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
September 2018
FREE
California’s 2018 Wild Fire Season
C
alifornia’s fire season has started. Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Lake, Mariposa, Mendocino, Napa, Riverside, and Shasta Counties. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CAL FIRE, reports that over 1,258,880 acres of land have been scorched by fast-moving wildfires this calendar year as emergency crews work to contain and extinguish the blazes. As temperatures cool the fires will slowly be contained until firefighters are able to extinguish the blaze. However, destruction from the fire does not stop there, it continues long after the fire has been extinguished. On the next pages, find resources available to fire victims.
Volume 28, Number 9
Local Assistance
For local assistance please visit your county website for resources available to you.
Lake County
www.lakecountyca.gov/
Mariposa County
www.mariposacounty.org/
Mendocino County
www.mendocinocounty.org/
Napa County
www.countyofnapa.org/
Riverside County
www.countyofriverside.us/
Shasta County
www.co.shasta.ca.us/index.aspx
Hotline for Individuals Impacted by California Wildfires The toll free number provides free, confidential counseling services and other resources, such as referrals to local non-profit organizations, shelters, and additional communitybased support to assist individuals in California as they work to cope with the feelings of fear, sadness, anger, and hopelessness related to these kinds of natural disasters. The tollfree number, for public at large, to access free, confidential counseling services is 1-800-327-7451.
Employment Assistance
Food and Agriculture Assistance CalFresh Program
Women, Infants and Children
The California Employment Development Department (www. edd.ca.gov) and local partner agencies at all America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM locations throughout the state offer a wide variety of employment services, such as job search and referrals, and training. Job seekers and employers can connect with thousands of available job opportunities and qualified candidates through CalJobsSM, California’s online labor exchange system at www.caljobs.ca.gov. n To find the nearest America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM, visit: edd.ca.gov/Office_Locator/. n State Employees wildfirerecovery.org/services/targeted-demographics/state-employees/.
If you have been affected by a disaster and are in need of food assistance, you can apply for benefits through the CalFresh Program. To find out how to apply for benefits in your county, please call the toll free number 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD)or apply online at: www. benefitscal.org/. For more information on CalFresh, visit the website at: www. cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh
The Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) program helps low-tomoderate-income pregnant women, new mothers and their babies and young children to eat well and stay healthy. WIC provides: n Special checks to buy healthy foods such as milk, juice, eggs, cheese, fruits, vegetables, baby foods and wholegrains; n Information about nutrition and health; n Breastfeeding support and referrals to health care and community services. For more information, call 1-888-942-9675 or visit the WIC website at: at m.wic.ca.gov and click on “Join WIC” or call 1-888-942-9675(1-888-WICWORKS).
Job Services n
Correction
Due to a production error in the July La Voz issue the following correction is being made. The correction is to the 2018 California Primary Election Result article under State Superintendent of Public. It reads, “Tony K. Thurmond edged Tony K. Thurmond 37% to 34.3%, establishing himself as the front runner to head up the nation’s largest and most ethnically diverse school system, with 6 million students.” It should read “Marshall Tuck edged Tony Thurmond”.
CalWORKs CalWORKs provides cash aid to eligible needy California families to help pay for housing, food, and other necessary expenses. For more information contact your local county welfare/social services department. To find your local office visit the website at: www. cwda.org/links/chsa.php or for more information on CalWORKS, visit the cash aid website at: www. cdss.ca.gov/
Food Banks, Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens California Association of Foodbanks www.cafoodbanks.org/ n Feeding America www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-localfoodbank/ n
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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service For Post-Disaster Assistance information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, please visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/ wps/portal/nrcs/main/ca/newsroom/features/USDA FSA Disaster Assistance Programs at a Glance
Record Replacement Assistance California Department of Motor Vehicles:
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can respond to questions and provide the forms needed to assist individuals in replacing DMV documents, such as driver licenses, identification cards, vehicle cards certificates and certificates of title, that were lost as a result of the disaster. Contact DMV at 1-800-777-0133 (TTY 1-800-735-2929 or 1-800-3684327 for hearing or speech impaired), or visit the DMV website at:www.dmv.ca.gov.
California Department of Public Health – Vital Records: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working with those who have lost vital records as a result of the disaster. Birth, death, and marriage records should be requested from the county recorder’s office in the county where the event occurred. For more information visit the CDPH website: www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/ CHSI/Pages/County-Registrarsand-Recorders.aspx for a list of county recorders. Or you may call 916-445-2684; TTY 7-1-1 or 1-800735-2929.
