(a) (1) Although the economic well-being of the state has progressed to a level surpassing that of any other achieved in world history, and although these benefits are widely shared throughout the state, poverty continues to be the lot of a substantial number of citizens of the state. California can achieve its full economic and social potential as a state only if every individual has the opportunity to contribute the full extent of that individual’s capabilities and to participate in the workings of society. The Legislature hereby declares that it is the policy of the state to provide a range of services and activities having a measurable and potentially major impact on causes of poverty in our communities, particularly those areas of communities where poverty is an acute problem. Specifically, it is the policy of the state to assist low-income participants, including homeless individuals and families, migrants, and the elderly poor, to do all of the following:

(A) Secure and retain meaningful employment.

(B) Attain an adequate education.

(C) Make better use of available income.

(D) Obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable living environment.

(2) It is further the policy of the state to do all of the following in assisting participants:

(A) Provide emergency assistance to meet immediate and urgent individual and family needs, including the need for health services, nutritious food, housing, and employment-related assistance.

(B) Coordinate and establish linkages between governmental and other social services programs to ensure the effective delivery of those services to low-income individuals.

(C) Encourage the use of entities in the private sector of the community in efforts to ameliorate poverty.

(3) The Legislature finds that it is the purpose of this article to strengthen, supplement, and coordinate efforts to further these policies.

(b) In order to employ the resources of both the public and private sectors of the state, and to effectuate the purposes of this article, there is, within the California Health and Human Services Agency, a Department of Community Services and Development.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 27. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)