Extraordinary Lives Foundation Recognized by Calif. State Treasurer

SACRAMENTO – State Treasurer Fiona Ma today applauded House Resolution 31, authored by California Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson (AD 60, Moreno Valley) and passed by the California State Assembly, proclaiming May 2023 as Mental Health Awareness Month.

Treasurer Ma has been a vocal advocate and supporter of mental health initiatives throughout her career and her office currently runs the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Grant Program for Children and Youth. Administered by the California Health Facilities Financing Authority, chaired by Ma as state treasurer, the program gives California counties grants for programs that offer mental health crisis services for children and youth. More than $9 million is available and he application deadline is July 28, 2023. More information is available at the CHFFA website.

"I’m thankful for Assemblymember Jackson for authoring this resolution and the Extraordinary Lives Foundation for their work to raise awareness of the mental health crisis in our communities," said Treasurer Ma. "Building a better California requires a transformation in the way we care for our state’s children, young adults, and families. Leaders and policy makers can use Mental Health Awareness Month to inspire new programs that address all aspects of mental and emotional health."

"I am honored to have authored HR 31, which recognizes May 2023 as Mental Health Awareness Month and further highlights the need for education, awareness, and empathy," said Assemblymember Jackson. "As also recognized in HR 31, I am grateful for the important work from the Extraordinary Lives Foundation and to the State Treasurer, Fiona Ma, who has been a champion of this issue for years."

"The Extraordinary Lives Foundation was honored to partner with Treasurer Fiona Ma and Assemblymember Jackson on this resolution identifying May as Mental Health Awareness Month and shedding a light on children's mental health and wellness in California," said Mara James, ELF Founder and CEO. "It takes a village to make a true impact on future generations."

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Fiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer. She was first elected on November 6, 2018, with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state's history and reelected on November 8, 2022. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position. The State Treasurer’s Office was created in the California Constitution in 1849. It provides financing for schools, roads, housing, recycling and waste management, hospitals, public facilities, and other crucial infrastructure projects that better the lives of residents. California is poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy and Treasurer Ma is the state’s primary banker. Presently, her office processes more than $3 trillion in banking transactions. She provides transparency and oversight for the government’s investment portfolio and accounts, as well as for the state’s surplus funds. Treasurer Ma oversees an investment portfolio that currently averages over $200 billion—a significant portion of which is beneficially owned by more than 2,200 local governments in California. She serves as agent of sale for all State bonds and is trustee of billions of dollars of state indebtedness.

About Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF)

Founded in 2015, ELF's mission is to improve children’s mental health and wellness and support families by providing awareness, educational tools, and resources. They encourage families to recognize symptoms, overcome the mental health stigma and reach out for help. Through prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment, they believe many of the major problems facing today’s youth can be transformed within a generation. The nonprofit organization extends healing tools to children in hospitals, foster care facilities, shelters, and military families and provides clinical resources and holistic healing to under-served children with mental health challenges.