California E-DigestOctober 2009
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For more information, contact SEARAC’s California office:
Nenick Vu
California Field Organizer
Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
Email: nenick@searac.org
Phone: (916) 428-7769
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NEWS
POLICY UPDATES
UPCOMING EVENTS
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS OPPORTUNITIES
NEWS
On September 18th, 2009, charges of plotting to overthrow the government of Laos were dropped for Hmong leader Vang Pao. Although charges have been dropped against Vang Pao, twelve others still will be tried with charges of conspiracy to overthrow the Laotian government. More information can be found at: http://www.kcra.com/news/20989366/detail.html
The Oakland City Council and city officials are considering placing a moratorium on nail salons in Oakland, as well in increasing health and safety crackdowns. The majority of nail salons in Oakland are owned and operated by Vietnamese immigrants, many of whom want to work with the city of Oakland to write the regulations the city is considering. More information can be found at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/06/BAK71A1JKI.DTL
Despite the decision by the California Legislature to cut In-Home Care services on November 1st, Judge Claudia Wilken in Oakland has imposed an injunction which will postpone the cuts to review the state's methods for deciding whose services would be cut. The usage of a "functional" index to rate recipients' needs for In-Home Care services raised issues, as it did not account for those suffering from mental or memory related disabilities. Although the injunction will keep current services from being cut, administrative readjustments may delay payments to recipients. More information can be found at: http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/2264523.html
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POLICY UPDATES
Assemblymember Dave Jones of Sacramento authored AB 636 which would take away operating permits of bus companies that do not register their bus through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and/or hire unlicensed drivers. This bill was first introduced after the Colusa bus crash that killed eleven Hmong and Mien elders. This bill was signed by the governor on October 11, 2009 and will take affect on January 1, 2010.
After passage of the California budget 10 weeks ago, California still remains in the red according to a report released by State Controller Jeff Chiang on October 9. In the 10 week period since passage of the California Budget, the state has accrued another $1.1 billion of debt. Revenue from personal income tax, corporate taxes and sales taxes in California has fallen short of projections and is being cited as the primary factor for the increased deficit. This adds to the current state deficit which now totals $16.2 billion at the end of September.
To access the State Controller's report, please go to http://www.sco.ca.gov/Press-Releases/2009/10-09summary.pdf.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Breast Cancer Network of Strength will be hosting free mammogram screenings for all women who qualify on November 20, 2009. The screenings will be held at the Health for All clinic located on 577 Las Palmas Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95815. Please call Victoria Nyugen at (312) 379-2290 to schedule an appointment.
Lao Family Community of Stockton will be hosting the 2009-2010 Stockton Hmong New Year at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds on November 7th and 8th. The event will feature a live dance competition, entertainment, cultural performances, athletic competitions, and food and merchandise vendors. For more information please contact: Lao Family Community of Stockton at (209) 466-0721.
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GRANTS, INTERNSHIPS, AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The OCA National Center in Washington D.C. is seeking current full-time undergraduate students interested in a communications paid internship (particularly non-profit communications) for Winter 2010 (Jan - Mar). The selected intern will receive experience working directly for the Communications Manager on various projects. Please note that listing computer skills in resume (ie Adobe, Microsoft Suite) is required for consideration. The paid internship will begin on January 5, 2010 and end on March 15, 2010. The last day to apply for the internship is November 23, 2009. More information can be found at http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Internship/143457-146/c
The OCA National Center in Washington D.C. is seeking current full-time undergraduate students interested in social justice and Asian American issues for a Winter 2010 (Jan - Mar) paid internship. The selected intern will receive experience working in a non-profit environment and engage in a team environment. The paid internship will begin on January 4, 2010 and end on March 16, 2010. The last day to apply for the internship is November 16, 2009. More information can be found at http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Internship/143457-146/c
Every year the APIASF Scholarship Program awards scholarships, ranging between $2,500 - $5,000, to over 200 first-year college students. All applicants must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census. The deadline to submit an application is January 18, 2010. Other eligibility requirements and information can be found on the website at: http://www.apiasf.org/scholarship_apiasf.html
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation is now accepting applications for the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program. College seniors and recent graduates will spend ten weeks in Washington, D.C., gaining knowledge about federal legislative procedure and health policy issues while further developing their critical thinking and leadership skills. The deadline to submit applications is December 4, 2009. To read more about the grant, click here: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=269300011
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Additional information
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October 1, 2009 [PDF]
Monthly CA office e-newsletter.
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