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 2020
FREE
COVID-19 Updates
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HE CURRENT PANDEMIC has brought with it a heavy feeling of uncertainty for many families across the United States. Between stay at home orders, empty grocery store shelves, and limited in-person interactions, we are all coping with a new normal and wondering if life will ever go back to the way it was. But despite statewide stay-at-home orders and mass closures of “non-essential” businesses, California farmworkers are still working hard to provide produce and food security for one-third of the country. Agricultural workers perform one of the most essential duties of the workforce by feeding the nation and still have to cope with the challenges of having children who are out of school, health risks associated in agriculture during a pandemic, and economic challenges caused by COVID-19. All of these stressors put massive pressure
Census 2020
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ON’T FORGET, there is still plenty of time to participate in the 2020 Census. Your response to the Census directly impacts your family and your community by ensuring that California cities receive adequate funding relative the number of people living there, that enough Congressional seats are reserved to elect officials that will represent your voice in Congress, and that resources for public services are available to your community for things like schools and hospitals. As a resident of California, it’s not only in your best interest to complete the Census, it’s the law. Census forms were already mailed to every
on communities and make it extremely important to have accurate information and resources available when you need it most. Make sure that you and your family are taking advantage of any services available during this challenging time and help to revitalize your community by asking for help when you need it. Free meals are still being provided for out-of-school children across the state. Out-of-work families affected by COVID-19 can still access unemployment benefits. And most recently, California’s relief fund for immigrant and undocuhousehold with instructions on how to fill out and return the form. However, you can choose to respond online or by phone instead, even if your household has already received a form. Fill out the Census form online: my2020census.gov *To access the webpage in Spanish, simply click the language drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner and click “Español” Respond by phone: English: (844) 330-2020 Spanish: (844) 468-2020 Or respond by mail You can respond online, by phone, or by mail until October 31
Volume 30, Number 6 mented families became available for application, providing families with up to $1,000 per household. In addition to the many services available, there is also an abundance of information designed to help you stay informed and track the development of COVID-19 through accurate and reliable sources. We can all do our part by staying informed, staying healthy, and staying safe during these challenging times.
Resources and Information
In order to address the many families left out of the CARES Act, California implemented a fund to provide financial relief for the state’s undocumented immigrants affected by COVID-19. Applications for economic assistance began on May 18 and will continue on a first come, first serve basis until funding runs out. Individuals Continued on page 2 Remember, your responses to the Census are private and protected by law. The Census Bureau is legally obligated to keep your identity and the information you submit confidential. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are not allowed to use your responses against you for any reason. Your responses are not used for any other purpose except creating statistics that the federal government can use to determine population counts, funding, and political representation in your state. Also, it’s important to know that you will not be asked about your immigration status.
COVID-19 Updates Continued from page 1
can apply for one-time payment assistance through one of twelve non-profit organizations across California. Because funding is limited, it’s important that you reach out immediately to one of the organizations near you to begin the application process. For more information on the application process and frequently asked questions, visit the Department of Social Services website: English: cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/im-
migration/covid-19-drai#FAQs Spanish: cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/immigration/covid-19-drai#FAQs *Use the “Language” drop-down menu at the top, right-hand corner of the screen and select “Spanish” Or contact one of the non-profit organizations in your area for assistance. The organizations are organized by county. California’s COVID-19 website, covid19.ca.gov, recently created a comprehensive COVID-19 information guide for immigrant Californians. The guide includes information about:
