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
February 2013
FREE
Volume 23, Number 2
Office of Migrant Services and Temporary Migrant Family Housing Centers
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ach year during the planting and harvest season, agricultural workers and their families migrate from their homes to agricultural areas for employment. Because of the large number of families coming to these areas for such a short period of time, and the lack of quality housing available, the State of California and the Department of Labor developed the Office of Migrant Services (OMS). The OMS was established in 1965, to provide Migrant farmworker families with safe, decent and affordable seasonal rental housing and support services during the peak growing and harvest season, usually beginning in April and ending in November.
Before 1965, it was common for families to live in small cramped motel rooms often with other families, and those who were less fortunate, lived in their cars, or along orchards or streams in makeshift shacks - with no electricity, plumbing or safety. To serve the housing needs of seasonal farm working families living in California, the OMS works with local housing authorities and counties to provide migrant centers located throughout California (see box next page). The OMS has two brand new centers in California and both of these centers have plenty of room for new families needing housing. These centers are located in Modoc County and Merced County. Below is a series of questions and answers regarding information about the OMS and Migrant Family Housing Centers.
What does my family need to qualify for housing? To qualify for seasonal housing, an applicant must collect at least 50% of their earned income from agricultural Continued on next page
Office of Migrant Services and Temporary Migrant Family Housing Centers Continued from previous page
work. The type of agricultural work changes from center to center so it is very important you contact the center where you would like to apply for housing. In addition, for at least three months prior to the time you will need housing, your family must live outside of a 50-mile radius from the center where you are applying for temporary housing. Other qualifications, such as immigration status, minimum or maximum income requirements and paperwork needed may vary with each center. You need to check with your nearest center for information.
When is housing available to families? The Migrant Housing Centers are available for occupancy during the peak growing and harvest season, which is typically April through November, but this period can be extended based on the individual center’s needs.
What is the length of time a family can stay in a unit? Families may rent the units for a sixmonth (180 day) period. These times can be extended, however, based on individual center and family needs. It is best to contact the closest center to you for the most updated information.
What amount will my family pay for rent? Rental rates for 2013 are based on the number of bedrooms in a unit as well as the condition the unit is in. Rates for units will range from $11.00 to $12.50 per day.
Tell me more about the units? Each center’s units will vary, but an average size unit is 600-850 square feet. Only families qualify for temporary housing, and because of this, there are two, three and four bedroom options available at the centers. Each unit has a
living room, dining area, kitchen and a full bathroom in each unit.
County Migrant Family Housing Centers Colusa One center (Williams) Fresno One center (Parlier) Kern Two centers (Arvin and Shafter) Madera One Center (Madera) Merced Four centers (Merced, AtwaterLivingston, Los Banos and Planada) Modoc One center (Newell) Monterey One center (King City) San Benito One center (Hollister) San Joaquin Three centers (Harney Lane, Artesi II and Artesi III) Santa Clara One center (Gilroy) Santa Cruz One center (Watsonville) Solano One center (Dixon) Stanislaus Three centers (Patterson, Westley and Empire) Sutter One center (Yuba) Yolo Two centers (Davis and Madison)
Are other services, in addition to housing, provided at the centers? For their resident families, the OMS provides access to the following services: n Laundry centers n Day Care for Children 2-5 years of age n Summer School for children 6-15 years of age n Education tutoring and after school activities n Medical and nutritional services n Counseling and other referral services, such as help with alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, and referrals to local food banks. In addition to these services, some centers also have playgrounds for children, baseball diamonds, soccer fields and basketball courts.
What number do I call for more information about the Migrant Family Housing Centers? If you need more information about Temporary Migrant Housing, you can call Jaime Ochoa who is a Community Representative for the California Department of Housing and Community Development at (916) 327-0942. Unfortunately, there is no toll-free number to call, but Jaime will be able to answer your questions and direct you to the correct housing center in the area where you will be working. He is available Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm.
It is Tax Season!
