April 29, 2005
Senator Deborah Ortiz
State Capitol, Room 5114
Sacramento , CA 95814
Phone (916) 445-7807
Fax (916) 323-2263
RE: SB 112 ( Ortiz ) – SUPPORT
Dear Senator Ortiz:
I am writing on behalf of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) in support of your bill, SB 112, which would improve the current system for supporting the flow of refugees to the state of California.
APIAHF is a national policy advocacy organization with the mission of bringing the highest level of health and well-being to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Founded in 1986, our organization approaches activities with the philosophy of coalition-building and partnership, capacity building, providing technical assistance and training, developing leadership and disseminating information.
APIAHF is dedicated to promoting policies that reflect a positive attitude toward immigrants and refugees. I myself came to this country as a refugee and have great respect for them as survivors. We recognize the positive contribution so many of them make to our society, but they first need assistance to rebuild their new lives. Helping them and protecting them is our moral and legal obligation.
California's current allocation of federal Refugee Employment Services funds benefits only 10-12 counties that receive the largest numbers of refugees, with a formula that is based on the number of refugees on cash assistance. We applaud your efforts to revise this current system through SB 112, which would require the state Department of Social Services to base the allocation of funds on the actual number of refugees each county receives.
SB 112 would essentially allow federal dollars to match more closely with refugee flows and represents a more fair distribution of funding throughout California's counties.
Thank you for your efforts in supporting California's refugee population.
Sincerely,
Ho Luong Tran, M.D., MPH
President and CEO
Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum
