Northern California Youth Policy Coalition’s (NCYPC)
2024 Legislative Platform
Bode Gower, Chair
Adrian Bayardo, Director of Policy
Madeline Cline, Advisor
Approved: May 5, 2024
Northern California Youth Policy Coalition Summary
Mission Statement: We seek to give a voice to rural youth who feel unheard and a platform to come together to advocate for issues that are most important to our rural youth in Northern California.
Our Goal: Northern California is an often-overlooked region that deserves more recognition. It's time to shed light on the hidden gem communities of California and give those voices a seat at the table. Our main objective is to ensure that the youth voices of this region are heard on local, regional and state levels, where decisions make a direct impact on our rural communities. By advocating for the needs and priorities of rural youth, we aim to create positive change that uplifts our region and fosters a sense of representation and fairness for all. Through increased representation and dedicated efforts, we can pave the way for a brighter future for Northern California and its youth.
Table of Contents
Federal and State Legislative Contacts………………………………………………..
General Principles………………………………………………………………………………………..
Policy Areas……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Access to Reliable Broadband……………………………………………….
Quality Education for Youth……………………………………………….……………….
School Safety…………………………………………………………………………………………
Mental Health………………………………………..……………………….……………………..
Affordability and Access to Opportunity………………………………..…
Affordable Fire Insurance……………………………………………………………..
2024 Legislative Report………………………………………………………………………………
Federal and State Legislative Contacts:
State Senate District 1
Senator Brian Dahle
1021 O Street, Room 7230
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4001
State Assembly District 1
Assembly Member Megan Dahle
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
Phone: (916) 319-2001
State Senate District 2
Senator Mike McGuire
1021 O Street, Suite 8518
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4002
State Assembly District 2
Assembly Member Jim Wood
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0002
Phone: (916) 319-2002
State Senate District 3
Senator Bill Dodd
1021 O Street, Suite 7610
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4003
State Assembly District 3
Assembly Member James Gallagher
1021 O Street, Suite 4740
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 319-2003
State Senate District 4
Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil
1021 O Street, Suite 7240
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4004
State Assembly District 4
Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0004
Phone: (916) 319-2004
State Senate District 6
Senator Roger Niello
1021 O Street, Suite 7110
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4006
State Assembly District 5
Assembly Member Joe Patterson
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0005
Phone: (916) 319-2005
State Senate District 8
Senator Angelique Ashby
1021 O Street, Suite 7320
Sacramento, CA 94814
Phone: (916) 651-4008
State Assembly District 6
Assembly Member Kevin McCarty
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0006
Phone: (916) 319-2006
Congressional District 1
Congressman Doug LaMalfa
408 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3076
State Assembly District 7
Assembly Member Josh Hoover
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0007
Phone: (916) 319-2007
Congressional District 2
Congressman Jared Huffman
2445 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5161
State Assembly District 8
Assembly Member Jim Patterson
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0008
Phone: (916) 319-2008
Congressional District 3
Congressman Kevin Kiley
1032 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2523
State Assembly District 9
Assembly Member Heath Flora
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0009
Phone: (916) 319-2009
Congressional District 4
Congressman Mike Thompson
268 Cannon Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3311
https://mikethompson.house.gov/
State Assembly District 10
Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0010
Phone: (916) 319-2010
Congressional District 5
Congressman Tom McClintock
2256 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2511
State Assembly District 11
Assembly Member Lori Wilson
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0011
Phone: (916) 319-2011
Congressional District 6
Congressman Ami Bera
172 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5716
State Assembly District 12
Assembly Member Damon Connolly
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0012
Phone: (916) 319-2012
Congressional District 7
Congresswoman Doris Matsui
2311 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-7163
Congressional District 8
Congressman John Garamendi
2004 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-1880
United States Senate
Senator Alex Padilla
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3553
https://www.padilla.senate.gov/
United States Senate
Senator Laphonza Butler
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3841
https://www.butler.senate.gov/
General Principles
To seek or support legislation that addresses the needs and concerns of rural youth across Northern California.
To seek or support legislation that helps to raise up the voices of rural youth to ensure equal representation.
To seek or support legislation that promotes equitable access to broadband and infrastructure in rural areas to bridge the digital divide
To seek or support legislation that strives for rural youth to have the same educational and economic opportunities as their urban counterparts.
To seek or support legislation that includes policies to ensure affordable fire insurance coverage for rural communities, considering the unique risk factors and challenges they face in wildfire-prone regions.
To seek or support legislation that implements comprehensive school safety measures, including but not limited to enhanced security protocols, mental health resources, and emergency preparedness training to create safer learning environments for rural youth.
