" 57 Years of Providing Community & Educational Support "

$10,000 in scholarships and awards. Shannon is a student from the high desert and the first person in his family to go to college. K’Miles Davis was 2nd Runner-Up, receiving over $8,000 in scholarships and awards, and was voted Mr. Congeniality by his peers. Davion Boyd-Phenix received the $4,000 President’s Scholarship Award. Jordan Evans received the $2,000 Beautillion Alumni Scholarship Award.

Introducing New School Principals in the San Bernardino City Unified School District

San Bernardino Unified School District Police Department, Chief Joseph Paulino, and Battalion Chief of Los Angeles Fire Department David Reddix for their unwavering support.

The 56th Beautillion Scholarship Program culminated on April 1, 2023, at California State University, San Bernardino.

Master of Ceremonies, Raafi Bell, Principal at Hardy Brown College Prep and 2004

Beautillion Sir Knight tied the past fifty-five Beautillion themes into an empowering history of the Beautillion, closing with this year’s theme, “I AM…Changing the Narrative.” Keynote Speaker was Lawrence Charles Hardy, Equity & Targeted Student Achievement Program Specialist/ Family Engagement with the San Bernardino County Unified School District. Lawrence emphasized the importance of higher education and giving back to the community in which you live. Russel Ward, Alumni 1984, choreographed the dance routines, propelling the audience to stand, dance, and celebrate.

Jermaine Isaiah Moreno, a San Gorgonio High School senior, was named Sir Knight 2023 at the Beautillion Scholarship Awards presentation sponsored by the Social Lites, Inc. of the Inland Empire. Jermaine received over $15,000 in scholarships, computers, and awards for the prestigious title of Sir Knight. In the fall, he is attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Psychology.

Shannon Williams II was 1st Runner-Up receiving over

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Launches Statewide Coalition with Teacher Recruitment Summit

In addition to scholarships and awards, each young man received a proclamation from Joe Baca, California State Assembly Member, U.S. House Representative Pete Aguilar, Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, Colton Mayor Frank J. Navarro, and San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran.

Social Lites, Inc.’s inaugural Trailblazer Award was presented to Damon Alexander, Seventh Ward City Council Member, and Alaina Matthews was given the Philanthropic Award for her unwavering generosity to the Social Lites, Inc., Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader Award. Also, thank you, San Bernardino County Board Member Dr. Gwendoyln Dowdy-Rogers,

As we have concluded the 56th Beautillion, The Social Lites, Inc., of the Inland Empire, is preparing for its 57th Annual Beautillion Scholarship Program, “A Moment of Greatness,” to be held at California State University, San Bernardino, on March 30, 2024. The first Beautillion briefing will be held at the Center for Youth and Community Development, on September 10, 2023, from 2 pm-3:30 pm. We encourage high school senior young men to attend and explore opportunities to invest in their future. The program has prepared over five hundred young men to enter the college or university of their choice and has raised and awarded over $2.5 million in scholarships. For additional information, please contact Stephanie Newman, Beautillion Chair at (909) 990-6462, Donna Little-James, Beautillion CoChair at (909) 528-9793, or Marlene Davis, Public Affairs at (909) 709-5502.

Guide to Essential Financial Resources in Times of Crisis...continued from page 1 items. be valuable resources during a crisis. Contacting your financial institution and discussing your situation can help identify possible solutions tailored to your needs. It is essential to communicate early and proactively to explore available options. Services banks may offer include:

Housing Assistance. Housing assistance programs aim to assist individuals and families struggling to afford safe and stable housing. These programs may include rental assistance, subsidies, or vouchers that help cover a portion of the housing costs for eligible individuals or families.

The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) started the 2023–2024 school year with several new school principals who will lead their campuses towards academic excellence.

The schools with new principals are:

Arrowhead Elementary School

Felicia Noel

Inghram Elementary School

NerthaArroyoGoodly

Urbita Elementary School

Dennis Wolbert Vermont Elementary School

Hernandez

Alejandro

Wilson Elementary School

Dorothy Daft Richardson PREP HI Middle School Shannon

Cabanas

Arroyo Valley High School

Manuel Gonzalez Jr. (Start date to be determined)

These schools started the new school year on July 31 with interim principals:

Dominguez Elementary School

Maribel Lopez-Tyus

North Verdemont Elementary School Stephanie Cereceres

Roosevelt Elementary School Alicia

Faz our newly appointed principals are set to make a profound impact on the educational landscape in our community.”

