Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, pushed for state funding that benefits her own nonprofit.
Siebel Newsom is credited as a driving force behind the $4.7 billion in mental health funding that her husband championed last year. The initiative included hiring 10,000 school counselors.
Siebel Newsom, meanwhile, founded The Representation Project nonprofit, which touches on mental health issues. The group licenses “gender justice” films and curricula to thousands of public schools in every state and has raked in at least $1.5 million in revenue from fees since 2012.
However, in California, the billions in mental health funding will also create greater demand for Siebel Newsom’s nonprofit, ultimately boosting its bottom line. Loretta Whitson, the director of the California Association of School Counselors, which represents 3,000 public school counselors, acknowledged as much following the investment.
GAVIN NEWSOM’S WIFE’S NONPROFIT OPERATES AS IT REMAINS OUT OF COMPLIANCE IN CALIFORNIAÂ
“While the governor’s recent investment will add additional school counselors to the workforce, there will be an even greater need to access films and curriculum support material such as Siebel Newsom’s documentary series,” Whitson told EdSource in November. “(We) would love to work with her and support her efforts.”
Siebel Newsom’s influence in the Golden State expanded after Gov. Newsom created The Office of the First Partner in 2019, which includes nine staffers and has received nearly $5 million in funding. From this office, Siebel Newsom can promote her policy agenda with the help of taxpayer funds.
The first partner also deals with children’s mental health concerns through The Representation Project, which she established in 2012 to fight “sexism through films education, research and activism.” She writes and directs “gender identity” films produced through her for-profit operation, Girls Club Entertainment. Public schools then license…
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