Alameda / San Leandro Schools Receive Grant Money for Student Health Clinics

Alameda County has secured federal funding through the Affordable Care Act’s School-Based Health Center Capital Program to fund construction of San Leandro’s first-ever school based health center.  The San Leandro Unified School District will receive $500,000 to support the effort – the maximum amount any school district could receive under this grant.

Securing this award was a collaborative effort between my office, the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency and its Center for Healthy Schools and Communities, San Leandro Unified School District, the City of San Leandro and Alameda County Medical Center (ACMC).  ACMC is in negotiations to provide student health services out of the Girls Inc. of Alameda County’s building in San Leandro after they relocate to Oakland next year.

Alameda Family Services was also awarded $412,000 to modernize the health clinic at Encinal High School.  The funds will be used to replace its school health center, currently located in an aging portable, with a new modular building.  I lead the initial effort to establish Encinal High’s health center in 1999, during my first term as county supervisor.  I am glad to see the Alameda Unified School District, Alameda Family Services and Native American Health Center partnering to continue to support student health.

Funding for these two-year grants is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration.  More than $80 million was made available to serve 197 school-based health center programs across the country.

School-based health clinics typically provide a combination of primary care, mental health care, substance abuse counseling, case management, dental health, nutrition education, health education and health promotion activities.  Access to these services has been shown to improve students’ school success. 

Lorenzo Manor Elementary School Gets a New Butterfly Garden 

Since being elected to public office, I have sponsored nearly a dozen Adopt-A-School projects in Alameda County.  This October, I was joined by 75 members of the community and 80 children from the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro to beautify the grounds of Lorenzo Manor Elementary School in San Lorenzo.  The project was part of my Adopt-A-School initiative, which promotes volunteerism and community support for local schools.

We revitalized the school gardens and created a beautiful butterfly patch where kids will learn about science, nature and conservation.  The students, who will be given the responsibility to water and care for the plants, will be instilled with a sense of personal accountability.  As the gardens grow, students will also take pride in the efforts they put into maintaining them.

Project activities included painting decorative butterflies, building a planter box, planting flowers and shrubs, and revitalizing the school gardens.  Click here to see pictures on my Facebook page.

Volunteer projects like this bring the community together and will positively impact the quality of student’s educations at Lorenzo Manor for years to come. 

Series of Health Care Reform Hearings Conclude

The last of my health care reform hearings concluded on December 10 with a discussion about patient protections in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how local stakeholders can make sure patient’s voices are heard.

I have been leading a series of hearings since November 2011 to prepare the County for health care reform.  The hearings have provided County leadership, staff and our community partners the opportunity to hear from national, state and local health experts and the community about how Alameda County can best implement the Affordable Care Act.  Over 500 area residents have participated in these hearings.

My health care reform hearings have examined everything from how to build a strong health care workforce to understanding changes in the health insurance market.  The critical insights provided by healthcare experts and the community will help guide the County’s efforts to prepare for health care reform in 2014 and beyond.

Click here for more information about these hearings, and visit my website often to keep up to date on the progress the County is making in implementing the Affordable Care Act.

Lifesaving Devices Installed Throughout District 3

This fall I partnered with Alameda County Emergency Medical Services to help place Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in several locations throughout District 3.  AEDs can help save the lives of those suffering from sudden cardiac arrest by delivering an electric shock to the heart.

The AEDs have been placed in the USS Hornet in Alameda, Davis Street Family Resource Center in San Leandro, the Alameda Boys & Girls Club, the San Lorenzo Community Center, Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo, and the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation in Oakland.  Staff at these locations have been trained in CPR and how to properly use the AED.

The effort is part of Project HeartSAFE, a countywide early defibrillation program developed to save the lives of those suffering sudden cardiac arrest.  Statistics show that less than 5% of those who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital will survive.  AEDs, however, can boost a person's chances of survival.  

My office is working to identify even more sites where this lifesaving device can be installed. 

