Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

New laws impacting education go into effect as the school year begins

By Leave a Comment

George Washington Elementary School Principal Gina Lopez, in Lodi, welcomes students on the first day of school on July 30. Photo credit: Diana Lambert / EdSource

Include requiring menstrual products in elementary boy’s bathrooms – supported by all of Contra Costa’s state legislators; allowing kids 12 or older to consent to mental health care without parental consent, keeping transgender student secrets from parents, climate change instruction, more

By Diana Lambert, Zaidee Stavely, Emma Gallegos, Mallika Seshadri, and Amy DiPierro, EdSource.org, republished with permission

California students, including those in elementary school, will have better access to mental health care, free menstrual products and information about climate change this school year. The expansion of transitional kindergarten also means there will be more 4-year-old students on elementary school campuses.

These and other new pieces of education legislation will go into effect this school year, including a bill that bans schools from suspending students for willful defiance and another that offers college students more transparency around the cost of their courses and the materials they will need to purchase for them.

Here are a few new laws that may impact students in the 2024-25 school year.

Climate change instruction required

Science instruction in all grades — first through 12th — must include an emphasis on the causes and effects of climate change, and methods to mitigate it and adapt to it. Although many schools are already teaching students about climate change, all schools must incorporate the topic into instruction beginning this school year.

Content related to climate change appears in some of the state curriculum frameworks, according to an analysis of Assembly Bill 285, the legislation that created the requirement.

Assemblymember Luz Rivas, D-Arieta, the author of the bill, said the legislation will give the next generation the tools needed to prepare for the future and will cultivate a new generation of climate policy leaders in California.

“Climate change is no longer a future problem waiting for us to act upon — it is already here,” Rivas said in a statement. “Extreme climate events are wreaking havoc across the globe and escalating in severity each year.”

Menstrual products in elementary bathrooms

A new law in effect this year adds elementary schools to the public schools that must offer a free and adequate supply of menstruation products — in order to help younger menstruating students.

Last school year, the Menstruation Equity for All Act went into effect, requiring public schools serving sixth- through 12th-grade students to provide menstruation products. It affected over 2,000 schools.

The new law expands the requirement to public schools that serve third- through fifth-grade students. A Senate analysis of the legislation notes that 10% of menstruation periods begin by age 10, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

The new law requires affected schools to offer free menstrual products in all-gender bathrooms, women’s bathrooms and at least one men’s bathroom on each campus. The legislation, authored by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes,D-San Bernardino, includes one men’s bathroom on each campus to offer access to transgender boys who menstruate.

Supporters of the bill note that menstruation isn’t always predictable and can strike at inopportune times, such as during a test. Menstruation products can also be pricey — especially for students who might also be struggling with food insecurity.

Girl Scout Troop 76 in the Inland Empire advocated for the bill. Scout Ava Firnkoess said that menstruation access is important to young girls, like her, who started menstruating early.

“I have another friend who also started at a young age. She had to use toilet paper and paper towels because she did not have access to menstrual products,” Firnkoess said in a statement. “We think young students who start their periods need to have access to products, not just those who start in sixth grade or later.”

Younger students on campus

Elementary students may seem to be getting a little smaller this year, as transitional kindergarten classes are expanded to children who will turn age 5 between Sept. 2 and June 2.

Transitional kindergarten, an additional grade before kindergarten, was created for 4-year-old children who turn 5 before Dec. 2. It has been expanded each year since 2022 to include more children aged 4. All 4-year-old students will be eligible in the fall of 2025.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have celebrated the expansion of transitional kindergarten, pointing to numbers that show enrollment doubled over the past two years, from 75,000 in 2021-22, to 151,000 in 2023-24. However, a recent analysis by CalMatters found that the percentage of children eligible for transitional kindergarten who actually enrolled had gone down 4 to 7 percentage points.

Colleges must disclose costs

The typical California college student is expected to spend $1,062 on books and supplies in the 2024-25 academic year, according to the California Student Aid Commission.

The exact costs can be hard for students to predict, leaving them uncertain about how much money to budget for a given class. Assembly Bill 607, which Newsom signed last year, requires California State University campuses and community colleges to disclose upfront the estimated costs of course materials and fees for some of their courses this school year. The bill asks University of California campuses to do the same, but does not make it a requirement.