the stay at home order, ways to protect yourself and others, immigration help, public charge information for accessing public benefits, testing and treatment, information on jobs, wages, and benefits, small business support, housing, food and bills, community safety, and protection against scams and information. The guide is available in English and Spanish. English: covid19.ca.gov/img/wp/ listos_covid_19_immigrant_ guidance_en_daf.pdf Spanish: covid19.ca.gov/img/wp/ listos_covid_19_immigrant_ guidance_es_daf.pdf
Region/Counties
Organization Name
Hotline Number
Website
Northern California/Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma Tehama, Trinity
California Human Development Corporation
(707) 228-1338
www.californiahumandevelopment.org/
Bay Area/Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Catholic Charities of California Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara
To Be Announced
Alameda and Contra Costa: www.cceb.org Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo: www.catholiccharitiessf.org/ Santa Clara: www.catholiccharitiesscc.org/
Central Coast/Santa Barbara, Ventura
Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP)
Ventura County: (805) 519-7774 Santa Barbara County: (805) 519-7776
www.mixteco.org/drai/
Central Coast/Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz
Community Action Board Santa Cruz
(800) 228-6820
www.cabinc.org/
Central Valley/Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Tulare, Mono
United Farm Workers Foundation (UFWF)
(877) 527-6660
www.ufwfoundation.org
Central Valley/Mariposa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF)
(877) 557-0521
www.crlaf.org/drai
Los Angeles, Orange Los Angeles, Orange
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights CHIRLA Central American Resource Center CARECEN
(213) 241-8880 (213) 201-8700
www.advancingjustice-la.org www.chirla.org
(213) 315-2659
www.carecen-la.org/drai
Inland Empire/Inyo, Riverside, San Bernardino
San Bernardino Community Service Center
(888) 444-0170
www.sbcscinc.org
TODEC Legal Center Perris
(888) 863-3291
www.TODEC.org
San Diego/Imperial, San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Imperial County: 760) 206-3242 San Diego County: (858) 206-8281
www.jfssd.org/drai-project
Los Angeles
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Services Available to You and Your Family If you have been affected by layoffs or are unable to work as a result of COVID-19, the Employment Development Department (EDD) offers resources and benefit programs like unemployment insurance, paid family leave, and disability insurance. These services may be available to you for any of the following reasons. If you are: Missing work because your child’s school is closed and you have no childcare options, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim. The easiest way to file a UI claim is through UI online. English: edd. ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online. htm Spanish: edd. ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online_ Espanol.htm For instructions and information on how to apply, visit the following webpage: English: edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/ Filing_a_Claim.htm Spanish: edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/ Filing_a_Claim_Espanol.htm Unable to work as many hours because your employer shut down business or reduced your hours, you can file an Unemployment Insurance claim. The easiest way to file a UI claim is through UI online. English: edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online.htm Spanish: edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online_Espanol.htm
For instructions and information on how to apply, visit the following webpage: English: edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/ Filing_a_Claim.htm Spanish: edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/ Filing_a_Claim_Espanol.htm Unable to work because of exposure to COVID-19 (verified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. The easiest way to file a DI claim is through State Disability Insurance (SDI) online: English: edd.ca.gov/ Disability/SDI_Online.htm Spanish: edd.ca.gov/ Disability/SDI_Online_Espanol.htm Watch a short Youtube video for information about how to apply online: English: www.youtube. com/watch?v=j7Wn4 gBSZxc&feature=you tu.be Spanish: www.youtube. com/watch?v=SVqLEyQY8fg&featur e=youtu.be Caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (verified by a medical professional) you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. The easiest way to file a PFL claim is through SDI online. English: edd.ca.gov/Disability/ SDI_Online.htm Spanish: edd.ca.gov/Disability/ SDI_Online_Espanol.htm For instructions and information on how to apply, visit the following webpage: English: edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_ to_File_a_PFL_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm
