Category Archives: News and Notes

Program helps COVID-impacted veterans become employed in high-demand industries

Veterans experiencing unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic are among the country’s hardest-hit populations. To help veterans who have been impacted, Ventura College’s Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is now offering the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP). Eligible veterans will receive up to one year of U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs-paid training for high-demand occupations and a monthly housing allowance.

To qualify for the Veteran Affairs (VA) program, veterans need to be between the ages of 22 and 66, unemployed due to COVID, not totally disabled and have no other VA benefits remaining.

The VRC will assist eligible veterans in applying for VRRAP and then getting enrolled at Ventura College for the fall 2021 semester with classes starting Aug. 16. Ventura College also offers classes beginning January 2022 to accommodate students’ schedules.

The college’s VRRAP students will have a choice of 23 certificate of achievement programs, including accounting, automotive technician, construction management and the new veterinary assistant program.

VRRAP veteran students and all military-connected students—including active duty and dependents of veterans—are supported by the VRC. The Center helps students navigate the college’s enrollment process, links them with educational benefits, and connects students with academic counselors and financial aid specialists. As an advocate for military students, the VRC provides information, holds special events and offers a location for students to work, study and mingle.

“It’s rare that the VA introduces new educational funding programs. Having Ventura College be a VRRAP provider is important because it specifically addresses the needs of our veterans who have been so greatly impacted,” said Jordana Ybarra-Telias, VRC program coordinator. “I hope to see more VA programs like VRRAP that provide a housing allowance to make it easier for veteran students to focus on school without worrying about how they will pay rent as they invest in their futures.”

“Ventura College is honored to support our veterans, and this new program will help them gain knowledge and skills to increase their employability,” added Ventura College President Kim Hoffmans. “Veterans and their families have made great sacrifices for our country, and this is one way for us to demonstrate our gratitude.”

In March, the VA enacted VRRAP as part of the American Rescue Plan of 2021, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package designed to help individuals and businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic.

“As a member of the California Community Colleges Veterans Caucus, I appreciate how VRRAP will not only help Ventura College students, it will also help our community’s economic recovery,” said Chancellor Greg Gillespie.

Ventura College offers several VA programs and other educational funding resources from federal, state and local entities. Students can access the college’s Zero Textbook Cost program and other resources to help with educational expenses.

For more information about VRRAP at Ventura College, contact Ybarra-Telias at (805) 289-6060 or [email protected], or visit venturacollege.edu/departments/student-services/veterans-resource-center

 

County Agricultural Commissioner 2020 Crop & Livestock Report

The year 2020 brought several things into sharp focus about the importance of agriculture to the County of Ventura. The COVID 19 pandemic pointed out how vulnerable and extraordinarily essential the 40,000 hardworking people who faithfully kept coming to work are to not only the residents of Ventura, but to people throughout the world. They kept the food, clothing, landscaping, and agricultural systems moving despite many new challenges and changes in our society. They did all this while not only worrying about how to provide food and shelter for their families, but also keeping them safe through rapidly changing work and social conditions.

Our report this year features the diverse stories of women in Ventura County agriculture. Women who grow crops, manage a farm, connect farmworkers to resources, advocate for farmworker rights, distribute wholesale produce, manage farmers’ markets, provide agricultural education, contract farm labor, provide farm labor housing, oversee food safety, provide legal counsel, provide pest control advice, conduct agricultural research, and protect the industry, the public and the environment by regulating agriculture.

With the closure of restaurants and restrictions at grocery stores during 2020 the farming community and distributors had to scramble to change marketing practices and for some the type of produce they grew. Some of these changes are reflected in some of the crop values and production numbers.

Strawberries are still number one

The estimated gross value of Ventura County’s agriculture for calendar year 2020 is $1,985,365,000. This represents a 0.2% decrease in comparison to 2019. Strawberries were again the number one crop at $575,373,000, increasing by 13.0%. Lemons moved back into second place with a value of $216,190,000, increasing by 2.0%. Nursery Stock moved up into third place with a value of $193,135,000, increasing by 3.0%. Tomatoes remained in seventh place with a value of $54,387,000, increasing by 17.0%. Peppers moved up into eighth place with a value of $41,165,000, but decreased by 4.0%.

