Disaster Rights of CA Immigrants

 Disaster Rights of CA Immigrants 

 Admin@CADRESV.org 1 2/3/23v3 

 #1 It’s safe for immigrants to seek help 

President Biden expanded the national Protected Areas Policy which states that immigration enforcement agents should not arrest or intimidate people at or near places where disaster relief is being provided: emergency response shelters, service centers, places along evacuation routes (such as roadside checkpoints) or where family reunification is underway 

*See page 2 for more Protected Areas 

#2 Everyone is eligible for disaster relief. 

Eligibility for help is based on disaster-related needs – not on immigration status or income. Everyone is eligible for immediate, non-cash emergency relief. Eligibility for some longer-term government programs may require at least one citizen or eligible immigrant in the household. But all immigrants should feel safe to ask for the help they need from the responding non-profit or faith-based organizations. 

CA state law (SB 2327) prohibits disaster relief workers from asking for unnecessary documents or from asking questions about an individual’s immigration status. No one should be denied emergency assistance due to a lack of personal documents, which may have been lost or destroyed in a disaster. 

#3 Accepting disaster assistance will not affect your immigration status 

Immigrants may be concerned that accepting disaster assistance could affect their immigration status. This is not true. The Public Charge Rule (Dec, 22) confirms that disaster assistance will not be considered in a public charge test when a person applies for a green card. This Public Charge Safe to Use List (see page 2**) also includes non-disaster-related benefits and services that are never considered, such as food, medical care, insurance, children’s programs, religious activities, education, and more. Disaster relief assistance is free and does not have to be repaid. 

#4 Everyone has rights – Report Concerns 

Everyone has a right to emergency information and assistance in a language they can understand and in a place they can access. Advocates and Service Providers can educate themselves and their communities on immigrant rights before a disaster. They can help identify and mitigate obstacles to access. Afterward, they can make sure people have the accurate information and necessary support to successfully apply for assistance. Disaster Rights of CA Immigrants 

Admin@CADRESV.org 2 2/3/23v3 

Links to Resources 

  • • List of free and low-cost legal advice services in the San Francisco Bay Area 
  • • Directory of California Rapid Response Networks to report ICE activities around protected areas – CA Collaborative for Immigrant Justice 
  • • Multi-language Earthquake Safety Information – CADRE website 
  • • Links to local, state and national resources and information – Immigrantinfo.org 
  • • **Public Charge Safe to Use List (May, 21) English Spanish 
  • • FEMA Government Disaster Assistance for Undocumented Immigrants (English) 10/9/20 

*Other Protected Areas: 

In addition to disaster or emergency response and relief activities, “protected areas” include: 

  • • A school, such as a pre-school, primary or secondary school, vocational or trade school, or college or university. 
  • • Places that provide social services “essential to people in need”: food banks, domestic violence shelters, facilities that serve disabled persons. 
  • • Places where children gather, childcare centers, after-school programs, foster care facility, bus stops, and playgrounds. 
  • • Medical treatment facilities: hospitals, doctor’s offices, COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites, mental health providers, community health centers, urgent care centers, places that serve pregnant people. 
  • • A place where there is an ongoing parade, demonstration, or rally. 
  • • Places of worship or religious study including temporary structures dedicated to activities of faith. 
  • • A place where a funeral, graveside ceremony, rosary, wedding, or other religious or civil ceremonies or observances occur. 

2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Spanish

2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Vietnamese

2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-English 2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Spanish 2-3-23 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Vietnamese 2-3-12 Disaster Rights Info for CA Immigrants-Simplified Chinese

 

Santa Clara Develops Infrastructure to Address Racial and Health Equity

Building on the results of health assessments and a revised strategic plan, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, California, is developing internal infrastructure to advance racial and health equity. This includes hiring dedicated staff to lead department-wide efforts, developing a training program for its public health workforce, and pilot testing the application of racial equity tools.

CADRE Connection Newsletter – September 2022

This month’s issue has information on extreme heat, new multi-language resources, CADRE webinars on personal preparedness in the workplace and disaster activities of local faith based organizations and much more.

CADRE – Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Relief Effort – is the VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) for Santa Clara County.  We are part of the network of local, state, and national VOADs. During disasters, CADRE convenes nonprofits, faith-based and government entities to 1) Establish the current status of the emergency, 2) Connect like- organizations, 3) Develop relevant resources, and 4) Help find solutions, and 5) Give a voice to vulnerable populations in the disaster planning and relief process.

SCC Division of Equity and Social Justice (DESJ)

The DESJ departments provide numerous resources to the community. The Santa Clara County provides fiscal resources to numerous community organizations or agencies within the county to help best serve the community. The DESJ is a partner with many organizations to provide information, resources and leadership in efforts to assist the most marginalized individuals within the county. The DESJ is in the process of collecting available resource information to create guides that can be distributed to the community. Until this guide is available, please get informed with more specific information on how each department is providing resources by following their respective link below.