The schools must provide information for at least 40% of courses by Jan. 1 of next year, increasing that percentage each year until there are cost disclosures for 75% of courses by 2028. This year, campuses should also highlight courses that use free digital course materials and low-cost print materials, according to the legislation.

Proponents of the law, which was co-authored by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra, D-San Jose; Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles; and Sabrina Cervantes, D-Inland Empire, said it will promote price transparency. The bill covers digital and physical textbooks as well as software subscriptions and devices like calculators.

A student speaking in support of AB 607 in May 2023 said she felt “helplessly exposed and vulnerable” when she had to appeal to a professor for help covering the surprise costs of a textbook’s online course content.

“If I would have known that a month ahead of time, I could have organized and evaluated my budget in an effective manner for the entire semester,” said Rashal Azar. “This would have prevented my financial anxiety and not triggered my mental health as well.”

TK exempt from English language test

Students enrolled in transitional kindergarten, also known as TK, are no longer required to take the initial English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC). The test, which measures proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English, is required to be taken within 30 days of enrollment in kindergarten through 12th grade, if parents indicate in a survey that their children speak another language at home.

Previously, transitional kindergartners also had to take the ELPAC when enrolling. But many school district staff and advocates for English learners said the test was not designed for 4-year-old children and that it was not identifying English learners accurately, because the children were too young to answer questions correctly.

The California Department of Education has directed school districts to mark children’s English language acquisition status as “to be determined” in the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System, if their parents indicate on the home language survey that their primary or native language is a language other than English. These students will take the initial ELPAC when they begin kindergarten the following year.

Californians Together, which advocates for English learners, and Early Edge California, which advocates for quality early education for all children, were among the organizations that celebrated the bill.

“As the parent of bilingual children and a dual language learner myself, I deeply appreciate Governor Newsom, Assemblymember (Al) Muratsuchi, and California’s legislators for supporting our young multilingual learners by championing AB 2268,” said Patricia Lozano, executive director of Early Edge California in a news release. “This bill will create more support tailored to their needs and strengths, so they can learn and thrive from the early years onward.”

Kids can consent to mental health care

A new law that took effect in July makes it easier for children on Medi-Cal who are 12 or older to consent to mental health treatment inside and outside of schools. Children older than 12 on private insurance can already consent to mental health care without parental consent.

Previously, students in this age group could only consent to mental health treatment without parental approval under a limited number of circumstances: incest, child abuse or serious danger, such as suicidal ideation.

“From mass shootings in public spaces and, in particular, school shootings, as well as fentanyl overdoses and social media bullying, young people are experiencing a new reality,” said Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, D-Los Angeles, author of the bill. “The new law is about “making sure all young people, regardless if they have private health insurance or are Medi-Cal recipients, have access to mental health resources.”

Children who need mental health care but do not have consent from their parents could potentially seek help from social media and other online resources of sometimes dubious quality, according to the legislation.

The legislation allows mental health professionals to determine whether parental involvement is “inappropriate” and also whether the child in question is mature enough to consent.

California Capitol Connection, a Baptist advocacy group, opposed the bill, stating, “In most cases, a parent knows what is best for their child.”

This is not strictly an education bill, but it does affect schools. The law notes that school-based providers, such as a credentialed school psychologist, find that some students who want to avail themselves of mental health resources are not able to get parental consent.

No willful defiance suspensions

Beginning this school year, and for the next five years, California students across all grade levels cannot be suspended for willful defiance.

Acts of willful defiance, according to Senate Bill 274, include instances where a student is intentionally disruptive or defies school authorities. Instead of being suspended, these students will be referred to school administrators for intervention and support.

SB 274 builds on previous California legislation that had already banned willful defiance suspensions among first-through-eighth-grade students, and had banned expulsions for willful defiance across the board.

Studies show that willful defiance suspensions disproportionately impact Black male students and increase the likelihood of students dropping out of school.

Los Angeles Unified, Oakland Unified, San Francisco Unified and other school districts have already banned the practice.

SB 274 would apply to all grades TK through 12 in both traditional public schools and charters. The bill would also prohibit schools from suspending or expelling students for being tardy or truant.

Schools can’t ‘out’ students

After Jan. 1, California schools boards will not be permitted to pass resolutions requiring teachers and staff to notify parents if they believe a child is transgender.