To seek or support legislation that implements policies and programs that expand access to educational, economic, and recreational opportunities for rural youth, empowering them to thrive and contribute to their communities' success.
To seek or support legislation that prioritizes substantial and sustained investment in rural education systems to ensure that all rural youth have access to high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for success in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving world.
Policy Areas
Access to Reliable Broadband
In rural areas, the digital divide goes beyond slow internet speeds or spotty coverage; it represents systemic inequality that permeates every aspect of rural life. Access to reliable broadband is a fundamental necessity for educational, economic, and social advancement. Despite the undeniable importance of broadband connectivity, many rural communities still lack adequate internet infrastructure, leaving residents at a significant disadvantage in today's interconnected world.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of broadband access, especially for youth. In Northern California, access to broadband became a lifeline for high school students. Without broadband access, students struggle to complete homework, connect with peers, and pursue opportunities like college applications and scholarships.
The repercussions of the digital divide extend beyond education, impacting industries, community organizations, and other facets of day to day life. Recognizing the urgency of bridging the digital divide, our coalition advocates for legislation prioritizing the expansion of broadband networks into rural areas. We encourage investments in broadband infrastructure, grants and incentives for internet service providers to extend coverage, and support for community-based broadband projects.
According to the California Department of Technology, 1 in 5 people in California do not have access to broadband services. 3.5 million Californians, many in rural areas, lack access to affordable broadband. Furthermore, in 2024, Governor Newsom made over $2 billion in cuts to broadband programs causing harm to rural communities who rely on already expensive broadband programs to get by. Some school districts have provided hotspots and free devices to help students who lacked computers and internet accessibility at home, so they could complete school assignments while their schools were closed. But even with the technology, a lack of broadband infrastructure meant many students experienced slow internet speeds, which made it difficult for them to stay on track. In our current digital age, we should not have people struggle to find accessible and affordable broadband connections.
Legislative Solutions:
Investments in Broadband Infrastructure: Legislative efforts should allocate substantial funding towards the expansion and enhancement of broadband infrastructure in rural areas. This includes investments in laying fiber-optic cables, upgrading existing network infrastructure, and deploying wireless technologies to extend coverage to underserved communities.
Grants and Incentives for Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Legislation should provide financial incentives, such as grants and tax incentives, to ISPs that commit to expanding broadband coverage in rural areas. These incentives can help offset the high costs associated with deploying infrastructure in sparsely populated regions, encouraging greater private sector investment in rural broadband deployment.
Community-Based Broadband Projects: Legislation should support community-driven broadband initiatives, empowering local organizations and municipalities to take control of their broadband futures. This includes providing grants and technical assistance to community broadband projects, as well as removing regulatory barriers that hinder the development of locally owned and operated broadband networks.
Digital Literacy Programs for High School Students: It’s crucial that rural students are equipped with the skills necessary to navigate the digital landscape. Our coalition advocates for the integration of digital literacy programs into our school curriculum focusing on discerning misinformation, critically evaluating information, using digital tools for learning and collaboration, and maintaining safe, responsible online behavior. These programs should also emphasize the importance of digital citizenship, teaching students how to engage ethically and constructively in online communities.
Reliable broadband isn't solely about staying connected; it's about empowering rural youth to thrive and compete on par with their urban counterparts. It's about closing the opportunity gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of their residence, has access to the resources and opportunities necessary for success. Our coalition strongly believes in the importance of not only accessible broadband, but affordable broadband because broadband is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity.
We should not have a senior in high school sitting in the Taco Bell parking lot writing their college applications. We should not have students sitting in the parking lot of their high school at 8 o’clock at night doing homework because if you go 10 minutes outside of town, you lose access to the internet. We should not have students going to school without access to a secure internet. Not here in California. Not here in the United States.
Quality Education for Rural Youth
Education is one of the most important factors that can lead to the success of a child. However, rural schools like ours often face challenges in resource allocation due to lower tax bases and smaller populations. This can result in fewer educational resources, outdated facilities, and limited access to technology and extracurricular activities, all of which can impact graduation rates. These challenges contribute to the disparities we see in graduation rates in our schools. Regardless of zip code, every child deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success in the 21st century economy.
Rural schools often face unique challenges due to their small size, remote location, and limited resources. They are often located in large geographical areas with lower property values and higher proportions of federal land, of which they cannot collect property taxes from. Rural schools may struggle to attract and retain qualified teachers, offer advanced coursework and extracurricular activities, or provide access to technology and other educational resources. As a result, rural students may not receive the same educational opportunities as their urban counterparts, limiting their potential for future success.