SCC Launches 988 Phone Number Dedicated to Crisis Mental Health Services

7/15/22 The lifeline, similar to 911, is staffed 24 hours a day, every day, and provides compassionate support to those having a mental health or substance use crisis
The service is free, anonymous, and confidential, with no information shared unless in-person dispatch is required. Calls to 988 are routed by area code; if the phone used does not have a 408, 650 or 669 area code, the Santa Clara County service can be accessed by calling 1-800-704-0900 and pressing 1. The same 800 number can be used for non-emergency calls to County Behavioral Health Services regarding general mental health and substance use treatment services information and referrals. Multi-Language: interpretation is available in more than 200 languages.

Listos SCC Disaster Directory

8/21 Listos has published directories for all 58 CA Counties in multiple languages Each directory provides:
* A brief profile of the county’s disaster risks
* Relevant vulnerabilities of its residents
* State and local alert resources for
* General emergencies
* Earthquakes
* Wildfires
* Public Safety Power Shutoffs
* Resources for people who are medically dependent on electricity
* State and county resources on COVID-19
Key Words: Language Access

Silicon Valley Pain Index: Income gap widens along racial lines

6/22/22 For three years now, the San Jose State professor Scott Myers-Lipton has held a mirror to Silicon Valley’s staggering wealth divide, and reflected the racial disparities: Less than 1% of the Valley’s households account for 25% of the region’s bountiful wealth, while more than 45% of the Valley’s children live in households that cannot cover basic needs.
The wealth gap between White households and Black and Latino communities is widening at an unprecedented rate, according to the third annual Silicon Valley Pain Index released Wednesday, and the trends shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

DISABILITY INFORMATION AND ACCESS LINE (DIAL)

7/1/22 COVID-19 vaccination support for people with disabilities. DIAL was created through a partnership between the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help older adults and people with disabilities get
COVID-19 vaccines.
888-677-1199 Monday-Friday 6:00am. to 5pm PT
or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org Key Words: Information & Referral, Pandemic

Silicon Valley DeBug

Silicon Valley De-Bug is a community organizing, advocacy, and a multimedia storytelling organization based out of San JosĂ©, California. Since its’ inception in 2001, De-Bug has been a platform for Silicon Valley’s diverse communities to impact the political, cultural, and social landscape of the region, while also becoming a nationally recognized model for community-based justice work.

Santa Clara County leaders want office to track hate crimes

6/5/22 The Board of Supervisors recently directed county workers to come up with a plan for implementing dozens of recommendations for addressing hate crimes. This would include developing a reporting system for hate-based incidents and making data about these incidents more transparent to the public. The board also asked for more details about the creation of a new county office that would receive and track reports of hate incidents and crimes. The San Jose Police Department reported 116 hate crimes in 2021, compared to 89 in 2020 and 33 in 2019. This is part of a broader pattern in California where the overall number of hate crimes increased from 1,015 in 2019 to 1,330 in 2020.

San Jose Bridge Communities (SJBC)

SJBC is a grass roots organization with the philosophy of service that facilitates opportunities to form cross cultural and cross class friendships. Programs include: Parenting Classes, Language Exchange Classes, Food Distribution, Tutoring, Getting Ahead Class, Hands and Voices (focus on equipping students with the tools to express themselves through painting, drawing, Film, photography and more), Arte y cafe (an art class design for destressing and self care) . Multi-language: Spanish

UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center

Helping Undocumented Students Thrive at SJSU
The UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center provides for undocumented students”and connects them with supporters throughout the SJSU community.
The UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center (USRC) provides direct services such as financial aid resources and legal support to students who are undocumented and to those from mix-status families. Our goal is to ensure that students, regardless of their immigration status, have access to reliable information, equitable resources, and opportunities that support their academic and personal success.

San Jose African America Community Services Agency

The AACSA Meaningful Life Initiative (AMLI) will ensure the remaining scattered population of African and African American descent is provided the village it needs to thrive, find meaningful purpose in their lives and continue to contribute to the diverse entrepreneurship, ingenuity and economic success of Silicon Valley and Santa Clara County. The Information Referral Center program provides a web portal in which organizations, churches and other non-profit organizations can post a profile advertising services and activities that are value-added services to the community. The community is able to access the portal to search for organizations that provides a service they are seeking. Key Words: SCC

United Effort Organization

We assist clients apply for public assistance programs. We find resources for our clients to help them achieve their goals towards self-sufficiency. We match our clients with mentors who work with clients to develop career path, as well as provide guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling.

JAPANTOWN PREPARED!

