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Ventura County Civil Grand Jury announces release of report on school bus safety for special education students

Most local special education school bus drivers are performing their duties alone, while also attending to student behavior issues occurring on the bus. Given that school bus drivers have, by law, sole responsibility for rider safety and discipline on the bus, the 2020-2021 Ventura County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) examined the challenges that can emerge when transporting special education students.

The Grand Jury found that a special education school bus driver is required to do an extraordinarily demanding set of tasks. They must drive a bus through city streets and traffic, obeying all laws, while simultaneously monitoring the behavior of every student on board. This creates the potential for distracted driving and for unchecked student behavior that could jeopardize the welfare of other students and the driver. The Grand Jury commends school bus drivers in Ventura County (County) for accomplishing a demanding set of tasks: simultaneously driving a bus and responding to behavioral issues during the bus ride.

The Grand Jury investigation focused on a particularly vulnerable population of special education students who have an increased need for supervision on a school bus: students with diagnoses of autism, emotional or behavioral issues, combined loss of hearing and vision, medically fragile and non-verbal or those who are otherwise unable to speak out or defend themselves.

The Grand Jury examined policies and practices at the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) because of its broad scope of experience, support for all school districts in the County and its operation of several schools for populations in need of specialized education. VCOE also provides daily busing for more than 900 special education students in the County. The Grand Jury commends VCOE for its proactive, ongoing, and pertinent training for bus drivers.

Ventura County Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA) develops and administers programs and workshops for teachers and parents of special education students, including guidance on development of Individual Education Plans (IEP).

The Grand Jury commends SELPA for providing information and support to families of children with special needs.

After analyzing VCOE transportation policy, the Grand Jury recommends that VCOE:

  • Include transportation personnel in scheduled student IEP meetings under specific conditions when the student needs adaptive or assistive equipment, when school bus equipment is required to be modified, or a when a behavior intervention plan is to be implemented for pupils exhibiting severe behavioral difficulties.
    • Adopt a standardized, predictive approach of analyzing data from Bus Conduct Report Forms to identify trends in behaviors that lead to unsafe situations, with the goal of developing specific strategies to minimize those risks.
  • Adopt a procedure by which a VCOE administrator can evaluate the need for, and request, a bus attendant.
    • Adopt a procedure that relates to strategies for assuring increased supervision and a safe environment on a school bus. Strategies could include assigning bus attendants to buses carrying students of higher risk, for example, autistic, emotionally disturbed, or deaf/blind students. Another strategy could be installing internal cameras or other innovative systems on special education school buses.

Marginalized groups share histories of systemic oppression

An opinion by Mary Haffner HAFFNER LAW GROUP Ventura

The Civil Rights Movement was led by advocates courageously confronting the erroneous belief that some of us are more valuable and important than others.  They marched in protest to challenge the racial segregation that had been eloquently defended by politicians and enforced by police. The neglect and criminalization of people with mental illness is the civil rights and social justice issue of our time. People with mental illnesses continue to face stark inequities borne from stigmatizing beliefs about their worth. You won’t see them marching in protest.

Marginalized groups share histories of systemic oppression, segregation, and a denial of basic human rights.  But the distinctive feature of mental illness discrimination is that it causes impairment.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”

The inhumanity these individuals and their families face goes unquestioned by leaders because this is a voiceless population. When those with the power to do something stand-by, support the status quo, and place arbitrary restrictions on rights and freedoms – when they tolerate this injustice through silent complicity and fail to work toward providing the same quality of healthcare enjoyed by persons with other health conditions – this is evidence of structural stigma.

Structural/institutional stigma embedded in the status quo of local governments has created vast disparities and is the most significant barrier to the wellbeing of people with mental illness. These inequities are evident in their disproportionate overrepresentation in our jails and on our streets and in the failures of decision makers to plan for their care, forcing them to remain untreated or waiting for days in emergency rooms only to receive substandard care.  For any other health condition, these injustices would never be tolerated.

We waste millions on anti-stigma campaigns aimed at changing society’s attitudes, but it is the leaders with the power to do something who must commit to the principles of equity and justice to exercise their moral and ethical responsibility to bring change.

 I spent 6 years on Ventura County’s mental health board witnessing structural stigma. I observed the lack of investment in wellness and recovery; I watched millions of dollars approved by Supervisors for programs focused on people with mild mental health challenges, while the population most in need kept cycling, untreated, through restrictive environments. I watched top leadership display a belief that some people’s basic human rights are open for debate when they stated, “we are doing more than we have to” for this population.  I listened to countless families whose loved ones were passed from law enforcement to hospitals, to out-of-county facilities, to jails, and to homelessness. 