Grant Awarded for Human Impact Budget

The California Endowment has awarded Alameda County $300,000 to fund the Human Impact and Prevention Budget, formerly known as the Human Impact Budget.

The Human Impact and Prevention Budget is a powerful decision-making tool and community engagement process.  It helps the Board better understand state budget decisions and, through town hall meetings, helps educate local residents about the impact state budget cuts have on people, families and communities.

The grant from The California Endowment will enable the Board of Supervisors make more informed choices that provide greater benefit to Alameda County residents.  It also means we can continue to host town hall meetings where the community can learn about how budget decisions made in Sacramento will affect them here at home. 

City of Alameda Receives “100 Best Communities for Youth” Award

This November, I joined City of Alameda Mayor Marie Gilmore, Alameda Board of Education Trustee Trish Herrera-Spencer, and members of the Alameda Collaborative for Children to accept the “100 Best Communities for Youth” award for the City of Alameda.  The award is bestowed by America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth.

This marks the third consecutive year that Alameda has received this distinction, which “rewards and recognizes communities making extraordinary efforts to reduce dropout rates and provide outstanding services and supports to their youth.”  In recognition of its commitment to its youth, Alameda received a $2,500 grant that will be used to further strengthen youth services.

Walk ‘N Roll to School 

Students from more than 75 elementary and middle schools in Alameda County walked, biked, and skate-boarded to school on October 3 as part of International Walk to School Day.

International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves youth from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day.  It began in 1997 as a one-day event.  Over time, it has become part of a larger movement highlighting the need for year-round safe routes to school.  Today, thousands of schools across America participate in the annual event.

This year I greeted nearly 400 smiling students in front of Bay Farm Elementary in Alameda as they arrived for school.  Students placed stickers on a giant chart to help keep track of how many participated in the day’s activities.  At Grant Elementary School in San Lorenzo my district staff welcomed over 150 students who walked, biked and rolled to school.  All students who participated in the day’s events received a sticker, school supplies and a healthy morning snack. 

Helping Those in Need

The greatest reward of being your Supervisor is having the opportunity to improve the lives of those I serve.  Earlier this year, I teamed up with Comcast to provide several families at Wilson Elementary School in San Leandro with laptop computers and Internet access.  Kids will use the Internet to support their educations and parents will be able to access job search information and other county resources.

I donated a pair of Justin Bieber concert tickets to a 16 year-old San Lorenzo student after she was struck in a hit and run accident on her walk to school.  I am happy to report that the student has made a full recovery from her injuries and had a wonderful time at the Justin Bieber concert (as any fun-loving 16-year old would!). 

This holiday season I am also leading a community toy drive for nearly 70 children at Lion Creek Crossings preschool in Oakland.  Lion Creek Crossings is part of Oakland’s Head Start program that helps three to five year-olds from low-income families prepare for school.  The toy drive will provide families in need with a little extra cheer this holiday season. 

Upcoming New Year’s Eve ‘Rave’ in Oakland

Hundreds of District 3 residents were upset at the noise generated by the “Beyond Wonderland” rave that took place in the parking lot of the Coliseum on Halloween.  The noise level was so excessive that the music could be heard from as far away as San Lorenzo.  Many residents, myself included, lost more than a few hours of sleep that night.

In response to your concerns, I let the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Joint Powers Authority (JPA) know that their complete lack of regard for the surrounding communities both in the planning process and outcome of this event was completely unacceptable.  I met with the JPA and AEG, the Coliseum operator, to make sure District 3 residents would never again have to suffer through an incident like this.

Although another rave is scheduled for New Year’s Eve, this event will occur inside Oracle Arena.  The Arena is a frequent venue for music concerts and other large events.  We have been assured by AEG that there will not be a repeat of the disastrous incident on Halloween.  County residents who experience any issues with the New Year’s Eve event should contact Arturo Sanchez at the Oakland City Administrator's Office (asanchez@oaklandnet.com, 510-238-3301) or Chris Wright at AEG (510-383-4925).