Rural schools serve 1 in 4 students across the United States. We support legislation that invests in rural education systems, providing resources for modern facilities, technology upgrades, professional development for teachers, and enrichment programs. We also support ensuring that schools get the funding that their urban counterparts are receiving. Rural schools serve a large portion of impoverished students across the nation. We also urge Congress to pass the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2023 (S.2581/H.R.5030) and the Individuals with Disabilities in Education (IDEA) Full Funding Act (S.2217/H.R.4519) in order to continue to ensure that rural schools across the United States secure the funding to provide students with a quality education.
It’s also important that we recognize the value of Career Technical Education (CTE) Programs and its impact on job opportunities. Especially in Northern California, where access to higher education and job training programs are limited, it’s important that we invest in CTE programs. They provide our students with future job training and hand-on experiences that lead to good job opportunities. According to the California Department of Education, 95% of students that participated in CTE programs went on to work for pay within two years of high school graduation.
School Safety
The NCYPC is committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff in educational settings. We recognize that rural schools face unique challenges when it comes to security, often due to their remote locations and limited resources. According to Education Weekly, in recent years, incidents of violence and other threats to school safety have become all too common, leaving students, parents, and educators on edge. Security concerns can be addressed through funding security upgrades, mental health resources, and crisis intervention training.
Rural schools, despite their smaller size and tight-knit communities, are not immune to security threats. In fact, the remote location of many rural schools can pose additional hurdles for emergency response and coordination. Limited availability of law enforcement, longer response times, and difficulty implementing security measures due to budget constraints are among the challenges faced by rural educational institutions.
According to a report by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), nearly one-third of all public schools in the United States are located in rural areas. However, these schools often receive less funding per student compared to their urban counterparts, making it challenging to invest in essential security measures. Additionally, rural communities may lack access to mental health resources, further exacerbating the risk of violence and other safety concerns in schools.
Our coalition advocates for legislation that prioritizes school safety in rural areas, recognizing the critical need to provide peace of mind to students, parents, and educators alike. This includes a multifaceted approach that addresses infrastructure upgrades, mental health support, and crisis intervention training.
Funding for Security Upgrades:
Legislation should allocate dedicated funding for rural schools to invest in security infrastructure upgrades. This includes installing security cameras, implementing controlled access systems, and enhancing perimeter fencing to deter unauthorized access.
According to a study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), only 28% of rural schools have security cameras, compared to 48% of urban schools. By providing funding for these upgrades, policymakers can help level the playing field and ensure that all students have access to a safe learning environment.
Mental Health Resources:
Legislation should allocate resources for mental health support services in rural schools, including counseling, therapy, and crisis intervention programs. This includes funding for hiring additional school counselors and psychologists to address the unique mental health needs of rural students.
Research has shown that access to mental health resources can significantly reduce the risk of violence and improve overall student well-being. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), rural communities often face shortages of mental health providers, making it challenging for students to access the care they need.
Legislation should mandate crisis intervention training for school staff, including teachers, administrators, and support personnel. This training should focus on identifying warning signs of potential violence, de-escalation techniques, and response protocols in emergency situations.
According to a survey by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), only 42% of rural schools provide regular training for staff on responding to active threats. By mandating crisis intervention training, policymakers can ensure that rural schools are better prepared to prevent and respond to security threats effectively.
By advocating for legislation that prioritizes school safety in rural areas, our coalition aims to create safe and nurturing learning environments where all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Investing in security upgrades, mental health resources, and crisis intervention training can yield numerous benefits for rural schools and communities, including:
Improved Student Well-Being: Enhanced security measures and access to mental health resources can promote a sense of safety and well-being among students, reducing stress and anxiety levels.
Enhanced Learning Environment: A safe and secure school environment is conducive to learning, allowing students to focus on their academic and personal development without fear or distraction.
Community Engagement: By prioritizing school safety, policymakers can foster greater community engagement and collaboration, strengthening relationships between schools, families, law enforcement, and local organizations.
Prevention of Violence: Proactive measures such as crisis intervention training can help prevent incidents of violence before they occur, saving lives and preventing harm to students, staff, and community members.
Long-Term Resilience: Investing in school safety today can build long-term resilience in rural communities, ensuring that future generations of students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.