Appropriate levels of care are not available- people who are unstable and acutely ill are placed in the wrong environments – sober living homes or board and cares.  And those who are not acutely ill stay in intensive settings because there is nowhere for them to go.  

Leaders who are responsible for making decisions about mental healthcare should know that their silence and inaction is influenced by structural stigma. They should work toward solutions instead of continuing to endorse an inhumane status quo.   
 

Rebuilding Ventura’s travel and hospitality workforce is the key to regional and statewide recovery 

The coronavirus pandemic has set back (but not defeated) Ventura’s travel and hospitality businesses, but the economic power of the tourism industry is igniting a comeback as California Tourism Month begins.

The California travel industry’s underlying strength and enduring selflessness and resilience aligns with California Tourism Month’s theme, the “Power of Possibility.” This week, California also joins the U.S. Travel Association in honoring the Power of Travel for National Travel and Tourism Week.

“At Visit Ventura we have always spoken the truth,” says Marlyss Auster, Visit Ventura President & CEO. “And here’s the simple truth. There has never been a more important time for the economic driver that is tourism. Tourism will put Ventura — and our surrounding communities — back on their feet. Working together, with ongoing safety in mind, we can not only survive, we can thrive.”

Despite losses due to Covid-19 business closures and community lockdowns, California is well-positioned for recovery.

The long-term outlook for California has brightened considerably. Tourism Economics projects domestic visitor spending in California will reach 76% of 2019 levels this year. In 2022, domestic spending will hit 94% of 2019 levels, and total visitor spending, including resurgent international travel, will hit 87%.

The Golden State remains among the best-performing states in case counts and vaccination rates and has implemented long-term health measures so visitors can feel safe.

The outlook for summer travel in California is very positive, as the state expects to remove most restrictions by June 15 – just before summer officially arrives.

The vast majority of California’s abundance of tourism assets – theme parks, museums, concert halls, restaurants and wineries among them – are moving toward normal operations. Ventura,  graced with the wide open spaces perfect for cautious recovery — from Channel Islands National Park to recently opened Harmon Canyon (a hiking and biking paradise) — has begun welcoming visitors back.

“With all our incredible outdoors and wide open beach spaces, Ventura is perfectly suited for these still socially-distanced times,” says Auster. “We’ve always welcomed visitors warmly. Now we welcome them warmly and safely.”

And as Californians resume traveling, they have the power to jumpstart the state’s economic recovery by choosing to keep their trips within California.

“California’s tourism industry has long provided Californians with a strong civic foundation and generated billions of dollars in state and local tax revenues to help provide services that benefit everyone in the state,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “Now residents can help their fellow Californians by keeping their tourism dollars in California and supporting local businesses as a modern-day act of patriotism. Together we can support our own economic recovery. There is power in California civic pride”

But there is plenty of work to do, particularly to re-build the vibrant travel and hospitality workforce. A month after the mid-March lockdown, more than half of the 1.2 million tourism workers found themselves without jobs.

Even as the economy re-opens and businesses gradually offer more services to more and more consumers, the foundation of the industry – its people – still strive to return to work in a safe and confident manner that makes economic sense for them and their families.

“In the end, it’s not really about economics,” says Auster. “It’s about kindness and caring.”

Supporting Kids & Families Together

Kids & Families Together (K&FT) is a nonprofit that has been serving foster/resource, adoptive, kinship, and birth families throughout Ventura County since 2000. K&FT works with children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, and multiple placements. K&FT also works with caregivers who need specialized education, support, and strategies to help raise safe, healthy, nurtured children that thrive.

Kids & Families Together, along with Heart 2 Heart will be holding our 3rd Bike Event on Saturday, June 19th from 10am – 1pm. The idea for this event was inspired by grandparents who were receiving support in some of our programs. They were a “kinship family”, and had their 7-year- old granddaughter in their care. Their granddaughter really wanted to learn how to ride a bike, but neither of the grandparents felt that they were physically capable of safely helping her. The grandmother reached out to K&FT looking for help. That one phone call, sparked the idea for this event! We knew if this was an issue for one of our families, there were most likely many Foster/Resource, Kinship and Adoptive Families in a similar situation.

So the event was born, and first took place in May of 2019. That day 10 children learned how to ride a bike for the first time! It was amazing to see these kids go from just starting out, to fully riding within a few hours. The smiles on their faces was priceless and they were filled with such pride and excitement! Due to COVID, the 2020 event was strictly held as a bike gift-away event.