Newsom signed the Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth, or SAFETY Act, in July in response to the more than a dozen California school boards that proposed or passed parental notification policies in just over a year. At least seven California school districts passed the policies, often after heated public debate.

The policies require school staff to inform parents if a child asks to use a name or pronoun different from the one assigned at birth, or if they engage in activities and use facilities designed for the opposite sex.

The new law protects school staff from retaliation if they refuse to notify parents of a child’s gender preference. The legislation also provides additional resources and support for LGBTQ+ students at junior high and high schools.

“Politically motivated attacks on the rights, safety and dignity of transgender, nonbinary and other LGBTQ+ youth are on the rise nationwide, including in California,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward, D-San Diego, who introduced the legislation along with the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.

 

Extended Reality: Shaping our technological landscape

By Leave a Comment

 Artificial intelligence-generated designs including one of the author’s glasses. By Neil Sterud.

By Neil Sterud

Having recently attended the 2024 Augmented World Expo (AWE) in Long Beach, I was struck by the growing prevalence of extended reality (XR) in our society. XR, an umbrella term encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), is making significant inroads into various aspects of our lives.

Notable examples of XR are becoming increasingly visible. The Sphere in Las Vegas, with its immersive displays, showcases the potential of large-scale XR experiences. Virtual home tours have revolutionized the real estate industry, while Snapchat filters have made AR a daily reality for millions. Meta’s Quest headsets continue to push the boundaries of consumer VR. Even Facebook, recognizing the potential of this technology, rebranded itself as Meta in 2021, signaling a strong commitment to the “metaverse.”

While many desks currently feature multiple monitors, the future may look quite different. AR laptops and headsets promise to create virtual screens, potentially reducing the need for physical displays. Microsoft’s HoloLens and the rumored Apple AR/VR headset are examples of how major tech companies are investing in this vision.

After the conference, I experimented with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses for a month. While their capabilities were impressive, including hands-free photo and video capture, I noticed that some features overlapped with voice assistants like Google Assistant. However, it’s important to note that smart glasses and voice assistants serve different purposes – the former provides visual augmentation, while the latter focuses on audio interactions.

This observation highlights a challenge in the XR industry: ensuring that new technologies offer clear value propositions to avoid being shelved. Nevertheless, using smart glasses is a form of augmented intelligence, a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them. This concept promotes a collaborative partnership between humans and AI technologies, aiming to assist in decision-making and problem-solving.

XR is not limited to personal use. Industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing are exploring its potential. In healthcare, AR is being used for surgical planning and guidance. In education, VR field trips are making immersive learning experiences possible. Manufacturing companies are using AR for complex assembly processes and remote expert assistance.

However, the widespread adoption of XR faces challenges. Privacy concerns, particularly around data collection from AR devices, need to be addressed. Technological limitations, such as battery life and processing power, are ongoing issues. Social acceptance of wearable XR devices in public spaces remains a hurdle.

Despite these challenges, the collaborative nature of XR makes us all integral to the future of technology. As XR becomes more common, it promises to revolutionize how we interact with both digital and physical worlds. From enhancing workplace productivity to transforming entertainment experiences, XR has the potential to reshape numerous aspects of our daily lives in the coming years.

As we move forward, it’s crucial to stay informed about XR developments and consider their implications. Whether we’re early adopters or cautious observers, XR is a technological trend that will likely impact us all in the near future.

Former Antioch Police officer convicted by federal jury of conspiracy, wire fraud

By Leave a Comment

Former Antioch Police Officer Morteza Amiri was convicted by a federal jury on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Herald file photo

Morteza Amiri is last of six Antioch, Pittsburg officers convicted of conspiring to defraud their departments by obtaining payments and raises for university degrees they paid a third party to complete

Information provided on cases for four other former Antioch officers

By U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California

OAKLAND – On Thursday, August 8, 2024, a federal jury convicted police officer Morteza Amiri of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme to obtain pay raises from the City of Antioch Police Department for a university degree he paid someone else to obtain in his name, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp.  The felony verdicts follow a four-day trial before United States Senior District Judge Jeffrey S. White.  Amiri is the sixth officer to be convicted in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, along with former Pittsburg Officers Patrick Berhan, Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash and Ernesto Mejia-Orozco, former Antioch Community Service Officer Samantha Peterson and former Pittsburg Police and Oakland Housing Authority Officer Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa. (See related article)

Former officers who pleaded guilty this year: Pittsburg officers Amanda Carmella Theodosy (aka Nash), Ernesto Juan Mejia-Orozco and Patrick James Berhan. Photos: Pittsburg PD. Former Antioch Police Community Service Officer Samantha Peterson. Photo: Antioch PD. (No photo of Oakland Housing Authority officer Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa could be located).

