Bilingual report — County of Ventura Board of Supervisors Unanimously Appoint Scott Gilman as the New Director of the Behavioral Health Department

The Ventura County Health Care Agency, as approved by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on July 12, 2022, selected Scott Gilman to serve as the new Director of the Behavioral Health Department, effective August 21, 2022.

As Director, Gilman will lead the County’s continuum of coordinated mental health and substance use services, serving Ventura County residents and Medi-Cal beneficiaries who have moderate to severe needs. He will oversee a staff of over 800 employees and a department budget of $254 million. Gilman will also be responsible for locally implementing transformative efforts and what are considered generational changes to the approach and delivery of mental health services in California through the integration of Substance Use Service and Mental Health services, and fully implementing CalAIM and the transition to a managed care model.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Important July Updates!

Hiroko Yoshimoto: New Works featuring Impending Storms by Blue Marble Art Collective

Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 4 PM to 6 PM

Free admission

Due to the rise in COVID levels locally, we will no longer be serving food or drink during this event. We encourage guests to wear face masks inside the event, and masks will be available at the door.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation and Port of Hueneme Host Food Distribution at Villa Cesar Chavez

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CabrilloEDC) and the Port of Hueneme hosted a food distribution on June 11. The event was hosted at Villa Cesar Chavez apartments that include 51 spacious apartments that house eligible low-income farmworker families. 

Cabrillo EDC staff, resident volunteers and the Port came together to sort and distribute groceries tohelp local residents facing food insecurities. According to a 2020 California Association of Foodbanks report, food insecurity in California spiked to unprecedented levels statewide with more than 25% of California households experiencing food insecurity – about 10 million people, and 2.5 times higher than before COVID-19. 

“Over the past two years, our residents have come together to support each other through thepandemic,” CEDC Board Member Cesar Hernandez stated. “Our Cabrillo communities are like family; they help each other and ensure the community as a whole is thriving. We are grateful for our community partners and collaboration of the Port of Hueneme allowing us to reach more families.”  

Bilingual report — MICOP: For the Farmworker community, the H2A program does not represent a benefit for farm workers, if not quite the opposite

The Dignity Campaign is a collective made up of organizations, nonprofit agencies, independent labor unions, community organizers, researchers, and advocates for the rights of Mexican migrant workers living in the United States.

We work from different areas defending and advocating for social justice with a focus on developing a fair immigration reform that humanizes the work of all migrant workers at the borders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The binational movement of the survivors of 4.6 million Farmworkers and Indigenous Mexicans who participated in the Bracero program from 1942 to 1964, which under an agreement between the United States and Mexico was established to provide Farmworker labor in times of World War II, began in 1998.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: HOW TO RECORD PAYROLL IN QUICKBOOKS ONLINE FROM THIRD PARTY COMPANIES

July 12 @ 10:30 am

This live, interactive webinar session is designed to help you understand the features, functions and benefits of QuickBooks Online for small business owners as well as assist you in implementing accounting best practices to manage your business finance. This webinar will concentrate on steps to properly record payroll transactions that are administered by third party companies like ADP and Paychex. Juliana Ramirez from JR Bookkeeping will live answer your questions related to the subject matter including live demonstrations.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 & County Update

We have the tools to protect ourselves and our community from COVID-19. Masks are strongly recommended indoors in public places. Ventura County Public Health is aligned with the California Dept. of Public Health’s guidance on the use of masks. More here: https://covid19.ca.gov/masks-and-ppe/. COVID-19 testing, vaccine, and treatment information is available at www.vcrecovers.org.

Non-Profit WEV Distributes $225,000 to Entrepreneurial Hispanic and Indigenous Community Members

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) on June 29 hosted an Award Ceremony at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center to distribute $225,000 to entrepreneurial Hispanic and Indigenous Ventura County community members. Forty-five Emprendedores program participants, thirty-one women and 14 men, successfully completed WEV’s free, 6-week business training program and applied for grant funding; each received a $5,000 grant award for their small business needs. For more program information, including the upcoming Santa Barbara County cohort enrollment, visit www.wevonline.org/emprendimiento

WEV’s Emprendedores Program, offered in partnership with Mixteco Indigenous Community Organizing Project (MICOP) is funded by the state of California’s Employment Training Panel’s (ETP), Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (SEED) initiative and is aimed at empowering marginalized community members who face barriers to employment such as low English proficiency. The program includes group training sessions on topics such as business marketing and finance individualized coaching, and funding tied to a business plan to support individuals in launching or growing their own businesses in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Eureka! Program Celebrates Sixth Cohort of College-Bound Graduates

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s sixth cohort of Eureka! program participants has graduated high school and is gearing up for college this fall.

The group of nine extraordinary young women will be heading off to colleges across the state – from Cal Poly SLO to UC Santa Cruz and SBCC.

