who have given their lives to defend others.

As order by President Biden, flags were flown at half-staff at all SBCSS locations on September 11, 2024, in observance of Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) rang in the 2024-2025 academic year by celebrating seven exceptional employees making an impact in San Bernardino County during the SBCSS Stars in Education Celebration held on August 28.

Four teachers who have dedicated decades of their career to education were named Teachers of the Year in their respective categories, one staff member was recognized as the Classified School Employee of the Year, and two honorees were named Teachers for Tomorrow.

“This year’s honorees provide each child with equitable, innovative and inspirational learning environments,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “Their dedication to education and their students’ success is truly commendable. It’s an honor to recognize them and their impactful work.”

The recipients of the SBCSS Teachers of the Year award were nominated by their peers and were selected by a panel comprised of staff from three regions throughout the County and the San Bernardino County Teachers Association. The award highlights educational innovation, student learning and the rewards of teaching.

Nominations for the SBCSS Classified School Employee of the Year are submitted by their peers. With five or more years of service in their current role, they have earned the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues. Nominees have shown to be actively engaged in their school community, consistently demonstrating outstanding work performance, leadership, dedication, and ongoing professional growth.

The Teacher for Tomorrow program provides financial assistance to help support County Schools employees who are pursuing their teaching credential. Recipients of the prestigious award receive monetary assistance with tuition, books and other academic support services.

All seven of this year’s honorees received a gift from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR:

 Ronald Osburn

County Schools Teacher of the Year

Liberty II State Preschool

Jamie Fleming

Alternative Education Teacher of the Year

Independent Learning Academy at Bob Murphy County Community School

Matthew Guzman

Desert/Mountain Teacher of the Year

Del Rey Elementary

Melissa McCann

West End Teacher of the Year

Live Oak Early Education Center

CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR:

Yvonne Knox

Paraeducator

Bob Murphy County Community School

TEACHERS FOR TOMORROW:

Olivia Fresquez

Paraeducator

Students Transitioning into Adult Responsibilities (S.T.A.R.) program

Fardowsa Mohamed

Paraeducator

West Creek Elementary and Siegrist Preschool

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.#transforminglives

Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, covers one in three Californians, including more than 50 percent of the state’s youth. In California, nearly 300,000 youth are coping with depression, and 66 percent of them do not get the help they need, according to Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health.

Black children and children of color make up nearly 75 percent of children on Medi-Cal, yet they face significant barriers to accessing mental health services. Despite an overall decline in the suicide rate in California, youth — particularly Black, Latino, and female Californians — have seen disproportionate increases in suicide rates. According to data from 2022, about 4.3 percent of low-income teens on Medi-Cal have undergone depression screenings and received follow-up treatment. Among Indigenous youth, the screening rate is a little more than half that (2.3 percent). However, more screenings are probably occurring that are not being reported due to data capture issues.

To improve access to Medi-Cal mental health services, DHCS implemented a “No Wrong Door” approach to seeking care. In other words, any Medi-Cal member can receive timely access to covered mental health services regardless of where they first seek care, whether at a county mental health office or their Medi-Cal health plan.

Medi-Cal Covered Mental Health Services

Medi-Cal covers a wide range of services to support the emotional, psychological, and social needs of members. Medi-Cal can cover such services as:

• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Crisis counseling
• Case management
• Medication for mental health conditions
• Depression and anxiety screenings
• Drug and alcohol treatment services
• Other treatments for significant or complex mental health as necessary

Paula Wilhelm, Deputy Director for Behavioral Health at the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), emphasized the state’s commitment to transforming behavioral health services, which covers both mental health and substance use disorder treatment, under Medi-Cal.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health, and all of our health outcomes are intertwined,” Wilhelm said. “DHCS is partnering with health plans and care providers to transform the way behavioral health services are delivered to Medi-Cal members.”

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a monumental investment in strengthening mental health services for young Californians. This initiative focuses on prevention, wellness, screening, assessment, outpatient, and community-based treatment.