For Inghram Elementary Principal Nertha Arroyo-Goodly, who is starting her 22nd year in the District, leading her own school is a lifelong dream come true. Superintendent Arellano, then Director of Human Resources, hired Arroyo-Goodly for her first Special Education teaching position at San Bernardino High School.

“It’s an honor and a blessing to be the principal of this small school with a big heart,” ArroyoGoodly said. “I can’t wait to learn more about our school community and continue with its tradition of high expectations in a caring and safe environment for all scholars.”

SACRAMENTO—State

Superintendent of Public

Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Teacher Recruitment Summit at the California Department of Education (CDE) today and formally launched a coalition to further engage in direct recruitment of teacher candidates statewide. The Summit brought together around 350 attendees—about one quarter joined in person—from teacher credentialing programs, school districts, county offices of education pipeline programs, AmeriCorps programs, military representatives, and more.

“Teachers are the backbone of our educational system. They inspire, guide, and shape the minds of our future leaders, thinkers, builders, innovators, writers, scientists, and artists,” said Thurmond. “Today, we stand in a moment that demands our attention and collective action— the need for a robust and diverse pool of educators to propel our schools forward into the next chapter … to take on the evolving needs of our students and school communities while we are pushing down the accelerator to grow our teacher pool.”

Attendees participated in working groups aimed at brainstorming solutions to the current teacher shortage by developing recruitment strategies for retirees, outof-state candidates, military personnel and their spouses/ domestic partners, and classified personnel.

Superintendent Thurmond speaking to an audience

At a press conference preceding the event, Thurmond was joined by a number of leaders to praise new coalition efforts, including Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, President and CEO of the Learning Policy

Institute and President of the State Board of Education; Dr. Marquita Grenot-Scheyer, Chair of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing; Jeff Freitas, President of the California Federation of Teachers; Leslie Littman, Vice President of the California Teachers Association; Dr. Travis Bristol, Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Education Policy at the Berkeley School of Education; Dr. Edgar Zazueta, Executive Director of the Association of California School Administrators; and Susan Markarian, President of the California School Boards Association.

“We have an education staffing crisis. We were seeing it coming like it was a weather pattern, and it is here. We have a lack of staffing—teachers, classified staff, fully certificated counselors, bus drivers, and custodians. We have a shortage throughout California,” said Jeff Freitas. “Since the 1990s, housing costs in California have gone up 300 percent, but wages for school employees have not matched that even by half,” he said, pointing to a reason for the difficulty of attracting people considering working in the education field.

“I want to thank Superintendent Thurmond and all the organizations here supporting this and helping us move forward to make sure public education is what we prioritize in the state and to provide an education that students deserve.”

In his remarks, Dr. Travis Bristol reminded attendees of the importance of an ethnically diverse teacher workforce.

“Research and evidence are clear that when students of color have a teacher of color, they are less likely to be suspended, have higher achievement scores, and have a better overall school experience,” said Bristol. “As we spend time today thinking about recruitment, let’s not lose sight of the importance of and pushing

Small Business Loans. During times of economic crisis, governments often offer various types of loans and grants to support small businesses. These programs may provide lowinterest loans, loan guarantees, or grants to help businesses sustain operations, retain employees, or invest in recovery efforts.

Healthcare Subsidies. Government assistance programs often include subsidies or financial assistance for healthcare coverage. This can help individuals and families afford health insurance premiums, reducing the financial burden of medical expenses during a crisis.

Disaster Relief Programs. In the aftermath of natural disasters, governments typically establish disaster relief programs to assist affected individuals and communities. These programs may provide financial aid for home repairs, temporary housing, or other immediate needs.

Education Grants and Scholarships. Government assistance programs also exist to support education during crises. These programs may offer grants or scholarships to help individuals continue their education, retrain for new job opportunities, or acquire new skills.

