There are many exciting projects we have been working together on, from Niles Canyon to the Tennyson Corridor Initiative. We hope to have an update for you on some of these major initiatives in an upcoming newsletter.
  
Today, I wanted to take a moment to announce a new challenge our office will undertake in 2015 – fatherhood. The importance of fathers in their children’s lives is vital to their development and to having healthy families and communities. While there are many important programs focusing on women and children, it is becoming equally important to have programs designed for fathers and children. This is a rather expansive issue and to kick-off this initiative I am introducing a resolution to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, February 3, encouraging all county departments to adopt the Father-Friendly Principles.
  
To achieve success on any of these initiatives we need your participation and support.  Please do not hesitate to contact our office to get involved.
  
Thank you,

This month's spotlight we highlight a dedicated public servant, who has been a staple to Alameda County and District 2. We congratulate Mr. Patrick (Pat) O’Connell on his retirement of public service for over 45 years, including serving 28 years as Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk Recorder.
  
The Auditor’s department is responsible for all accounting, payroll, tax analysis, contract compliance, and auditing of budgets and grants. Pat worked closely with County leadership to ensure fiduciary requirements were met and provided excellent service to the public and county employees.
  
Pat first started working for Alameda County in 1969 as an Accountant Auditor and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1971 he was promoted to Auditor I, in 1972 he was promoted to Auditor II, in 1974 he was promoted to Auditor III, in 1978 he was promoted to Supervising Auditor III and in the same year, promoted to Division Chief, and in 1982 was promoted to Assistant Controller.
  
Pat also devoted his time to serve on many professional and community service groups including the Board of Directors of the California State Association of Counties Finance Corporation, past President of the California State Association of County Auditors, the State Association of County Auditors Accounting & Standards Committee, the State Controller’s County Budget Revision Committee, served as a mentor for Alameda County's Leadership Development Program, and many more.
  
In 1992, Pat assumed the additional duties of Clerk-Recorder and directed the functions of two Alameda County agencies and becoming the County’s first Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder.
  
Thanks to Pat’s leadership, Alameda County earned the prestigious “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” from the Government Finance Officers Association for the Comprehensive Financial Report for 29 consecutive years. His fiscal stewardship has ensured accountability and the protection of public resources through a system of internal budget controls, accurate accounting and transparent and reliable financial reporting.
  
Through his dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service, Pat has improved the present and future quality of life of Alameda County residents. We thank him for his service and wish him a happy and healthy retirement!

The ARTSFUND Grants Program supports all types of arts programming such as dance, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual arts, and multidisciplinary arts programs presented within the County by Alameda County non-profit organizations. Last year’s ARTSFUND program awarded grants of $1,400 to $2,500 to 38 non-profit organizations throughout Alameda County. During the 2015 funding cycle, between 35-45 arts organizations may be awarded grants. The Alameda County Arts Commission, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Alameda County by nurturing a thriving environment for the arts, promoting economic opportunities for artists and arts organizations and encouraging public participation in the arts.
  
Standard grants awards are $1,000 to $1,500 each. The application deadline is March 5, 2015. Complete information can be found at the Arts Commission website www.acgov.org/arts (click on “Programs”) or contact the Alameda County Arts Commission by email at artscommission@acgov.org or call (510) 208-9646.

Minimizing Risk, Maximizing Talent: The Proper Use of Criminal Records in Hiring is an informational session presented by attorneys from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP.
  
Come and learn how to access undiscovered talent for your company. Employment law experts from multi-national law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, will present practical and useful information on improving your hiring practices. Attorneys will explain how to use criminal history information in hiring in compliance with the law, helping businesses protect themselves from liability concerns and also giving them access to an untapped pool of talent
  
Monday, February 9 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Hayward City Hall (777 B Street, Hayward, Room 2A)
  
1 in 4 adults have been arrested or a conviction record, often for very old or minor offenses. That’s an estimated 375,000 people in Alameda County. What potential good hires are you missing? Click to learn more: A Good Hire (www.agoodhire.com)
  
For more information, please contact Miya Saika Chen at mchen@lccr.com or (415) 543-9444, x236.
  
To register to attend please visit: http://bit.ly/13NUMxJ

This training is hosted by Supervisor Richard Valle, in partnership with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, and the National Employment Law Project.

First 5 Alameda County is now seeking applicants for the 2015-2017 Community Grants Initiative. The online application is due by 5 p.m. on February 23, 2015
  
Applications must be completed online at www.f5ecc.org. Grant term begins July 1, 2015 and ends June 30, 2017.
  
