As we settle into the New Year, I would like to provide a forecast of District 2 initiatives for 2013. Last year, we hit the ground running introducing our ideas for the Tennyson Corridor and starting the Woodlands and Habitat Restoration Project.
The Tennyson Corridor Initiative was launched at a community meeting in October, where we discussed ideas for improvement and collaboration. This year, we will continue to develop a plan and move toward implementation by bringing more resources to South Hayward. The Woodlands and Habitat Restoration Project is in full swing, employing multiple youth who are advancing the progress of the largest tree restoration project in the East Bay.
In 2013, we look forward to expanding on other initiatives including the Niles Canyon Multi-Purpose Trail. I continue to meet with stakeholders in an effort to create a pedestrian and bicycle trail that would originate in Fremont at Mission Boulevard and 84 and end in Sunol. This project would help bridge gaps between existing trails and provide access to open space.
As the Chair the Public Protection Committee I strive to have open and transparent meetings. Thus far, we have had some lively discussions at the Committee and we will continue to work to bring County agencies and the community together to collaborate on practical and effective policies. Our office hopes to continue to hear from the community, and encourages your participation as 2013 progresses.
Our office has a lot in store for 2013, and we look forward to continuing to work for residents of District 2.
Sincerely,
 Just a friendly reminder as we move forward into 2013 there are many new laws that take effect. Here are a few that might affect you in the New Year:
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Alameda County adopted plastic bag bans for various types of outlets. Remember to bring a reusable bag when grocery shopping and to regularly wash reusable bags to keep them clean. For more information visit: http://www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=33&recordid=308.
- Drivers pulled over by police are permitted to show officers their proof of insurance on an electronic device, such as a smartphone.
- Drivers may dictate, send and listen to text-based communications as long as they use voice-command or other hands-free technology.
- Landlords are not permitted to require that tenants declaw their cats or cut vocal cords in their dogs.
- Sports arenas and stadiums must post contact information for security personnel that is visible from seating and parking areas, so help can be summoned quickly if violence occurs.
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Employers are now prohibited from demanding a worker's or an applicant's user name or password for social media.
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A program ensuring plastic bags are accepted for recycling at supermarkets and large stores that include a pharmacy is extended until January 2020.
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 The 2013 Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) High School Summer Internship Program is now open and accepting student applications online. Approximately 38 internships will be available throughout the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The pay rate is $10.55 per hour, and each internship will last up to a maximum of 250 hours. Students may work full-time or part-time, for up to 10 weeks, between June 19 and August 30, 2013.
The purpose of the program is to:
- Promote interest in transportation as a potential career
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Help students understand the role of transportation agencies in the community, county and region
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Provide skill-building and enrichment opportunities during all phases of the program
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Provide assistance to our partner transportation agencies
Interested tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students are invited to apply now. For more information on the program or to apply visit http://www.mtc.ca.gov/jobs/high_school/. For a listing of the internship opportunities and application form visit http://jobs.mtc.ca.gov/InternshipOpportunities/jobinternship.html
Deadline for students to apply is February 28, 2013
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 First 5 Alameda County is seeking applicants for the 2013-2015 Community Grants Initiative. The Request for Proposal with complete information is available at the First 5 Alameda County website, www.first5ecc.org.
Important Dates:
Funding Term (24 months): July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2015
Application Released: January 2, 2013
Targeted and Community Support Applicant Information Sessions (attendance not required, but strongly encouraged):
Wednesday, January 30, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 13, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Applications Due: Friday, March 1, 2013 by 5:00 p.m.
Each applicant may submit only one proposal. Applicants must complete an online application. Technical assistance to complete the application is available. Application instructions and a link to the online application are available at the First 5 Alameda County website at www.first5ecc.org. Please review the grant application guidelines carefully to learn more about funding priorities, grantee requirements, review criteria, and selection processes.
If you have any questions, please contact one of the following staff:
Janice Edwards
Community Grants & Program Administrator
(510) 875-2441
janice.edwards@first5ecc.org
Kevin Bremond
Community Grants & Program Officer
(510) 875-2409
kevin.bremond@first5ecc.org
Karyn Barnes
Community Grants, Program Officer
(510) 875-2489
karyn.barnes@first5ecc.org
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Beginning in January, the Women’s Cancer Resource Center (WCRC) will be facilitating a monthly support group in Spanish for women with cancer at the Office of Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle. The group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 24301 Southland Drive, Suite 101 Hayward, CA 94545. Please contact Lucero Barajas from WCRC at (510) 601-4040 ext. 109 for more information.
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 The Social Services Agency officially opens its doors January 30, 2013 for the 2012-2013 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Earned Income Tax Credit (VITA/EITC) program, for low/moderate incomes.
No appointment necessary, walk-ins are welcome during our hours of operation:
Site Locations:
• Thomas L. Berkley, Self Sufficiency Center
2000 San Pablo Ave. in Oakland
• Enterprise Office
8477 Enterprise Way in Oakland
• Eden Area Multi-Service Center
24100 Amador Street in Hayward
Hours:
January 30 - April 13, 2013
• Wednesdays: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
How to qualify for EITC:
• Earned income (full or part-time) less than $50,000 in 2012, with children or other qualifying person living with you all year OR did not have children living with you and earned less than $13,980.