Japantown Prepared is an all-volunteer CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) group. It formed in 2011 after the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami disaster. Our mission is to prepare San Jose Japantown for any major disasters. The businesses, organizations, churches, and residents of Japantown work together to help each other out. We train, communicate, and collaborate to prepare for disasters of all kinds. We serve our community to minimize loss of life, injuries, and property damage.

COVID-19 RECOVERY TASK FORCE

9/21 In September 2021, the San JosĂ© City Council approved 55 organizations to the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, an important part of the City’s Community and Economic Recovery strategy.
This Task Force, which will be convened for no more than a year, will be an opportunity for the City to engage with and learn from the people and communities who have been most impacted by the pandemic. Recovery is not for the City to do alone, rather this work must be done with the whole community, for the benefit of those most burdened by the crisis, guided by their wisdom, tapping into their potential, and building on their deep enduring strength.

SCC Section 8 Interest List

Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA) would like to remind you to update your information or refresh your application in the Interest List for the Section 8 program. Or, if you haven’t signed up yet, the Interest List is always open and taking applications!
The Section 8 Program is a federally funded rental assistance program that helps eligible low-income individuals and families pay for rental housing. Interested households may register to be considered for two types of rental assistance, either a Housing Choice Voucher or a Property Voucher. Multi-;language:
Spanish |
Vietnamese |

Board Resolution Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis

6/23/21 Our County’s Division of Equity and Social Justice was created to address social inequities that exist within County services including racial and ethnic disparities. The coronavirus outbreak laid bare the disproportionate number of people of color getting COVID-19 in our County, including our Latino population countywide and our Latino, African American and Asian American communities in East San Jose.
Other communities across the Country have declared racism a public health crisis including the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Madison County, Cook County, the City of Pittsburgh, the City of Boston, Kansas City and the State of Arizona.

County creates New Office to Address Systemic Inequities that Negatively Impact Historically Marginalized Communities

1/10/22 The new Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer will collaborate and partner with County departments to integrate values of diversity, equity, and belonging into their operations and to build organizational capacity to address systemic inequities that contribute to poor outcomes for historically marginalized communities. Dr. Analilia GarcĂ­a, who is trained in public health and has built a career championing social justice, started today as Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, and will lead the newly created Office of Equity, Diversity and Belonging.

San Jose council ends COVID mask mandate

4/5/22 The city’s masking guidelines now align with the county and state, which lifted mask mandates earlier this year in almost all public indoor settings. The City Council unanimously approved ending local restrictions Tuesday with no discussion.
Residents, regardless of vaccination status, are no longer required to wear a mask except in certain high-risk settings such as hospitals, jails, homeless shelters, long-term care facilities and on public transit.

San Jose mandala ceremony offers universal lesson in change

4/6/22 As chanting filled the main hall of a local Buddhist temple Sunday afternoon, San Jose resident Trang Huynh joined with about 50 people in praying and celebrating a sand mandala dissolution ceremony.
The monks, assigned by the Dalai Lama, spent more than three days meticulously pouring sand by hand onto a blueprint to create the mandala. The holy ceremony ends with the breaking of the sand circle, as colorful grains of sand are swirled together into a gray pile. This symbolizes a core lesson of impermanence: Everything is bound to change and nothing lasts forever.

Santa Clara County Tackles Children’s Covid-19 Grief

2/25/22 More than one in 330 children in the state have lost at least one of their caretakers to Covid-19, a disease that has now killed more than 928,000 people nationwide.
Loss is crushing for anyone, but the death of a parent or guardian carries potentially lifelong impacts for children ” and could very well be one of the most enduring consequences of this pandemic.

Elevate Mt. View guaranteed basic income (GBI) pilot program

2/22/22 The City Council approved over $1 million in funding for 166 families The Elevate MV pilot program will involve:
**Aiding extremely low-income Mountain View families and custodial caregivers with at least one child under the age of 18. Income eligibility would be set at 30% Area Median Income (AMI).
**Restricting eligibility to Mountain View residents without regard to immigration documentation and/or housing status.
**Providing participants $500 a month from 12 to 24 months ($6,000 per year), serving approximately 166 families.
The City anticipates applications for Elevate MV will start being accepted in the May/June timeframe through an online portal available in multiple languages.

Ukraine Community Resources

3/11/22 The City of San José is closely monitoring the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and proudly stands in solidarity with Ukraine and our Ukrainian community in this extraordinarily challenging time. We are ready to support our community now and long into the future.
We will continue to share resources and information as it becomes available both on this page and on our social media pages: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
SJ Ukranian Resources
Bay Area Ukrainian Resources
Keu Words: TPS, Temporary Protected Status

Stanford Law School Immigrants’ Rights Clinic

Students in the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic have full responsibility for defending clients against deportation in San Francisco Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the federal courts of appeals. As part of that work, students write complex legal briefs, argue cases, conduct fact investigation, interview witnesses and clients, and represent clients in mini-trials. Students also engage in cutting-edge litigation and advocacy in partnership with local and national immigrants’ rights organizations.

