Contra Costa leaders assess Trump budget's impact on local nonprofits

"On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being of no concern, Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston ranks herself as a 10 when it comes to the expected federal funding cuts to social services. One of the programs that's being threatened is Medi-Cal, which is what we call Medicaid here in California, Scales-Preston said. It is a huge deal. That's our health care. It's something we are all worried about."

"Other programs in danger include Head Start, Meals on Wheels, White Pony Express and more that provide support to the most vulnerable, Scales-Preston said. White Pony Express, based in Concord, recovers food from grocers, farmers markets, restaurants and wholesale vendors and distributes it to 98 nonprofit service providers."

"We, as the Contra County Board of Supervisors, are looked at as the social safety net. It makes it harder on us to make sure that all of these services will be in place and not impacted, she said. Scales-Preston is one of five government panelists who appeared Sept. 3 at the Walnut Creek Library for a panel discussion is sponsored by the League of Women Voters Diablo Valley (LWVDV) about the Big Beautiful Bill's' impact on local health, education and social services, according to the LWVDV."

Contra Costa County officials express urgent concern about expected federal funding cuts to social services, rating the impact at the highest level of concern. Medi-Cal faces threats alongside programs such as Head Start, Meals on Wheels and local nonprofits that support vulnerable residents. White Pony Express recovers and redistributes food to 98 nonprofit service providers across the county. County supervisors serve as a social safety net and anticipate increased difficulty maintaining services. Multiple program leaders and area hospital officials have reached out expressing distress. A panel of five local officials met Sept. 3 at Walnut Creek Library under League of Women Voters Diablo Valley sponsorship to address impacts on health, education and social services.

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