Eye On The Valley –Child And Family Center and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo – April 19, 2024

Host: Matt Watson

Guests: Nikki Buckstead and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo

On today’s show, your host Matt Watson talks with Nikki Buckstead, CEO of the Child and Family Center in Santa Clarita.  Nikki works to improve lives, help people thrive and build a stronger community by guiding families in several aspects of life including mental health, drug and alcohol treatment and domestic violence. The Child And Family Center has been serving the community for over 4 decades with a focus on behavioral health and mental health concerns.  The Department of Children and Family Services as well as the LA County Department of Mental Health both are involved with Nikki to help promote a healthy living in our families.  In 2001, the organization opened their own facility, at were immediately at capacity at 20 thousand square feet. With more growth, Child and Family Center expanded to 32 thousand square feet, focusing on those who are on Medical, therefore under-insured or not insured, those with the least amount of resources available to them.  In February alone, they served nearly one thousand individual clients between the mental health, drug and alcohol treatment or domestic violence programs.  Nikki says focusing on the entire family and giving support in its entirety can help each individual person struggling.  The Child And Family Center is proud to host the 35 ^th annual Taste Of The Town on May 5 ^th at Blomgren Ranch. The outdoor food and wine festival will feature 40 food stations, a live auction and raffle as well as live music.  Tickets are still available at tasteofthetown.com . If you’d like donate or need assistance, you can contact The Child And Family Center at 661-259-9439 or go to childfamilycenter.org

In the second hour of the show, Matt talks with Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, who represents the 40 ^th district.  Elected in late 2022, Assemblywoman Schiavo talks with Matt about her successes and what she is continuing to work on focusing on the homeless crisis, housing affordability and healthcare.  Recent bills signed by the Governor will streamline housing market concerns. Additionally, Assemblywoman Schiavo is focusing on more accessible healthcare for those struggling the most.  Some 20 million dollars as been given back to what is important to our community such as school safety, a wellness center as well as over 800 thousand dollars back to constituents who may be dealing with state agencies for unemployment claims and more. Finally, Assemblywoman Schiavo talks about the ongoing concern at Chiquita Canyon.  The landfill is undergoing a chemical reaction due to pressure, rain and time, causing a smoldering effect.  The gas being released is causing illnesses in the area.  The EPA is overseeing the slow-moving process to put an end to their problem by covering the landfill which will reduce the gasses and smell as well as stop the slow burn. Assemblywoman Schiavo is looking forward to the Youth And Family Festival on May 4 ^th which offers residents a chance to look into local resources such as financial, public safety, health and government. There will be activities for the kids too.  Go to a40.asmdc.org and click on events for more information.  You can contact her office at 661-286-1565.

Eye On The Valley is sponsored by SCVi and iLeadschools, free, public charter schools with campuses in Agua Dulce, Lancaster and Antelope Valley.  Go to ileadschools.org for more information on enrollment.

Previous Episode : Eye On The Valley –Christy Monroe and Matt Nelson – April 12, 2024

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