JANUARY 2008

BEFORE JANUARY 4, 2008: MAKE 5 MINUTES TO TAKE THE SURVEY, SUMMER PROGRAMS AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH

Charlottesville/Albemarle Commission on Children and Families’ Youth Development Network is considering whether there is a need for a scholarship fund to assist low income children and youth to participate in summer programs and after school activities. If you refer (or would like to refer) children and youth to such activities, please complete a brief survey, which can be accessed at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2bYQpRyHjjKDlow_2bj_2bCCouw_3d_3d The survey takes only a few minutes to complete. It will close on January 4, 2008. The information you provide will help CCF to determine the scope of need for a scholarship fund. Contact CCF at gellis@albemarle.org

CJ Note: The survey does not address special needs children like CJ’s target population (Latinos). For those of you serving Latinos, please indicate in question 2 how many Latino children you would refer if there were scholarships. If you have children from other ethnic groups or who are disabled or have other special needs, please also use question 2 to detail this.

JANUARY 10, 2008: SUPPORTING LATINO FAMILIES: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM

The Strengthening Families Program is a nationally and internationally recognized parenting and family strengthening program for high risk families. Evidence shows that the program significantly reduces problem behaviors, delinquency, and alcohol and drug abuse in children and improves social competencies and school performance. Child maltreatment also decreases as parents learn more effective parenting skills. In the greater Charlottesville area, the program, that serves children 6 – 10 and their families, is administered by Region Ten. It began serving Latino families in Spanish last year. Many of its Spanish speaking Latino instructors previously participated in the program as parents. This plenary will explore lessons learned from the Latino SFP, among them, needs expressed by parents, and methodologies, like using previous recipients as instructors. The plenary will include presentations from Laura Anderson, SFP coordinator for Region Ten, from Latino parent participants, and from Latino instructors. Persons interested in learning more about the program should contact Laura Anderson at: (434) 972-1881 or lauraa@regionten.org

BEFORE JANUARY 11, 2008: REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING: ACCULTURATION, MENTAL HEALTH, AND CHRONIC DISEASE

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2050 Hispanic/Latinos will represent 25% of the U.S. population. In 2003, almost 12% of the U.S. population was foreign-born, with over half born in Latin America. Compared to their U.S. White counterparts, Hispanic/Latino immigrants are disproportionately burdened by poverty, lack of access to health care (e.g. insurance), low birth weight, higher infant mortality rates and worst health outcomes associated with chronic diseases. Past research suggests that as Hispanic immigrants integrate into American society, their overall health and mental health declines dramatically. Due to such demographic changes and related health consequences, a growing interest within the public health community centers on the process and impact of Hispanic immigrants assimilation to American culture and its negative effects on health. A more in-depth look needs to be taken in understanding the relationship between acculturation and certain aspects of mental health, such as depression, stress, and health-related quality of life, and how it contributes to the burden on chronic diseases. It is critical to monitor the mental health status of Hispanic/Latino immigrants as they acculturate into American society in order to develop appropriate program and policy strategies for eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities.

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) will support a community-based organization in a project to examine the relationship between acculturation and mental health and how it contributes to the burden of chronic disease among Hispanic/Latino immigrants. The project should include a study population of Hispanic/Latino immigrant adults, geographically diverse sampling, a mixed method approach, and linguistically and culturally appropriate procedures and materials. For more information, visit:
http://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?recipient_id=108329399&message_id=400372&user_id=ACDD

JANUARY 15, 2008: JOB OPENING/STAFF ATTORNEY - VIRGINIA FARMWORKERS LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

The Virginia Farmworkers Legal Assistance Project (VFLAP), a program of the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, is seeking a staff attorney. This full-time position is based in beautiful Charlottesville, VA. VFLAP is a federally-funded legal services organization providing legal assistance and community education to migrant farmworkers throughout Virginia. The work of VFLAP focuses on farmworkers' employment-related issues such as unpaid wages, pesticide exposure, on-the-job accidents, housing and work conditions, and employer retaliation.

The staff attorney will represent clients and handle cases within program priorities; coordinate state-wide outreach to farm labor camps, community groups, and social service agencies that serve farmworkers; and supervise outreach workers, law students, and other volunteers. Qualifications include: Fluency in Spanish; ability to work independently; previous experience with farmworkers and employment law preferred; member of Virginia Bar, eligible for admission, or able to take the next bar exam.

