Filed under los angeles county …

Jun 04 2012
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california, Child Services, children, GAIN program, los angeles county, poverty, Women

Child Support: end profiting by discriminating against single parent families on cash aid

Stop profiting by discriminating against single parent families on cash aid!

A two parent family who lives as a household on public aid is not expected to repay public assistance. . A two parent family who lives separately while one parent and the child(ren) receive public assistance will have to repay the entire assistance .

My daughter just turned 18 years old and is two weeks from graduating High School. For the past 12 years I have been her sole support except for $240 a month; a partial child support payment. There is a $10,000 balance on the child support case and my daughter and I will never see a dime of it. I was on cash aid for about 5 years and completed college against the advice of my DPSS social workers. For the last 12 years I have not been on cash aid but the County of Los Angeles is still collecting Child Support to pay for five (5) years of cash aid.( I actually work in the welfare system now) The County of Los Angeles has received over half of my child support order for 17 years. This $10,000 is past due child support never paid to me.
A two parent family who lives as a household on public aid is not expected to repay public assistance. . A two parent family who lives separately while one parent and the child(ren) receive public assistance will have to repay the entire assistance grant even though fewer dollars were given to this family than to the family living under one roof.
For example:
Joe and Sue live together, have a child together and together they request cash aid. They receive a cash aid payment for Joe, Sue and Baby . Cash aid ends and Joe eventually moves out. Joe and Sue enter into a Child Support agreement. Sue is able to collect the full amount of child support ordered.
But maybe:
Joe and Sue don’t live together when they have a baby and apply for cash aid. Sue receives cash aid for herself and Baby for three years when Sue completes her education and finds a self-sustaining job. The County of Los Angeles demands Sue give her child support rights to them and they take all but $50 of child support. After Sue leaves cash aid the county continues to take more than half of the child support. After the baby turns 18 the county continues to bill Joe for all the cash aid Sue and Baby received when he was not living with them. There is an additional 10% interest charge added to the debt the county believes is owed to them.
Why do we ask some parents to repay cash aid and not demand that all parents pay this back – or let none of them pay it? Is it double dipping to take tax payments out of paychecks and have the taxes go to social welfare programs and additionally garnish money to pay for the social welfare your child is using?
And, who monitors these accounts? The California Child Support system has been adding on 10% for years and I think the outstanding debt on the account is more than any cash aid award my family received. I was labeled a Welfare Mom, he was labeled a Dead Beat and the state of California and Los Angeles County are making a profit.

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Feb 07 2012
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fundraiser, health insurance, LAMP, los angeles county, medical

Mad at Susan Komen but want to fight Cancer? Support Lisa Ferguson.

City of Hope, UCLA, Project Angel Food – these are three great orgs that benefit form the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Lisa is walking and this is her page . http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?px=4586399&pg=personal&fr_id=2174&et=RXl1IrxWgi7CT-iwBLpngQ&s_tafId=553721 . I like that 80% of funds raised stay in the area where the walks are held.

Sure, the walk hurt her, but Cancer hurts even more

Why should I post this on the page for Homelessness? Well, Cancer killed Jim Mulvey – whom I loved and adored and he was a formerly homeless man who lived and died on Skid Row. From the day he was diagnosed, he lived 3 months and 3 weeks. I drove him to UCL
A for treatment. Cancer isn’t just for the rich.
Also, My friend Linda Harris had a double mastectomy just months after I met her at The Lamp Lodge. She only had Medi-Cal and the excellent services of USC Medical Center.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is a national series of 39-mile weekend fundraising events launched in 2003 by the Avon Foundation.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer event series is a project of the Avon Foundation for Women and is not affiliated with any other breast cancer organizations or programs such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, American Cancer Society, or Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

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Oct 05 2011
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homeless, housing, housing first, los angeles county, united way

HomeWalk – because everyone needs somewhere to go in the rain

It is raining in beautiful Southern California and I have discovered a new addiction : home shopping on the internet.

It is nice to have the luxury of doing that and not having to stand in line at a shelter in the downpour – holding my children close and hoping there will be room for me in the colder wet night.

Everyone deserves somewhere to go when it is raining. There are not enough places for folks to go. However there are thousands of people trying to make homes and shelters and beds and provide meals and showers and most of all: guidance until those people who need the help can be on their own two feet.

How can you throw your support behind those who would END HOMELESSNESS or at least make it bearable? Support the United Way HomeWalk on November 19th.

I will be there.

If you show up and find me – you can make me sing to you – in public.

How am I trying to end homelessness? I am pushing mothers and fathers toward employment, job skills and education. I am selling pizza every Wednesday. I am raffling off purses and movie tickets and anything else that may turn a profit – and then those funds are being donated to The HomeWalk.

