Candidates propose stepped-up mental-health supports, funding and school resources for Lafayette youth

Candidates at the Lafayette Youth Advisory Board forum described mental health, substance abuse and gun violence as top public-health concerns for young people and offered a range of responses focused on funding, services and prevention.

Saul Tapia Vega, a current Lafayette City Council member and candidate for re-election, highlighted existing local funding mechanisms: “Lafayette has a mental health and human services tax,” he said, and noted regional coordination on mental-health resources. Tapia Vega and other candidates referenced a county ballot measure discussed at the forum.

Anne Marie Jensen, a candidate and local public-policy professional, said a county ballot measure known during the forum as “County Issue 1B” would raise about $14,000,000 a year for additional mental health services, including youth programs. “This community can do things to protect people who are targets… They deserve our protection,” she said in the forum exchange about services for LGBTQ youth.

Several candidates called for more counselors and co-responder models. Crystal Gallegos, current councilor and candidate for re-election, said Lafayette already has daytime programs but lacks after-hours options: “I wish we had more things happening in and around our community after hours,” she said, citing school wellness centers such as the one at Centaurus as examples of existing resources.

Kyle Bollier advocated treating youth public-health risks with a public-health model — assess, treat and prevent — and recommended data-driven targeting of the most vulnerable groups. Josh Barrell, a former teacher, urged more in-school and out-of-school mental-health programs and support services and argued against criminalizing people experiencing homelessness.

Other proposals included setting aside city funds for programs, expanding substance-abuse and recovery programs for youth possibly funded from marijuana sales tax revenue, and bolstering partnerships with county and nonprofit providers. Several candidates referenced community organizations such as Sister Carmen as existing service hubs.

Candidates did not adopt specific, detailed funding ordinances at the forum; discussions emphasized priorities and local partnerships. Forum participants noted a county-level ballot item and the city’s existing mental-health tax as sources for potential expansion of services.