LatinXCEL Fund

Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) created this fund in partnership with the Castellano Family Foundation. This initiative calls for vastly increased funding for Silicon Valley’s Latinx community leaders and Latinx-led nonprofits through targeted, long-term investments.
The LatinXCEL Fund is founded on the belief that investing in Latinx-led organizations will, in turn, build the power and self-determination of Latinx people most impacted by structural racism. The ultimate aim is to transform our region into one that is more inclusive and just, where all Latinx community members can thrive.
Key Words: Ethnic, grants

Vietnamese – American Service Center (VASC)

4/10/22 All Health Services now Open
offer a wide range of culturally competent services including resources will eventually include primary care, dental care, social services, on-site child supervision, and an array of community programs to promote wellness. Language capacity at the center will include, at minimum, English, Vietnamese, and Spanish, reflecting the communities and populations that will be served at the Center, located at 2410 Senter Road in East San José.
call (408) 828-4981 or email VASC@ceo.sccgov.org. Multi-language: Vietnamese and Spanish

2022 SF LANGUAGE ACCESSCOMPLIANCE SUMMARY REPORT

2/22 This year’s LAO report features direct feedback from community members via a comprehensive Language Access Community Survey conducted in 11 languages from June-September 2021 by OCEIA, in partnership with the IRC and the Language Access Network of San Francisco (LANSF). Survey results from over 2,000 City residents demonstrate that even with a clear commitment, a strong local language access law, and extraordinary efforts by emergency, public health and other City departments, not everyone was able to access the same information and services at the same time during a major public health crisis.

Family Calming Kit from First 5

A Family Calming Kit is a set of tools that supports children and families with understanding and regulating emotions and lowering feelings of stress. By using the Family Calming Kit, children develop and understanding of their feelings to be better prepared to engage with others and learn in school. To register and schedule a time to pick up a calming kit, please call 1-888-479-0837.
Multi-language:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QgjtBCVy_-N7N6EOfRdqB1qEsM3W-k_P/view
Spanish

SCC COVID Testing Guidance

1/14/22 With a high demand for COVID-19 testing locally and throughout the nation, the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department is offering guidance to those unsure of what kind of test to use and whether or not they need one.
The testing options are a PCR test, typically administered in a clinic or drive-through operation; and an antigen test, which are also available for home use.
The County recommends that the antigen tests be used for purposes of shortening isolation or quarantine periods for those who have tested positive or been exposed to a person with COVID.
Positive antigen results should be recognized as valid – there is no need for a follow up PCR test at a healthcare or County facility.
Spanish |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Tagalog |

Nixle Alerts

Nixle keeps you up-to-date with relevant information from your local public safety departments & schools
Text your zip code to 888777 to opt in to receive emergency alerts. Nixle asks new subscribers for both their mobile phone number (for emergency texts) and their email address if they want to also receive informational messages. Multi-Language: Spanish option.
Frequently Asked Questions

Bay Area Vanpool Program

Enterprise and MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission) connect employees who live near each other and provide them with a recent-model van or SUV. Riders commute together, saving money, freeing up time to relax or catch up on work. MTC will subsidize eligible* commutes up to $350/month. Vanpools must start or end in one of the 9 eligible Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties). Check for other program requirements.

2022 Silicon Valley Index

The Silicon Valley Index has been telling the Silicon Valley story since 1995. Released early every year, the Index is a comprehensive report based on indicators that measure the strength of our economy and the health of our community”highlighting challenges and providing an analytical foundation for leadership and decision-making. Produced by JOINT VENTURE SILICON VALLEY. NAME” target=”_blank””>Silicon Valley Index Data
Key Words: Santa Clara County, SCC, research, demographics

Assyrian American Association of San Jose (AAASJ)

Promoting the Assyrian language, heritage, and culture among all Assyrians and to assist Assyrian charitable, cultural, and educational organizations.
COVID-19 RAPID RESPONSE INITIATIVE – Santa Clara County & Surrounding Bay Area HOTLINE: 408-800-2799
*Delivering meals to the hungry and elderly who are home-bound.
*Providing health counseling for local community members in crisis.
*Supplying financial guidance for basic needs and vital social services to those affected by COVID-19
*Alleviating social isolation by ensuring that seniors receive regular phone calls, support and the services they require.
*Promoting location businesses that depend on daily transaction to remain viable.