To be eligible to apply in any category, agencies must:

• Use funds to serve children ages 0 to 5 and their families
• Serve Alameda County residents
• Have experience serving children and families
• Agree to comply with First 5 Alameda County requirements as described in the grant agreement
• Be a community based 501(c)3 or have the fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)3, or be a public agency

Grant Categories
For a summary of the 2015-2017 funding categories click here.
  
Community Support Grants are from $15,000 to $40,000 over 24 months and awards for activities that creatively address unmet community needs for families with children 0 to 5.
2015-2017 Community Support Grant Overview
Application Guidelines
Application Instructions
  
Targeted Grants are from $41,000 - $120,000 over 24 months and awards for activities that support F5AC Strategic Plan outcomes. 
2015-2017 Target Grant Overview
Application Guidelines
Application Instructions
  
Neighborhood Partnership Grants are from $41,000 - $130,000 over 24 months and awards for family-centered school readiness activities at libraries and recreation centers. 
Only current 2013-2015 Neighborhood Partnership grantees in good standing are eligible to apply.
Application Guidelines
Application Instructions
  
Important Dates
All sessions and workshops will be held at 1115 Atlantic Avenue in Alameda, in Conference Room A, unless otherwise noted. 
  
Accountability Plan Workshops - Targeted Grant Applicants Only

• Tuesday, February 3, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
• Wednesday, February 18, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (No training, individual accountability plan assistance only)

Pre-registration is required, please contact Antoinette Porter
  
Scope of Work Workshops - Community Support Grant Applicants Only

• Wednesday, February 11, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
• Wednesday, February 18, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (No training, individual scope of work)

Pre-registration is required, please contact Antoinette Porter
  
For more information contact:
Janice Edwards- Community Grants Program Administrator, (510) 227-6933 or Janice.Edwards@first5alameda.org
Karyn Barnes- Community Grants Program Officer, (510) 227-6940 or Karyn.Barnes@first5alameda.org
Liz Gregor- Community Grants Program Officer, (510) 227-6918 or Liz.Gregor@first5alameda.org
Antoinette Porter- Administrative Associate, (510) 227-6970 or Antoinette.Porter@first5alameda.org

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women on Wednesday, February 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Hayward City Hall.
  
Alameda County District Attorney, Nancy O’Malley will be the keynote speaker. Other speakers include Mayor Barbara Halliday, City of Hayward, Supervisor Wilma Chan, Alameda County District 3, Dr. Norma Ambriz-Galaviz, President of Merritt College, Kimberly Ellis, Executive Director of Emerge California and Kate Quick, Retired Alameda County Office of Administrative and Financial Services.
  

Come celebrate 40 years of serving women and girls in Alameda County!
Wednesday, February 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hayward City Hall (777 B Street, Hayward)

  
RSVP: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/commission-on-the-status-of-women-40th-anniversary-tickets-14364973021

Cypress Mandela is a nationally-recognized West Oakland-based nonprofit that operates a hands-on, pre-apprenticeship program for adults with the aim of placing graduates into local construction jobs. With its “boot camp” discipline and emphasis on life skills, as well as, technical construction trade skills, Cypress Mandela has proved to be particularly successful in serving young adults whose life experiences have been challenging. The program has an impressive 85-90% job placement rate, which is ideal for City officials and community leaders who work to place unemployed residents into jobs.
  
City Officials, Cypress Mandela and New Haven Unified School District worked collaboratively to open the satellite location at former Barnard White Middle School. This location will serve the residents of Southern Alameda County. Cypress Mandela anticipates running two to three sessions over the course of the year with each session lasting 16 weeks. There are current openings at both the Oakland and Union City locations. Prospective students must be 18 years or older and can apply at www.cypressmandela.org.
  
To celebrate the opening of the new satellite location, a press conference will be held on Thursday, February 12 at 9 a.m. at the Barnard White Middle School located at 725 Whipple Road in Union City.
  
Speakers include Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci, Executive Director of Cypress Mandela Art Shanks, Supervisor Richard Valle, Union City City Manager Tony Acosta, Dr. Arlando Smith and Akur Varadarahan, Co-Superintendents of New Haven Unified School District and Executive Director of Union City Kids’ Zone Nancy George.
  
Following the press conference students of Cypress Mandela will demonstrate a physical training led by Cypress Mandela instructors.