FA R M
L A B O R
I N F O R M AT I O N
B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
June 2019
FREE
Volume 29, Number 6
Employers’ Training Resource
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MPLOYERS’ TRAINING RESOURCE (ETR) is a department within the County of Kern that houses the Workforce Development Board and service programs for Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties.
Employers’ Training Resource’s mission is “To provide expertise and leadership to ensure that the workplace development system prepares people for current and future jobs that improve the economic conditions of the community.” ETR helps connect businesses and employers to people seeking employment, who in turn benefit from training and job placement services. ETR provides services through various One-Stop centers and affiliate/satellite offices to connect job seekers to services such as education and training opportunities as well as direct referrals to job opportunities. ETR is supported by the National Farmworkers Jobs Program (NFJP), a national program that supports employment, provides training services, and housing assistance to migrant and seasonal farm workers and/or their de-
pendents. Assistance is provided through vocational training opportunities, Rosetta Stone self-guided learning, GED testing, Online HS Diploma Program, Job Search Assistance classes and specialized workshops to get them prepared to enter or return to the job market. ETR also offers employers cost savings through our Onthe-Job Training Opportunities (OJT) that offer job seekers a chance to earn and learn while on the job. Goals of ETR include: n Economic Development: promoting and supporting the economic development of their communities n Workforce Development: providing no-cost recruiting and screening, promotion of job openings, financial hiring incentives, labor market information, staff development training, assistance with downsizing their
business and other services n Assisting job seekers: providing nocost training, job placement services and other job-hunting resources n Assisting farm workers and/or dependents: providing no-cost training, job placement services and other job-hunting resources ETR maintains close working associations and relationships with organizations and employers in Kern County, which is beneficial for people we serve as we connect them to what they need most. ETR provides referrals for supportive services such as needs for emergency medical, safe haven housing and food services, as well as items needed to begin a new job. Additional resources provided through referrals from ETR include: n Emergency Relief n Legal Resources n Health Resources n Financial Resources n Educational Resources n Other Resources To locate a One-Stop center near you with services provided by Employers’ Training Resource call (661) 325-HIRE or (800) 203-2623 toll free or visit www. etronline.com.
Migrant Childcare Alternative Payment Program
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AKING CARE OF OUR CHILDREN is a top priority for every family. Unfortunately, non-traditional work schedules and limited funds often constrains the options migrant worker have for childcare. Sometimes, parents and guardians are left with the tough choice between low-quality child care, high quality (but expensive) childcare, or giving up gainful employment and potential income to remain at home and care for a child themselves. The Migrant Childcare Alternative Payment Program (MCAP) is administered by Community Action Partnership of Kern and is funded through the Department of Education. This program was created to help make that choice easier for migrant families by helping them find and pay for childcare. MCAP is not a childcare provider but is dedicated to address the fluctuating needs of migrant families. MCAP also provides the family with supportive services such as referrals to other community services such as the food bank, energy assistance programs, WIC, etc. and job or vocational training leads. The MCAP program gives parents a choice as to what type of childcare works best for them. Parent can select licensed childcare centers, licensed family childcare homes, license–exempt (TrustLine), license-exempt (Relatives) and in-home providers to render services to their children. MCAP directly reimburses the selected provider on behave of the parent. Families are admitted in accordance with family income, with the lowest per capita admitted first. In addition, to promote the continuity of childcare, once a family is enrolled in the program, the family can migrate anywhere in the State of California and their services with the MCAP program continue.
Parents and guardians can access a range of childcare choices, including: n Licensed Childcare Center n Licensed Family Childcare Home n License-Exempt Provider - A Relative n License- Exempt Provider -TrustLine Registered n In-Home care -nanny
REQUIREMENTS: Agricultural Workers Given the generosity of this program, it is intended for the very specific, lowincome, migrant worker population. To qualify for MCAP parents must earn at least fifty percent (50%) of their total household income from fishing, agriculture or agricultural related work.
Migrate
The family must migrate at least once every 12 months for agricultural work purposes. Those who migrate must maintain a temporary residence for at least 30 days. The distance between the old and new residence must be at least 75 miles.
Child Age
Children eligible for childcare are those between the age of 0 and 12 and
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have a need for childcare. The authorized needs are working, seeking employment, parental incapacity, vocational training, homelessness, and seeking permanent housing.
Areas of Service
The Migrant Childcare Alternative Program offers entry to its subsidy program to families that reside in six California counties: Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera and Merced. A unique component of the MCAP is that once a family is deemed eligible and is enrolled into the program, they can continue services when they migrate to any other county within the state. Families hesitant to apply because of their legal status and pending paper work should not be concerned with the legal effects of program enrollment. The legal status of the family is not part of the application for services and is not an eligibility factor.
