Sacramento – Promoting Youth Mental Health and Well-Being with Measure L Cannabis Funds
Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Yet, untreated mental health issues, rising homelessness, and limited access to after-school programs have undermined Sacramento’s youth, weakening the city’s long-term potential. A time-tested strategy to prevent poor health outcomes and reduce childhood trauma is to invest early in supportive services. That’s why Sacramento public health advocates, local officials, and students came together in 2022 to champion Measure L, a ballot initiative establishing a sustainable funding source for the city’s children.
“Years of organizing and youth leadership have brought us to this moment,” says Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang. “Young people throughout Sacramento have demanded that we prioritize them.”
Their coalition, Sac Kids First (SKF), coordinated by Youth Forward, brought together 35 youth-serving organizations and over 2,000 individuals to convince the city council to place the initiative on the ballot and later urge voters to pass the measure. In the process, the team hosted youth focus groups and conducted a citywide survey to gather input. After meeting with officials, hosting coalition meetings, and giving youth ample opportunities to lead advocacy efforts, the coalition successfully passed Measure L. The measure created a “Children’s Fund” in the City of Sacramento budget, fully funded by cannabis revenue.
After its passage, Sacramento took decisive steps to ensure the Children’s Fund addressed youth challenges. In 2023, Youth Forward staff member Monica Ruelas Mares was appointed by then-Mayor Darrell Steinberg to the Planning and Oversight Commission for the fund. After she was elected commission chair, Mares led the effort to draft a five-year strategic investment plan aimed at stabilizing funding and increasing resources for youth services. In September 2024, the Sacramento City Council unanimously approved the ambitious plan which introduced targeted interventions including a basic income program for young people aging out of the foster care system. The city’s Youth Parks and Community Enrichment Department (YPCE) became the lead implementing agency for the fund, issuing its first Request for Proposals (RFP) for youth-serving organizations in November 2024.
While it accomplished its original goal, SKF is not letting its momentum go to waste. The coalition meets monthly to strengthen its advocacy strategies. Together, they use an “inside” strategy to keep partners informed and an “outside” strategy to engage regional stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability in line with Measure L’s intent.
“Measure L ensures equity is not just a promise but a reality,” says Leticia Aguilar, Executive Director of Native Sisters Circle, a partner organization within the Sac Kids First coalition. “It allows Native-led organizations like ours to create protective environments where youth can thrive. When we invest in their well-being today, we strengthen the future of our entire community.”