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Santa Clara County seeks to create financial and informational resources for caregivers

Santa Clara

Peninsula 360 Press

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2024.06.10

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Santa Clara County seeks to create financial and informational resources for caregivers

By Thomas Hughes. Bay City News.

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Santa Clara County is moving forward with a series of actions to support family caregivers in response to a recent county survey that found caregivers need more resources.

The county Board of Supervisors accepted staff recommendations and directed them to create ways to address the two main areas of concern for caregivers, which were the need for more information about caregiving and respite care options for caregivers.

County staff was tasked with establishing a working group to coordinate existing resources and compile a reliable caregiver information and referral list that will focus on the top 10 to 20 services caregivers indicated they need.

The task force will also create a referral registry for direct care workers that will include background checks on caregivers of older adults.

And the county plans to create a caregiver subsidy of between $500 and $1,200 to help pay for adult day care and give caregivers a break, according to Supervisor Joe Simitian’s office. The subsidy would launch in April if a final plan is approved.

A 2023 AARP scorecard ranked California 15th in the nation for support for family caregivers, knocking the state out of the category because it provides no tax credits to caregivers who often shoulder additional costs on top of their work.

The recommendations come in response to a study the county commissioned in August that found caregivers lack information and resources on how to begin providing care to someone. The study was requested by Supervisors Joe Simitian and Cindy Chavez.

“Caring for a loved one is a difficult responsibility for anyone, especially those who have had that task thrust upon them unexpectedly,” Simitian said.

“The recommendations in this study are a step in the right direction: providing the information that new caregivers need and, hopefully, simplifying a process that can be complex.”

The task force will define and distinguish the overlapping functions of the county's 211 hotline and the two Area Aging and Development Resource Connections, or ADRCs, which are nonprofit organizations certified by the state to provide their own information and resources.

The county will also enhance the role of its Senior Care Commission, which advocates for seniors and programs that will help them, tracks legislation and addresses concerns about well-being and safety.

Staff were asked to make additional recommendations on implementing the needs found in the survey and to provide a progress report by the end of the year.

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Books to enter the world of poetry recommended by Camilasbooks

Culture

Pamela Cruz

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2024.06.08

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Books to enter the world of poetry recommended by Camilasbooks

The world of poetry — Today Camilasbooks shares the world of poetry with us. Among other writers, it recommended the poetic work of the talented Uruguayan writer Mario Benedetti, Jaime Sabines and others.

This Saturday is not like any other in the Camilasbooks review, because today I did not review a novel, but a collection of poetry books, which help to enter into the world of poetry.

Among their recommendations for this Saturday are Jaime Sabines and his Poetic Anthology, with which you can explore a little more of his work and which, through its captivating prose, immerses the reader in his romantic and profound poetry, allowing them to connect with the writer's emotions, Camilasbooks said in its review.

Among other writers, Camilasbooks recommended the poetic work of the talented Uruguayan writer Mario Benedetti, who in addition to novels has collections of poems that deal with, among other topics, love and heartbreak.

“The way he feels things through words is incredible, and I think that at the same time he does it in a very everyday language, that is what captivates me so much. There are some poets who sometimes confuse me a little with their words, but he is very close, he is very passionate and intense in his feelings,” the reviewer emphasized.

Sara Buho, the Spanish poet, is also among his recommendations for this day, who, he said, was the reason he got into the world of poetry.

Forgive the Rain was the book by the poetess that she reviewed on this occasion, emphasizing that she is the only writer who has made her cry with her poetry.

“I thought that maybe she wasn’t my type, I wasn’t sentimental enough to read a poem, until I read Perdón a la lluvia, a work that talks about the search for identity and love as well. I think that Sara Buho managed to captivate me in a way that no other poet has done and I feel very close to her writings and her experience, I can find myself and I can find a hug within her words,” said Camilasbooks.

She added Wisława Szymborska, a Polish essayist, translator and poet, to her recommendations. She describes her poetic prose with great intensity and strength, making her writings interesting.

“It is very interesting to read her writings. I have come across incredible surprises of truths expressed in such a beautiful but at the same time raw way, and I, honestly, really want to continue reading Wislawa,” she said.

