Greetings,
Although Veterans Day was last week, I want to first thank each and every one of our Veterans who have served our country. I spent Veterans Day with my family, remembering my father who served as a Marine in World War II and the Korean War. When it was my turn to serve he was there with me and at every point thereafter as I continued service to our country and community. This year, all of us have been faced with the challenge of dealing with COVID-19.
This global pandemic puts all of our communities on the front lines. We still have a long way to go to combat COVID and must remain vigilant as we approach the holidays and traditional family gatherings this winter. Please remember Alameda County Public Health’s guidance for family gatherings this fall and winter. Wearing a mask, avoiding large gatherings, practicing social distancing, regularly washing your hands, and other efforts will help keep you, your family, and your neighbors safer during this flu and cold season. To learn more about the State’s tiered system in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy click here. For the latest local information from our county Public Health Department click here.
Our Board also just approved a $5,000,000 grant program to assist small, local, and emerging businesses across the county. To learn more about this program and how to apply for a small business grant please visit the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.
In the spirit of Veteran’s Day, the last item I want to update you on is Mark’s Movement. Unfortunately, due to a multiplicity of reasons, many veterans find themselves in jail. Simply put our society does not have the systems and supports in place for many of our veterans who face substance and mental health challenges. In 2013, I lost a dear friend who was a Marine Corp veteran and also incarcerated in Santa Rita Jail. He was housed in a special Veteran’s unit inside the jail. When I visited him he would often tell me about the security and comradery he felt being with other veterans. I recently shared this story with the jail command staff and health care provider. It is encouraging to learn that they were motivated to explore reinstituting this Veteran’s unit inside the jail. It is not ideal that veterans or anyone with substance or mental health issues are incarcerated. However, it is my duty to ensure these members of our community are not forgotten and that our county is delivering the best services possible to each and every county resident.
In closing as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday I want to thank each and every one of you who has sacrificed so much this year to combat COVID and protect each other. I especially want to give thanks to everyone of our 10,000+ County workforce who are front line and essential workers in Alameda County and have dedicated so much of themselves to respond to this pandemic. May you all have a Peaceful, Healthy, and Happy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Richard Valle
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The County of Alameda launched a new COVID-19 testing site with Glad Tidings Church in the City of Hayward, located at 1027 W. Tennyson Road, Hayward (South Campus). Drive-Through and Walk-Up.
Testing is available 11AM - 4PM, Wednesday – Saturday and appointments can be made at https://ac.fulgentgenetics.com/
You do not need a doctor’s note or insurance and you will not be asked about immigration status.
Nearly 4,400 tests of Alameda County residents are conducted daily, well past the goal of 3,100 tests per day. Additional free community testing sites are available in West Oakland, Fruitvale, East Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont and Pleasanton. More information is available at: https://covid-19.acgov.org/testing.page
A person can spread COVID-19 with or without having symptoms. Simple precautions like wearing a face covering when you leave home, maintaining at least six feet of distance, washing your hands frequently and avoiding gathering with people you don’t live with has helped slow the spread of COVID-19.
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In 2016, Governor Brown signed the TRUTH Act into law. Beginning in 2018, the TRUTH Act requires the local governing body of any county in which a local law enforcement agency has provided Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to an individual during the prior year to hold at least one public community forum during the following year to provide information to the public about ICE’s access to individuals and to receive and consider public comment.
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office, Alameda County Probation Department, and Immigrant Legal Resource Center will make presentations during this meeting.
The Board of Supervisors welcomes you to participate in the 2020 TRUTH Act Forum and invites you to attend and submit public comment.
Special Board of Supervisors Meeting
2020 TRUTH Act Community Forum
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 2:00 PM
Due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 in-person participation at Board of Supervisors meetings is prohibited. Meetings are held virtually via Zoom. An agenda, meeting link, and participation instructions will be posted here closer to December 8.
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 The Student Transit Pass Program (STPP) provides free youth Clipper cards to eligible middle and high school students in Alameda County which can be used for unlimited free bus rides in their area (on AC Transit, Union City Transit or LAVTA Wheels), as well as a 50 percent discount on BART trips and youth discounts on other transit systems.
Alameda CTC is responsible for the implementation of the STPP in Alameda County. The program makes it easier to travel to and from school and school-related programs, jobs and other activities, expanding transportation options for Alameda County’s middle and high school students.
The goals of the program are to:
- Reduce barriers to transportation access to and from schools
- Improve transportation options for Alameda County's middle and high school students
- Build support for transit in Alameda County
- Implement a cost effective program
The Student Transit Pass Program is undergoing a phased expansion to all middle and high schools in Alameda County with bus service over the next five years. The expansion phasing seeks to balance geographic equity across planning areas in the county.