If you want to walk too – just join me. Join my team. Donate to my team. At the very least: spread the word.

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Aug 26 2011
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homeless, los angeles county, poverty, Resources for Social Workers

the most useful thing you can read

if you are poor in Los Angeles county and need help

www.ladpss.org/dpss/IGR/pdf/ResourceGuide.pdf

 

General Information

• Contact Information Sheet

• Apply Online or Review Your Benefits Flyer • Offices by Service Planning Area (SPA & Zip Code) • Domestic Violence Referral Sheet

• Domestic Violence Brochure

• Toy Loan Program Fact Sheet • Toy Loan Program Brochure • Most Commonly Required Documents List for All Programs CalWORKs

• CalWORKs Fact Sheet

• Applying for CalWORKs • Homeless Program for Families with Eligible Children • Rights, Responsibilities and Other Important Information Sample Application for Cash Aid, CalFresh and Medi-Cal • Statement of Fact for Cash Aid, CalFresh and Medi-Cal

General Relief

• General Relief Fact Sheet

• General Relief Restructuring Fact Sheet • Veterans Projects Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) • Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) Fact Sheet • Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) Brochure CalFRESH

• CalFresh Program Fact Sheet • Restaurant Meals Fact Sheet

• Restaurant Meals Participating Restaurants • Sample Application for CalFresh Benefits Medi-Cal

• Medi-Cal Program Quarterly Fact Sheet • Sample Application for Medi-Cal In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) • In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Fact Sheet

Food Stamp Application, Medical Application, IHSS, Welfare, Calworks, GR General Relief, hot meals

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Jul 28 2011
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california, foodstamps, General Resources, los angeles county, public health, Social Work, welfare

start an application for aid on-line

CalWORKS, FoodStamps, Medi-cal applications can be begun on-line. Here is the link. I tried it out for you: pretty simple until you get to the part where you explain the relationships

http://www.benefitscal.org/BenefitsPortal/landing.html

Jul 26 2011
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lahsa, los angeles county, shelters, skid row, Union REscue Mission

URM vs LAHSA

Why doesn’t LAHSA see the @URM is how the community is stepping up to help homeless children? Or are my donations and volunteer time not a community effort?

♥ read more :http://blog.fulldisclosure.net/2011/07/county-of-los-angeles-versus-union.html#comment-form

By the way: people in need still have the right to choose where they will have those needs filled. No one is forcing them to listen to a sermon in order to get a meal. There are several food banks, soup kitchens, homeless outreach providers. The URM just happens to be one of the best.

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Jul 19 2011
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General Resources, hunger, los angeles county

finally updated : hot meals with EBT

I updated the page with the Restaurant Meals Location information on it.

Nov 01 2010
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employment opportunity, los angeles county

Got a GED? These LA County Positions are open…

SECURITY ASSISTANT, SHERIFF  

CALL FIRE FIGHTER, NC

STUDENT WORKER

Follow the links and Good Luck.

Search for other positions using the County Jobs Database :

http://easier.co.la.ca.us/jobs/cfscripts/search_body.cfm?VISIT=TRUE

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Sep 28 2010
1 Comment
los angeles county, public health

It’s HOT

 LA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH Alert  @LAPublicHealth says: 

Heat Alert: High Temps Forecasted for the LA Basin and the San Fernando, San Gabriel, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys

– Triple-digit temperatures are forecasted for Saturday through Tuesday for the San Fernando Valley, with high temperatures also forecasted for the Los Angeles Basin, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and Antelope Valley for Sunday through Tuesday. The Los Angeles County Health Officer would like to remind everyone that precautions should be taken, especially by those people sensitive to the heat. ANGELESLOS

  

“While people don’t need to be told it’s hot outside, they do need to be reminded to take care of themselves, children, the elderly, and pets when the weather gets hotter,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. “When temperatures are high, prolonged sun exposure may cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in vehicles, even with the windows ‘cracked or opened,’ because temperatures inside can quickly rise to life-threatening levels and California Law makes it illegal to leave children alone in a car.”  

For a list of cooling centers and additional information on heat-related illnesses and prevention, please visit the Public Health website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, or call the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone within the county.  

Heat may worsen the affects of poor air quality in areas of heavy smog. If you plan to be outdoors, take precautions to protect yourself from the heat. Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps, and increased thirst. Individuals with these symptoms should be moved to a cooler, shaded place and given water or sport drinks. More severe symptoms such as diminished judgment, disorientation, pale and clammy skin, a rapid and weak pulse, and/or fast and shallow breathing may indicate heat exhaustion or impending heat stroke and requires immediate medical attention. 