To learn more about these reviews, don't miss the full Camilasbooks video from this Saturday, June 8.

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15 years of Casa Círculo Cultural: A flight to the future

Raul Ayrala

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2024.06.08

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15 years of Casa Círculo Cultural: A flight to the future

15 years of Casa Círculo Cultural, the CCC Gala, was titled “A flight to the future” and the attendees were presented with a recap of the origin and growth of Casa Círculo Cultural by the master of ceremonies Damián Trujillo, from Telemundo and NBC. Photo: Raúl Ayrala

This story is always told like this: “It all started in a garage in Redwood City” … And although many, many people wrote it and continue to do so, one was and continues to be the engine, the brain and the heart: Verónica Escámez, born in Mexico and founder of Casa Circulo Cultural.

Veronica’s house parties, popcorn parties, and theater performances, among other activities, gave birth to a nonprofit community organization “in response to the lack of cultural events and programs in Spanish” that later had its first location in a warehouse complex and finally settled in a charming headquarters in the center of the “new Middlefield,” in North Fair Oaks, where many of the people it serves live.

Casa Círculo Cultural -CCC- celebrated its “themed” quinceañera, in keeping with the location of the party, the Hiller Aviation Museum, located at the San Carlos airport. The ladies of the organization dressed as flight attendants or stewardesses; the men, as aeronautical pilots.

“I think it exceeded my expectations, because I had attended a gala a week before and there weren’t many people, I didn’t see much desire to donate, etc. And I was very surprised that all the people who were invited came and, furthermore, when it came to donating, they did so with pleasure, it was obvious,” said Verónica Escamez.

The CCC Gala, this Thursday, June 6, was titled “A Flight to the Future” and the attendees were presented with a recap of the origin and growth of Casa Círculo Cultural, its impact on the Latino community through the voices of mothers, young people who grew up with and at CCC and who went from being students to teachers, and the moving story of a little boy who found his place in the world at CCC after being bullied at school by master of ceremonies Damián Trujillo, from Telemundo and NBC.

“It is a custom here, so many people who you invite to a gala know that you are inviting them to ask them for money. Now, some people can give you something and others go and still don't, so it is not obligatory that they give you something, but most people who attend a gala know that you are going to ask them for something,” said Escamez.

“Some people are happy to buy a ticket, and others know they are going to donate and are actually ready to donate, but some people are more motivated after seeing what you have done, and unfortunately, since non-profit organizations do not have as much support as people think, if there were not these types of events to raise money, it would be very difficult to raise money for some special projects,” he stressed.

Casa Círculo Cultural serves low-income or vulnerable families, providing them with social, economic, cultural, health and well-being tools so that the future of each member is clearer and brighter, in a country where our origin and/or ethnicity generally disqualifies us from the start.

CCC offers classes for children, adolescents, youth, adults and seniors, from taekwondo to folk dance, from leadership and civic culture to gardening, from English to theater, not only for Latinos but for anyone who wants to participate.

In addition, the massive Day of the Dead event held in downtown Redwood City is already a city tradition, as is the celebration itself with the living skeletons of CCC at the San Francisco Symphony and the portals sculpted by Fernando Escartiz, who was recognized during the Gala by the organization and city councilors, due to his many years of work supporting Casa Círculo Cultural.

Sofía Ortiz, who has been with Círculo since the beginning and was a volunteer, actress, and “jack of all trades,” was also awarded. She is now a loyal employee of the institution.

The Gala also featured folkloric dances by groups of children, youth and adults from CCC, and a demonstration of Taekwondo by Yeshua Villa, one of the kids who grew up with Casa Círculo Cultural and who now teaches classes.

It was a triumphant flight for Casa Círculo Cultural. Here's to many more Quinceañeras!

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Medi-Cal adds maternal health care as one of its basic services

Health

sandra martinez

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2024.06.07

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Medi-Cal adds maternal health care as one of its basic services

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Maternal health care has become a priority for Medi-Cal, which has expanded maternal health care to its core services, allowing doulas (midwives) to provide care to pregnant people from conception through 12 months postpartum.