Omicron in Santa Clara County and Boosters for Everyone 16+

12/11/21 County Public Health Department publichealth@phd.sccgov.org via mailchimpapp.net
As anticipated, the COVID-19 variant Omicron has been detected in Santa Clara County.
“Although there are still many unknowns about this variant, we strongly recommend getting vaccinated and getting your booster if you haven’t already to help guard against Omicron” said Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer and Director of Public Health, County of Santa Clara. “It is a new variant, but we know what to do, and that’s to continue with all our layers of protection: Vaccinate, boost, mask, ventilate, distance, and test often.” Multi-language:
Spanish |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Tagalog |

Six men arrested in connection with 70 crimes targeting Bay Area Asian women, police say

12/15/21 Six men have been arrested in connection to a string of robberies allegedly targeting Asian women in the Bay Area, concluding a yearlong investigation, according to authorities.
Ethnic slurs were allegedly used against some of the women by the three men and officials said the suspects followed the women to their cars in parking lots and waited until they were inside before opening the door or breaking a window to snatch a purse from their passenger seat.
Key Words: Hate Crimes

$165 million California fund to battle anti-Asian hate could come this year

11/16/21 Community groups will get the bulk of money to battle tide of bigotry and violence.
Community groups fighting against the rise of hate crimes and related actions directed at Asians could start seeing some of a new $165.5 million state fund by the end of this year, state and local leaders said Monday, Nov. 15, during a news conference in Garden Grove.
Most of the California API Equity Fund, roughly $110 million, is expected to be awarded over the next three years to organizations with deep ties in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities that they serve. Such groups were the first to respond to the rise in hate crimes and hate incidents faulting Asian Americans for the coronavirus pandemic.

Minimum wage in Silicon Valley going up in January

12/29/21 San Jose workers will see their hourly rate go from $15.45 to $16.20, while those in Mountain View and Sunnyvale will see theirs bump to $17.10 from $16.30″the highest minimum wage in the region.
Once a national leader in increasing the minimum wage, San Jose continues to fall behind other cities who previously followed its footsteps. After voters approved Measure D to bring wages from $8 to $10 in 2012, six other cities in Santa Clara County also adopted their own increases. A decade later, San Jose is trailing behind all of them”almost $1 less than the highest rate in the region. Key Words: Employment

San Jose expands community use at Viet Heritage Garden, after years of dispute

12/30/21 After sitting empty for 6 years due to a lack of funding, a garden honoring San Jose’s vast Vietnamese community sprouts signs of life.
San Jose is expanding a community garden program at the Viet Heritage Garden located at 1499 Roberts Ave.
The Viet Heritage Garden, which spans 4 acres will include 45 plots where people can farm their own vegetables and herbs.
The community garden in District 7 will be the newest addition to a list of 20 community gardens across the city, some of which have provided a place for residents to grow vegetables since 1977. Key Words: Food

SCC Quick Guide to Services 2019

Santa Clara County provides essential services that people need on a daily basis to work and live in Silicon Valley – whether residents need a marriage license, access to children’s health services or want to know about local recreational facilities. Customer service is a top priority for the County, which oversees services and programs for a multilingual, culturally diverse community. This is a Quick reference for many services that are provided to the community.

SCC Division of Equity and Social Justice (DESJ)

DESJ departments provide numerous resources to the community. The County of Santa Clara provides fiscal resources to numerous community organizations or agencies within the county to help best serve the community. The DESJ is a partner with many organizations to provide information, resources and leadership in efforts to assist the most marginalized individuals within the county.
Office of Cultural Competency |
Office of Immigrant Relations |
Office of Labor Standards Enforcement |
Office of Women’s Policy |
Office of Gender Based Violence Prevention |
Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Affairs |

Santa Clara County offers COVID vaccine booster to all adults

11/10/21 “No one will be turned away who wants a booster” said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, the county’s COVID-19 vaccine officer, setting new rules for county vaccination clinics. With the late summer decline in COVID-19 cases leveling off at an uncomfortably high level and showing signs of rising again, county health officials urged vaccinated adults to get a booster shot ahead of the winter holidays ” fearing another eruption of outbreaks as families and friends gather.

Bill Wilson Here4You Shelter Call Center

Here4You is designed to centralize referrals to temporary housing programs for people needing shelter. It can help:
** Match people to emergency shelters, including transportation
** Provide assistance to sustain current housing situation
Make referrals and linkages to community resources
Here4You: 408-385-2400
Call Center hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
In addition to referrals for openings at emergency shelters/ temporary housing programs, BWC’s staff will help those seeking rental assistance by directing them to additional Homeless Prevention Services.
For additional information contact: Malisha Kumar, Program Director at
408-316-4270 or mkumar@billwilsoncenter.org

El Tecolote

12/21 Longest-running bilingual newspaper in California. Serving the SF Bay Latino community since 1970. #eltecolote #eltecolotesf #accionlatinasf Key Words: Media

SCC Cultural Communities Wellness Program (CCWP)