Big changes in the top ten

Avocados moved up into fourth place with a value of $179,727,000, increasing by 54.0%. Raspberries moved down to fifth place with a value of $141,547,000, decreasing by 30.0%. Celery moved down to sixth place with a value of $126,870,000, decreasing by 48.0%. Blueberries entered the top ten for the first time, landing in ninth place with a value of $38,781,000, with a tremendous increase of 119.0 %!

Crops that dropped out of the top ten

Cabbage replaced Hemp as the number ten crop at $37,135,000, increasing by 8.0% from 2019. Sadly, for the first time since 1983, cut flowers has dropped out of the top ten with a total value of $33,917,000, a decrease of 27%.

Organic demand remains high

Although the number of acres farmed organically decreased, the value of crops grown organically increased by 1.8% from 2019 to 2020.

To learn more about support for Farmworkers please visit the County of Ventura’s Farmworker Resource Program website at: https://www.ventura.org/human-services-agency/farmworker-resources/.

County of Ventura and City of Oxnard reach cooperation agreement for Channel Islands Harbor 

  The County Board of Supervisors and City of Oxnard Councilmembers have both unanimously approved a cooperation agreement for major improvements in the Channel Islands Harbor agreeing to areas of land use and shared cost of maintenance and infrastructure.  

The County and City entered into a 50-year agreement in 1963. The agreement allowed for the City to annex the land portion of the Harbor into the City while committing to maintain sewer services, streets, and parks areas. The agreement came to an end in 2009 and since then the City and County have been working to come to a new agreement. 

In the new agreement the City and County will work jointly together to facilitate key redevelopment efforts for the benefit of the public and address the water quality issues in the harbor.  Also included in the agreement is the renewal of a 1983 master tax sharing agreement between the County and the City that expired in 2018. 

“This is a great step forward. We look forward to working with the City and community on the visioning process to identify development goals for the Harbor,” said Ventura County Harbor Department Director Mark Sandoval. “The Channel Islands Harbor is a gem on our California coast with 310 acres of land and water, with approximately 2,150 boat slips, as well as marina facilities, restaurants, sportfishing facilities and shops. This agreement will help make this beautiful area even better for our community members to enjoy.” 

In the spirit of cooperation, the County and the City will share in the maintenance costs of the public areas of the Harbor with the City contributing 50% of the maintenance costs in a not to exceed amount of $200,000 annually, for a three-year period starting on July 1, 2021. The City will also contribute 50% of the maintenance costs for an additional two years if the Hyatt Hotel Project on Peninsula Road has not been issued a certificate of occupancy by June 30, 2024.  

Additionally, the City will share in the construction of specific one-time public projects within the Harbor that will benefit community members throughout the County and other visitors to the Harbor. Over the next 5 years, the City will help fund the replacement or repair of the following projects, contributing the estimated funding below towards the improvements:  

  • Repair of public parking lot and replacement of the bathroom at Kiddie Beach, $475,000 
  • Repavement of public parking lots adjacent to Harbor Boulevard, $1,000,000 
  • Enhancement of light poles and fixtures along Harbor Boulevard, $120,000 
  • Replacement of the public restroom at Peninsula Park, $162,500 
  • Repavement of Peninsula Road after the Hotel Project is completed, $506,000.  

The agreement also extends the City Fire Station lease. This extension provides for fire protection services to the Harbor area and to nearby City and County residents. 

Learn more about the Channel Islands Harbor at www.channelislandsharbor.org.

Board of Supervisors Approves New Five-Year Contract for County Executive Officer

On Tuesday, July 27, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to extend the contract for County Executive Officer, Mike Powers, through July 2026. Each of the five Board members commented on the excellent work of Mike Powers, citing his leadership through some of the most difficult and challenging times.

“Mr. Powers has demonstrated tremendous leadership as our County Executive Officer, delivering on the goals set forth by our Board while guiding the County through the challenges and impacts of the pandemic,” said Chair Linda Parks. “This pandemic response included significant support for our most vulnerable including seniors, farmworkers, and individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as strong financial support for pandemic impacted businesses through the provisioning of $60 million in business assistance grants and more than $7 million in business fee waivers. Additionally, Mr. Powers’ leadership has guided vaccination efforts that have resulted in one of the highest vaccination rates among counties in the state and in the nation.”