But this year, we are able to bring it back as a full Bike Safety and Bike Rodeo event! We are grateful to Crosspointe Church Ventura (5415 Ralston St.) for hosting this year’s event. Their large parking lot will be the perfect setting of our bike course. Our goal for this event is to serve 100 children! Included in this year’s event will be … bike riding instructions, riding skills, a riding course will be set up, bike safety checks will be available for those that bring their own bikes, and drawings to win new bikes. All children attending the event will receive a new bike helmet, some treats and a grab bag.

We are grateful to our Bike Rodeo partners and event sponsors that will be out in force to support our families: Crosspoint Church Ventura, Bike Ventura, The California Highway Patrol (CHP-Ventura), and the Gene Haas Foundation.

Volunteer opportunities are available both prior to the event, to help sort, organize and prepare, along with time slots for the day of the event. To keep staff, families and volunteers safe, we are following current public health and safety regulations. All attendees will be required to wear a mask at all times. Contact: Jeni Futvoye 805-940-6323 [email protected].

The Weed Project: Outlaws of the Super Bloom & Crimes

On June 12, at the Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion at the Museum of Ventura County the opening reception of The Weed Project: Outlaws of the Super Bloom & Crimes was held. This new exhibit, by the comical and brave Charlene Spiller features thirteen botanical paintings with an ecological message. There were refreshments and a no-host bar. Visitors were also able to explore the new and refreshed Children’s Garden.

Vol. 14, No. 19 – June 16 – June 29, 2021 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine
Theaters stay busy with summer youth camps

Are your kids prone to dramatic behavior or break out in song? Several theaters are offering summer camps to enhance theater basics. Check them out right away if your kids are interested.

Unity Theatre Collective is offering Musical Theater Camps. Camps are Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon at Barranca Vista Park. The first offering is Annie. Camp runs July 12-16. After that, a camp for Shrek, the Musical, Jr. is from July 26-30. For ages 10-15, a camp for the musical Mama Mia is August 2-6.

Instructors Maddie Boyd and Sarah Covault will teach theater. www.unitytheatrecollective.com has all the details and the links to sign up. Openings are limited.

The Rubicon Theatre has already begun its Dare to Dream summer Shakespeare Camp, working on a production of Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Joseph Fuqua.

Shrek, the Musical, Jr. will be directed and choreographed by George Ratliff and Cheryl Baxter. For ages 8-15, will take place June 21 through July 18.

Finally, for ages 15 and above, a production workshop of Les Misérables on July 19-August 15. Check www.rubicontheatre.org/summer-education-programs for all the particulars. All productions will culminate in a filmed production.

Ventura’s urban forest

Parking lots provide excellent opportunities for expanding Ventura’s urban forest. This city-owned lot off Loma Vista, next to the Community Memorial Hospital parking structure, had no trees for decades. As part of a paving project, the city recently installed eight new Australian Willow (Geijera parviflora) trees, which will provide shade as their canopies spread. They are evergreen and will grow to 35′ high and 20′ wide. Their non-invasive roots make them a good fit for street and parking lot trees, and their water-filled leaves are fire resistant.

Ventura Tree Alliance, www.venturatreealliance.com

Jack Lawrence White, A.I.A.

Jack Lawrence White, long time Los Angeles and Ventura County Architect and resident, passed away at the fine age of 89, on Monday, May 24th. Surrounded in love by his family, he took his last breath with his son Rick, holding his hand.

Jack, born in Phoenix, in the coat closet of the Kit Kat Club by a doctor who happened to be in the audience during a performance by his father’s band. Jack grew up traveling with his father Robert, Mother Jean, and with his older brother Bobbie, on the Vaudeville circuit.

Graduating from Hollywood High in 1950, the graduation ceremony was held at the Hollywood Bowl.

With The Korean War starting, Jack joined the Air Force. It was in the Air Force Band that Jack honed his skills on the French-horn during the day, in order to avoid being shipped out to combat. At night, Jack would gig on the piano, playing jazz in the clubs that were relegated to the “Blacks Only” musicians.  Jack became an aficionado of Jazz and always had Art Tatum, Miles Davis or Dave Brubeck playing in the house. 

After leaving the Air Force with his 1956 Austin Healey, he returned to Los Angeles to LA City College and on to USC School of Architecture. It was while attending USC that he met Penny while they both worked at the Valley Men’s Athletic Club. After only 6 weeks they were married at the “Little Brown Church in the Valley”.

