A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 323,000 visitors to Channel Islands National Park in 2022 spent $21.8 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 258 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $31.9 million.

“Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 300 million visitors every year. The impact of tourism to national parks is undeniable: bringing jobs and revenue to communities in every state in the country and making national parks an essential driver to the national economy,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams.

“Channel Islands National Park attracts visitors from around the world who come to experience the rich natural and cultural resources found on these five islands and surrounding waters,” said Superintendent Ethan McKinley. “The connection between our beautiful gateway communities and the “Galapagos of North America” is a critical economic driver for local businesses.”

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists at the National Park Service. The report shows $23.9 billion of direct spending by nearly 312 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 378,400 jobs nationally; 314,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $50.3 billion.

As for the economics of visitor spending, the lodging sector had the highest direct effects, with $9 billion in economic output nationally. The restaurants sector had the second greatest effects, with $4.6 billion in economic output nationally.

To learn more about national parks in California and how the National Park Service works with California communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/california.

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board of Education appointed Ms. Alicia LaVere to serve as Trustee for Area 3 at a Special Board of Education meeting that was held on September 26, 2023. Six candidates were interviewed that day, with the Board choosing LaVere to serve in the role. Trustee LaVere will take the seat of former Trustee Amy Callahan, who, after serving two and a half years of a four-year term, announced her decision to resign for personal reasons last month.

Trustee LaVere is familiar with VUSD. She is a parent of two elementary-age children in the District, served as a member of the Loma Vista Elementary School Site Council, and currently as its PTA President. Trustee LaVere is an Occupational Therapist who has worked at various hospitals and skilled nursing facilities throughout the county. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Master of Arts Degree in Occupational Therapy.

“We are grateful to have had six highly capable and dedicated candidates for our open board position. It shows just how important our students and schools are to this community,” stated Board President Sabrena Rodriguez. “We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Alicia LaVere, a committed parent volunteer and enthusiastic supporter of public education. I look forward to working with her and my colleagues to ensure we provide a high-quality, student-centered experience for all of our community’s children.”

Trustee LaVere will serve on the Board until December 2024, the time left on Callahan’s term. She would then have to run in the November 2024 election to serve another term.

“As a mother of two children in the Ventura Unified School District, I have always held education and the welfare of our students in the highest regard,” stated Trustee LaVere. “I am humbled to have been chosen for this extremely important position, and it will be a privilege to serve alongside the current board members as we work together with the common goal of supporting our students, staff, and community.

“We are so pleased to have Trustee LaVere join our governance team. Her experiences as an engaged parent, PTA leader, and dedicated healthcare professional complements the diversity of our Board of Education,” stated Superintendent, Dr. Antonio Castro. “She is someone who is committed to the tenets of public service and who will immediately contribute a unique voice in promoting the promise of our schools.”

Holding public office is not a new concept for Trustee LaVere’s family; her husband is Ventura County Supervisor, District 1, Matt LaVere.

As the American public increasingly understands the critical nature of accessible, affordable mental health care, so do the demands on NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, known locally as NAMI Ventura County.

To support its free educational programs, power its advocacy efforts and strengthen outreach to the community, NAMI presents its largest mental health awareness and fundraising event of the year, NAMIWalks Ventura County on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Ventura County Government Center (800 S. Victoria Ave).

Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere will act as the Honorary Chairperson for the event. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10am.

With one in five people experiencing mental illness at any given time, NAMIWalks Ventura County expects to attract thousands of residents from across Ventura County to celebrate mental health recovery, to let community members know they are not alone and to honor the memory of loved ones lost to suicide.

“This is a new, uncharted time for mental health care. We must recognize the significant impact that current events are placing on our mental wellness,” said Roberta Griego, NAMI Ventura County Executive Director]. “Our friends, family and neighbors can afford nothing less than Mental Health for All. NAMIWalks is a force because we have to be.”

To join NAMIWalks, visit namiwalks.org/venturacounty. There is no registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged. Participants raising at least $100 receive an event T-shirt. One hundred percent of funds raised stay local, supporting NAMI Ventura County]’s free mental health programs, resources and services.

by Ventura Water

Throughout our series highlighting the people and processes that make up Ventura Water, the importance of excellence in the workplace has been an underlying theme. This month, focusing on the Laboratory Team, the necessity for consistently high quality of work is as clear as clean water. By collecting and analyzing our water not only does the Lab Team ensure the water we drink meets or exceeds water quality standards, but they also make sure the water we discharge back to Earth’s water cycle is safe. Water quality standards are developed and enforced by the State Water Resources Control Board. Simply put, the work the Lab Team does substantiates how well the water and wastewater systems are running. They’re also an integral part in the daily operations of Ventura Water’s facilities, running tests that give plant operators information they need to keep systems running efficiently.