Doulas or midwives are women who accompany future mothers, playing the role of a professional assistant focused on providing emotional and physical support to pregnant women during the pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum process.

As the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) continues to transform Medi-Cal (a comprehensive health coverage program for children and families in California), it is implementing doulas into its services.

These, she said, are essential to ending racial and ethnic disparities during and after pregnancy in African-American, Native American, Latino, and Asian-American families, as well as Pacific Islanders, since doula care can help improve birth outcomes and reduce cesarean sections, epidurals, premature births, low birth weight, and postpartum anxiety and depression.

Medi-Cal covers 1 in 3 Californians, or 15 million, including 1.3 million children, so maternal health programs are essential to living healthier lives well beyond conception, experts said during a briefing by Ethnic Media Services.

Erica Holmes, chief of the Department of Health Services' (DHCS) Benefits Division, said work is underway to provide necessary care before, during and after pregnancy through doulas who provide more focused and personalized support to pregnant people.

The expert explained that doula services prevent complications during pregnancy and are a great support in health services, including personalized support for the pregnant person, as well as for children up to one year after delivery. In addition, they provide advice on breastfeeding and are a link with other areas of well-being.

Holmes also explained that a directory of doulas has been created, where pregnant people can even find legal services if necessary, providing a safe space for those who feel unprotected.

In March 2022, a process was initiated to certify midwives so that they can offer their services in a healthy and safe manner, stressed the doctor in law and criminal justice.

"The department will continue to strengthen its services to reduce mortality and decrease racial and ethnic disparities related to maternity issues.”, Holmes concluded.

Medi-Cal doula provider Kairis Chiaji explained that these “midwives” can be compared to a personal trainer, as their job is to get to know people and provide the support necessary to meet the physical and psychological needs of pregnant people, helping to create a plan for how their birth will take place and the process to get there.

She also pointed out that doulas offer plans to support families and friends, all with the aim of creating a healthy and safe space for the new member.

For Chiaji, a professional and community doula with more than 25 years of experience, supporting indigenous or Afro-descendant people is very important, since they do not always have adequate medical services, either due to fear of the way they will be treated, their language, or lack of information; this is where doulas have the advantage of being close and transmitting the trust of a family.

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Amid economic uncertainty, Redwood City Council to decide 2024-25 budget

Community

Pamela Cruz

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2024.06.07

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Amid economic uncertainty, Council will decide Redwood City's 2024-25 budget. — This coming Monday, June 10, the Redwood City Council will consider the 2024-25 Redwood City Budget, with adoption anticipated on June 24, amid economic uncertainty at the county and state levels.

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This coming Monday, June 10th, the Redwood City Council will consider the Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25, with adoption anticipated on June 24, amid economic uncertainty at the county and state levels.

City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz said the City Council is committed to supporting the needs of the community while seeking to address the local structural budget deficit.

“The Recommended Budget reflects a careful balance between ensuring essential services and addressing our financial realities,” he said.

The City Council explained that through recurring budget commitments and more than $7 million in one-time special allocations, the Recommended Budget responds to priorities identified by residents.

In this regard, they explained that, among the city's preponderances are the continuous investment in vital infrastructure projects such as: road repair, sidewalk maintenance and storm drainage infrastructure improvements.

In turn, sustained funding for public safety services and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, including maintaining current staffing levels for firefighters, paramedics and police officers.

Likewise, the preservation of essential community programs, including after-school and recreational programs for children, and maintenance of library hours and services.

To this end, and as a best practice, the City develops a 10-year forecast to project future revenues and expenses.

For several years, they said, the city has identified that current revenues do not cover the costs necessary to continue with the services provided and the updated forecast projects annual deficits of approximately 9.3 million dollars, a situation that various cities in California and the Bay Area face.

“We are a very agile organization that carefully manages expenditures,” Stevenson Diaz said. “We have supported economic development and attracted millions of dollars in grants to help fund service and infrastructure needs. While those strategies will continue, increased ongoing revenue is needed to maintain the services our community values.”