Eligibility
Children between the ages 0 and 12 and up to age 21 if the child has special needs or is disabled. In order to apply for MCAP, some documents required include: n Copies of your child(ren)’s birth certificates n Immunization card for each child n Proof of last 12 months of income n Proof of address for the previous 12 months According to the California Budget and Policy Center, millions of chilContinued on page 6
New jobs that arise in the area of technology and renewable energies
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OBOTICS IS HAVING A TREMENDOUS IMPACT in agriculture. According to an article by Donovan Alexander published in Interesting Engineering, a series of new robotic inventions are allowing farmers to be more efficient and environmentally-friendly. Unfortunately, these robots also have the potential of replacing human farm labor.
For example, the ECORobotix Drone uses solar power as it targets and sprays weeds. Naio Technologies has a robot, the Z440, that weeds, hoes and assists with harvesting. Energid has a citrus fruit picking machine that can pick a fruit Tickets Available: http://bitly/CHDJulyEvent A Fundraising Event for California Human Development
every 2-3 seconds. Agrobot E-Series robots pick strawberries and Blue River’s LettuceBot2, well, it picks lettuce. Many of today’s farmworkers tasks will shift from harvesting into managing and servicing this kind of robotic
June 20, 2019 Ellington Hall Santa Rosa, California
Book Signing: 5:00 pm Doors Open: 5:30 pm
equipment. That’s why it is important to look for opportunities to increase your skills and training. For information on immigration services and career opportunities in your area, please contact one of the following offices:
Center for Employment Training 701 Vine Street San Jose, CA 95110 Phone: 408.534.5360 sanjose@cet2000.org
California Human Development 3315 Airway Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Phone: 707.523.1155 Fax: 707.523.3776
Central Valley Opportunity Center 6838 Bridget Court P.O. Box 1389 Winton, CA 95388 Phone 209.357.0062
Employers’ Training Resource 1600 East Belle Terrace Bakersfield, CA 93307 Phone 661.325.HIRE
Change, Challenge & Opportunities
Proteus, Inc.
1830 N. Dinuba Blvd. Visalia, CA 93291 Phone 559.733.5423 Fax 559.738.1137 http://www.proteusinc.org
Special Guest: New York Times bestseller, Stephanie Land Master ofCeremonies: Jenny Chamberlain, 4th District Director
* Inaugural Chris Paige Human Developement Scholarship Award Ceremony * Dinner & Silent Auction Every ticket holder recieve a copy of Stephanie’s Bestseller. * Maid: Hard Work,will Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive (Criada: trabajo duro, salariobajo y lavoluntad de la madre de sobrevivir).
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Wednesday July 24 10 am & 4pm
Solar Energy provides new job opportunities for farm workers
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ROTEUS INC. IS THE HEAD SUPPLIER of preparing, instruction, and network benefits to the population of Tulare, Kings, Fresno and Kern districts. Since its origin in 1967, Proteus has been in a constant condition of advancement, including and growing administrations as the changing needs of the workforce rise. Proteus Inc. looked at solar energy projects as a potential job opportunities for local residents, hence Proteus developed a solar training program for farm workers. The program gives members entry level preparation in the solar energy field through hands-on work both in a classroom setting and through onthe-job experience. Proteus began the program to help give farm workers and jobless residents a chance to adapt new abilities and return to the workforce with the preparation needed to compete in this developing business sector. The state curriculum combines educational programs varying from conduit bundling, learning industry standards,
Proteus Services n n n n
Employment Education Energy Community Service
resume and interview preparation. The program joins forces with nearby programs that combine volunteer experiences with learning. For example, Habitat for Humanity provides con-
struction work experience and expands area housing. GRID Alternatives with Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (a SASH Program) similarly gives students hands-on professional training. The programs provide the opportunity for volunteers to learn by working in the solar energy field and furnishes nearby low-salary residents with free installation of solar gear that lowers their energy bills. Proteus is working with solar oriented organizations inside the region to place program graduates in section level positions. The program runs roughly a month and a half and offers positions to 15 individuals at a time. If you are in Tulare, Fresno, Kings, or Kern regions and are interested in getting more information on this program, contact Hector Uriarte at 559.733.5423. For more data on Proteus Inc. visit www.proteusinc.org.
Cannabis (marijuana) and Immigration Law Resources
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he Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Prop 64) passed in California on November 8, 2016. Prop 64 legalized the sale and distribution of cannabis (marijuana) in California. However, possession of marijuana is still a violation of U.S. federal law. Non-United States citizens carrying marijuana, a medical marijuana card, marijuana paraphernalia, photos or texts about marijuana on their cell phone, or accessories (like T-shirts or stickers) can result in negative immigration consequences.
Moreover, non-United States citizens that are currently working or considering working in the cannabis industry,
must seek reliable legal counsel before accepting an agricultural (or any other) job related to the cannabis industry.
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Contact your closest America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) for information on Immigration Services’ Contractors through the California Department of Social Services that may provide legal counsel resources for immigrants, or visit www.cdss.ca.gov/ ImmigrationContractors Sources: California Labor and Workforce Development Agency California Department of Social Services
In honor and recognition of Christopher Paige, more than 4 decades of tenacious service on behalf of the Farmworker Community in California.