  

Several tips for beating the heat include: 

  • Wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. 
  •  Drink water or electrolyte-replacing sports drinks often (do not wait until you are thirsty), and avoid drinking sweetened drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. 
  • Offer help to those in your neighborhood with limited access to air conditioning and transportation, such as seniors or those who are ill. Check on them frequently or take them to a location with air conditioning. 
    • During peak heat hours stay in an air-conditioned area. If you don’t have access to air conditioning in your home, visit public facilities such as shopping malls, parks, and libraries to stay cool. 

Heat-Related Illnesses  

Heat Cramps:  

Symptoms include muscular pains and spasms, usually in the stomach, arms or leg muscles. 

Usually results from heavy exertion, such as exercise, during extreme heat.  

Although heat cramps are the least severe of all heat-related problems, they are usually the first signal that the body is having trouble coping with hot temperatures. Heat cramps should be treated immediately with rest, fluids and getting out of the heat.  

Seek medical attention if pain is severe or nausea occurs.  

Heat Exhaustion:  

Symptoms include heavy sweating, pale and clammy moist skin, extreme weakness or fatigue, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness or confusion, nausea or vomiting, fast and shallow breathing, or fainting.  

First Aid: Heat exhaustion should be treated immediately with rest in a cool area, sipping water or a sports drink, applying cool and wet cloths and elevating the feet 12 inches. 

If left untreated, victims may go into heat stroke.  

Seek medical attention if the person does not respond to the above, basic treatment.  

Heat Stroke:  

Symptoms include flushed, hot and dry skin (no sweating), high body temperature (above 103F), confusion or dizziness, unconsciousness, throbbing headache, rapid, or strong pulse.  

Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and occurs when a person’s temperature control system, which produces sweat, stops working. Heat stroke may lead to brain damage and death.  

First Aid: Call 911. Move victim to a cool shaded area. Fan the body, spray body with water.  

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and has an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit  

http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth, or follow us on Twitter: LAPublicHealth.   

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Sep 09 2010
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foodstamps, funds, government, homeless, kindness, los angeles county, poverty, taxes, venting

Should Poor People Have Fun?

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”-The United States Declaration of Independence

“B” of The Girl’s Guide to Homelessness insists that once public funds are “given”, they are “given” to be spent as the recipient sees fit. I disagree. Last year I received about a thousand hits the day I responded angrily to the idea that someone should be encouraged to use their public assistance check for a Gibson Guitar. (For the record – WHAT THE HECK?!?!? I still say NO!)  Often I issue funds for specific reasons (Books, clothing, transportation) and I expect them to be spent accordingly and receipts returned to me. As a citizen, I expect the cash we hand to other citizens to be used responsibly as part of the business deal they entered into when they asked for help.

This is not to say that I  think that poor people should live lives of drudgery and misery and that every waking moment should be spent in the pursuit of self-sustaining employment and safe, secure housing. Happiness, or the pursuit of it, is essential. I only work 40(ish) hours a week.  As a social worker I only ask clients to spend 32-35 hours a week working, looking for work, or in community service. This is hardly 24/7.

The deal is this “temporary financial assistance” is issued through the Department of Public and Social Services. “Financial Assistance” is supposed to “assist” you to meet “basic needs”. Trips to Universal Studios, nice restaurants, , guitars, cigarettes, alcohol, acrylic nails, hair extensions, new car stereo, TiVo or Cable subscriptions do not fall into these categories. If you are receiving financial assistance from taxes (SSI, SSDI, Disability, Unemployment, General Relief, TANF) then these are not the items the funds were intended to procure for you. However, as gifts from other people – okay – I get it. Who doesn’t deserve a good manicure (especially if you are being treated ?!?)

Can the impoverished have nice things? Of course. Should those things be used against them for qualifying purposes for public assistance ? Only to the extent that the laws and rules allow. Your house (and car if you live in it), burial plan, wedding rings, etc are not counted as saleable items you should have to spend before asking society for cash, food and medical insurance.

Historical sidenote from your geeky author – Ben Franklin asked Thomas Jefferson to amend the phrase “pursuit of happiness” from its original statement that mentioned accruing real property because Franklyn thought property was a luxury that needed to be taxed to support the society.

Everyone should be allowed happiness and specific periods for having fun. Trips to Museums are free with proof of CalWORKS enrollment. The County of Los Angeles also has a Toy Loan Program for children whose families can not afford to buy them new toys. Time with family – just reading, playing, and bonding is worth more than any amount of money.

I want to see people of all income levels laughing, loving, thinking for themselves and enjoying life. I don’t think that lack of funds requires a lack of enjoyment – I just think that the HAPPINES you are having should not be the main use of any aid you receive.

Read More ♥♥ http://365faces365days.com/c/2010/face-62-frank-homeless-happiness/

http://girlsguidetohomelessness.com/2009/08/11/who-says-homeless-people-cant-have-fun/

http://www.ladpss.org/dpss/calworks/free_events.cfm

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