Housing
Homebuyers and Tenants Have Protection from Housing Discrimination Under California Civil Rights Laws
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Disaster Assistance
Homeowners, homebuyers and tenants have protection from housing discrimination under California Civil Rights laws through the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). DFEH is responsible for enforcing state fair housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate because of the categories listed below under “Who is Protected?” The law applies to landlords, real estate agents, home sellers, builders, mortgage lenders, and others. The law prohibits discrimination in all aspects of the housing business, including: Renting or leasing, sales, mortgage lending and insurance, advertising, and practices such as restrictive covenants, as well as permitting new construction. Who is Protected? California law protects individuals from illegal discrimination by housing providers based on the following: age; race, color; ancestry, national origin, religion: disability, mental or physical: sex, gender; sexual orientation; gender identity, gender expression; genetic information; marital status; familial status; source of income. For additional information visit DFEH website at: www.dfeh. ca.gov/Housing/
S e p t e m b er
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USDA Rural Development delivers a number of programs to help improve the quality of life in rural communities throughout the nation. These programs may also help rural communities, businesses and individuals impacted by a disaster such as fire, drought or earthquakes.
DATES TO REMEMBER
radio bilingüe National Latino Public Radio Network
Wednesday September 26th 10 am and 4pm
Additional Resources Individuals
Businesses
USDA Rural Development (RD) – Single Family Housing – 502 Direct Low and Very-Low Income Home Ownership n For individuals n Applications accepted year round www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-familyhousing-direct-home-loans USDA RD – Rural Development Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Loan and Grant (Section 504) Program n For individuals n Applications accepted year round www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-familyhousing-repair-loans-grants USDA RD – Multi-Family Housing Program n For individuals whose property was destroyed by a declared disaster n Applications accepted on an annual basis www.rd.usda.gov/ programs-services/all-programs/multi-family-housingprograms
USDA RD – Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) n For agricultural producers or small businesses in eligible rural areas n Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Guaranteed Loans – continuous application cycle n Application window opening/ closing dates for other programs not posted on USDA website at www.usda.gov.
Both Individuals and Organizations USDA RD – Business & Cooperative Programs n Program specific eligibility requirements and application timeframes n www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/all-programs/cooperative-programs n www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/all-programs/business-programs
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development It is best to contact your homeowner’s insurance provider and mortgage lender as soon as possible to notify them of the condition of your property and to obtain their assistance in your recovery effort. If your current mortgage is insured by Federal Housing Administration you will receive an immediate 90-day moratorium on foreclosure and forbearance if your home is located in a presidentially-declared disaster area. For more information on disaster relief for FHA borrowers please go to: www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/nsc/qaho0121 For more information on local, statewide, and federal resources please visit wildfirerecovery.org/ or call the hotline, to access free, confidential counseling services is 1-800-327-7451.
Fight the Flu
F
lu season is fast approaching. Preventing the flu is the best way to protect you and your family. Good health habits can help prevent germs. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year but good health habits like covering your cough, washing your hands, and wiping down surfaces to prevent the seasonal transfer of germs will also help to not get the flu. The resources below will help prevent the flu and stop the spread of germs.
Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.
Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
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Preventing Flu at Work and School At School
• Find out about plans your child’s
school, child care program, or college has if an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs and whether flu vaccinations are offered on-site. • Make sure your child’s school, child care program, or college routinely cleans frequently touched objects and surfaces, and that they have a good supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs, and disposable wipes on-site. • Ask how sick students and staff are separated from others and who will care for them until they can go home.
At Work
• Find out about your employer’s plans if an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs and whether flu vaccinations are offered on-site. • Routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces, including doorknobs, keyboards, and phones, to help remove germs. • Make sure your workplace has an adequate supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs, and disposable wipes. • Train others on how to do your job so they can cover for you in case you or a family member gets sick and you have to stay home. • If you begin to feel sick while at work, go home as soon as possible.
EDDResources Resources EDD
Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies
www.edd.ca.gov
www.LaCooperativa.org
Workforce Services General Questions/AJCC Locator ..........................(916) 654-7799
Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California
CalJOBSSM ........................................................................1-800-758-0398 Monitor Advocate, Toll Free hotline to report Employment or Service related complaints ................................1-866-289-8356
1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone 916.388.2220 • Fax 916.388.2425
EDD Unemployment Insurance English: ..........................................................................1-800-300-5616 Spanish: .........................................................................1-800-326-8937
This product was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
Disability Insurance English............................................................................ 1-800-480-3287 Spanish...........................................................................1-866-658-8846
The opinions expressed in this product are exclusive 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.
Paid Family Leave English............................................................................ 1-877-238-4373 Spanish.......................................................................... 1-877-379-3819
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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 Number
Job Title
Crop/ Livestock
Pay Rate
Start Date
End Date
Positions
County
America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC)
16112263
Farmworker Laborer
Strawberry
Piece Rate or at least $13.18/hr.
9/24/18
11/10/18
488
Lassen
Lassen Business and Career Network (530) 257-5057
16112341
Farmworker Laborer
Strawberry/ Raspberry
$13.18/hr.
9/27/18
11/10/18
398
Siskiyou
EDD State of CA - Redding (530) 225-2185
15990872
Farmworker Laborer
Garclic
$13.18/hr.
7/15/18
11/30/18
240
Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara
Salinas AJCC (831) 796-3600
15917872
Farmworker Laborer
Lettuce
$13.18/hr.
6/1/18
1/20/19
185
San Benito, Santa Clara
San Benito County One-Stop (831) 638-3311
Various
Beekeepers
Bees
$13.18/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
$1866.88/ monthly
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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