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HRISTOPHER PAIGE passed away suddenly on October 7, 2017. He was born in Washington, D.C. He attended high school at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire and graduated in 1961. Chris attended college at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and where he met his wife, Bettina (Tina) Paige. While at Stanford he fell in love with California, he never returned to the East Coast to live after he graduated in 1965.
Chris was also an active volunteer in the community. He served on the board of Sutter Care at Home Hospice program and for many years organized a human centipede of runners to benefit that organization in the Volunteer Center’s Human Race. He also served on the board of the Redwood Arts Council concert series in Occidental. He served for many years on the Workforce Investment Boards for Sonoma County and San Joaquin County. Chris was a wonderful cook and host, and enjoyed many passions and pursuits including photography, landscaping with California native plants, and running. In 2005 he received the Dolores Huerta Lifetime Achievement award from The Central Valley Opportunities Center and an Achievement Award from La Cooperative Campesina de California in 2017. He was a past president and board member for the National Association for Farmworker Opportunity Programs and received the President’s Award from that organization last year. On the night of October 7, 2017, he was posthumously awarded the Connie Codding Humanist Award by the local organization, Listening for a Change, at their annual award event. The Golden Aztec Award is CHD’s highest honor and Chris is receiving this posthumously in honor and recognition of his more than 4 decades of tenacious service on behalf of the farmworker community and commitment to the mission of California Human Development.
In 1975, while doing graduate studies in U.S. History at the University of California, Berkeley, Chris took a part time job in the Vallejo office of the Sonoma County nonprofit, California Human Development, as a grant writer. This was the beginning of what would become his life’s work. He retired as the CEO of California Human Development but during his years at CHD, Chris was instrumental in helping the agency move from a single focus entity to an agency providing multiple services and advocacy for farmworkers and other individuals in need of help; at his retirement CHD was serving over 15,000 individuals in Northern California in the broad areas of employment and training, affordable housing, disability services and drug free living.
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MCAP
EDDResources Resources EDD
Continued from page 2
dren are eligible for subsidized child care, but “in 2017, just 1 in 9 children eligible for subsidized child care and development programs in California were enrolled” in programs like MCAP. The MCAP Program is currently enrolling in all entry counties and does not have a waiting list. Don’t hesitate to learn more. For further information on qualification requirements and the application process please contact MCAP at 1-800259-8866 (available in both English and Spanish) or visit www.capk.org. The MCAP regional office is located 5351 Olive Drive, Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93308.
Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies
www.edd.ca.gov Workforce Services AJCC Locator ............. 1-877-872-5627 CalJOBSSM ....................... 1-800-758-0398 Monitor Advocate, Report work related complaints .....................1-866-289-8356 e-mail: .................madvocat@edd.ca.gov Unemployment Insurance English: ...........................1-800-300-5616 Spanish: .........................1-800-326-8937 Disability Insurance English: .......................... 1-800-480-3287 Spanish: .........................1-866-658-8846 Paid Family Leave English: .......................... 1-877-238-4373 Spanish: ........................ 1-877-379-3819 Ask EDD Request EDD information online: ...................................... askedd.edd.ca.gov
www.LaCooperativa.org Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California 1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 This product was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. sive of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/ or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner. Content produced by ALZA Strategies, a full-service strategy firm that offers quality media relations, crisis communications, public affairs services, and
Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract You may apply for these jobs by phone or in person at your nearest Employment Development Department (EDD) field office Job Job Title Number 16567956 Farmworker
Crop/ Livestock Strawberry
Pay Rate
Start Date
End Date
Positions
County
16592864 Farmworker
$13.92/hr. and Piece Rate
6/8/19
41/31/19
176
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo
Garlic
$13.92/hr. or Piece Rate
07/01/19
10/01/19
160
Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Contra Costa
16599711 Farmworker
Strawberry
$13.92/hr.
7/7/19
10/31/19
16576671 Farmworker
Bell Pepper, Tomatoes, Jalapenos, Almonds
$13.92/hr. Plus a discretionary production bonus may apply
07/01/19
10/20/19
150
Merced
Los Banos AJCC 209-710-6140
Santa Cruz Watsonville AJCC 831-763-8933”
America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) San Luis Obispo AJCC 805-903-1400” Stockton AJCC 209-468-3500
Watsonville AJCC 831-763-8933
Various
Beekeepers
Bees
$13.92/hr.
Continuous
Continuous
Various
California and Western States
Call your local AJCC or dial 1-916-654-7799 to find your nearest office
Various
Herders
Sheep
$2,133.52/monthly 26 +, employees $1,955.74/month 25 -, employees
Continuous
Continuous
Various
California and Western States
Call your local AJCC or dial 1-916-654-7799 to find your nearest office
The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.
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