In November 2023, after months of study, the City Council authorized exploration of a revenue measure for voter consideration, and since April 2024 Redwood City has been focused on potential reform of the existing Business License Tax.

All Business License Tax revenue is legally required to remain in Redwood City; key goals for a voter-approved Business License Tax restructuring are to increase funding for basic city services and reduce the tax burden on small business owners.

Stakeholder outreach and analysis is currently underway and is expected to be considered by the City Council in July.

“Without new revenue, the City will need to consider service reductions in future years,” Diaz said. “This could impact all of the core services the City provides, including public safety, youth and senior programs, library services and parks.”

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San Mateo County organizes fireworks buyback ahead of July 4

Community

Pamela Cruz

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2024.06.07

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San Mateo County organizes fireworks buyback ahead of July 4

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During the month of June, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and its partners will host a series of anonymous fireworks buyback events throughout the area.

The program aims to improve community safety by encouraging residents to turn in fireworks, which are illegal throughout San Mateo County except in the cities of Pacifica and San Bruno.

In 2023, under the leadership of Sheriff Christina Corpus, the Sheriff's Office hosted its first fireworks buyback event in North Fair Oaks as a pilot program. The buyback was a success, collecting approximately 400 pounds of these illegal items and explosives. That same year, the Sheriff's Office saw a reduction in calls for service on the Fourth of July in North Fair Oaks.

This year, the program is expanding to include locations on the coast and in North County, in addition to North Fair Oaks. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office is increasing the cash reward for turning in fireworks. Those who turn in fireworks can now receive up to $200 in cash with no questions asked.

“In its first year, our fireworks buyback program had a significant impact, creating a greater sense of safety and well-being for our North Fair Oaks community. Thanks to the support of Chairman Slocum and the entire San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, I am proud to announce that this year we are expanding this important program to our North County and Coastal communities,” said Sheriff Corpus.

“By only attending authorized fireworks shows, we can celebrate responsibly and ensure everyone has a safe Fourth of July holiday,” he added.

The dates for all three fireworks buyback events will be Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Coastside Fire Protection District headquarters located at 1191 Main St. in Half Moon Bay.

Additionally, on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northern Branch Courthouse, located at 1050 Mission Road in South San Francisco; and on Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the new Sheriff’s Office substation located at 690 Broadway in Redwood City.

Notably, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office has a zero-tolerance approach to addressing illegal fireworks.

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Redwood City Social Security Office has new location

Community

Pamela Cruz

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2024.06.05

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Redwood City Social Security Office has new location

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The Redwood City Social Security office will be moving to its new location at 1718 Broadway, Redwood City, CA, on Monday, June 10, so residents should take precautions.

Commercial operations at 601 Allerton Street, 2nd Floor, in Redwood City, will end at the close of business this Friday, June 7.

The opening hours of the Social Security offices are and will continue to be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

It is worth noting that most Social Security services do not require the public to spend time visiting an office. Many of its services can be conveniently consulted online at www.ssa.gov or by dialing the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Social Security TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

People can create their My Social Security account, a personalized online service, at www.ssa.gov/myaccount, and if they already receive Social Security benefits, they can start or change direct deposit online, request a replacement SSA-1099, and if they need proof of their benefits, they can print or download a current Benefits Verification Letter from their account.

People who are not yet receiving benefits can use their online account to obtain a personalized Social Security Statement, which provides information about their earnings as well as estimates of their future benefits. The portal also includes a retirement calculator and links to information about other online services.

If you need a card with a Social Security number, you must start the process online.

However, the office notes that in many situations people only need their number and not the card.

People can visit www.ssa.gov/ssnumber to submit a card replacement application, start a card update application, or apply for a Social Security number for the first time.

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Alert! No passenger rail service Saturday and Sunday

Community

Eric Alcocer Chavez

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2024.06.05

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*Caltrain continues “critical testing” of new electric trains.

Alert! Caltrain will suspend Saturday and Sunday passenger rail service — To finish critical electrification testing on time, Caltrain will suspend transit service on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9.

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To complete critical electrification testing on time and begin passenger service in fall 2024, Caltrain will suspend transit service on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9, and is asking customers to seek alternative transportation options from San Francisco to San Jose and from San Jose to San Francisco.