Send a cover letter and resume to: CVLAS Hiring Committee, 1000 Preston Avenue, Suite B, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903. CVLAS is an affirmative action employer. Minorities, women, disabled persons, and older adults are encouraged to apply.

JANUARY 19, 2008: FREE SPANISH HOMEOWNERSHIP EDUCATION CLASS

The Virginia Housing Development Authority will be having a Free Spanish Homeownership Education class on Saturday, January 19, 2008. The class will cover personal finances, credit report & credit issues, relationship with the real estate agent, role of the lender, home inspection, and loan closing. The time is from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm at 601 South Belvidere Street in Richmond. To register contact 877-843-2123. For a bilingual announcement, click here.

JANUARY 19, 2008: REGIONAL IMMIGRANT SOLIDARITY GATHERING

Saturday, January 19, 2008, 10:00 -5:00
St. Augustine Catholic Church
4400 Beulah Rd. Richmond, VA 23237

In November, groups and individuals from across Virginia gathered in Charlottesville to begin coordinating our efforts to defend the rights of immigrants. Join us in Richmond as we continue our plans to: - Make immigrant voices heard during the Virginia General Assembly - Dispel myths and educate the public about the positive contributions of immigrants - Reach out to new allies in the struggle as we expand and strengthen our network - Plan an immigrants rights march - Get to know each other, build community and enjoy good food together. Lunch and Childcare will be Provided. Please Register in Advance. To register or for more information, contact People United at (434) 906-0421 or info@thepeopleunited.org

THROUGH JANUARY 2008: SEEKING VOLUNTEER ESL TUTORS

Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries seeks volunteer ESL tutors as part of a new Hispanic Outreach initiative. Spanish skills/prior teaching experience are not necessary.

Starting on January 15th, group ESL classes will be held every Tuesday from 7-8 in the Blue Ridge Commons Network Center on Prospect Avenue. Volunteers can come to share a snack and work with adults who want to improve their English.

If you would like to form a personal tutoring relationship, we also have many adults who would like to find a one-on-one English tutor. Student and tutor will meet for an hour each week, at a time that is convenient for both. Meetings will take place in the Blue Ridge Commons apartments. Spanish is helpful for personal tutoring but not necessary in all cases. For more information, please contact Samantha Ley, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator at Abundant Life Ministries. samjley@gmail.com or 970-2016.

Directions to Blue Ride Commons: From West Main Street, take 9th/10th St. Ext. Cross Cherry Ave, where 9th/10th becomes Roosevelt Brown, and pass by Buford Middle School on the right. Continue straight through the stop sign and Blue Ridge Commons apartments (768 Prospect) will be on your left. Take the driveway straight down to the bottom of the hill and turn right. The Family Network Center will be the apartment with an awning on your right.

THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2008: MENTAL HEALTH EMPLOYMENT VACANCIES

CJ Note: Latinos and other bilingual/bicultural professionals are encouraged to apply for the following positions.

Clinician, Outpatient (BMS) - Part-time (20 hours/week) mental health/substance abuse counselor needed to provide services on-site for students at Buford Middle School. Services include crisis intervention, short-term counseling, and case management. Master's degree in behavioral health field required; licensure preferred. Salary negotiable.

Clinician, Outpatient (BRJDC) - Are you a mental health professional interested in working with adolescents? Position available for a clinician to provide crisis intervention, assessment, and counseling for adolescents detained at the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Master's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or closely related field required. Experience with juvenile offender population, mental health, and substance abuse systems for children preferred. Salary negotiable.

Positions considered open until filled, unless otherwise noted. A full-length job description for any of these positions may be obtained by calling Brittany Liberatore, Human Resources Generalist, at 434-70-1392. Apply at Region Ten CSB, Human Resources Office, 502 Old Lynchurg Road, Charlottesville VA 22903; mail to 800 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville VA 22903; or apply online at www.regionten.org. To have an application mailed directly to you and/or receive a copy of a full job description; call the Human Resources Office. All applications are due by 12:00 noon on Friday to be considered for this week's recruitments. Region Ten does not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, citizenship, color, disability, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex and/or sexual orientation. Region Ten Community Services Board: "Working together to enrich our community one life at a time"