La voz august 2017 english

FA R M L A B O R I N F O R M AT I O N B U L L E T I N

Voice of the Fields California

August 2017

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Volume 27, Number 8

School Immunization Requirements

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ITH THE 2017-2018 school year right around the corner, it is important to make sure your children are up to date on their vaccinations. California law requires that children be immunized or they will not be allowed to attend school or childcare centers.

The only way for an exemption to be allowed is if a parent or guardian provides a written statement from a licensed physician stating that due to a physical or medical condition, the child is exempt from a vaccine.

Students entering school at ages 4-6 need the following vaccinations: Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, or DT)...... 5 doses (4 doses OK if one was given on or after 4th birthday)

Polio (OPV or IPV)................................................................................ 4 doses (3 doses OK if one was given on or after 4th birthday)

Hepatitis B................................................................................................. 3 doses Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)......................................... 2 doses (Both given on or after 1st birthday)

Varicella (Chickenpox)........................................................................ 1 dose

Students entering school at ages 7-17 need the following vaccinations:

Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, DT, Tdap, or Td)............................................................ 4 doses (3 doses OK if last dose was given on or after 2nd birthday)

Polio (OPV or IPV)................................................................................ 4 doses (3 doses OK if one was given on or after 2nd birthday)

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)......................................... 1 dose (2 doses required at 7th grade)

Varicella (chickenpox) Admission at ages 7-12 years........................................................... 1 dose Admission ages 13-17 years............................................................. 2 doses Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) ............................... 1 dose at 7th grade or out-of-state transfer admission at 8th–12th grades (1 dose on or after the 7th birthday).

Tdap is a booster immunization for older kids.

All children under age eighteen that enter a California public or private elementary or secondary school for the first time or transfer between schools must present a written record of immunization that includes at least the month and year of receipt of each dose of required vaccines (or an exemption to the immunization requirements). Otherwise, the child will not be allowed to attend school.

To prevent disease outbreaks, at Continued on page 5

School Meal Programs

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HE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE funds five school meal and milk programs to help schools provide healthy meals and milk to children at reasonable prices or free to those who qualify. The programs are: the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Seamless Summer Feeding Option, Special Milk Program, and State Meal Program. The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division administers the program.

Schools send school meal applications home at the beginning of each school year.

However, you may ask for an application and apply at any time during the school year. If you’re earning at or below current Income Eligibility Guidelines, you are encouraged to contact your school or district to fill out a school meal application. Local school or district officials review applications before granting free or reduced price meals. You can find the income eligibility guidelines for school nutrition programs on the CDE website at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/rs/scales1718.asp.

nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in class. The lunch program must be open to all enrolled children. Free or reduced price meals must be provided to those children who qualify for such benefits according to specified family size and income standards. Schools that have a NSLP typically make better use of their food service department by also operating a School Breakfast Program.

School Breakfast Program (SBP)

The SBP helps schools in providing nutritious breakfasts to children at reasonable prices. Many children do not eat breakfast due to working parents, long bus rides, or the inability of families to provide enough food. These children are hungry when they get to school and will continue to be hungry until lunchtime, or they may eat less nutritious food to stop the hunger pangs. There are many similarities between the SBP and the NSLP. Both programs must be open to all enrolled children. If a child already qualifies for the NSLP, then the child would also qualify for the SBP.

Seamless Summer Option (SSO) National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

The NSLP provides children with a healthy lunch that contains one-third of recommended daily nutrients. The program offers parents a convenient way to provide a balanced lunch at the lowest cost. The program enhances children’s learning abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well being. Children whose

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This program encourages Public School Districts to offer meals in lowincome areas during summer and other vacation periods longer than ten days.

The SSO combines elements of both the NSLP and SBP. Continued on page 5

The Importance of School Attendance

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NE OF THE MOST POWERFUL ways to prepare a child for success in life is through regular school attendance. It is very important to encourage your children to regularly attend school, as it will lead to better performance not only in school but throughout their lives. Encouraging consistent attendance helps your child get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from high school. A good education often forms the foundation for ending the cycle of poverty in impoverished communities.

It can be difficult for teachers to teach the class and build their students skills when a number of children are regularly absent. Students who are not in school on a regular basis are more susceptible to getting involved in crime or potentially cause problems in their communities.

When students are not frequently absent, their grades and reading skills often

improve—even among those students who are struggling in school. Students who frequently attend school feel more connected to their community and develop strong social skills and friendships, which are important life skills.

These students also are much more likely to graduate from high school.

Just two absences per month, even if

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excused, can increase the chances that a student will drop out of high school or have other negative impacts. The effects of absences are noticeable as early as Kindergarten.

Elementary school students who on average miss an average of two days per month struggle to keep up with their peers academically, resulting in lower grades and below grade level reading skills. However, when students read on grade level by the end of third grade, (when students stop learning to read and start reading to learn) they increase their chances of graduating high school and attending college three to four times more than their peers who struggle with reading.

It is important to take advantage of support services to ensure you can set your child on the right path. Student mentoring and afterschool programs and activities are just a few services you can use to prevent your child from being left behind.

By making regular school attendance a priority, you prepare your child for success throughout life. It is important to figure out the physical or emotional reasons for your child’s absences. Common reasons include: n The student does not get good grades n The student is being bullied The student is sick or doesn’t feel well n The student takes care of another family member n The student/family is struggling with mental or emotional health n

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School Supplies

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OUR CHILD’S SCHOOL may provide all or some school supplies, but it is common that students are required to bring their own supplies, especially as they move up in grade level. Usually teachers will provide students with a supplies list on the first day of instruction.