Community Support and Charitable Organizations

Communities often come together during times of crisis, providing support and assistance to those in need. Charitable organizations, local nonprofits, and religious institutions may offer financial aid, food banks, or help with utility bills. These resources can provide temporary relief and bridge the gap until other financial solutions are in place. Reach out to local community centers or conduct online research to identify organizations that can lend a helping hand.

Financial Relief Programs. Banks may offer special relief programs to help individuals and businesses facing financial hardships. These programs can include options such as deferred loan payments, temporary interest rate reductions, or loan modifications.

Access to Credit and Loans. During a crisis, individuals and businesses may require additional funds to cover unexpected expenses or bridge gaps in cash flow. Banks can provide access to credit facilities, lines of credit, or emergency loans to help individuals meet their immediate needs and businesses maintain operations, pay employees, and address critical expenses.

Financial Advisory Services. Banks often have dedicated teams of financial advisors who can provide guidance and support during times of crisis. These advisors can assist individuals and businesses in assessing their financial situation, identifying available resources, and developing strategies to manage their finances effectively.

Education and Resources. Banks can offer educational resources and financial literacy programs to help individuals and businesses better understand their financial options during a crisis. This may include webinars, workshops, or online resources that provide information on budgeting, debt management, and financial planning during challenging times.

Access to essential financial resources is vital when navigating through times of crisis. Ensuring appropriate insurance coverage, utilizing government assistance programs, seeking community support, and leveraging financial institutions are all critical strategies for managing financial challenges effectively. By being prepared and proactive, individuals and businesses can enhance their resilience, weather the storm, and set the foundation for a more secure future.

Arroyo Valley High School

Hector Murrieta

Sierra High School

Candice VanLeeuwen

Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, himself a former SBCUSD teacher and principal, is looking forward to seeing these principals grow as compassionate servant leaders.

“These exceptional individuals bring a wealth of experience, dedication, and innovative ideas that will undoubtedly contribute to the success and growth of our students,” Arellano said. “With their outstanding leadership abilities, deep passion for education, compassion, and commitment to fostering a positive learning environment,

These accomplished educators will embark on their new roles with dedication and a strategic vision to lead their respective schools toward even greater achievements. Their appointment reflects the San Bernardino City Unified School District's commitment to providing quality education and fostering an environment of growth and development for students, teachers, and the entire community.

For Arrowhead Elementary’s new Principal Felicia Noel, being a principal at a small school with about 230 students feels like being a member of a big family. “I’m looking forward to building positive relationships with families, students, and staff,” Noel said. “I’m so glad to be here. Every day when I pull up to the school parking lot, I have a big smile on my face.”

OTS, Caltrans Highlight National Traffic Safety Month with Reminders to Go Safely for Back-to-School

Congress, Extend the Affordable Connectivity Program to Keep Black Households Online...continued participation, communication with loved ones and more.

The ACP, administered through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), was funded through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Launches

Statewide Coalition with Teacher Recruitment

Summit...continued from page 2 households in qualifying highcost areas and on qualifying Tribal lands, as well as a onetime discount on the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet.

The program’s participation rate, which now exceeds onethird of eligible households, far outweighs that of the Lifeline

Fighting Housing Discrimination

by Congresswoman Barbara Lee

for recruiting, supporting, and sustaining an ethnically diverse teacher workforce.”

ELK GROVE, Calif. —

August is recognized as National Traffic Safety Month and marks the start of back-toschool season, a critical time to raise awareness and encourage safe driving practices to protect parents, guardians and children.

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Caltrans urge all Californians to remain vigilant and practice driving responsibly on the roads to protect lives and foster safer communities.

As families gear up to return to school, the surge in traffic is expected to affect more than just commute times, particularly for Black communities. According to a recent study published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, on a national level, Black people face a passenger vehicle fatality rate 73% higher than their white counterparts. This disparity becomes even more evident as Black individuals experience a pedestrian death rate of 118% higher than white individuals, as well as a 348% higher cycling fatality rate, resulting in the highest overall traffic fatality rate per mile traveled. Here in California, Black pedestrians experience a 65% higher fatality rate compared to their white counterparts.