Mental Health Virtual Services Apps

In January 2024, DHCS, in collaboration with Kooth and Brightline, launched two mental health virtual services platforms, which you can download as android and apple apps, BrightLife Kids for children aged 0-12 and Soluna for teenagers and young adults aged 13-25.

These platforms connect individuals to free coaching and provide educational content, assessment tools, care navigation services, peer communities, and crisis and safety protocols to all California youth and their families, regardless of insurance coverage.

These services aim to complement existing mental health services by offering additional care options and resources for parents, caregivers, children, youth, and young adults in California. If you experience long wait times to see a mental health counselor, check out these apps to connect to individual or group coaching.

Get Started Today

If you or your child need mental health services, contact your Medi-Cal health plan, which will assess your needs and refer you to get help.

In Riverside County and San Bernardino County, Medi-Cal members can contact:

*   Inland Empire Health Plan: 800-440-4347

*   Kaiser Permanente: 855-839-7613

*   Molina HealthCare of California Partner Plan, Inc.: 888-665-4621

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Some individuals have dedicated their lives to serving others, going above and beyond in their contributions. “We are looking for Black Heroes and Sheroes in the IE,” said Carl M. Dameron, President of the Black Culture Foundation.

On Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., the Black Culture Foundation will honor and celebrate the remarkable work of these individuals at the 33rd Annual Black Rose Awards in the Santos Manuel Student Union at Cal State San Bernardino.

“If you know of a remarkable Black leader or someone deeply committed to improving the community for everyone in the Inland Empire, the Black Culture Foundation is eager to learn about them. We are actively seeking nominations for the 33rd Annual Black Rose awards,” said Dameron.

“We are searching for individuals whose volunteer efforts surpass their job-related activities,” said Black Rose Founder Jim King. “These are the unsung heroes—individuals who volunteer with multiple organizations or dedicate their spare time to one or more. They do not seek recognition but endeavor to improve their community and make it a better place to live.”

To nominate a remarkable person for a Black Rose Award, go online to sbbcfoundation.org. Nominations are due by September 30, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

As Dameron explained, the awards program is dedicated to honoring the Black community in the Inland Empire. However, it’s important to note that recipients of the award are not required to be Black.

Over the years, numerous community leaders in law enforcement, education, and other public arenas have been celebrated and presented with an award for their impactful contributions to the Inland Empire.

“Join us in celebrating and honoring the significant contributions of the Black community in The Inland Empire. By becoming a committee member, you can play a vital role in shaping the Black Rose Awards program and the Black History Parade. To take the lead as a member or committee chair, sign up online at https://sbbcfoundation.org,” said King.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Scores of advocates from across California protested at the State Capitol Saturday after the Legislature failed to bring two critical reparations bills to the floor for a full vote on Aug. 31, the final day of the legislative session.

Chanting “What do we want? Reparations! When do we want it? Now!,” the advocates expressed their outrage and disappointment that Senate Bill (SB) 1403 and Senate Bill (SB) 1331 — both authored by Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) — had stalled.

Despite advancing smoothly through much of the legislative process this year, the session concluded without a vote on both bills, leaving the future of reparations in California hanging in the balance.

“This is becoming a political disaster. It’s our own people holding this up,” said Chris Lodgson, reparations advocate from the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC), blaming members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).

Lodgson said the Legislature’s decision to pass another bill, Assembly Bill (AB) 1840, on Aug. 28, only heightened his frustration.

AB 1840, authored by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), would allow eligible undocumented immigrants to purchase homes with state-backed financing through the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan program.

AB 1840 passed the Assembly on Aug. 28, and is now moving on to the governor for his consideration, prompting some in the Black community to feel overlooked.

“This tells me and Black Californians who are ancestors of slavery, who built this country we are not as important,” Lodgson said. “We’re not a priority or important as those other programs. That’s what is most infuriating and that’s what Black legislators are telling their people. That’s not going to be accepted.”

