FY27 Budget Testimony: Child and Family Services Agency
Policy Director Tami Weerasingha-Cote and Behavioral Health Policy Analyst Chris Gamble testified before the Committee on Youth Affairs at the FY26 budget hearing for the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA). Tami’s testimony explains why the Council should fund the SOUL legislation and outlines concerns regarding proposed cuts to community prevention services in CFSA’s budget. Chris’s testimony focuses on the need to sustainably fund Safe Shores, the District’s Children’s Advocacy Center, in order to ensure that it can continue to provide high-quality services. These services are essential for preventing retraumatization when children and families are navigating the effects of abuse and seeking justice through the complex legal system.