Mental Health
Mental health has become an epidemic in our youth. Depression and suicide rates have risen rapidly in recent years. Many youth have reported feeling alone and unable to talk about their issues with the adults in their lives. Those living in isolated rural communities face a double disadvantage, generally receiving fewer resources. Many feel socially isolated from the people around them, instead going to social media as their main source of connection with others their age. Unfortunately, social media has also had a massive and negative impact on youth’s mental health. Living in a society where everything is seen through a screen and “done for the ‘gram” has created a false reality for many teens: an unhealthy and dangerous worldview.
Even though many rural youth are surrounded by people they have known their entire lives, they still feel they are against the world. In a recent survey done by CAYEN’s Trinity County Youth Action Team, 70% of rural youth have felt anxiety or excessive worry, while 60% have felt sadness or hopelessness. However, all is not lost; potential solutions to the issues rural communities face when it comes to mental health are often just as diverse and varied as the individuals who struggle on their day-to-day. There is no perfect catch-all policy, and even if there was one, policy alone cannot solve all of the issues today’s youth face.
Across the country –especially in more urban areas– many great efforts have been put forward to address this mental health crisis. What we have seen when these programs, such as Project True in Santa Rosa, which has been able to connect with thousands of students, are certainly great successes. Yet for all the successes we’ve seen with these programs, they have rarely been attempted, and never fully replicated, in less privileged rural areas. A major issue is ensuring that youth are aware of their resources and that they are accessible. But a bigger issue is the stigmatization of mental health, especially in rural areas. Even when resources are available, many young people feel ashamed when they try to reach out. Making sure that youth voices feel heard and valued, as well as acting for their needs, is extremely important.
Having the opportunity to speak with countless youth leaders from across rural Northern California communities, we've found a few common suggestions. One is having in-school resources to make sure that students have somebody to talk to, someone who can give them tips, listen, and ensure they have the tools to create a brighter future once they enter the world as adults. NAMI CA is a program that is putting in an effort to remove the stigmas around mental health. Through their work, NAMI “advocates for increased research to uncover causes and new, effective treatment,” in a way that brings long term benefits. This program creates many ways to help individuals struggling, and it also brings in new ideas that can be used to assist youth in Northern California. Our coalition also strongly believes in policies that prioritize mental health services and support networks in rural areas, including funding for counseling centers, teletherapy programs, and peer support initiatives.
Affordability and Access to Opportunity
For rural youth, the combination of a lack of job prospects, high living expenses, and poor access to essential services is often a powerful driver of them not returning to the communities where they grew up. Young people in these areas are leaving in search of better opportunities, taking with them the potential for local innovation, investment, and economic growth. This brain drain further compounds the challenges faced by rural areas, contributing to a cycle of stagnation and decline that impacts rural communities in various ways.
One key factor in addressing these challenges is economic opportunity—or rather, the lack of it. Rural youth often find themselves facing limited job prospects due to a lack of diversified local economies. Agriculture and resource extraction still dominate many rural areas, but the shift toward a knowledge-based, digital economy has left these regions at a disadvantage. Not to mention, many industries, such as logging, agriculture, and manufacturing, have seen a major decline in rural communities in the past few decades. In addition, many rural workers struggle to access the education and training necessary to thrive in more diverse industries, leading to a lack of upward mobility and fewer pathways to financial stability, one of the reasons that the NCYPC supports investments in CTE programs for high school students.
The rising cost of living—especially in housing, healthcare, and essential services—further exacerbates the struggles of rural families. In California, for instance, where the median home price has exceeded $900,000, the dream of homeownership is increasingly out of reach for working families, particularly those in rural areas. This unaffordability is even more pronounced in areas where wages are lower and housing options are limited. For many rural residents, the reality of homeownership may seem unattainable, and they are forced into renting or living in substandard housing, which can further limit their ability to build wealth.
Fire insurance and home hardening are becoming particularly critical issues for rural homeowners in fire-prone areas. As wildfires increase in frequency and severity due to climate change, many rural residents are facing skyrocketing fire insurance premiums. In some cases, insurers are even refusing to cover homes in high-risk areas, leaving families without protection causing them to turn to the California FAIR Plan which is less insurance for a higher cost. According to recent data between 2019-2024 from LendingTree, the average fire insurance premium in California has surged by 48% in the past five years, leaving many families struggling to keep up. For many rural communities, this presents a dire economic challenge, as fire-related risks add yet another financial burden to households that are already struggling to make ends meet. Recently, California insurance officials have approved a request by Allstate Insurance to increase rates by an average of 34% for homeowners further putting a strain on rural California. Our coalition Encourages policies that support home hardening—the process of reinforcing homes to make them more resistant to wildfires—can help mitigate some of these risks.