Tiffany Quarles, a reparations activist and supporter of Bradford’s bills, drove from Los Angeles to Sacramento to watch what she thought would be the passage of a historic vote.

“I am not disdained, and I am not discouraged. I came here to fight for Black Americans whose families were enslaved in this country. My family was enslaved in this country. So, I am not giving up. If they think that this is over, they are wrong,” said Quarles. “We still demand lineage-based reparations.”

Quarles said she believes Democratic leaders decided against advancing the bills because they are worried their decision would hurt V.P. Kamala Harris’s chances of winning the presidency.

“They will sacrifice Black America just to get her in, and that’s not right,” stated Quarles.

According to Bradford, the Governor’s Office expressed some concerns over his reparation’s bills.

“They offered up some amendments that weren’t accepted by me. We had no indications of any amendments up until Monday (Aug. 26) of this week,” said Bradford.

“We had legislation that made it out of Assembly Appropriations committee without one single amendment — not a single amendment was offered up. We moved these bills with the understanding that we had the votes to take it up on the Assembly floor,” Bradford explained. “It was just some simple amendment that pretty much would have gutted SB 1403 and made it an additional study.”

Bradford, who served on the Reparations Task force, said California researched reparations for two years and delivered a 1,100-page report to the legislature. Therefore, there is no need to conduct an additional study.

The CLBC issued a statement on the final day of the legislative session confirming that SB 1403 would not be brought to a vote this session and would be reintroduced next session.

“The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) remains steadfast in our commitment to advancing the CLBC 2024 Reparations Priority Legislative Package,” the statement read. “The CLBC has chosen to concentrate our collective energy on the legislative priorities that the entire caucus has voted on and those that positively impact Black Californians.”

The CLBC reaffirmed its commitment to its 2024 reparations priority legislative package, despite SB 1403 and SB 1331 not being part of the original package.

The CLBC statement emphasized the complexity of the legislative process and its ongoing dedication to advancing reparative justice for Black Californians.

SB 1403 aimed to establish the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency to recommend measures for compensating Black Californians who are descendants of enslaved people. SB 1331 proposed the creation of the Fund for Reparations and Reparative Justice in the State Treasury to fund policies approved by the Legislature and Governor that address the harm done to descendants of enslaved African American persons who experienced chattel slavery or free Black people living in the U.S. before the end of the 19th century.

Another bill in the CLBC’s legislative package, SB 1050, authored by Bradford and introduced for the vote by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), calls for the establishment of a process for California to review and investigate public complaints from individuals who claim their property was taken without just compensation as a result of racially motivated eminent domain. The legislation would also establish a process for providing compensation to the rightful owner. That bill passed with a 56-0 vote on Aug. 29, marking a significant victory for those advocating for reparative justice.

“We understand that the legislative process is complex and does not always unfold as initially envisioned. However, we remain committed to our long-term goals and recognize that this is a multi-year effort,” the CLBC statement continued.

According to the CLBC, the work of advancing reparations and achieving justice for Black Californians is “far from complete.”

“We will not be distracted from our mission. We will stay focused on the work at hand, united in our purpose, and dedicated to the cause of reparations and equity for all. The CLBC will continue to lead with integrity and purpose, ensuring that our legislative efforts are impactful and meaningful for the communities we serve,” the statement concluded.

Los Angeles Attorney, Kamilah Moore, who served as chair of the Reparations Task Force, called the turn of events “unconscionable.”

“The bills sailed through various committees and people expected them to be introduced to the floor for a vote,” Moore said. “What happened was unexpected. It’s causing a lot of confusion and different emotions from the community.”

“I think it was unconscionable that no legislator had the courage to get up and introduce the bills, particularly the California Legislative Black Caucus. The CLBC is such an esteemed institution. They had the chance, and still have a chance, to do something historic.”