Mike Powers was first appointed to the position in December 2010 and this is the fourth renewal of his contract with the County. Board members noted Mike Powers’ work ethic, responsiveness, support during recent emergencies and dedication to serving community members of Ventura County with professionalism and compassion.

“I deeply appreciate the support of the Board. We could not do what we do without the Board support. I am also very grateful to serve alongside our County leadership team and our County workforce. Seeing the work that they have done during this pandemic shows what can be done when we all work together towards a shared mission,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “There is a lot ahead of us, but the work across our 25 agencies and departments will allow the County to achieve the goals that have been set by the Board and to capitalize on the enhanced connections developed through our pandemic response between our departments as well as our local government and community partners to better serve our community.”

In recognition of comparative salary and benefit information with administrators of other comparable counties in California with hospital systems, an increase in compensation rate of 5% was also approved by the Board. The contract extension is based on the Board’s performance assessment rating of Mike Powers as exceptional over the past 11 years.

“Over the course of the past eighteen months significant additional progress towards the goals and priorities set by our Board has also been made, among these being disaster resilience and recovery, health and safety transformations, including support for the clinic integration project, diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, mental and public health, sustainability, the prioritization of homeless, veterans and children’s services, and increased emphasis on economic vitality,” said Chair Linda Parks. “Strong financial performance has enabled the County to move forward on programs while also supporting pandemic recovery efforts. A highly successful complete count on the 2020 census was also supported amongst the difficult challenges of the pandemic.”

 

With the 5% increase, Mike Powers’ salary will be $328,974.83.

Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation awards $590,000 in grant funding

The trustees of the Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $590,000 to 11 local non-profit organizations providing remote and in-person services to youth and adolescents during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $150,000, and were allocated to the following organizations:

$40,000 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ventura County for contactless food drop offs, plus virtual and in-person mentoring, support groups, and workshops to assist youth and families coping with toxic stress

$150,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme for club upgrades, expanded technology resources, STEAM (Science, Technology, English, Arts, and Math) centers, and sustaining current resources

$40,000 to CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly for matching a teen volunteer with a senior to assist with indoor and outdoor home maintenance, including lawn mowing, window washing, vacuuming, laundry, and home organization

$15,000 to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association for free virtual and in-person grief and bereavement counseling services for County youth

$10,000 to Project Understanding for individualized tutoring at eight centers for 400 struggling, low-income students in grades K-5 throughout Ventura County

Grants are awarded in the spring and fall of each year. The deadline for letters of interest for Fall 2021 grants is September 30, 2021. For more information about the Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation, including instructions on how to apply for a grant, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.samuelssonfoundation.org.

The Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation was established in 2005 upon the death of Harriet H. Samuelsson, an Oxnard philanthropist, at age 96.  The Foundation awards over $1 million in grants each year to organizations providing services for the health, education, guidance, or welfare of children under the age of 18 residing in Ventura County, or to organizations conducting cancer research.

 

Public health strongly recommends all community members wear masks indoors

With cases of COVID-19 rising locally and increased circulation of the highly transmissible Delta variant, the County of Ventura Public Health Department strongly recommends that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in public places. This serves as an extra precautionary measure for those who are fully vaccinated and will further limit spread of the Delta variant in the community at large.

“The Delta variant is spreading quickly in our State. All community members should take action to protect themselves and others against this potentially deadly virus,” said County of Ventura Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin. “While vaccines remain our best tool against COVID-19, masking in indoor and crowded outdoor settings will help us curb the spread of this latest wave of infection. Ventura County data have recently shown that unvaccinated people are 22 times more likely to become infected and hospitalized than vaccinated residents. Several of our hospitalized people have been vaccinated and that is several too many.”

In June, the Delta variants comprised 43 percent of all specimens sequenced in California. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that Delta variants are now responsible for 58 percent of new infections across the country. Fully vaccinated people are well-protected from infections and serious illness due to known COVID-19 variants including Delta variants, and vaccinating as many people as possible, as soon as possible, continues to be our best defense against severe COVID-19 infection, and the harm it can do to our region. Vaccines are safe, effective, free, and widely available to everyone 12 and older. “For the most part this is a surge of cases among our unvaccinated and it is preventable. Get vaccinated,” said Doctor Levin.

