Addis Hosts Mental Health Forum in San Luis Obispo, Honors Kristin Smart

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), convened local leaders, health advocates, and community members for a moderated mental health forum focused on behavioral health investments, gaps in care, and potential state-level policy solutions.

"As chair if the Budget Subcommittee on Health No. 1, my focus is simple: make sure Californians can receive the care they need from finding a doctor, to protecting vital programs in the face of federal cuts, to fixing the systems that are letting people fall through the crack," said Addis "fixing our healthcare gaps is more than just politics, it's really a moral imperative for every one of us in this room and across the state of California"

Panel participants included:
Dawn Marie Anderson, Local Parent and Advocate
Samantha Parker, San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health, Meghan Boaz Alvarez, Transitions Mental Health Association
Lieutenant Caleb Kemp, San Luis Obispo Police Department
Jack Lahey, Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County

During the forum, Assemblymember Addis also took a moment to recognize the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of Kristin Smart, the California Polytechnic State University freshman who vanished in 1996.

"This month is the 30th anniversary of the tragedy of Kristin Smart's disappearance," said Addis. "I know that our community is in mourning, that in this month we are still looking for Kristin and that our community is in solidarity with Kristin's family. We want to say to anyone who loved Kristin that we are here, and we are with you, and we thank law enforcement and every community member who has never stopped looking for Kristin."

Dawn Addis was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent the coastal 30th Assembly District, which includes San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Counties. She is the Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 on Health.

CONTACT: Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, (831) 649-2832