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Spanish: edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_ to_File_a_PFL_Claim_in_SDI_Online_Espanol.htm Self-employed, you may have benefits available through the EDD’s benefit program. Visit the following links to determine your benefits: Self-employment benefits/English edd.ca.gov/disability/Self-Employed.htm COVID-19 FAQs English: edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.ht Spanish: edd.ca.gov/about_edd/ coronavirus-2019/faqs-espanol.htm For more immigration-related information and resources, visit the California Immigrant Guide website. There, you will find answers to all of your questions about COVID-19, public charge, DACA updates, disaster relief, adult education programs, jobs, benefits, Census 2020 information, and so much more. The site is available in English and Spanish. English: immigrantguide.ca.gov/en Spanish: immigrantguide.ca.gov/es
Children in Agriculture: Meals & Labor Laws
In response to COVID-19, free food services are still available across California where families can go to get meals for their children. Most school districts, as well as other organizations, are offering free meals for children to make up for meals that are no longer available during regular school days. Find the nearest meal distribution site in your community using the free app “CA Meals for Kids,” created by the California Department of Education. You can pick-up meals for your children free of charge, no questions asked. Continued on page 4
COVID-19 Updates Continued from page 2
Apple Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/ ca-meals-for-kids/id1327449394 Google Play: play.google.com/store/
apps/details?id=gov.ca.cde.NSDMobileApp Microsoft Store: www.microsoft.com/ en-us/p/ca-meals-for-kids/9p7t6j2 76zz9?activetab=pivot:overviewtab Considering that children across California are required to stay home from school, it’s important to know their employment restrictions while working in agriculture. Children under the age of 16 have many employment restrictions, especially in sectors defined as hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. For up to date information on youth employment provisions in the agriculture industry, visit youthrules.gov or the U.S. Department of Labor’s website at: www.dol.gov/agencies/ whd/fact-sheets/40-child-labor-farms
COVID-19 Resources & Information There are many resources available about coronavirus that offer updated information, government orders and legislation, as well as local information about what’s going on in your community. To learn more about the coronavirus, how it spreads, and how to protect yourself, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) websites for regular updates and additional information. CDC English webpage: www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html CDC Spanish webpage: www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq-sp.html CDPH English webpage: www.cdph. ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx CDPH Spanish webpage: www.cdph. ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx More information about COVID-19 in
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English and Spanish: aghealth.ucdavis.edu/COVID19#resources To find out what California workers need to know, visit the Employment Development Department (EDD) and Labor & Workforce Development Agency’s (LWDA) websites. EDD English webpage: www.edd.ca.gov/ about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm EDD Spanish webpage: www.edd.ca.gov/ about_edd/coronavirus-2019-espanol.htm LWDA English webpage: www.labor. ca.gov/coronavirus2019/ (*View LWDA information in Spanish using the link at the top of the page) For information about coronavirus in California, visit COVID19.ca.gov (*Use the “Translate” button in the upper righthand corner to translate into Spanish) For local information, you should also visit your county’s website to learn about new developments in your community. Find your county’s website by going to www.counties.org/county-websites-profile-information.
EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
PAID SICK LEAVE AND EXPANDED FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE UNDER THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act)
PAID LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS Generally, employers covered under the Act must provide employees:
ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
QUALIFYING REASONS FOR LEAVE RELATED TO COVID-19 telework 5.
1. 2.
6.
3. 4.
ENFORCEMENT
For additional information WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
1-866-487-9243 dol.gov/agencies/whd WH1422 REV 03/20
Wildfire & Disaster Preparedness
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S THE WEATHER GETS HOTTER and the air gets drier, California residents must prepare for wildfire season. One of the most important ways to be prepared is to have an emergency plan that will keep you and your family safe in the event of a wildfire, earthquake, flood, or other natural disaster.
