Madison Flynn — Introduced herself as CEO of the Northern California Indian Development Council and began testimony on CSBG for Native communities.
Dr. Marla Stewart — Introduced herself as director of the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department and described the department's safety-net services.
NCIDC — NCIDC explained its CSBG service delivery structure: it works through an established subcontractor network of American Indian organizations to provide direct services to off-reservation Native people, and it also contracts directly with tribal governments or their designated tribal entities to deliver CSBG services on and near reservations and rancher edas. The witness emphasized that CSBG funding helps expand subcontractor capacity and that even relatively small allocations can have significant impact across many tribal communities, including numerous rancher edas and counties.
Michelle Ingol Silva — Introduced herself as CEO of Proteus Inc. and began testimony on CSBG's impact.
Michelle Ingol Silva / Proteus Inc. — Michelle Ingol Silva described Proteus Inc. as a long-standing nonprofit serving farmworking families and other low-income individuals through education, workplace training, job placement, and support services. She outlined the organization’s network of 18 offices, including 10 customer-focused centers where clients can walk in for services, and noted that Proteus receives about $2.5 million in CSBG funding to support migrant and seasonal farmworkers. She also reported outcomes from those services, including helping 285 youth and 853 adults obtain employment, offering vocational training such as truck driving, and providing assistance that helped 422 individuals avoid eviction.
Mr. Seaton — The chair transitions to the next witness, Mr. Seaton.
Darren Seaton — Testified on behalf of Sacred Heart Community Service and introduced the organization's anti-poverty mission and scale of service.
Lynn Bussie — Lynn Bussie, from Chico, California, introduced herself and identified herself as one of the founders of Esplanade House. She described how the program grew from an old motel into a homeless shelter for families with children, eventually expanding to include apartment units, an administration building, a child care center, and a partnership with the university. She then explained that the community action agency’s other programs began to fail, including Head Start, Senior Nutrition, Meals on Wheels, an energy efficiency training academy, and a Feeding America contract, creating financial concerns. Bussie said her group had helped fundraise and that the arrangement had been a strong partnership until they were shut out when problems arose. She added that they were denied access to financial documents and urged correction of California Code 100765 to ensure community action agencies follow the Freedom of Information Act. She concluded by offering to provide a written copy of her remarks by email if preferred.
Steve Bennett — Steve Bennett reflected on Berkeley’s experience as a CSBG agency and the positive impact of CSBG dollars on employment programs and homelessness reduction. He praised the department, association, local governments, and partner agencies for their work in ensuring funds are spent effectively and outcomes are tracked. He then stressed the importance of sustaining these investments, noting that poverty and homelessness remain high despite major spending, and called for continued collaboration among the legislature, administration, and statewide partners. He concluded by expressing support for CSBG services adapting to changing needs and thanked the witnesses and committee members for their work.
Jason Wimbley — Jason Wimbley, Director of the Department of Community Services and Development, is introduced and then begins his testimony before the committee. He thanks the chair for the opportunity to speak and identifies himself as the director of CSD, opening remarks on the 2026-27 state plan for the Community Services Block Grant and CSD’s role in administering programs for low-income Californians.
David Knight — Introduced as Executive Director of the California Community Action Partnership Association.
David Knight — David Knight is introduced as the Executive Director of the California Community Action Partnership Association (CalCAPA), then immediately begins his remarks by thanking Jason and the joint committee for convening the hearing on behalf of CalCAPA.
Mary Alice Escarza Fetchner — Introduced as Executive Director of Community Services and Employment Training and board chair of the California Community Action Partnership Association.
Mr. Wimbley — The chair indicates that Mr. Wimbley will speak first.
King's Community Action Organization — Cited as an example of a local agency partnership creating permanent supportive housing in Hanford.
Felix — Felix is introduced as one of the new residents of the Sunrise Apartments. The discussion expands on his background, noting that he had been unhoused for two years and supported himself through volunteering at a community garden. His own words describe the difficulty of trying to reenter society while facing repeated barriers, and the narrative credits outreach from King’s Community Action Organization, case management support, and the safety of Sunrise Apartments with helping turn his life around. The account ends by noting that he is regaining hope and working to reconnect with his children.
Mary Alice Escarcega Fetchner — Introduced as CalCAPA's board chair and executive director of Community Services and Employment Training.
Maggy Krell — CalCAPA is described as a statewide network of local organizations that helps turn collected data into actionable information, supports communication about CSBG opportunities, and can respond to disasters, stability needs, and economic mobility efforts. It is also noted as working alongside the state of California and CSD, with the speaker identifying herself as president of CalCAPA.
Mary Alice Ascarcigua Fetchner — Introduced herself as Executive Director for Community Services and Employment Training and president of CalCAPA; began testimony on CSBG's importance.
Marla Stewart — Introduced as a representative from the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department.
Darren Seton — Introduced as Deputy Director of Sacred Heart Community Service.
Michelle Engel Silva — Introduced as Chief Executive Officer of Proteus, Inc.
Madison Flynn — Introduced as representing the Northern California Indian Development Council.