A Family Outreach and Engagement Program (formerly known as ECCAC or Ethnic and Cultural Communities Advisory Committee) providing linguistic and culturally competent outreach, education, advocacy and peer support to ethnic communities. The goals are to reduce the stigma and increase understanding of behavioral health issues, increase willingness to seek help, and access to services. CCWP staff is multicultural and multilingual, representing at least 10 cultural communities, and speaking at least 12 languages. There are 7 CCWP teams:
African Heritage Community |
African Immigrant Community (Eritrean, Ethiopian, and Somali) |
Chinese Community |
Filipino Community |
Latino Community |
Native Family Community | and
Vietnamese Community |
Formerly ECCAC
Multi-language:
Language Assistance Services

Multi-Lingual Counseling Center

In recognizing the need for cultural and language specific mental health services in the Bay Area and lack of multi-lingual speaking counselors, we created Multi-lingual Counseling Center to serve the needs of growing multi-lingual community. Our mission is to provide mental health services and treatment to individuals suffering from different mental health symptoms such as depression, PTSD, Bipolar, anxiety, ADHD and all other mental health
Diagnosis. Multi-language: Dari, Farsi.

SAN JOSE COVID-19 RECOVERY TASK FORCE

11/4/21 will be the first meeting of the the San JosĂ© City Council approved 55 organizations to the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, an important part of the City’s Community and Economic Recovery strategy.
This Task Force, which will be convened for no more than a year, will be an opportunity for the City to engage with and learn from the people and communities who have been most impacted by the pandemic. Recovery is not for the City to do alone, rather this work must be done with the whole community, for the benefit of those most burdened by the crisis, guided by their wisdom, tapping into their potential, and building on their deep enduring strength.

COVID-19 Vaccination Shots Now Available for Children Ages 5-11 in Santa Clara County

11/3/21 SCC is now providing COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5-11. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only option for this newly approved age group, which numbers just over 167,000 members of our community. All children ages 5-11 who sign up for an appointment are eligible.
Parents and guardians should visit www.sccfreevax.org to sign up for an appointment or to find a convenient drop-in location. Vaccines for children ages 5-11 are smaller doses and specially formulated. Families are also encouraged to check with their primary care physician or their local pharmacy about vaccine appointments for children. Multi-language:
Spanish |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Tagalog |

SCC Childcare Resource & Referral (R&R) Program

provides every family with the information they need to access high-quality early care and education that meets their specific preferences. The R&R also supports the full variety of early care and education providers in the county with access to a system that aids their programmatic and financial success.
Check the Family FAQ |for more information. Multi-language: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese (Simplified)

San Jose small businesses get break on paying taxes

9/29/21 After being hammered by the pandemic, small businesses will have one less expense to incur ” at least for now.
The San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a nine-month extension of a program that waives the city’s business license tax for businesses hurt by COVID-19. The extension will run from Oct. 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The program started on Oct. 1, 2020, and was set to expire on Thursday.

Santa Clara County renters, landlords prepare for life after eviction ban

9/29/21 The eviction moratorium, which protects tenants from being kicked out for not paying rent, ends on Thursday. Starting Friday, tenants have to pay at least 25% of their owed rent from the past year and can apply for rental assistance from the state to avoid eviction. Recent data suggests thousands of tenants across the county still haven’t applied for assistance, which indicates many could be at risk of losing their homes.

Muslim American Society-Social Services Foundation (MAS-SSF)

10/21 The (MAS-SSF) offers peer mental health and social support services in five languages: English, Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Arabic, and Urdu. Support Services in-person, on the phone, and over the internet include: * A completely confidential and HIPAA-compliant peer mental health service that gives you the ability to interact with a dedicated peer specialist from virtually anywhere. Call 916 486-8626, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm * Email MAS-SSF at counseling@mas-ssf.org

Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI)

9/15/21 Hiring Dari/Pashto speaking Therapist to serve arriving Afghan Refugees. Founded in 2005 by a group of bilingual/bicultural mental health professionals, CERI provides culturally-relevant mental health and other social services. We are dedicated to transforming the lives of refugees and immigrants and their families, many of whom suffer from weakening intergenerational relationships, layers of complex needs, and exposure to violence and trauma both in their current environments and in their native countries.

STRUCTURAL COMPETENCY

Clinical training often restricts the scope of cultural competency training to the beliefs and behaviors of individual patients. Structural competency aims to develop a language and set of interventions to reduce health inequalities at the level of neighborhoods, institutions and policies.

Welcoming San Jose 2021 – 24 Plan

With recent changes in the national landscape that
allow for greater forward movement for immigrant
communities, building an inclusive and cohesive
San José is work that requires a deliberate investment from all sectors. A bold local strategy and
infrastructure to support immigrant inclusion is
critical to a successful city for all, regardless of national origin or immigration status. The Welcoming
San José Plan: 2021-2024 is another step towards
building and implementing this local strategy, in
collaboration with our many community partners.