Out of an abundance of caution, people are strongly recommended to wear masks indoors in settings like grocery or retail stores, theaters, and family entertainment centers, even if they are fully vaccinated as an added layer of protection for both themselves and unvaccinated residents. Businesses are asked to expect universal masking for customers entering indoor areas of their businesses to provide better protection to their employees and customers. Workplaces must comply with Cal/OSHA requirements and fully vaccinated employees are encouraged to wear masks indoors if their employer has not confirmed the vaccination status of those around them. For masks to work properly, they need to completely cover your nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of your face and around your nose.

Public Health will continue to monitor transmission rates, hospitalizations, deaths and increasing vaccination rates throughout the County and will reevaluate the recommendation in the coming weeks. COVID-19 information can be monitored at www.vcrecovers.org.

COVID-19 vaccines are available at multiple locations throughout the County of Ventura for all community members 12 or older. Information about locations can be found at www.myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255.

Crowd gathers to protest SoCalGas compressor site in Ventura

The Westside Community Council was there supporting the cause.

On July 17, from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm, hundreds of community members from around California including Ventura, Culver City, Playa Del Rey, and Aliso Canyon met at Kellogg Park to demand Gov. Newsom instruct the California Public Utilities Commission to conduct an Environmental Impact Review before any further work can be completed on the SoCalGas facility, and to phase out oil and gas drilling immediately.

More than 200 people attended the ‘Fight to Stop Ventura SoCalGas Compressor’ protest. They displayed signs opposing the compressor station and lisend tgo speakers opposing the site.

For years, Ventura’s Westside community has lived near the Southern California Gas Company compressor station. It has been considered by NASA as a super-emitter of methane.

SoCalGas has initiated efforts to double the size of the facility that sits across the street from an elementary school and Boys and Girls Club. Approximately 500 people live within a quarter mile of the facility, but as many as 4,750 live within a half mile radius close enough to be impacted by a gas explosion. The site s located at 1555 N. Olive St.

Ryan Gellert, CEO of Patagonia, Inc. stated “As CEO of Patagonia, I am working in solidarity with the community of West Ventura and Patagonia’s 500 Ventura based employees to oppose this dangerous project. Patagonia’s headquarters has been located down the road on West Santa Clara Street since our founding in 1973. As a global company that is in business to save our home planet, it’s our responsibility to use our resources to protect our employees, neighbors and community from harm. We believe it’s urgent to put people before the interests of the fossil fuel industry.”

“Oil and gas infrastructure has no place near homes and schools. Patagonia applauds Mayor Rubalcava and our city councilors, along with community groups and environmental activists, for protecting residents. We urge our elected and appointed officials to continue to block the expansion of this dangerous facility. We want SoCalGas to safely clean up this site under the watchful eyes of government officials and local activists and shut down this compressor station.

To learn more about the efforts to stop SoCalGas’ expansion of the gas compressor on Olive Street, please visit westsidecleanair.org. Their demands are:

The Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) must hold a bilingual community hearing with residents that would be affected, including parents of children who attend EP Foster Elementary School;

There must be an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Health Impact Assessment of the entire scope of the cleanup and expansion project at 1555 N. Olive St;

Rather than expand this facility, SoCal Gas must create a plan to clean up the toxic soil and shut down the compressor station. We do not want this in our neighborhood.

Kindness Really Matters Now

Ventura’s wonderful Park Safety Ambassadors would be a fine place to start.

Why, Here in Ventura — and Throughout California — Kindness Really Matters Now

Now that California and Ventura have reopened, folks are flooding out into the world with joyous abandon. That is happy news. We all can use plenty of joy. But there is a flip side to this flood. Businesses that had gone to a skeletal staff (or no staff) are suddenly short staffed. The simple, unequal math is reduced to this — many of our Ventura businesses are struggling to do a lot more with fewer people. Our Ventura businesses — from hotels, to restaurants, to retail — are working hard to hire staff, but it takes time. Lines are a little longer. Waits are a little longer. Phones ring a little longer.

Our businesses are doing the best they can in the face of a happy deluge of visitors and locals eager to greet life, all of them boosting our economy (for which we are deeply grateful). And our businesses are working equally hard to do better. Until they catch up — and they will — we ask for some simple, but game-changing, things. Like patience. An understanding smile. A kind word. Maybe even an unasked for thank you. Ventura’s wonderful Park Safety Ambassadors would be a fine place to start (They’re easy to spot; wearing bright red colored shirts with Ventura’s logo, they’re perpetually cleaning and graciously answering every kind of question).