During the 2020-2021 school year, the Student Transit Pass Program will expand to all middle and high schools with bus service in the following districts:
- Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE)
- Emery Unified School District (Emery USD)
- Hayward Unified School District (HUSD)
- Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD)
- New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD)
- Newark Unified School District (NUSD)
- Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD)
- San Leandro Unified School District (SLUSD)
- San Lorenzo Unified School District (SLZUSD)
The STPP program will include a subset of middle and high schools in the following districts:
- Alameda Unified School District (AUSD)
- Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD)
- Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)
- Fremont Unified School District (FUSD)
- Oakland Unified School District (OUSD)
Earlier this year, the District 2 Office along with the Alameda County Probation Department were set to hold a Juvenile Justice Forum, and then COVID hit delaying the forum. When we reconvened in October, it was with the backdrop of the State of California’s decision to close the Department of Juvenile Justice through Senate Bill 823 (Author-2020). On October 22 and 23 our office hosted the two-day virtual forum on Reimagining Juvenile Justice in Alameda County.
The focus of this forum was to provide important information on the landscape of juvenile justice, current reform efforts, up-to-date juvenile demographic data and trends, and panel discussions on the impacts of SB 823 and reimagining the juvenile justice system to best serve our youth and communities. We heard from over 20 panelists who represented a broad cross-section of systems impacted youth, justice partners, service providers, and community groups. They shared important perspectives that will inform our County’s next steps as we address SB823 and hold further conversations on reimagining our juvenile justice system.
To review or watch the forum please follow the links below.
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As the Chair of the Public Protection Committee the District 2 Office interfaces frequently with the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Probation Department, Fire Department, and the Sheriff’s Office. Last week Public Protection Committee received the annual state of the jail presentation from the Public Health Department and Sheriff’s Office. To review the meeting and agenda visit: https://www.acgov.org/board/broadcast.htm and scroll down to BOS Committee Meetings to select the November 12 Public Protection Committee meeting.
A big part of this year’s presentation focused on COVID-19 response and adaptation. Since the outset of the Shelter in Place Order issued in March 2020 the District 2 Office has held numerous weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly calls with community based organizations, elected officials, hospitals, and front line workers. Through the Spring and Summer, this included weekly calls at Santa Rita Jail with jail command staff, contract providers, community members, public health and other county department staff. These calls, now held monthly, have helped ensure coordination and transparency in places like Santa Rita Jail during the pandemic. It is the collective efforts of front line workers, management staff, and community members that our jail and other systems have adapted to meet the challenges faced during this global pandemic.
To learn more about the Sheriff’s Office response to address COVID-19 in Santa Rita Jail and to view a daily updated COVID-19 case count visit: https://www.alamedacountysheriff.org/admin_covid19.php.
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Save the date for the New Haven Schools Foundation annual Diamonds in Education gala, streaming live on YouTube and Facebook on January 23, 2021.
Hosting the event are honorary co-chairs Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle and the CEO of Washington Hospital Healthcare System, Kimberly Hartz. The event will unfold telethon-style featuring the hilarious comedian Kabir Singh as the emcee, a performance by the award-winning James Logan High School Show Choir, and visits from a number of surprise guests. Proceeds from the event's auction will benefit college scholarships and classroom grants for New Haven Unified students and teachers. Join the pre-show at 5:30 with the main program beginning at 6:00 pm.
 Ohlone College
Making Careers Happen Live Zoom Series NOVEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021 – FREE
Check out the FREE career-focused Zoom sessions hosted by Ohlone College November through January! These workshops will help to answer questions about Ohlone's career-oriented programs and services including resources for businesses and employees. After each session, there will be an opportunity for your questions to be answered in real-time.
Please share this with your clients and/or employees.
Three EASY Steps to Attend:
- 1) Click on the date and time, below, of the session(s) you are interested in. Register for as many sessions as you like. No limit. Registration is FREE. Takes 1 minute or less. All you need is your name and email.
- 2) Receive an email with the link and password.
- 3) On the day and time for the event, click on the zoom link you received in the email, and enter the password, and you are all set!
Career Center Sessions
- November 19, 2020, 3-4pm
- LinkedIn 101
- Shirley Calvert, Career Advisor
- Learn the basics of the #1 online professional networking tool, LinkedIn, and how recruiters search for candidates.
- November 30, 2020, 10-11am
- Career Center Orientation
- Shirley Calvert, Career Advisor
- Learn about the resources and services available at the Ohlone College Career Center, and how to complete the enrollment application.
- November 30, 2020, 11 am-Noon
- Internship 101
- Arden Ambrocio, Career Advisor
- Learn the basics of what an internship is and how to develop, prepare for internship applications, and developing an action plan to look for internships.
Career Education Sessions
- December 2, 2020, 4-5pm
- Multimedia, CNET & You
- Isabel Reichert, Assistant Professor, Multimedia & Graphic Arts
- Monica Cappiello, Assistant Professor, Multimedia & Graphic Arts
- Ron Sha, Professor, Computers, Networks, and Emerging Technologies (CNET)
- Learn more about two popular Ohlone programs Multimedia & CNET. Topics for discussion will include degrees and certificate options and career opportunities.