Among the Lab Team’s eight members are many science degrees, certifications, areas of expertise, and decades of experience, which completes a robust team. Six lab analysts handle liquid and solid samples, following various testing methods and procedures and using sophisticated equipment to compile results for reporting. The Laboratory Supervisor oversees lab operations, planning for future water quality standards, and opportunities to improve efficiency. Accuracy and accountability are paramount to the Lab Team’s work.

Wes Corney holds a degree in microbiology and has been on the Lab Team for three years. He’s a local, having grown up in Ventura, and says the opportunity to serve his community is what he appreciates most about his job. As Ventura Water’s only Laboratory Assistant, he is always on the move. Each week Wes collects samples from over forty sampling points across the city. Some are taken at treatment facilities, others from wells or tanks, and some directly from local water bodies.

The rigorous work our Lab Team performs keeps Ventura Water in compliance with State and Federal water quality standards, and because of the vital role they play in public health and environmental protection, excellence must be their standard. Next month we’ll focus in on Ventura Water’s Environmental Compliance Team, who monitors water coming into the wastewater plant, protecting it and the environment from harmful pollutants.

Strengthening VC Families, an initiative of Ventura County Children and Family Services, is asking for families to help children in need by providing safe Emergency Shelter Homes (ESH) for children and youth who need an immediate place to go.

The ESH program provides children, youth, and families with a foundation of respect and support, from special people who can support children and youth by providing a safe place to stay, while birth families receive support so that they can reunify with their children as soon as it is possible.

“We all know the importance of a safe and loving home”, said Arturo Vargas, Manager of Resource Family Approval (RFA). “It’s a big ask” but it’s an important ask.

We need families to serve as emergency shelter homes for children and youth who need immediate, short-term care ranging anywhere from 1-60 days. There is compensation for this important work.

The unique demands of being an ESH require a special set of skills and circumstances that include patience, consistency, and a commitment to providing a safe and loving environment for children and youth who have experienced trauma.

Important qualifications for becoming an Emergency Shelter Home:

• Complete the Resource Family training program, learning about children and youth in trauma.
• Be empathetic and supportive to both birth parents and the extended family of a child.
• Be available 24/7 for placement referrals.
• Have experience parenting children.
• Have a stable, nurturing home.
• Own reliable transportation.
• Have good verbal and written communication skills, bilingual is a plus.
• Be a member of the professional team of support available to you.
• Must reside within Ventura County.

“Emergency Shelter Homes provide a safe environment for our children at such a critical time in their lives and this is a very meaningful way to step up and help our community, help our families, and help our children and youth,” said Jaci Johnson, Program Coordinator III in Recruitment at Ventura County Children and Family Services.

If you are interested in helping children and youth in need, please call 805-654-3220 or go to strengtheningvcfamilies.org to learn more.

The County of Ventura Human Services Agency, Children and Family Services (CFS) vision is to offer support, hope and opportunity to families and children in need. It is through this vision we have developed Strengthening VC Families approach.

The goal of helping children and youth in Ventura County is to support the whole child, whole family, and whole community through integration and alignment of services. This goal is achieved by increasing preventative work to keep families together, aligning practices throughout the continuum of health and human services, and active engagement with diverse community partners to strengthen families together.

After serving two and half years of a four-year term, Ventura Unified School District Board of Education Trustee, Ms. Amy Callahan has announced her decision to step down from her Area 3 seat for personal reasons.

“This decision has not been easy and comes after much reflection. Due to personal reasons, I find myself needing to step down from this role that has meant so much to me. I want to convey my gratitude to each of you. Serving this District, which has been integral to my family’s life, has been a privilege. The remarkable educators, dedicated staff, and talented students within this District have made this journey truly rewarding,” stated Callahan.

Callahan, a VUSD alumna, has two children in the Ventura Unified School District. She stated that she intends to continue to be an involved parent who is “excited to witness the continued excellence that the District will undoubtedly achieve.”

“Trustee Callahan has been a steadfast champion of improving the lives of our students since her election in 2020. Her commitment to literacy and equity has helped to guide the Board and the District in our work to ensure every child has the best possible education we can provide. Amy’s dedication has made a tangible difference for our community’s children,” stated Board President Sabrena Rodriguez.

“Trustee Callahan’s ardent passion for literacy has energized several strategic priorities. Her belief in the promise of public education and her dedication to underserved communities have helped shape the dialogue around resource allocation. We thank her for her service to our District,” stated Superintendent Castro.

The Board of Education will look into filling the vacant Trustee seat as soon as possible. There will be a formal process to fill the rest of the term, which expires in December 2024. Information on how that process will be run will be sent as soon as details are finalized.