If your student is not given a supply list, you should make sure you have the following supplies for your student: • Backpack • No. 2 pencils and Erasers • Black or blue pens • Binder or folders • Binder paper and/or notebooks If you need to financially plan for school supply purchases, contact the school administration or teacher and ask for a supply list before the school year begins.

Local nonprofits and churches may also be able to assist you in obtaining school supplies for your child. One such nonprofit is United Way, which has many offices throughout the state

of California, including Sacramento, Northern California, the Bay Area, the Central Coast, Central California and Southern California. United Way has a focus on education, and will distribute school supplies to children in need.

To find a United Way near you, visit their website at www. unitedwaysca.org/ find-united-way or call their main line at (877) 355-8922.

Last year, in a celebration of education, the Center for Farmworker Families and the Food Empowerment Project held an event

where they distributed backpacks and supplies in which over 300 farmworker families participated.

You can also ask your school’s administration and they may be able to suggest a few programs that offer free supplies to students who need them. In addition, Salvation Army partners with local stores to provide students with backpacks and supplies.

Sources: United Ways of California www.unitedwaysca.org Center for Farmworker Families www.farmworkerfamily.org/news-articles/2016/9/12/

Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract You may apply for these jobs by phone or in person at your nearest Employment Development Department (EDD) field office CalJOBS Number

Job Title

Pay Rate

Contract Dates

Positions

City of Job

Employer’s County

America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC)

15408424

Farmworker Mixed Vegetables

$12.57 Hr.

8/7/201711/30/2017

367

Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara

Monterey

Salinas AJCC (800) 870-4750

15406250

Farmworker Lettuce

$12.57 Hr.

8/7/201711/26/2017

196

Oceanside

San Diego

Oceanside (760) 631-6150

15416245

Farmworker Pear and Wine Grape

$12.57 Hr.

9/8/20173/30/2018

65

Lakeport and Clearlake Ports

Lake

Workforce Lake (707) 263-0630

15379184

Farmworker Garlic

$12.57 Hr.

9/30/20179/29/2018

7

Kern, Inyo and Mono

Kern

Bakersfield AJCC (661) 325-4473

15405924

Farmworker Tomato

$12.57 Hr.

9/7/201711/12/2017

48

Oceanside

San Diego

Oceanside (760) 631-6150”

The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.

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Immunization

School Meals

Attendance

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least 90% of the community must be immunized, depending on the disease.

When parents choose not to vaccinate, they increase the risk of vaccine preventable diseases affecting children and their community.

Contact your local county health department for more specific information on immunization requirements. In some cases, the day of immunization is also required. Some counties now require that students entering school at specific grade levels show the results of tuberculosis skin tests.

Special Milk Program

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Sources: California Department of Education www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/cefimmunization.asp Shots for School www.shotsforschool.org/k-12/

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This program provides children with milk at a reasonable price for the parents. Milk is rich in calcium and vitamins A and D, which aid the development of strong teeth and bones.

The program is open to all enrolled students. There are two ways of charging for milk, pricing and non-pricing.

In a pricing program, there is a separate charge for milk, making the purchase of milk optional. Schools may choose to provide milk at no charge if the child qualifies for it, according to specific household size and income standards.

In a non-pricing program, children receive milk automatically because the charge is included in tuition.

State Meal Program:

California law requires all public school districts to make one nutritionally adequate meal available, at free or reduced cost, to each needy student every school day. A needy student is able to qualify for free or reduced price meals according to specified family size and income standards. Under the State Meal Program, free or reduced cost healthy meals must be made available to children who qualify. These meals must be made available in a way that it is not readily apparent that children are receiving free or reduced price meals.

For more information about these programs and other services, check the School Nutrition page on the CDE website at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/ Sources: California Department of Education www.cde.ca.gov

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The family is having difficulties with housing or food When children work with mentors, they learn about the importance of school attendance. Students are provided with an additional support system when they are mentored, which allows them to develop strategies to address their challenges, improve their grades, and attend school regularly.

Mentors have a lasting impact on their students. Children who are mentored tend to have better relationships with their families, are more likely to make better relationship and lifestyle choices later in life, and are less likely to use drugs or be violent.

Afterschool programs help students feel connected to their school communities and make them less likely to be absent. These programs typically ignite the passion within children when it comes to learning and presents them with an opportunity to connect with mentors, teachers, and peers who care.

Quality afterschool programs can improve students’ school attendance and graduation rates. These programs also offer healthy meals and encourage exercise, promoting a healthy lifestyle for kids, while also provided opportunities in the arts and sciences.

Check with your school to find out more about afterschool programs available in your district.

Sources: Absences Add Up absencesaddup.org

State of California Department of Community Services and Development

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

2018-19 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

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HE STATE LEGISLATURE will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the 2018-19 State Plan and Application for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program.

The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on August 22, 2017, at the State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA 95814. Persons presenting oral testimony are requested to provide a written statement of their presentation at the conclusion of their testimony.

If unable to attend, send written comments to: Department of Community Services and Development, 2389 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95833, Attention: Wilmer Brown, Jr. or email: CSBGDIV@CSD.ca.gov. Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., August 22, 2017. The Department of Community Services and Development will review comments and may incorporate applicable changes to the final plan. A copy of the draft plan may be obtained on CSD’s website at www.csd.ca.gov or by calling (916) 576-7205.

*NOTICE*

Americans with Disabilities Act Individuals who, because of a disability, need special assistance to attend or participate in this hearing may request assistance by calling the California Assembly Human Services Committee at 916-319-2089. Requests should be made five working days in advance whenever possible.

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