CalGrows: Paid Caregivers Can Learn & Earn

Working as a caregiver for an older person is not a high-paying job.

Pay in California ranges from $15 to $22 an hour, according to Indeed.com, with the average about $18.

So workers are in short supply.

Now the state is aiming to build the health care workforce, by allowing caregivers for older adults and adults with disabilities the chance to get free job training and earn up to $6,000 in incentives.

“It’s an effort to transition people from caregiving into full time other options in health care (higher paying) — in essence making it a gateway opportunity,” said County Supervisor Zach Friend.

This new program, called CalGrows, offer incentives through Dec. 15 for two types of training: Learn and Earn, up to $2,500, and Career Builder, up to $3,500.

It offers hundreds of virtual and inperson courses from a variety of providers for caregivers who have worked in California for at least two months.

Courses cover Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia, cultural diversity, food safety, infection control, consumer communication — and they are available in multiple languages.

For example, a search for Alzheimer’s generates a list of 27 classes.

Funds are limited so once the money budgeted for this runs out, the incentives stop.

The incentive money is considered income but taxes will not be taken out, so caregivers must set aside money to pay those taxes.

Also, incentive payments will count toward CalFresh, MediCal and public housing.

Career coaching also is available via Cell-Ed, a partner of the Department of Aging.

Unpaid family members who are caregivers can take classes but they do not qualify for incentives. n

“CruzAware” from page 13

• Comprehensive emergency alerts: Receive critical information during natural disasters, severe weather events, public safety concerns, and other emergencies.

• Non-emergency messaging : Stay informed about roadwork, community-level impacts, public meetings, and other updates affecting your area.

• Customizable communication channels: Choose to receive alerts via

“Pat Lovell Award” from page 16

He modeled professionalism, selflessness, and respect at all times.

In addition to serving as the SCCAL commissioner for 30 years, Pat was an Olympic wrestler, a collegiate allconference football player, a football and wrestling official, and a teacher and coach.

Pat is a member of the Aptos High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Sequoia High School Sports Hall of Fame, the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame, the Cabrillo College Sports Hall of Fame, and the California Wrestling Hall of Fame.

He passed away in November of 2018.

To determine the Pat Lovell Award winner each year, points are awarded for 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, and so on, in the final varsity league standings for every SCCAL sport, and points are also awarded text messages, phone calls, email, or the CruzAware mobile app.

• More precise: Advanced geolocation technology that delivers alerts based on your specific location, minimizing unnecessary disruptions.

• Multilingual support: Access alerts and messages in multiple languages.

To learn more and sign up for emergency notifications, visit CruzAware.org. Local city messaging platforms such as Nixle are not impacted by the switch, though city residents are encouraged to sign up for CruzAware. n for winning an SCCAL End-of-Season Championship Tournament. The school with the highest point total at the end of each school year is awarded the Pat Lovell trophy. The winner for 2022-23 is Aptos High School.

Aptos HS accrued 106 points, just edging out Santa Cruz HS (98.5 pts). Here is the order of finish for 2022-23:

1) Aptos - 106

2) Santa Cruz - 98.5

3) Soquel - 78

4) Scotts Valley - 71

5) Harbor - 59

6) SLV - 50.5

7) Mt. Madonna - 6

Past winners

2018-19 – Aptos High School

2019-20 – Aptos High School

2020-21 & 2021-22 – no award given due to the Covid pandemic n

By June Smith

Pregnant Mare Rescue is a temporary horse sanctuary committed to rescuing pregnant mares and orphan foals from abuse, advocating for the humane treatment of all horses through education while enriching the human experience.

In 2006, introducing The Sanctuary at PMR Pastures, Lynn Hummer, founder and owner, said, “Our goal is to keep pregnant mares and orphaned foals out of harm’s way. By moving our 16-yearold rescue operation to a new location in Petaluma, we have created an eight-acre sanctuary here in Watsonville. Our goal is to make our sacred space available to host our healing programs. Our world is