September 13, 2007

NEWS BRIEFS

Amateur geologists invited to join nature walk at Coyote Lake

What ingredients make up the Coast Mountain Range and Coyote-Bear Park east of Gilroy? Rocks, of course. On Saturday, Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. at the Coyote Lake Ranger Station see what rocks make up the park, and discover how they got here from the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

You’ll also see what geologic landmarks make up the park today as you explore the Calaveras Fault and study the seismology of the area. Bring hiking shoes, a hat, water, and a lunch/snacks.

For more information, call Ranger Chris Crockett at (408) 842-7800.

Metro Ed offers educational hike in Half Moon Bay

Enjoy hiking but don’t want to go alone? Take a Metropolitan Adult Education Program (MAEP) “Hike the Best of Bay Area” class.

Join naturalist Jon Menard on a 6-8 mile hike that begins with a custom coach bus taking you to Half Moon Bay. Bus meets at 8:20 a.m. on Oct. 13 at the Willows Senior Center in San Jose. October’s hike along the Coastside Trail will take you past secluded beaches, artists’ galleries, boutiques and over bridges and creeks. Bring layered clothing, lunch, water, hiking boots/shoes with traction-type soles and a personal first-aid kit to the easy to moderately easy hike.

The Half Moon Bay-Pillar Point class is part of MAEP’s 50+ program. Cost is $25 and pre-registration is required. Visit www.metroed.net to register online or call (408) 723-6725.

AVCS offers positive parenting class

The Almaden Valley Counseling Service is holding its fall session of positive parenting classes starting the week of Oct. 1. The classes are based on the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) model and are designed to help parents meet the challenges of raising their children.

Participants learn to build self-esteem and responsibility; encourage cooperation and problem solving; implement discipline versus punishment; and resolve conflicts.

The classes are held one night a week for seven weeks from 7:15 – 9:15 p.m. A preschool class is on Tuesday nights starting Oct. 2. A school-age class is scheduled for Wednesday nights starting Oct. 3. And a teenage parents’ class will be on Thursday nights starting Oct. 4. The fee is $110 for one parent or $165 per couple.

Those interested in attending this session or who would like to be added to the mailing list for future classes can call the agency at (408) 997-0200 or e-mail staff@avcounseling.org or download the class registration form from www.avcounseling.org.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley receive funds

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America have been collaborating with G by GUESS, a new young-adult brand that falls under the GUESS?, Inc. umbrella with retail stores found in fashion destination malls. Thirty G by GUESS stores have given away a complimentary plaid bag to each customer who donated $5 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America between July 25 and Sept. 9.

The funds raised during this promotional period will provide the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley with a $1,000 donation toward many programs that improve academic performance, prevent drug and alcohol abuse and increase physical fitness.

“This donation will help us continue providing quality afterschool programs throughout San Jose and Milpitas,” said Dana Fraticelli, the nonprofit’s CEO. “We are grateful for the support of G by Guess.”

G by GUESS will donate an additional $20,000 to the organization’s parent group, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

The check was presented Sept. 12 at a ceremony at the Great Mall Guess? Store.

GUESS?, Inc. collaborates with several different charities on a global scale. In 2007 GUESS?, Inc. contributed to the children of Uganda, and also raised money for the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation that promotes Breast Cancer awareness and research.

“Giving back is a central part of the way we do business,” says Darin Skinner, vice president of GUESS Factory and G by GUESS stores. “Programs such as fund-raising for The Boys and Girls Clubs of America illustrate the G by GUESS brand’s true DNA as being more than just about the fashion. It symbolizes our commitment to the people and groups we interact with.”

County receives award for Emancipated Foster Youth Employment Program

Santa Clara County has been honored with a top award from the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) for its Emancipated Foster Youth Employment Program. Among 260 entries throughout California, the county received the prestigious Challenge Award/Most Replicable Program for its outstanding efforts to provide entry-level job opportunities to untrained, economically disadvantaged youth transitioning out of the foster care system.

“We are pleased to be setting an example and, more importantly, to be providing our youth with the best assistance we can,” said Don Gage, chair of the Board of Supervisors and vice chair of the Children, Seniors and Families Committee. “We hope that other counties will follow our lead, so more young people make it through the difficult transition from foster care to adulthood successfully.”

Between 130 and 150 youth emancipate in Santa Clara County each year and are at risk of poverty, institutionalization and homelessness. Studies and regional evidence indicate that nearly half do not complete high school and over half are unemployed. Approximately 40 percent receive public assistance and up to 40 percent report experiencing homelessness. A significant number of these young adults end up in expensive systems of care, such as jail or welfare.

“With this program, Santa Clara County’s commitment to the success of our foster youth extends beyond the traditional model of care,” said Supervisor Ken Yeager, chair of the county’s Children, Seniors and Families Committee. “Hopefully, other counties will gain from our experience and build on our program’s accomplishments so we can better serve the emancipated foster youth in our state.”

In February 2006, the Santa Clara County’s Employee Services Agency (ESA), Social Services Agency (SSA) and the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) developed an employment pilot program for eligible emancipated foster youth in paid temporary work assignments in DCSS.

Following two all-day training sessions on interviewing tips, completing a job application and information on DCSS departments and functions, 31 of 37 participants were employed as office specialists through June 2006. Ten of them worked beyond the initial period and three continued to work through December 2006.

“This collaboration across county departments has been a rewarding experience,” said Deputy County Executive Luke Leung. “We have been able to increase the county’s pool of entry level position applicants while our emancipated foster youth gain valuable work experience, competitive wages, self-confidence and access to public employment.”

The Emancipated Foster Youth Employment Program now includes over 500 alternately staffed entry-level positions across 21 entry-level classifications throughout the county and it allows participants to gain permanent employment with the county.

To comply with the county’s hiring policies, participants should pass the appropriate written examination to transition to classified status. Thirty-two have been hired into temporary assignments and six have been hired into the permanent program. Emancipated foster youth are tracked by a database maintained by SSA. Both ESA and SSA monitor the program, to ensure the youth get the proper support.

Representatives of the Emancipated Foster Youth Employment Program will receive the Challenge Award on Tuesday, Nov. 13, during CSAC’s annual meeting, at the Marriott Hotel in Oakland. Former Santa Clara County Supervisor and current Assemblymember James T. Beall, Jr., advocated for the local Emancipated Foster Youth Program while serving on board of supervisors. Beall now has introduced legislation (AB 671) to create a similar program at the state level.

“The success of the Emancipated Foster Youth Employment Program is very encouraging and is a promising start for our larger effort to address a wide range of needs,” said Will Lightbourne, director of the Social Services Agency. “We are pleased to share what we have learned, as other counties may find opportunities to look at something similar.”