Listos California, a non-profit organizadetermine air quality standards at the begintion providing emergency preparedness ning of each shift and regularly check the Air resources across the state, developed a DiQuality Index (API) in regions where worksaster Ready Guide for families. Resources ers are present. If the API reaches below 150, include: how to build an emergency kit, employers are required to relocate work to a map out an evacuation plan, access nearby safer outdoor location, or provide an indoor resources in the event location with clean air. If of a disaster, and other alternative locations are SAFETY STEPS FOR ANY DISASTER important information. not feasible for the em1. We recommend posting ployer, they are required to these pages in a safe spot provide: 1) respirators, such in your home where you as N95 masks for voluntary 2. can quickly refer to them use, and 2) training on the in the event of an emerrisks of wildfire smoke, 3. gency. The guide is also how to use a respirator, and available online in English employee rights under the 4. and Spanish. regulation. English: www.valIf you suspect that your 5. leyvision.org/wpemployer is not followcontent/uploads/ ing Cal/OSHA health Disaster-Ready-Guide-Digitaland safety requirements, workers can file SelfPrint-Eng.pdf a confidential complaint via telephone or email with the local Cal/OSHA district ofSpanish: www.valleyvision.org/wp-confice. You can find your local office’s contact tent/uploads/Disaster-Ready-Guideinformation and complaint instructions Digital-SelfPrint-Spa.pdf online in English or Spanish. Job sites are not always a safe environment in the midst of a wildfire. It’s important English: www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/Complaint.htm. to know your rights and protections as an Spanish: www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/Spanish/ employee to breathe clean air and work in a Complaint.htm. smoke-free environment. On July 18, 2019, the California Occupational Safety and Employees with work-related questions Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) ador complaints can also contact Departopted an emergency regulation to establish ment of Industrial Relation’s Call Center clean air rules for employees near wildfires. in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR The regulation requires that employers (844-522-6734). Get alerts to know what to do.
CalAlerts.org
Make a plan to protect your people.
Get to safety with things you need.
Stay safe at home when you can’t leave.
Help friends and neighbors get ready.
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dosh/Spanish/complaint.htm
COPING DURING CHALLENGING TIMES
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HE STRESS of the ongoing pandemic is massive for so many people. In the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak, families have many new stressors to deal with on top of things that are already stressful like the ensuing threat of wildfires throughout California. During these unprecedented times, it’s important to practice stressrelieving habits and ask for help when you need it. According to the California Surgeon General, some of the ways that you can practice self-care and relieve stress are: Getting enough sleep at night, at least 8 hours Surrounding yourself with supportive relationships and people Eating well and nourishing your body Engaging in physical activity outside of work (even dancing for a few minutes works wonders!) Practicing mindful habits like deep breathing, meditation, or prayer a couple of times per day Accessing behavioral health services when you need it For more information about the behavioral health services available to you, visit: The Department of Health Care Services Website English: www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ Pages/MentalHealthPrograms-Svcs. aspx Spanish: www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ Pages/MentalHealthPrograms-Svcs. aspx *For Spanish, select “Translate” at the top, right-hand corner of the screen and select “Spanish” You can also visit your county website
Summer Safety
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ERFORMING HARD LABOR OUTDOORS can be risky as weather conditions heat up in California. Farmworkers, in particular, are especially prone to heat-related illnesses because temperature conditions in the fields are typically 8-10 degrees hotter than surrounding areas. Also, those who work in agriculture must wear protective clothing and additional layers, making the problem of overheating much worse. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but overheating can also worsen existing health problems. There are, however, ways to prevent heat-related illness, symptoms to look out for, and laws to be aware of that protect you in the workplace.
Prevention
According to the Department of Labor, the three most important words to remember are: water, rest, shade. By California law, employers are required to provide workers with all three of these things once temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks. Your employer is required to provide you with fresh drinking water throughout the day Take frequent breaks in the shade to cool off. Your employer is required to provide you with shaded spaces to take a break for at least 5 minutes at a time. Wear loose fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing made of cotton or another breathable material. Wide-
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brimmed hats are also recommended. Speak with your doctor if you have a chronic illness that can be worsened by heat-related issues like diabetes.
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion, if left untreated, can lead to heat stroke which is a life-threatening medical condition. Symptoms of heat exhaustion are: Headache Heavy sweating Rapid pulse Intense thirst Weakness Anxiety Dizziness or fainting
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
Dilated pupils Increased body temperature Confusion and/or loss of concentration Nausea and vomiting If your employer is not providing you with adequate water, rest, and shade, you have the right to file a complaint with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Visit the DIR website for more information about how to file a complaint. English webpage: www.dir.ca.gov/ dosh/complaint.htm Spanish webpage: www.dir.ca.gov/
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Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies www.LaCooperativa.org Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California 1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 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 expertise into the growing Latino market.
EDDResources Resources EDD
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