Peninsula Rides San Mateo County Senior Mobility Guide

Peninsula Rides provides information about transportation options to people with mobility challenges so they can get around in and beyond San Mateo County.
Learn more about the 30+ transit options available to you, both public and private, in one easy-to-search website.
interactive “Find Your Ride” tool
Multi-language:
Spanish |
Chinese | Key Words: AFN, transportation

Employer Liabilities and Considerations for Requiring Vaccinations – Recording

SVCN Webinar Recording Answering Questions About Vaccine Mandates for CA Non-Profits.
Can our nonprofit require our employees to be vaccinated as a condition of employment?
Do we have to provide alternatives to vaccination?
Are there any conditions where employees will be exempt from being vaccinated?
Hear the answers to questions like these from attorney Sarju A. Naran (Employment Law, Hoge Fenton), who discussed the legal and practical considerations of what nonprofits need to know about requiring vaccinations in the workplace. Key Words: Employers

Afghan Coalition

Formed in 1996, Afghan Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization. We are dedicated to strengthening Afghan families, improving their access to social services, and building a strong and united Afghan American community. Located at the Family Resource Center in Fremont, CA, the Afghan Coalition is the largest Afghan-American organization in the US. Serving over 1,000 community members per year, particularly immigrant women and children, bilingual/bicultural advocates bridge the language and cultural gaps between community members and financial and social services.
Little Kabul
Key Words: Refugee

Free Legal Services for Afghan Refugees in CA

CA DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IMMIGRATION SERVICES FUNDING FOR AFGHAN POPULATIONS – The CDSS funds qualified nonprofits to provide immigration legal services free of charge. The nonprofits on this list provide services to the Afghan population. For more information on service availability and additional service locations, please contact the organization directly. Multi-language: Pashto, Dari, Farsi

2021 SILICON VALLEY INDEX

Joint Venture Silicon Valley has been telling the Silicon Valley story for the past two decades. Updated annually, it is a comprehensive report of indicators that measure the strength of our economy and the health of our community, highlighting challenges and providing an analytical foundation for leadership and decision making. The report is a treasure trove of data that paints a holistic picture of life in Silicon Valley.

Gavilan College Food Pantry

8/24/21 On campus food pantry and free drive through food distribution at Gavilan College Gilroy campus This is open to the community and folks are required to pre-register online. Also help with application for CalFresh.
For more information, email us at foodpantry@gavilan.edu agutierrez@gavilan.edu www.gavilan.edu/calworks www.gavilan.edu/freshsuccess www.gavilan.edu/foodpantry www.gavilan.edu/resources Key Words: Education,

DCARA ASL Interpreting

DCARA Interpreting is a deaf managed non profit providing interpreting services which allows for on site and video communication between hearing people and deaf people in Bay Area, California. request@dcara.org 510-722-7004 Multi-language: ASL Key Words: SCC Language Access

California Democrats tell Biden to send Afghan refugees to Golden State

8/27/21 A cadre of California members of Congress, including several from the Bay Area, have told President Biden the Golden State is ready and willing to serve as a “safe harbor” for Afghan refugees and special immigrant visa applicants fleeing their home country that’s now under Taliban rule.
In a letter to Biden delivered Friday, East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell, along with Southern California Reps. Ted Lieu and Adam Schiff, wrote the U.S. is “indebted to our Afghan partners, many of whom aided the U.S. military and diplomatic efforts” and risked their lives during a 20-year conflict.

Assurance Wireless Free Phone & Service

Assurance Wireless Unlimited combines our Lifeline service with the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) to give eligible customers Unlimited Data & Texts & Minutes, plus 10GB Hotspot Data.
Lifeline is a government benefit program. Assurance Wireless provides Lifeline service supported by the federal Universal Service Fund and the California LifeLine Program.
Qualifications: Enrollment in this government benefit program is available to consumers who qualify based on federal or state-specific eligibility criteria. See if you qualify today! Key Words: Communication, internet

SJPL Family Learning Centers

Family Learning Centers (FLCs) offer free learning opportunities, resources and services for adults and families. The Centers are designed to support:
English Language Learners (ELL)
Immigrants
Adults with Intellectual and Learning Disabilities
Older Adults/Seniors
Members of underserved and underrepresented communities
programs include education, technology and skills-building opportunities. Multi-language
Spanish |
Vietnamese |
Chinese Simplified |
Chinese Traditional |

CITY OF SAN JOSÉ APPOINTS DIRECTOR TO NEW OFFICE OF RACIAL EQUITY

10/20/20 Zulma Maciel to helm new Office responsible for advancing citywide equity framework to address systemic racism. This Office is responsible for advancing systems change through a citywide racial equity framework that will examine and improve San JosĂ©’s internal policies, programs, and practices to eradicate any structural and/or institutional racism in the City of San JosĂ©. This includes a focus on enabling the organization, at all levels and in all departments, to identify ways to improve outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Key Words: Ethnic

Bay Area’s rising Asian and Hispanic populations are driving region’s growth, census reveals

8/12/21 The percentage of White residents fell in every county while the share of Latino residents grew in all but Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
That’s a trend now being mirrored across the country, where the population of White residents shrank over the past decade for the first time while the number of Asian and Latino Americans rose.