That’s right, who better to get the kindness ball rolling than the locals? We Venturans know how to do this. No town knows better. We know how to move a little more slowly; see what’s important and what isn’t. These businesses that are working so hard to adapt to this bright world, most of them are run by our friends and neighbors. These are people we know. How could we not be patient and understanding?

Venturans and visitors, we all walk through this time together. Who wouldn’t want to make it more pleasant? And it requires pretty much nothing. No effort (how hard is a smile?). No real inconvenience (how hard, a few extra beats of patience?) No timetable. “Be kind whenever possible,” the Dalai Lama once said. “It is always possible.”

Why not even be proactively kind? There’s the story of a man who sets his phone alarm so that it goes off a few times a day. At that moment, he does something kind.

Makes you feel good just reading that, doesn’t it?

Why not spread that feeling?

 

Combatting teen vaping is focus of new website

Nearly a third of Ventura County eleventh graders say they have tried vaping.

The Ventura County Office of Education has launched a new website called The Triple Threat to Teen Health that’s aimed at combatting the serious problem of teen vaping. The website is available in English and Spanish at vaping.vcoe.org. “While many may think vaping is a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, the most popular vaping products all contain nicotine and have a high potential for addiction,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “This new website gives parents, guardians, students and educators an important tool to learn about the real risks that vaping poses to our students,” he said.

Nearly a third of Ventura County eleventh graders say they have tried vaping. Many young people are attracted to the thousands of sweet flavor options and slick new device designs used by the vaping industry. In addition to vaping nicotine products, students are using e-cigarettes to consume concentrated cannabis (marijuana). Both nicotine and cannabis use can permanently affect adolescent brain development.

Just before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was investigating cases of severe lung injuries caused by the vaping of these unregulated cannabis products. A recent Stanford University School of Medicine study showed a strong link between youth vaping and an increased risk of lung injury related to COVID-19 infection. Additional research by the University of California and Stanford University has found a concerning connection between nicotine, cannabis, and electronic vaping products.

In an effort to address this risk, the Ventura County Office of Education’s Comprehensive Health and Prevention Programs department has created a new website called The Triple Threat to Teen Health. The site is intended for use by parents, guardians, families, and school staff. It provides an initial introduction to these three intersecting issues that pose a significant health risk to today’s young people. It also offers local resources for those who would like to learn more or to get help with addiction.

While the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) shows that Ventura County students’ use of conventional cigarettes has been on a downward trend for the last two decades, vaping devices are being used at dramatically higher rates at every measured grade level. Only recently has the initial data from the most recent CHKS suggested that student vaping behaviors have dropped slightly. In addition, students’ “perception of harm” caused by vaping devices has increased dramatically – across all grade levels and in nearly every demographic. While additional analyses are pending, this suggests that public messaging and education on the risks of vaping are having an impact on teens.

The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at: www.vcoe.org.

County of Ventura launches VC Connects to help bridge digital gap

The County of Ventura is proud to announce the launch of VC Connects, a program designed to bridge the digital gap for older adults and people with disabilities living in Ventura County. VC Connects brings computers to the homes of individuals who do not otherwise have access to a digital device.

VC Connects offers individuals 18 and older access to computer kits that can be checked out at any of the 12 Ventura County Library locations or the Mobile Library. Internet enabled hotspots and technical support are also available. The program is offered through a collaborative effort between the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, the County of Ventura Information and Technology Department, and the Ventura County Library.

“We are excited to launch a program that creates access to technology for the populations we serve,” said Victoria Jump, Director of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging. “We recognize the importance of addressing the digital gap that exists for many Ventura County residents, and we are proud to provide a safe and trusted service that does just that.”

VC Connects allows users to complete any online task, including video chats with friends, family members, and doctors. The program, including internet enabled hotspots, is provided at no charge, however an active Ventura County Library card is required. Library cards may be acquired at any Ventura County Library location.

In addition to the computer kits, VC Connects offers thoroughly vetted tips and resources through www.vcconnects.org. The website was designed to address many of the questions and concerns that arise when using a digital device.

“Our goal is to make services more accessible and easier for the community to navigate,” said Nancy Schram, Director of the Ventura County Library. “VC Connects brings digital devices within reach in a way no other local program has before.”

For more information, visit www.vcconnects.org or call 805-477-7300.