PROTECTS CHILDREN\u27S SERVICES FUNDING. HELPS BALANCE STATE BUDGET

PROTECTS CHILDREN’S SERVICES FUNDING. HELPS BALANCE STATE BUDGET. Provides more than $600 million to protect children’s programs in difficult economic times. Redirects existing tobacco tax money to protect health and human services for children, including services for at-risk families, services for children with disabilities, and services for foster children. Temporarily allows the redirection of existing money to fund health and human service programs for children 5 years old and under. Ensures counties retain funding for local priorities. Helps balance state budget. Summary of Legislative Analyst’s Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact: State General Fund savings of up to $608 million in 2009–10 and $268 million annually from 2010-11 through 2013-14, from temporarily redirecting a portion of funds from the California Children and Families Program in place of state General Fund support of health and human services programs for children up to age five. Corresponding reductions in funding for early childhood development programs provided by the California Children and Families Program