 As Spring approaches, the Board of Supervisors will begin to engage County departments in the development of next fiscal year’s budget. The economy is at the forefront of all agendas. As our economy slowly recovers from the recession we have the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The good news is that the economy is gradually improving, led by a strong housing market and decreasing unemployment. The bad, is that while local governments were hoping for restoration of cutbacks, the State seems determined to maintain the spending cuts incurred over that last several years. This ugliest part is the sequester, which was recently implemented by the federal government. If Congress does not take any action on reversing these cuts, Alameda County will lose about $7 million out of the $85.3 billion nationwide cut.
These cuts will impact health and human services, housing, criminal justice, and more. Over the last two decades alone Alameda County has had to cut more than $2 billion out of its budget. County departments will need to continue their efforts to maintain and improve service delivery with reduced resources. Nevertheless I, along with my colleagues, will work to maximize the County’s resources and I will continue to keep you updated as we put our next budget together.
Sincerely,
Literacy Plus, Hayward Public Library's adult literacy program, is looking for volunteer tutors. Volunteers would assist adults wanting to improve their basic literacy skills to help achieve their goals, increase their knowledge and develop their potential. New tutor orientation will be held on Tuesday, May 7 and again on Monday, May 13. The next training class is on Friday, May 17 and Sunday, May 26. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
For information and application, call (510) 881-7910. |
|
 |
 Join the Eden Area YMCA as they team up to build a new playground in Hayward. They are seeking 250 volunteers to make this dream a reality. No skills, tools or training required. They are looking for enthusiastic, energetic team players who are willing to work and have fun. KaBOOM! will provide lunch, beverages, music and prizes. Join Shutterfly Foundation, Eden Area YMCA and KaBOOM! to help make kids’ dreams come true!
When:
Preparation- Wednesday March 20, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Preparation- Thursday March 21, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Building- Friday March 22, 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where:
Eden Area YMCA
951 Palisade Street, Hayward
More Information:
Kris Farro
(925) 998-9627
kfarro@ymcaeastbay.org
Visit KaBOOM.org to learn how you can ensure healthier kids and stronger communities through the power of play. Visit www.edenareaymca.org to explore great programs that change lives and strengthen your community. Click here for a flyer for the event.
|
The City of Hayward is updating its General Plan and needs your input. Visit www.hayward2040.org to help generate ideas on how to improve Hayward and to create policies and strategies that will guide future development in the city. Citizen participation in the development of these plans is crucial and the plan will help shape the heart of the bay for the next generation. |
|
 |
 The long-range implications of Proposition 30 on Education, Health and Social Service Programs will be discussed by State Controller John Chiang at a luncheon forum on Friday, March 22. The luncheon forum will be held at the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association, 377 Paseo Grande in San Lorenzo.
The Controller is the Chief Fiscal Officer of California and makes sure the state’s $100 billion budget is spent properly. State Controller John Chiang also helps administer two of the nation’s largest public pension funds and serves on 81 state boards and commissions.
Proposition 30 was a sales and income tax increase initiative constitutional amendment, approved in November 2012. The measure allocated 89% temporary tax revenues to K-12 schools and 11% to community colleges.
Registration and lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. State Controller Chiang will speak at 12:15 p.m. and answer questions around 1 p.m. The cost of the lunch is $10 if paid by March 18, or $15 at the door. If you would like to attend the program, without lunch, the event is free. Please RSVP to lwvea@aol.com or 510-538-9678.
Please send checks to League of Women Voters, Eden Area, P. O. Box 2234, Castro Valley, CA 94546
|
 The
Spring schedule is now available for the Alameda County Fire Department
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Personal Emergency Preparedness
(PEP) Trainings. The trainings are free and available to anyone that
lives or works within the communities that Alameda County Fire Department
provides service to (such as Newark, Union City and unincorporated
Hayward).
What is Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT)?
The free 20 hour class educates and trains people in basic disaster response
skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and
disaster medical operations. It is required that the IS-317 course is
taken prior to your first CERT class. IS-317 course is free and can be
taken at: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/IS317.
What is Personal
Emergency Preparedness (PEP)?
The 90 minute class educates people on how to build an emergency preparedness
kit, make a plan, and execute the plan in the event of a disaster.
To download the flyer and schedule of the CERT and PEP Trainings click here.
|
 The
District 2 office would like to thank all the participants and attendees of the
Science in the Park event in October. After much consideration, we have
decided to take an extra year in planning the 3rd Science in the Park event.
Science in the Park will resume in October 2014, and will be a bi-annual event
henceforth.
“We have a great legacy and we are looking forward to expanding the event in
2014,” said Supervisor Richard Valle. “An event of this magnitude and
importance must remain fresh, and engage children to spark their creativity in
the field of science.”
For 2013, Supervisor Valle is introducing the “Supervisor’s Challenge” program
that will donate to Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, New Haven
Schools Foundation, Hayward Education Foundation, and Newark Educational
Foundation. Our office will keep everyone updated on the development of this
program.
Thank you so much for participating and supporting our event and be sure to
keep Science in the Park 2014 on your radar!
|
 Time is Running Out to Take Advantage of the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP).
Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). VRAP offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed Veterans.
The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who:
- Are 35 to 60 years old
- Are unemployed on the date of application
- Received an other-than-dishonorable discharge
- Are not eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g., the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance)
- Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability
- Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program
The program is limited to 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012 through March 31, 2014. Participants must attend full-time in order to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program ($1,564 effective October 1, 2012). The Department of Labor will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program.
Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation. By law VRAP can only accept applications until September 30, 2013, and the last payment can be made through March 31, 2014. VRAP participants who do not enroll in school by March of this year will not be able to receive a full 12 months of training.
For more information contact Tracy Murray at (510) 577-1966 or visit the program website.
|
 The Alameda County Social Services Agency and Fremont Family Resource center participate in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Earned Income Tax Credit (VITA/EITC) program, for low/moderate incomes.
No appointment is necessary for the Social Services Agency VITA program. Walk-ins are welcome during 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/services/community/eitc/free_tax_services.cfm
For more information about the Fremont Family Resource Center program visit www.fremont.gov/frc.
|
|