As students head back to the classroom, parents and residents are reminded to slow down, follow the speed limit and be extra careful driving through school zones. To keep communities safer, OTS and Caltrans offer the following tips to stay safe around schools:

• Slow down and follow the speed limit.

Adhere to school policies and procedures for dropping off and picking up students.

Stop for school buses. Watch for children rushing to catch the bus or exiting.

• Whenever possible, avoid blocking the crosswalk while waiting to make a righthand turn.

For parents with children walking or biking to school, teach them safe walking and riding behaviors, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, using sidewalks when available, and crossing at marked crosswalks with stop signs or signals.

If you are behind a school bus with a stop sign and flashing red lights, drivers need to stop so students can safely get on and off the bus. Drivers must remain stopped while the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or a center turn lane.

OTS and Caltrans are committed to creating a safer transportation environment for everyone. As part of this effort, they encourage all Californians to be proactive in promoting road safety and to share these tips with family, friends, and neighbors.

Let us all embrace the spirit of National Traffic Safety Month and back-to-school preparations by prioritizing safety on our roads. To learn more about the Go Safely Movement and share your thoughts on traffic safety concerns, visit gosafelyca.org/ thegosafelymovement, and follow Go Safely on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @OTS_ CA, @GoSafelyCA, and @ CaltransHQ.

Congress, Extend the Affordable Connectivity Program to Keep Black Households Online

By Hazel Trice Edney

Housing discrimination has long been one of the pillars of systemic racism and social injustice in our country. It robs people of color of the wealth they earn. It traps Black and Brown children in underfunded schools. It divides our communities. And sadly, it is still an issue that Congress must address.

Last month, I stood up to stop Republicans from dismantling an effort to stop housing discrimination. Here’s what happened, and what can do about it.

Since 1968, elements of the Civil Rights Act have been used to correct the imbalance and inherent unfairness facing people who are subjected to discrimination when applying for housing. While the Fair Housing Act has been helpful in stopping slumlords from discriminating against tenants, it wasn’t until 2015 that the Department of Housing and Urban Development created formal guidance for enforcing the mandates established by the law.

During the Trump Administration, slumlords had one of their own in the White House, and the fair housing rules were dismantled, defunded, and eventually repealed. The Trump action had the intended effect, and cases of fair housing discrimination have been rising, with recent data from the National Fair Housing Alliance indicating a nearly 10% increase in housing discrimination complaints in the year following the rule’s repeal. In fact, the 2021 trends show the highest number of housing discrimination complaints since the organization first started collecting data 25 years ago.

The Biden Administration worked to address this trend by strengthening fair housing enforcement, but a Republican bill recently sought to block the Administration’s new fair housing rule, siding with lenders and corporations at the expense of renters and homeowners.

The Republican bill burdens working families who cannot find a place to live because they face discrimination. It burdens homeowners who are robbed of their hard-earned equity because of appraisal discrimination. It burdens people who are denied fair housing because they are disabled veterans or identify as LGBTQ+. The Republican bill blocks all these people from getting a fair shake and forces more people out onto the streets.

During the Appropriations Committee meeting where this bill was considered, I offered an amendment that would have struck the language blocking the enforcement of the new fair housing rule. Unsurprisingly, the Republican majority on the committee voted down my amendment. But the debate highlighted an important issue facing our country - housing discrimination is metastasizing. And it helped highlight the solution - electing more representatives who will fight for fair housing.

I’m running for Senate because I have lived the struggles of everyday Californians. I know what it is like to rely on public assistance in tough times. Californians facing housing discrimination deserve a Senator who will make reestablishing the fair housing rule a priority, and who has the experience to deliver.

Housing discrimination has long been one of the pillars of systemic racism and social injustice in our country. But it doesn’t need to be. I’m running for Senate to end housing discrimination for good.

HUD Announces $73 Million to Aid Veterans Experiencing Homelessness

The Summit is the first of its kind at the state level and sets a tone for a new coalition effort to creatively and collaboratively tackle a problem plaguing the nation. In recent months, Thurmond launched a onestop recruitment portal that allows teacher candidates to get information in one place, including how to pursue a teaching credential, how to find vacancies at districts, and ways to access resources to support their education and credentialing.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our teacher workforce is robust and will reflect the rich diversity of California’s population. Through outreach and partnerships and the work of our new coalition, we are working to attract more individuals from diverse backgrounds to join the ranks of education in California and bring their unique perspectives to the classroom,” Thurmond said. A full recording of the Summit can be viewed on the CDE Facebook page. Anyone interested in becoming part of the statewide teacher recruitment coalition should email TeachinCA@cde.ca.gov.