Expanding affordable housing in rural areas is another important component in addressing economic disparities. Ensuring that people can afford to live and work in their communities is critical to reversing trends of population decline in rural communities. This may involve investing in the construction of new affordable homes, as well as incentivizing the renovation of existing properties. Additionally, affordable housing policies should take into account the need for housing that is resilient to natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events, incorporating fire-resistant materials and techniques as part of home hardening strategies.
Transportation also plays a vital role in expanding economic opportunities in rural areas. For many rural residents, especially those in isolated or geographically dispersed communities, lack of reliable public transportation is a barrier to employment, healthcare access, and education. Expanding access to affordable and reliable transportation options—whether through improved road systems, public transit, or other innovative solutions—can help rural residents access better job prospects, healthcare, and education, reducing the geographic isolation that often leads to economic hardship.
We also need to address the underfunding in rural healthcare. According to the California Healthcare Foundation, only 11% of physicians work in rural communities, which has seen a 28% decrease over the years. In rural communities, there are 98 physicians per 100,000 people compared to a much higher number in urban areas. This disparity highlights a critical shortage of healthcare providers in rural communities. Rural healthcare facilities frequently operate with tight budgets and may lack the advanced medical equipment and technology available in urban hospitals, leading to disparities in the quality of care for rural patients. Many hospitals in rural areas in California have seen a drop in funding with nearly two-thirds of California rural hospitals now in the red. This has led to reduced services for patients and the laying-off of staff. This causes many patients to seek care further away from home, leading to longer travel times for hospital visits, further widening the disparity between rural and urban healthcare. By increasing funding and support for rural healthcare systems, we can help reduce vacancies, improve care quality, and ensure that rural families have access to the healthcare they need.
For many young people, the desire to return to their rural communities is strong, but the high costs of living, limited career opportunities, and the ongoing decline of rural economies often overshadow that, making these communities feel less appealing and less viable for their future causing many of us to turn to more urban and suburban communities.
Affordable Fire Insurance
Rural homeowners face unique challenges when it comes to protecting their homes and property from the threat of wildfires. Unlike their urban counterparts, rural residents often live in areas surrounded by dense vegetation, making their homes more susceptible to ignition during wildfire events. Additionally, rural homes may be situated farther from fire departments and emergency services, increasing response times and exacerbating the risk of property damage.
For many families, the cost of fire insurance is prohibitive, leaving them vulnerable to financial ruin in the event of a disaster. The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires only exacerbate this problem, driving up insurance premiums and making coverage unaffordable for many rural residents. Even when a state of emergency is declared, the financial assistance provided to victims of these disasters may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of their losses. Furthermore, any monetary aid received by disaster victims is often subject to taxation, further compounding the financial burden placed on rural families.
Our coalition advocates for legislation that promotes affordable fire insurance options for rural homeowners, ensuring that they can protect their homes and livelihoods without breaking the bank. This includes measures to mitigate the risk of wildfires through proactive forest management and land-use planning, as well as incentives for homeowners to invest in fire-resistant building materials and landscaping.
By addressing the affordability of fire insurance, we can provide peace of mind to rural families and safeguard the stability of rural communities. No family should have to choose between protecting their home and putting food on the table, and no community should be left to fend for itself in the face of a natural disaster. It's time for policymakers to take action to ensure that all residents, regardless of where they live, have access to affordable fire insurance coverage that adequately protects their homes and property. By implementing proactive measures to mitigate wildfire risk and providing financial relief to rural homeowners, we can build more resilient communities and ensure the long-term viability of rural life.
2024 NCYPC Legislative Report
Overview
The Northern California Youth Policy Coalition endorses legislation that aligns with our coalition’s mission to ensure the needs and priorities of rural youth are heard. For our coalition to endorse legislation, it must be approved by our Board of Directors.
Federal Legislation Supported
Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2023
SRS Support Letter: NCYPC Secure Rural Schools Support Letter
IDEA Full Funding Act
IDEA Support Letter: NCYPC IDEA Support Letter
Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024
ACP Support Letter: NCYPC Affordable Connectivity Program Support Letter
State Legislation Supported
SB 927 (Dahle): NCYPC SB 927 Support Letter
SB 1060 (Becker): NCYPC SB 1060 Support Letter
AB 2416 (Connolly): NCYPC AB 2416 Support Letter
SB 1288 (Becker): NCYPC SB 1288 Support Letter
AB 2724 (Reyes): NCYPC AB 2724 Letter of Support
AB 2771 (Maienschein): NCYPC AB 2771 Support Letter.pdf
SB 946 (McGuire): NCYPC SB 946 Support Letter.pdf