“It’s an honor to see this dedicated group of young women – all of whom have worked so incredibly hard to get here – achieve such a significant milestone in their lives,” said Jamie Collins, executive director of Girls Inc. Carpinteria. “From college preparation workshops, to internships, and consistently stepping out of their comfort zones, our Eureka students have been preparing for this moment for five years. We know they’ll continue to dream big and achieve success in this next chapter and we look forward to cheering them on.”

Bilingual commentary — The Erosion of Our Democracy

For some time now, I’ve written here about the difficulties faced by young people today in comparison with those faced by the baby boomers. The boomer generation grew up in relatively prosperous times after the Second World War. In retrospect, we may have had contentious issues to deal with, such as the lack of racial equality (once again a burning issue), but our democracy seemed secure. Transitions of power at the highest level of our government always seemed to take place seamlessly.  

United Way of Ventura County — Last Day to Help us Reach our Goal!

This is the last day for our
Stuff the Bus school supply drive!

Thank you for helping us reach our goal!

Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness. 

You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a family experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, your support not only provides essential school supplies – studies show that it also promotes learning, building self-esteem, and helps ensure that our youth stay in school. 

Because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, we know that the need for support among homeless families has increased greatly. So your help is needed this year more than ever.

Please help fill the backpacks by supporting our online Roonga school supply campaign.

Hospice Of Santa Barbara Welcomes New Board Member Linda Cheresh

Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is pleased to welcome Linda Cheresh to its Board of Directors.

Linda Cheresh is a strategic-thinking business leader with a successful history of developing and supporting the growth and retention of Business and Wealth Management Clients for a leading financial institution. She has extensive private banking experience to provide the highest quality of service for her customers.

She has also received a New Business President award for being the top producer in the West, generating more than $200M of new investment and trust fee income in addition to new credit and deposit business of $100M in fee revenue. She has partnered with and managed a team of portfolio and trust officers to advise and consult with high-net-worth individuals, nonprofits and businesses that fit the Northern Trust client criteria and goals.

Bilingual report — Assessor completes $162 billion tax roll for property tax year 2022-23

County Assessor Dan Goodwin announced thecertification and delivery of Ventura County’s annual assessment roll on time to Auditor-Controller Jeff Burgh on Thursday, June 30. The Local Roll now contains a record $162.13 billion in assessed value.

While most properties received a modest increase of 2%, which is their maximum set by a 1978 ballot measure known as Prop 13, some properties will see a larger increase due to new sales or new construction.

Bilingual report — Covered California Applauds the New Budget signed by Gov. Newsom that Expands Health Care Access and Turns Focus to Health Equity

Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman commended Gov. Gavin Newsom signing a new budget deal on Thursday, which advances the effort to improve access to equitable health coverage and care, including state subsidies for coverage through Covered California in 2023:

“Covered California applauds Gov. Newsom and the Legislature on the passage and signage of the state budget.  

“The budget reflects California’s commitment to expanding access to health care for all, as well as the continued push to advance health equity for every Californian.

United Way of Ventura County — Help us Reach our Goal!

You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a family experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, your support not only provides essential school supplies – studies show that it also promotes learning, building self-esteem, and helps ensure that our youth stay in school.

Because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, we know that the need for support among homeless families has increased greatly. So your help is needed this year more than ever.

Please help fill the backpacks by supporting our online Roonga school supply campaign.

MCASB’s Community Classroom & Emerging Leaders in the Arts and more events

Adam Jahnke: Santa Barbara’s Department for Applied Geography

On view Thursday, July 7 to Sunday, July 17
MCASB, 653 Paseo Nuevo

MCASB is proud to present Santa Barbara’s Department for Applied Geography, an exhibition by Adam Jahnke. Through a reimagining of his bicycle experience in Southern California Jahnke has become interested in creating artworks that reflect and promote the bicycle as an avatar for art and life. This experience and framework are what he refers to as the Department Of Applied Geography (DOAG).

Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) — It was great to see you!

We were thrilled to gather with you and hundreds of other Californians virtually last week!

Close to 1,000 individuals registered for VCCDC’s virtual Homeownership Conference this year. It was a day filled with learning, networking and fun. Scroll down to see some of the highlights from the day, plus find out how to get FREE access to conference sessions!

VCFD Promotes 27-Year Veteran Barry Parker to Division Chief for Special Operations

Barry Parker, a 27-year veteran of the Ventura County Fire Department, has been promoted to Division Chief overseeing special operations, Fire Chief Dustin Gardner announced today.

“Barry Parker is an excellent leader with extensive experience in the wide range of specialized operations that he will be in charge of,” Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “He is the perfect person to take on this new role.”