- December 7, 2020, 4-5pm
- Bay Area Favorites: Biotechnology & Smart Manufacturing Technology (SMTech)
- Dr. Laurie Issel-Tarver, Professor, Biotechnology
- Dr. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, Professor, Engineering, and Coordinator of the SMTech Program
- Learn more about two popular Ohlone programs Biotechnology & SMTech. Topics for discussion will include degrees and certificate options and career opportunities.
Financial Aid Sessions
- November 19, 2020, 4-5pm
- FSA ID & FAFSA Completion
- Shawn Domingo, Financial Aid Supervisor
- A step-by-step tutorial on how to create an FSA ID, as well as a walk-through on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- December 16, 2020, 4-5pm
- Overview of Student Aid Programs
- Shawn Domingo, Financial Aid Supervisor
- Not sure what programs are available or how much you qualify for? Let us uncover the mystery of financial aid and go over the various programs that may be available to you.
- January 13, 2021, 5-6pm
- Professional Judgment (PG) and Special Circumstances
- Shawn Domingo, Financial Aid Supervisor
- Just laid off? Reduction in household income? Do your previous tax returns not tell financial aid the whole story? If yes, attend this session to discuss Professional Judgement. We will walk through what is considered a special circumstance and how to request your FAFSA info be adjusted so we have a clearer picture of how your household is being supported during this unforeseen pandemic.
Noncredit Course Sessions
- January 11, 2021, 4-5pm
- January 20, 2021, 4-5pm
- Noncredit Info Session
- Emily Burns, Career Education Coordinator
- Learn more about Ohlone's Noncredit program. Designed with community members in mind, noncredit courses are tuition-free, do not require proof of residency, and will prepare you to achieve academic, career, and/or lifelong learning goals. Ohlone offers noncredit courses and certificates in Business Administration, Computer Applications and Occupational Technology, Mathematics, English as a Second Language (ESL), and more.
Ohlone 101 - General Ohlone Information Sessions
Ohlone College General Overview
- Evelyn Diaz Sanchez, Outreach Coordinator, Career Education & Financial Aid
- Learn general information about Ohlone College. There will be time at the end of the presentation for your questions to be answered. Topics include: history of Ohlone, degrees and certificates, transfer admission agreements, student life/activities, student support services, financial aid, and more!
Have Questions?
 The Board of Supervisors encourage citizen involvement and expertise through a variety of boards and commissions, to advise them on a wide range of issues affecting their constituencies and to assure they are responsive to community needs. District Two currently has openings on the following Boards and Commissions:
Alameda County Arts Commission, 2 seats available
The Commission's purpose is to provide leadership in encouraging and supporting artistic endeavors in Alameda County. Mission Statement: The Alameda County Arts Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Alameda County by nurturing a thriving environment for the arts and for cultural activities; promoting economic opportunities for Alameda County's artists and arts organizations through programs such as arts grants, public art, and art in education programs; encouraging public participation in the arts and actively advocating for the arts.
The Commission meets on the second Wednesday of each month, 4:00PM.
For more information on the Alameda County Arts Commission, click here.
Alameda County Advisory Commission on Aging, 1 seat available
The Commission's purpose is to act as an independent advocate for older persons as mandated by the Older Americans Act, and the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act by taking positions on matters pertaining to federal, state and local policies, programs and procedures, and any legislation affecting older persons
The Commission meets Monthly on the 2nd Monday at 9:30 a.m.
For more information on the Alameda County Advisory Commission on Aging, click here.
Human Relations Commission, 1 seat
The Commission's purpose is to create an environment in which each person may realize the highest potential unhampered by any discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, immigrant status, gender, age, actual or perceived sexual orientation, and mental or physical feasibilities protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Human Relations Commission meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm, Eden Area Multi-Service Center, 24100 Amador Street, 3rd Floor, Hayward, Ca 94544
For more information on the Human Relations Commission, click here.
Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee, 1 seat
Committee shall annually review the expenditure of the Essential Health Care Services Tax Fund for the prior year and shall report to BOS on the conformity of such expenditures to the purposes set forth in Paragraph 2.08.251 Measure A Ordinance.
The Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee meets monthly, 4th Friday, 9 - 11:30 am, Health Care Services Agency, 1000 San Leandro Boulevard, Suite 300, San Leandro, CA 94577
For more information on the Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee, click here.
Tree Advisory Board, 1 seat
The Board was established to assist in making policy decisions related to Ordinance Chapter 12.11 to Title 12 of the General Ordinance Code of Alameda County and shall hear all appeals as provided in this Chapter.
The Tree Advisory Board meets quarterly, 3rd Wednesday of the month, 951 Turner Court, Room 230 Hayward, CA 94544 3-5pm
For more information on the Tree Advisory Board click here.
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