Through the Caltrain website, with the distribution of brochures and advertisements in the application, a call was made to thousands of users to prevent delays and surprises during the second weekend of June.

On the page www.caltrain.com It was explained that the Bay Area transportation company “will adjust weekend rail service throughout 2024. There will be regular service during the month of May. The next service adjustment is scheduled for the weekend of June 8 and 9.”

“To support the testing of electric trains, there will be no train service between San Francisco and San Jose, as well as between San Jose and San Francisco on June 8 and 9,” it said.

Caltrain will provide limited bus service at the San Jose Diridon, Palo Alto and Millbrae stations only. There will be limited passenger capacity on the buses. There are no stops between these stations and no bus service north of Millbrae.

It asks the thousands of rail riders to “consider alternative transportation such as Muni, VTA, SamTrans or transferring from the Millbrae Bus Bridge to BART for travel to/from San Francisco.”

He details that “fares will be required for BART and other transit services. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to improve the railroad.”

For its part, the company Samtrans www.samtrans.com Share the following link to inform the population of the alternatives they will have for the transportation of passengers. https://www.caltrain.com/media/33447.

Travelers planning to travel from San Francisco to Palo Alto and San Jose will need to use alternative means, such as Bart, which will transport passengers to the Millbrae Station, from where there will be limited bus service. Bus service will only be available to the San Jose Diridon, Palo Alto and Millbrae stations.

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Pro-Palestinian students barricade themselves in Stanford University president's office

Peninsula 360 Press

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2024.06.05

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By Bay City News

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A group of students and alumni barricaded themselves inside the Stanford University president's office Wednesday morning to protest the school's response to demands from pro-Palestinian demonstrators over the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas.

According to the Stanford for Palestine group, students and alumni locked themselves in the office of Stanford President Richard Saller at around 5:30 a.m.

The protesters said they refuse to leave Saller’s office until the Stanford administration and Stanford Board of Trustees take steps to address “his role in enabling and profiting from the ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

Stanford for Palestine said the university has refused to negotiate with pro-Palestinian advocates over Gaza concerns. Protesters have accused Stanford University of “having multimillion-dollar investments in corporations that provide material and logistical support to Israel’s current military” in the Gaza armed conflict.

“Stanford students have repeatedly attempted to engage with the administration through protests. Since October 2023, more than 20 demonstrations have taken place, with undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and faculty joining together to demand that Stanford live up to its commitment to human rights. Each time, the administration has refused,” the group said in a statement.

“The University is profiting from the genocide of Palestinians as we speak out and refuse to be silenced,” they added.

In a statement, the university said protesters “illegally” entered Building 10, which houses the offices of Saller and Chancellor Jenny Martinez.

“Stanford Public Safety has responded to the scene and is assessing the situation. Other campus operations are not affected at this time,” the university said.

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Your vote matters, now and later

Opinion

Isaac Braunstein

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2024.06.04

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One vote can make the difference, especially if an election with thousands of votes ends in an exact tie.

It was just five votes that made the difference in the primary election to represent California's 16th congressional district.

In the primary election, the top two candidates move on to the November election. Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo was the top vote-getter. California Assemblyman Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitan tied for second with 30,249 votes each.

Following a second recount of the votes, the results determined that only Low would join Liccardo on the ballot for the November runoff election.

Although more than 30,000 votes were cast, the primary election was decided by only a few votes. Although many elections are not very close, election predictions change frequently. There is no accurate way to predict the results until the people vote.

County and city elections give voters the opportunity to weigh in on local politics and candidates that can have larger effects on everyday life. Additionally, these elections are often decided by much smaller margins than state or federal elections, making representation through voting even more important.

The power of voting goes beyond elections. Even if a candidate or measure you support doesn't win the election, the support you have will affect what happens next. The votes a candidate gets can inspire him or her to try again. Proposals can be modified and reintroduced.

It's easy to think that your vote doesn't matter. But the only way a vote doesn't really matter is when there aren't any votes at all.

More from the author: Voting requires communication to understand