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Trump Demands Removal of Black Female Judge in Jan. 6 Case...continued from page 1 “Manner & Means”

Chutkan.

(TriceEdneyWire.com) -

Millions of children across the nation will be able to do their homework at home during the upcoming school year, thanks to strong leaders on both sides of the aisle who recognize that broadband has become a necessity. But that could soon end if Congress doesn’t quickly take action.

A federal initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide—the gap between those who have internet access and those who do not—could lose funding as

FlamingoImages soon as next spring if Congress doesn’t add more dollars to the program. The Affordable Connectivity Program (or the ACP, as it is called) provides crucial online access to people who might otherwise be unable to afford it. And it’s not just helping to level the playing field with education; it’s transforming the lives of more than 20 million households by expanding access to job opportunities, e-commerce, entertainment, political

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the Fiscal Year 2023 HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Summer Registration of Interest (ROI), which makes available approximately $73 million for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to assist homeless veterans. HUD estimates this funding will support up to 7,500 new HUD-VASH vouchers. The funding includes $33 million in carryover funds available to award non-competitively and $40 million recently appropriated through the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328).

Please read Notice PIH 2023-22 here: https://www.hud.gov/sites/ dfiles/OCHCO/documents/202322pihn.pdf

“HUD-VASH has been integral to the progress we have made to reduce and ultimately end Veteran homelessness. Thanks to HUD-VASH, thousands of former service members no longer have to worry about having a safe place to call home,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “I encourage eligible

Public Housing Agencies across the country to apply for the HUDVASH Summer Registration of Interest to continue the success of national efforts to place veterans experiencing homelessness into housing.”

As in prior years, PHAs will be provided an opportunity to self-identify interest in receiving vouchers. Interested PHAs are required to provide written letters of support from their partnering VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) to be considered. The FY2023 Summer HUD-VASH ROI will close at midnight in the time zone of the PHA on Friday, September 15, 2023.

The HUD-VASH program for veterans experiencing homelessness combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers, communitybased outreach clinics (CBOCs), through VA contractors, or through other VA designated service providers (DSPs).

Trump and his co-conspirators “organized fraudulent slates of electors in seven targeted states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin), attempting to mimic the procedures that the legitimate electors were supposed to follow,” Smith’s indictment says. That included having the fake electors meet on the same day as the real ones met to cast their votes. They also signed certificates falsely claiming that they were the real electors. Then they sent the fake certificates to Vice President Mike Pence, among other government officials.

Trump even misled his own foot soldiers: “Some fraudulent electors were tricked into participating based on the understanding that their votes would be used only if the Defendant [Trump] succeeded in outcome-determinative lawsuits within their state, which the Defendant never did.” Trump and his minions tried to get Pence to alter the election results. They tried to convince him to use the fake electors. And Trump pressured Pence relentlessly to overturn the election.

When that failed, Trump and his gang hosted a rally, telling supporters that Pence could and might change the results. Then Trump told them to go to the Capitol — which was soon the scene of a deadly riot. Now, he faces a particularly tough judge in the case. Her name is Tanya

“Here Comes The Judge”

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Chutkan emigrated to the United States to attend college at George Washington University. (She earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.) She spent over a decade as a public defender for impoverished clients before joining the federal bench in Washington in 2014.

Significantly, Trump is now facing a judge who is Black, an immigrant, and a woman — notable because he has a history of attacking people from all three demographics. Additionally, Judge Chutkan has a reputation as a tough judge who handed down stiff sentences to those involved in the January 6th riot: All 11 defendants who came before her court wound up behind bars. No wonder Trump is already calling for her recusal:

“There is no way I can get a fair trial with the judge ‘assigned’ to the ridiculous [Jan. 6] case,” he whined on Truth Social. He wants Chutkan to recuse herself from the case.