Foothill College

First-time, full-time students (12 units or more**) are eligible to have the cost of tuition and fees fully paid for their first two years at Foothill College, except for summer session.
WE OFFER 79 ASSOCIATE DEGREES, 100 CERTIFICATES AND 1 BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN DENTAL HYGIENE.
The program covers tuition and fees in the fall, winter, and spring quarters only. It is not applicable for summer-session classes. Key Words: ESL

Deanza College

An undocumented student who has attended a California high school? You may qualify for exemption from out-of-state tuition rates under the California law known as AB 540.
Remember to apply for the De Anza College Promise: Eligible students get free tuition and fees for two years, plus $1,000 that you can use for books, materials or even a computer! Key Words: ESL

San Francisco Respect and Love Toolkits

This toolkit serves as a practical demonstration of San Francisco’s commitment to serve and support all people. These resources are available for those who live in fear
stemming from their immigration status and to educate and inform their allies. The toolkit includes ways to identify and find support for newcomers, ensuring that San
Francisco is a safe and inclusive city for everyone, offering access to important services geared toward integration and inclusion. This is a snapshot of the services available in San Francisco; for a more comprehensive look, please visit www.sfgov.org/oceia/immigrant-affairs or call 311 and press 3 for “other services.” Key Words: Sanctuary Multi-language:
Spanish |
Vietnamese |
Chinese |
Arabic |
Russian

Santa Clara County wants employers to require vaccines for employees

7/22/21 Health officers from three Bay Area counties announced Thursday that they want all employers to require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with few exceptions.
“With the rise in COVID-19 cases leaving unvaccinated individuals at risk for serious illness and death, the health officers of Contra Costa, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties strongly urge all employers to consider implementing workplace COVID-19 safety protocols that require their workforce to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible” said Dr. George Han, deputy health officer for Santa Clara County. “We know vaccines are the best tool we have to combat COVID-19 and they are safe and effective even in the context of the Delta variant.”

SCC OIR Newsletter: June 2021

This month we celebrate our LGBTQ+ community by recognizing trailblazers that have fought for our rights to exist fully and authentically and we uplift Immigrant Heritage Month as we acknowledge the contributions of our essential workers, contributions to our economy ,and honor the sacrifices made for a better life! We continue to fight against anti-Asian hate and push for more immigration relief efforts. Additionally, we reflect on the long history of Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th in remembrance of the day all people living in the United States, including formerly enslaved, were granted freedom. This year, President Biden signed a bill acknowledging Juneteenth as a national holiday.

More Contagious Delta Variant Now Dominating California

7/7/21 The rapid spread of the more contagious Delta variant is now causing concern among health officials who warn of a possible outbreak of the infection in communities with low vaccination rates.
While people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may have high protection levels against the more transmissible variant, people who have not yet received vaccine shots have fallen ill, according to a data analysis by the Los Angeles Times.
The Delta variant is believed to be at least 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant… Key Words COVID-19

How to get emergency alerts about California wildfires and other disasters

7/9/21 Wildfire season is here. And because a fire can start and spread in mere moments, the best way to survive is to get out of the fire’s path – quickly.
Every fire season there are countless reports of people who relied on alerts that never arrived because they didn’t know they needed to sign up for them. In other instances, the equipment failed. Or the alert arrived, but residents were confused about how and where to evacuate.
Thanks to the recent advancements, officials can now notify and protect residents with life-saving instructions and information through specialized mass communication tools.

San Jose’s Vietnamese community struggles with its political voice

7/9/21 In a city with the largest Vietnamese population in the nation, Vietnamese Americans are still struggling to find their voices in politics.
The lack”and loss”of Vietnamese representation in San Jose politics is the result of a number of factors, community leaders say, including an inherited distrust in politics and a generational and ideological division in the community.

State rent relief program serves South Bay residents

7/16/21 When California started its COVID-19 rent relief program in April with a plan to disburse $33 million in federal funds to San Jose residents, the city and Santa Clara County decided to run their own joint program for extremely low income households.
But this hybrid approach creates problems, state officials say.
“We have two programs in the same area”¦ which just creates a really difficult logistical scenario for both of us” said Jessica Hayes, branch chief of disaster recovery for California’s Department of Housing and Community Development. “It created this very complicated process of trying to figure out how to send people to the right place, and if they didn’t get them to the right place, trying to figure out how not to compromise their information.”