SCRC and Family Caregivers Need Your Help!
Changes to Proposition 1 caused San Diego County’s BHSA Integrated Plan for FY 2026-2029 to not include even one single evidence-based or community-defined Early Intervention program for family caregivers who care for others who are frail and living with dementia.This is of grave concern.
Join us in protecting programs for family caregivers at a State level by submitting a short-written message to your State Legislator by May 29th urging them to include evidence-based early intervention programs in the Integrated Plan for older adults and their family caregivers in San Diego County.
Follow the instructions below to send your message and help save vital programs for family caregivers.
1. Click HERE to go to the “Find Your State Representative” website and enter your home street address, city and zip code to locate your California state legislators.
2.You will see your State Assembly Member and State Senator. We encourage you to contact both.
3. When you click on the name of a representative, it will take you to their website. Each representative will have a contact form or email link on their profile page. Click it to open their contact form.
4. Complete any required fields such as your name, address, and email. This helps your representative know you are a constituent. If asked to select an issue, you can leave blank or choose an option.
5. You can use the pre-written message found below and simply copy and paste it into the message field. You are also welcome to write your own message in your own words, including your experiences of being a caregiver and the impact SCRC may have had in your caregiving role.
I am writing to you to do all you can to support the work of Southern Caregiver Resource Center. It has come to our attention that San Diego County’s BHSA Integrated Plan (IP) for FY 2026 – 2029, does not identify even one single evidence-based or community-defined Early Intervention (EI) program for family caregivers who care for others who are frail and living with dementia. This is of grave concern.
Dementia, as a mental health diagnosis, is especially prevalent among older adults. Individuals diagnosed with dementia, including Alzheimer’s and behavioral disorders are common within the health care system. Family caregivers, especially those providing care to loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, experience high levels of depression, loneliness, and generalized anxiety.
I know because I am caregiver…….[Insert personal statement]
The lack of programming for older adults and their family caregivers will have costly consequences. SCRC’s Caregiver Support Services program delivers two evidence-based and community-defined psychoeducational programs CALMA and Caregiver Thrive, Learn Connect that address the mental health needs of family caregivers and older adults. Unfortunately, San Diego County’s BHS will eliminate these programs on 6/30/26.
We ask that you work with your colleagues and DHCS to support these types of programs and instruct San Diego County leaders to include evidence-based early intervention programs in the Integrated Plan for older adults and their family caregivers.
6. Submit! That’s it, you’ve made your voice heard.
Every message matters. Thank you for taking action!
If you have any questions, concerns or need help submitting your message, please call us at (858) 268 - 4432 or email scrc@caregivercenter.org
Thank you for advocating on behalf of SCRC. Your support helps us continue providing vital and free supportive services to family caregivers in San Diego County. If you'd like to find out more ways in which you can support SCRC, email us at scrc@caregivercenter.org and/or make a monetary donation by clicking HERE.