In addition to the individual criminal January 6th cases, Chutkan also ruled on a 2021 case in which Trump tried to block his White House records from being handed over to the January 6th Committee. Trump had claimed executive privilege, but Judge Chutkan rebuffed his request in her decision.

“Presidents are not kings,” she wrote, “and Plaintiff is not president.”

LAO: Gov Newsom’s Mental Health Proposal Is “Unclear” on Children’s Services

Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Covid Makes a Comeback, But New Vaccines Are Around the Corner...continued

But they are problematic.

Dr. Schaffner: We know that if you administer Paxlovid — particularly to people at high risk — very shortly after they are infected, we can reduce their risk of developing severe disease. But Paxlovid has limitations, as any therapy does. There are drug interactions. So if you’re taking certain medications, you have to be careful about taking Paxlovid. Or you may not be able to get it if you have kidney failure.

Remdesivir we now use very quickly once the patient is admitted to the hospital. But wouldn’t it be better if we had more therapeutic agents aimed at keeping people out of the

The Gospel of Harm Reduction...continued

hospital?

Will we soon have new therapeutics?

Studies still continue on other therapeutic agents, but I cannot tell you when they will become available. I think we’ll just have to see. But the research community continues, I think, to make some of the very best contributions to the control of Covid around the world.

Can you get long Covid from the vaccines or boosters?

continued on page 7

California Study: Most Black Women Voters Are Financially Insecure...continued from page 1

Titled “The California Black Women Voters’ Quality of Life Survey,” the 26-slide PowerPoint presentation makes public the opinions of Black women who took the survey between May 24 and June 6.

basic expenses. The researchers say this is due to inflation and the rising cost of living in California. Among Black women who are employed, two-thirds are the primary breadwinners in their households.

Limited access to harm reduction and naloxone in rural communities drives up the number of accidental overdose fatalities.

Stigma is a significant barrier to naloxone saturation in underserved communities.

And yet, people who use drugs, people who have experienced their own overdose, people who have lost a loved one to overdose, carry naloxone no matter what, at their own risk, at an incredible cost, no matter the cost.

They know firsthand the true cost of not having access.

People who use drugs and their loved ones reverse the majority of community overdoses. They do so at the risk of their own freedom, they do so at their own expense, they use their own resurrected lives in loving service.

They give their own lives that others might live.

This is the model of ministry I aspire to.

Harm reduction ministers are the most powerful ministers I know. Ministers who have been ordained by their community, by their God, may in some contexts never be authorized, given authority, or even recognized for the ministries they lead.

They use their own lives, their own resurrections to give life to others.

They have taught me how I might use mine to love and give life.

I imagine they have done the same for many of us or they will. They embody the utmost authority, the utmost power, and that is love. Harm Reduction is this love. We hope you will join us in spreading this Gospel of Harm Reduction with us. Ask us how you might expand and implement Faithful Advocacy and Intersectional and Transformational Healing in Harm Reduction in your congregations and communities @ poellote@ucc.org.

On Aug. 10, the California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) issued a report evaluating the impact of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Behavioral Health Modernization Proposal. The plan was released in June.

The LAO provides fiscal and policy advice to the California Legislature. It serves as the “eyes and ears” for lawmakers and is known for its fiscal expertise and nonpartisan analyses of the state budget.

The LAO report expressed uncertainly regarding the potential effects of the governor’s proposal when it comes to children and youth mental health services spending.

According to the LAO, current regulations mandate a certain level of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding for children and youth mental health services. “However, there is no such statutory requirement included in the Governor’s proposal.”

“Whether the current level of county spending on children and youth services would be maintained within MHSA is uncertain,” the LAO stated. “While counties would have less flexibility to spend funds on some children and youth services, counties likely would be able to increase spending of FSPs for children under 18. Consequently, and because there is no funding requirement for children and youth, the net effect on spending is unclear,”

The funding categories outlined in the governor’s proposal encompass children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and substance use disorder as a target population. The proposal also requires DHCS to provide oversight over county expenditures on children and youth behavioral health services.