Starting their married life together in the San Fernando Valley, Jack’s new Architecture practice for homes and apartment buildings during a time of growth, and Penny’s life on and off screen and theatre made for an exciting life. 

In 1971, an opening of a new community way out in Ventura County, Westlake Village, brought new opportunities for them.  Purchasing 3 dirt lots on what was to become a picturesque lake. With stake signs saying, ”will build to suit,” Jack started his Architect/General Contractor “White Oak Builders” career.

In 1978, before the real estate world slowed, Penny knew it was time to start a new career in travel writing. Becoming one of the most in-demand travel journalists for national newspapers and magazines, they became cruise experts and enjoyed traveling the open seas.

Life was good for many years, however in 1990, Penny was diagnosed with cancer. After a courageous battle, she died at the age of 54, leaving Jack, their children Rick and Jill, to start anew. 

“Traveling with Jack and Jill” was born. This father and daughter team took many great  journeys and eventually launched, Jillsfoodtravels. Both Rick and Jill watched over their father as he advanced in years to ensure his safety, his comfort and his health, a testimony to his 89 years strong.

In recent years, Jack and his brother Bob, co-wrote music and lyrics for a Hollywood play. Jack enjoyed playing, “Play a little song for me” as a tribute to Bob and their collaborative skills and strong eighty-three-year, brother and best friend relationship.

Eight years ago, Jack moved to La Canada to be close with Jill and her husband Rick, and their daughters Lizzy and Kate. Jack is survived by his daughter-in- law Eliane, grandson Kyle and wife Melissa Breslow granddaughter, Karina.  Jack is also survived by his niece Lorry King and husband Bob, and nephew Steve White and wife Anne.

Villanova Prep celebrates 2021 graduates

The class of 2021 hails from eight different countries.

Villanova Preparatory School graduated the 94th class in the school’s history on Saturday, May 29 at 4 p.m at the Grotto of Our Mother of Good Counsel on Villanova’s campus. The 55 young men and women of the class of 2021 were joined by the Villanova faculty as well as their families to celebrate their accomplishments. The ceremony was presided over by the Very Reverend Gary Sanders, OSA (Order of Saint Augustine), Prior Provincial for the Province of St. Augustine in California. Mr. Brian Roney, Assistant Headmaster for Academics, served as Master of Ceremonies and welcomed the graduates and their families. The graduation was also broadcast live on Zoom so that international students and their families could watch the ceremony live from their home countries.

The ceremony consisted of opening remarks from Headmaster Brian Grisin, followed by a student address by class Salutatorian Jakob Pinedo of Oxnard. Jakob spoke of the challenges the class of 2021 has faced, from the Thomas Fire in their freshman year to the pandemic in their senior year, and how these challenges taught them to rely on each other. Jakob will attend the University of California, Santa Barbara in the fall.

The attendees enjoyed musical interludes performed by graduates Kimberly Shih of Kowloon, Hong Kong, Gabriela Magallanes of Redwood City, California, Keanu Ramirez of Camarillo, and Julia Reed of Oxnard.

The valedictory addresses were given by co-Valedictorians Zhiwo (Suzy) Xu of Jiangsu, China and Yiwen (Bruce) Zhang of Heilongjiang, China. Suzy delivered her address in-person and Bruce delivered his via video as he was not able to be present at the ceremony. Suzy encouraged her classmates to not put their lives on hold, but to seize the moment, even if it is a difficult one. Bruce extolled his classmates to work hard and to not wait for good things to happen to you. Both Suzy and Bruce will attend the University of California, Los Angeles in the fall.

The commencement address was given by alumna Laura Eloyon ‘01 who is the Deputy Branch Chief for Emergency Response and Recovery at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Ms. Eloyan holds her B.A. from Boston University and an MBA from Duquesne University. She spoke to the graduates about her time in the Peace Corps. and her work at the CDC. She spoke about her work in this last year at the CDC and how unexpected events are often the things that teach us the most in life.

The students dressed in navy-blue graduation gowns and were called one by one to receive their diplomas from Prior Provincial Fr. Gary Sanders, Headmaster Brian Grisin, and Director of Mission Fr. Barnaby Johns, OSA. Students unable to attend had their name and hometown read and their diplomas mailed to them.

The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Very Rev. Gary Sanders and a singing of the alma mater. The class of 2021 hails from eight different countries and will go on to attend 35 different Universities and Colleges.