• Investment income of $3,200 or less for year.
• Must be age 25-65 with valid Social Security card.
What to bring:
• Social security or ITIN card for each family member
• W-2 forms for all jobs
• All 1099 forms & other income
• Child care provider information
• Unemployment income--1099G
• Bank interest statements
• Copy 2011 Tax Return
• Educational Expenses
For more information visit: https://alamedasocialservices.org/public/features/eitc/free_tax_services.cfm
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 Millions of Americans still receiving paper checks for Social Security and other federal benefits have less than two months to switch to electronic payments.
In an effort to cut spending, federal officials began retiring paper checks in favor of direct deposits and prepaid “Direct Express” debit cards in May 2011. Since then, the Treasury Department has required all new recipients of payments from federal benefits programs -- including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income disability, Veterans Affairs and government pension plans -- to sign up for electronic payments. It set a March 1, 2013, deadline for all other recipients to do the same.
Approximately 93% of payments are now being made electronically. However, about 5 million checks are still mailed each month -- representing an additional $4.6 million in monthly costs, since each mailed check costs 92 cents more than a direct deposit transfer, Treasury officials said. The agency said if it didn't push for the switch to electronic transfers, it would cost taxpayers another $1 billion over the next 10 years. Anyone who fails to make the change will still receive paper checks, but will be the target of more aggressive communication efforts, such as additional mailings, said Walt Henderson, a Treasury official. He warned that after March 1, Social Security beneficiaries receiving paper checks are not in compliance.
To sign up for direct deposit visit Direct Express at http://www.usdirectexpress.com/edcfdtclient/index.html
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 It's now more convenient than ever for seniors 65 years of age and older who live in Fremont, Newark or Union City, to get a Senior Clipper card. The City of Fremont Human Services Department now accepts Senior Clipper card applications and can issue these special Clipper cards between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Clipper is an all-in-one transit card that keeps track of any passes, discount tickets, ride books and cash value that you load onto it. Senior Clipper cards are specially programmed to purchase discounted passes and receive a discount when paying with cash. Clipper is accepted on ACTransit, BART, Caltrain, Golden Gate Transit and Ferry, SF Muni, SamTrans, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA).
To complete the Senior Clipper Card application, visit the Human Services Department office at Fremont City Hall, 3300 Capitol Ave, Building B.
Must bring in acceptable proof of age, to complete the application, such as:
Driver's license
State ID card
Passport
Birth certificate
Alien registration/permanent resident card
Matricula consular/consular ID card
Military ID card
Medical benefit card with date of birth
For more information call the City of Fremont Human Services Department at (510) 574-2050.
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 The Alameda Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) is moving forward on a State-mandated project to study and update spheres of influence (SOIs) of local agencies within Alameda County.
A “sphere of influence” is the physical boundary and service area that a local governmental agency expects to serve in the future. Establishment of this boundary determines the most efficient government agency to serve a specific area and prevents overlapping jurisdictions and duplication of services. LAFCos were created by the State legislature to discourage urban sprawl and to encourage orderly and efficient provision of municipal services.
A vital part of the SOI update is to review the adequacy, efficiency and effectiveness of municipal services provided in Alameda County. The municipal service review (MSR) process includes public input. The Commission is inviting residents to review the MSR reports and offer their insights into a project that aims to be completed in early 2013. As a result of the process, recommendations will be made regarding modifications to agencies’ SOIs.
Currently, public review MSR drafts are available for six local government agencies on the Alameda LAFCo website, http://www.acgov.org/lafco/updates2012.htm. Several more MSR drafts are in the process of being completed and should be available on the Alameda LAFCo website in the coming weeks. A list of all agencies under review can be found on the Alameda LAFCo website.
The public can submit comments on the Alameda LAFCo website. Written comments can be submitted by mail to: Mona Palacios, Executive Officer, Alameda LAFCo, 1221 Oak Street, 5th Floor, Oakland 94612, or via email to mona.palacios@acgov.org. Alameda LAFCo will also hold public hearings in the coming weeks to encourage public input. Check the website for updated information about the public hearings as they are scheduled.
 The Advisory Board of the Public Authority for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) in Alameda County is recruiting new members. There are two openings for current or former IHSS consumers, who reside in Alameda County, and are age 60 years or older. Anyone interested should contact IHSS at (510) 577-3548 or ccalavan@ac-pa4ihss.org for more information, or to request an application. Applications will be accepted until the two positions are filled.
This is an opportunity to influence how and what IHSS and public authority services in Alameda County are provided and to advocate on behalf of others in the senior and disability community. The Advisory Board meets at Eastmont Town Center in Oakland at 1:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (except August). In addition, members are expected to attend at least one subcommittee meeting, most months. Actual expenses (travel, phone calls, etc.) for Board activities, and up to $25 a month for internet access, are reimbursed.
Visit www.ac-pa4ihss.org for more information about the Public Authority.
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