The Governor’s proposal is reflected in Senate Bill (SB) 326, as amended on July 13, 2023, which would make far-reaching changes to the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), and Assembly (AB) 531, as amended continued on page 7

Covid Makes a Comeback, But New Vaccines Are Around the Corner...continued from page 1

Dr. Neuman: EG.5 is one of the variants that’s spreading the fastest right now. It is a child of a thing called XBB 1.9. Basically, it’s another version of Omicron. And everything that is circulating in the world right now has about 100 to 110 differences from the original version.

This variant is spreading because it has a lot of changes at the receptor binding site that is the target of most of the vaccines and of some of the most useful parts of the immune system.

Will the new vaccines recognize the new variant and be effective against it?

Dr. Neuman: When the target changes, you have to change your aim. It has been over a year since we have had an updated version of the vaccine. It’s coming slowly, but uptake has not been great. The total uptake in the US for the bivalent vaccine is only 17%.

The formulation of the new booster is supposed to be a monovalent against the XBB variant. From the studies that we have now, it looks like new variants like EG.5 are close enough that a vaccine against XBB seems to work against it pretty well. So I think it’s a good move, and I wish they’d hurry up to release it.

Hospitalization rates remain relatively stable despite the summer surge of infections. Do you expect that hospitalization rates are going to rise at some point?

Dr. Chin-Hong: There has been a slight uptick in hospitalizations, not a tsunami, not even a surge. The way I think about it is a swell. It’s kind of like a general wave coming. It doesn’t overwhelm you. You don’t get submerged into it, but you kind of ride it until it goes to the shore.

So if you look at California, for example, one year ago, we had about 4700 people hospitalized at one point. And right now we have about 890 people hospitalized. So in perspective, it’s nothing compared to even one year ago when it was 4700.

Why is there a slight swell of cases now?

Dr. Chin-Hong: Four reasons. There are big concerts like Taylor Swift, bringing a lot of people together. And unprecedented heat waves have driven a lot of people indoors. So it’s kind of like a winter almost, even though it’s the summer.

People’s immunity is kind of waning from the last time a lot of people got infected, which was last winter. And then — although it’s speculative at this point — there’s the role of how EG.5 might relate to this uptick.

We’re seeing so many people get Covid in the community. But we’ve all been so exposed to Covid already, so it’s coming on inhospitable soil. More than 95% of us have had an exposure or have had a vaccine at some point. So that probably minimizes or mitigates the risk of serious disease.

Paxlovid and Remdesivir are currently the only therapeutics we have in our arsenal to battle.

The results reflect political party, age, profession, income, and geographical and other demographic information about the participants.

Byerly said EVITARUS had “good coverage” in terms of selecting women who were eligible and active voters. Eighty percent of the women who took the poll voted in the November 2022 General Election.

“We have a probability-based model used for who might be identified as Black, but then we also had a pool of the general voting public who were allowed to participate,” Byerly said. “We did a screen to determine whether they identified as Black and also as a woman, either they were cisgender or transgender.”

Approximately 40% of those polled stated that systematic racism and discrimination have hampered their income and earning abilities, which sheds a light on the structural inequalities faced by Black women, according to the survey.

Not having enough cash saved for retirement (77%), maintaining or achieving financial stability (76%) and being unable to make ends meet (70%) were among primary concerns. Nearly two-thirds of Black women reported having difficulty coping with stress, reflecting the emotional toll of navigating social and economic pressures.

The study found that nearly 2 in 5 Black women work multiple jobs yet still struggle to meet

In addition, 89% of Black women emphasized the importance of having Black representatives in elected office, reflecting their desire for diverse and inclusive political leadership. Among California’s 2.5 million Black population, Wilson said there are over 1 million Black women and girls in the state.

Assembly Bill (AB) 179, which was championed by Wilson, paved the way for the creation of CBWCEI, a nonprofit “think tank” focused on improving structures and practices that impact the lives of Black women and girls across the state.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a trailer budget legislation in September 2022 allowing the think tank to receive $5 million from the state to conduct such studies. The think tank is housed at California State University at Dominguez Hills.

CBWCEI also serves as a resource for lawmakers, elected officials, business leaders, and advocacy organizations. The poll on Black women voters is the first public project of the think tank.