The new position, approved by the Ventura County Fire Protection District Board, will have responsibility for fire emergency coordination with government agencies, arson investigations, special events, the hazardous materials (HAZMAT) unit, Urban Search and Rescue operations, and the Tactical Emergency Medical Services teams. Parker will start his new assignment July 10.

Ventura County Fire Dept. — Quick Reaction Force (QRF) Wildfire Aerial Assault Soars over SoCal for Second Year

For the second consecutive year, three Southern California fire departments — Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), and Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) — head into peak fire season armed with the world’s largest fire-suppression helicopters.

Available to fight wildfire day or night and funded by $18 million from Southern California Edison (SCE), the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) returns in 2022 after dropping nearly 3 million gallons on more than 50 wildfires in 2021.

“When we say that ‘speed and force’ is a required cost of doing business in today’s wildland fire environment, we do not mean the quantifiable cost of QRF aircraft or its Mobile Retardant Base; we mean the immeasurable cost of the loss of life and property if those resources are not available,” said OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. “Last year, the QRF proved it does far more than save taxpayer dollars; it saves lives and communities, and we are proud to partner with SCE and our sister agencies to bring it back for 2022.”

DOCK TALK: Banana Festival coming in Sept – and more!

Port Achieves Highest Scores for Green Marine Certification – This month, the Port of Hueneme earned a certification from Green Marine—the leading international  environmental certification program for the maritime transportation industry — that demonstrates a tradition of leading the way towards becoming a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable port. READ MORE

Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Names New Chair, Vice-Chair

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County(WDB) elected Stephen Yeoh as chair and Sandy Smith as vice-char. Yeoh and Smith will serve one-year terms.

Stephen Yeoh, who joined the board in 2016, is the Chief Peace of Mind Officer at Un1teee, an IT service provider located in Thousand Oaks with clients in the healthcare, finance, and legal industries.  He served on the board of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and was a volunteer instructor for the Central Coast Chapter of the Project Management Institute.

“My goal is to increase WDB’s visibility, so community members and businesses know the type of services we provide,” says Yeoh. “We want workers to have the opportunity to upgrade their skills so they can find good jobs locally instead of having to leave the area. Coming from an IT background, I’d like to see the WDB increase awareness of the many IT job opportunities in Ventura County and improve the availability of practical, local training.”

Santa Barbara Foundation’s 79th Person of the Year Awards Nominations Underway

Considered one of the highest honors of the year in Santa Barbara County, this year’s Person of the Year Award nominations are off and running. 

The Santa Barbara Foundation, along with co-sponsors Montecito Bank & Trust, Noozhawk, The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, Cox Communications, and Montecito Journal, invites the community at large to nominate an individual, couple, or family whose volunteer service represents a meaningful commitment to the community; addresses a real community needs or enhances the quality of life in the Santa Barbara area; or has involved acts of generosity, kindness, or innovation, with an emphasis on the recent accomplishments and achievements. 

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: HOW TO INFLUENCE, PERSUADE AND SELL ANYONE

July 6 @ 10:30 am

Have you ever struggled to get someone to accept your ideas or buy your product or service? Well, help is finally on the way, with this breakthrough webinar! In less than an hour you will learn how to convince and sell almost anyone. Suddenly, you’ll have an incredible power to persuade all the people in your life, unlike anything you’ve ever been able to do before. From friends and family members to prospects and clients, you will suddenly be able to enjoy more stress-free, predictable and FUN ways to get people on your side and buying from you… whether it be face-to-face, from your website, from your ads and emails and more! In this webinar for small business owners, top behavioral management specialist James I. Bond will share secrets that will help you grow your business and simplify your life almost immediately.

Bilingual report — Official Final Results and Certification Announced for June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election, Ventura County’s First Full Voter’s Choice Act Election

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn (on June 30) announced the official election results certification for the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election with 100% of Ventura County’s 1,519 precincts reporting. Full election results from Ventura County are now available on the VenturaVote.org website. Statewide contest results are on the Secretary of State website: https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/

Economic Development Collaborative Selected as a Best Place to Work

On Thursday, June 23, the Economic Development Collaborative was recognized as a best place to work at the Pacific Coast Business Times’ annual Best Places to Work event. Every year, the Pacific Coast Business Times posts a survey for anyone in the region to score their workplace and explain why their they should be considered as a best place to work. This year, the survey was taken by nearly 1,200 people.

The Economic Development Collaborative was recognized as the 4th best place to work among small employers across Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, based on our culture, benefits, perks, community involvement and more.

In the Pacific Coast Business Times article recognizing the EDC, President/CEO Bruce Stenslie noted, ” To receive a recognition as a best place to work is by its very nature, a recognition of shared responsibility, shared joy, shared camaraderie and culture.”

And while the EDC was recognized among small employers, the EDC also contracts with almost 60 business advisors that have helped our Small Business Development Center provide no-cost business advising since 2010.

CLICK HERE to check out the full article on the EDC.