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f you haven’t already done so, now is the time to gather your financial documents and begin filing your taxes. There are professional businesses that can help you with the process, you can file online, or you can mail your completed documents to the Internal Revenue Service. Your employer will give you a W-2 form which tells you how much money you earned in 2012, as well as how much you paid in taxes. Use this information to file your taxes, and make sure you receive a W-2 form from each of the employers you worked for in 2012. For more information about filing your 2012 tax return visit www.irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040 (Spanish and English options available) Monday through Friday from 7am to 7pm. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Low to moderate income filers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This credit can reduce the amount you owe in taxes, and it may also give you a larger refund. If you need help finding out if you qualify for the EITC, or for other tax-related questions, the IRS created the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) The VITA Program provides free tax help to people who make $51,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing California Circulation: 50,000 copies to qualified individuals in local www.LaCooperativa.org communities. They can inform Published monthly by: taxpayers about special tax credits La Cooperativa Campesina for which they may qualify such as de California EITC. The VITA sites are generally 1107 9th Street, Suite 420, located at community and Sacramento, CA 95814 neighborhood centers, libraries, Phone 916.388.2220 Fax 916.388.2425 schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Produced with the support of the To find a site near you, you may Employment Development Department call: 1-800-906-9887 (Spanish and Voice of the Fields English options available). may be reproduced
Voice of the Fields
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 Active
CalJobs Number
Job Title
Pay Rates
Contract Dates
Positions
City of Job
Employer’s County (for ECMS)
EDD Workforce Service Site Office
1
CA13818684
Farmworkers, Lettuce
$10.74
4/6/13-11/15/13
72
Santa Maria
Santa Barbara
Santa Maria (805)348-3230
2
CA13818483
Farmworkers, Avocado
$10.74
4/8/13-8/30/13
50
Valley Center
San Diego
Oceanside WS (760)414-3582
3
CA13818168
Beekeepers
$10.74
4/10/13-2/10/13
2
Rancho Cordova
Sacramento
Sacramento WS (916)227-0301
4
CA13814649
Vineyard Workers
$10.74
4/1/13-11/4/13
12
Napa
Napa
Napa (707)253-4134
5
CA13802258
Farmworkers, Livestock
$10.74
4/1/13-12/15/13
2
Hayfork
Trinity
Redding (530)225-2185
6
CA13797779
Vineyard Workers
$10.74
4/1/13-11/15/13
30
Healdsburg
Sonoma
Santa Rosa WS (707)576-2016
7
CA13792877
Sheep Herder
$10.74
4/1/136/30/13
8
Bakersfield
Kern
Bakersfield WS (661)635-2600
8
CA13792937
Sheep Herder
$1,422.52
4/1/13-3/31/14
4
Alturas
Modoc
Redding (530)225-2185
9
CA13772741
Beekeepers
$11.00
3/23/13-11/15/13
4
Lindsay
Tulare
Porterville WS (559)788-1400
10
CA13818035
Farmworkers, Strawberries
$10.74 or $1.60 per box
3/19/13-5/15/13
120
Oxnard
Ventura
Oxnard WS (805)382-6551
11
CA13768781
Farmworkers, Avocados
$10.74 or $60.00 per bin
3/19/13-11/30/13
33
Fallbrook
San Digeo
Oceanside WS (760)414-3582
12
CA13768630
Farmworkers, Avocados
$10.74 or $60.00 per bin
3/19/13-9/20/13
12
San Marcos
San Diego
Oceanside WS (760)414-3582
13
CA13762678
Farmworkers, Strawberries
$10.74
3/15/13 - 11/30/13
75
Santa Maria
San Luis Obispo
Santa Maria (805)348-3230
14
CA13748204
Farmworkers
$10.74
3/20/13 - 12/1/13
1
Bridgeport
Mono
Madera WS (559)662-4500
15
CA13744178
Field Workers, Strawberries
$10.74
3/12/13 - 11/10/13
50
Susanville
Lassen
Redding (530)225-2185
16
CA13744575
Field Workers
$10.74
3/12/13 - 11/10/13
106
Tulelake
Siskiyou
Redding (530)225-2185
17
CA13739424
FieldWorkers/ Lemons & Avocados
$10.74
3/18/13 - 11/1/13
22
Salinas
Monterey
Monterey (831)796-3600
18
CA13734887
Beekeepers
$11.00
3/10/13 - 10/31/13
4
Los Baños
Merced
Los Baños (209)826-0420
19
CA13748215
Farmworker/ Strawberries
$10.74
3/10/13 - 12/5/13
50
Nipomo
San Luis Obispo
Santa Maria (805)348-3230
20
CA13698234
Workers Wine Grapes
$10.74
3/1/2013 -11/1/13
35
Mendocino
Sonoma
Santa Rosa WS (707)576-2016
21
CA13684830
Farmworker/ Avocado
$10.74
3/1/13-9/1/13
11
San Diego
San Diego
Oceanside WS (760)414-3582
22
CA13714359
Field Workers Avocados and Citrus
$10.74 or $60.00/bin
3/1/12 - 12/1/13
24
Bonsall
San Diego
Oceanside WS (760)414-3582
23
CA10339218
Sheep Herder
$1,422.52
Continuous
143
California and Western States
California and other Western States
Contact any EDD WS 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.