“It is essential that we do all that we can to protect them,” Wilson said. “We need real data on the experiences of Black women so that the legislators, anyone involved in advocacy positions, can make meaningful policies that would drive the change we need to improve their lives.”

WITNESS FOR JUSTICE #1164

The Gospel of Harm Reduction

Erica Poellot

Since the “Faithful Advocacy for Intersectional and Transformational Healing in Harm Reduction” resolution was passed at Synod, I have been reflecting on models for this ministry of ours. I am moved profoundly by the model of ministry that people who use drugs have long been leading.

I have spent many nights over the last years sitting with a loved one who had experienced an overdose, sitting with other loved ones who had loved this person back to life, sitting with them for hours until we could be assured that they were not going to go back into an overdose, that they felt connected to care.

Sitting in the presence of kindness, compassion, selfless love, of showing up and sticking around even when it is scary and heartbreaking. Of showing up over and over, no questions asked. Of showing up because their lives and loves are sacred. Of showing up because our lives and loves are sacred.

Showing up in New York City where I live is one thing:

JOB OPENING: CUSTODIAN POSITION:

NEW HOPE CHURCH is accepting applications for a parttime Custodian position at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, San Bernardino; CA. Applications are available at the New Hope Church Office. For additional information, resume is desired; please contact the Church Office at (909) 887-2526.

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Ability to read, listen and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Must have strong janitorial knowledge and experience.

• Ability to work independently and complete duties and projects with little direct supervision. Ability to accurately work under pressure in meeting deadlines.

Basic Duties: Clean sanctuary, classroom, offices, fellowship hall, conference room, kitchen, restrooms, and other assigned areas including facilities owned and operated by New Hope Missionary Baptist Church during an assigned shift or an assigned cleaning crew; perform minor repair and maintenance and assure cleanure of the during assigned hours.

“Christ is Giving Us So Many Signs and Warnings!

By Lou K. Coleman Lou K. Coleman

naloxone, the overdose reversal medication, is legal and easy to access, Good Samaritan legislation protects first responders (often family and friends) from most legal or police action, and naloxone is made available through harm reduction programs and health departments.

However, I also know that in many states this ministry of showing up, this ministry of harm reduction, looks quite different.

The syringes to administer injectable formulations of naloxone are outlawed, criminalized paraphernalia.

There are laws that enable people who share drugs with someone who overdoses to be charged with homicide.

There are laws that limit who can safely carry naloxone, sterile syringes, and fentanyl test strips without the fear of search, arrest, and risk of deportation.

There are policies that penalize family and community members for using insurance to purchase naloxone.

Repent before it is too late! How can we possibly live in the day and age in this world that we are living in right now, seeing the news, seeing what’s taking place, and not realize that the Bible has prophesied everything that has taken place, and everything that will take place. Repent before it is too late!

The Bible said that the Euphrates River will dry up. It’s drying up. The Bible said that there would be a cashless society. It is here. The Bible said that there will be an Antichrist that will be revealed. He is here. Unbeknown to the masses. Don’t wait until it’s too late! We are not living in ordinary times. We are nearing the end of an age— the end of a civilization. Wake up! A world-shaking crisis is inexorably building and will, in the near future, explode the appearance of normalcy.

Understand the significance of today’s news and where it is all leading. Because soon and very soon, mankind will suffer through the most devastating, bloody war in human history— called, in biblical terminology, the Great Tribulation. “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, those days will be shortened.” [Matthew 24:21–22]. Wake Up! Christ is giving us so many signs and warnings.

If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, then you should pay close attention to His instruction to you: “Watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [Luke 21:36]. Watch for wars— big wars, little wars, ethnic wars, wars of all sorts, along with escalating violence and increasing lawlessness—which will increasingly affect all of the world. Do not just believe me. Believe what is written in your Bible. Check up and prove it.

For thus says the Lord God: ‘A disaster, a singular disaster; behold, it has come! An end has come, the end has come; it has dawned for you; behold, it has come! Doom has come to you, you who dwell in the land; the time has come, a day of trouble is near, and not of rejoicing in the mountains.” (Ezekiel 7:2–9).

Wake Up! Christ is giving us so many signs and warnings.

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” [Luke 21:20-22).