“We expect integrity and honesty from every police officer, every day, in the police departments across this country,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey. “Amiri failed to uphold these basic responsibilities, and a federal jury has convicted him of defrauding his employer, the Antioch Police Department.  He, along with the other officers he conspired with, now face the consequences of violating the rule of law that they swore to uphold.”

“Amiri engaged in a calculated conspiracy to defraud his police department of taxpayer funds. His actions were a violation of the law and a grave betrayal of public trust,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “Amiri and his co-conspirators’ deception has no place in law enforcement. With this conviction, he now faces the consequences of his actions.”

Amiri, 33, was employed as a Police Officer with the Antioch Police Department.  At trial, the evidence presented showed that the City of Antioch and City of Pittsburg’s Police Departments offered reimbursements toward higher education tuition and expenses, along with pay raises and other financial incentives upon completion of a degree.  However, instead of completing higher education coursework on their own, Amiri and his co-conspirators hired someone to complete entire courses on their behalf at an online university to secure a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  Amiri and his co-conspirators then represented they had taken those courses and earned the degrees from the university when requesting reimbursements and financial incentives from their police department employers, the City of Antioch and the City of Pittsburg.  They were in turn paid additional financial incentives, calculated as percentages of their salaries, while they remained employed by their police departments.

In a span of two years, the conspiracy included numerous other officers and former officers, including Berhan (Pittsburg PD), Amiri (Antioch PD), Theodosy a/k/a Nash (Pittsburg PD), Peterson (Antioch PD), Mejia-Orozco (Pittsburg PD), and Rodriguez Jalapa (formerly Pittsburg PD).

The evidence at trial showed that Amiri texted the person who took his classes for him, writing among other things: “can i hire you [ ] to do my … classes? ill pay you per class”; “don’t tell a soul about me hiring you for this. we can’t afford it getting leaked and me losing my job”; “if i submit my request for the degree on time by the end [ ] of the month i can coordinate my raise in a timely manner”; and “I’m gonna rush order my degree to get my pay raise jump started.”

On the basis of courses taken by this person, Amiri “earned” a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  Amiri applied for and thereafter received financial incentives from the City of Antioch for having completed university courses and earning a bachelor’s degree.

The jury convicted Amiri of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.

U.S. Senior District Judge Jeffrey S. White scheduled Amiri’s sentencing for November 12, 2024.  Each of the two counts of conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The Court may also order a fine, restitution, and supervision upon release from prison as part of any sentence.  However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned multiple indictments on August 16, 2023, that collectively charged ten current and former officers and employees from the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments with federal crimes.  Amiri is the last officer to be convicted in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud case.

Amiri is scheduled for trial in another related case in February 2025.

Former Antioch officers arrested on Thursday, August 17, 2023, are Eric Allen Rombough, Devon Christopher Wenger, Timothy Allen Manly Williams and Daniel James Harris. Photos: APD

Here is the status of the cases: (Rombough, Wenger, Manly Williams and Harris are former Antioch Police Officers).

Case Number Statute(s) Defendant

(Bold: multiple case numbers)

 Status
23-cr-00264 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud) Patrick Berhan Pleaded guilty 3/26/24, sentencing set for 9/3/24
Morteza Amiri Convicted at trial 8/8/24, sentencing set for 11/12/24
Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash Pleaded guilty 7/30/24, sentencing set for 11/5/24
Samantha Peterson Pleaded guilty 1/9/24, sentenced 4/23/24
Ernesto Mejia-Orozco Pleaded guilty 6/11/24, sentencing set for 9/17/24
Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa Pleaded guilty 6/25/24, sentencing set for 10/22/24
23-cr-00267 18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Timothy Manly Williams Pending
23-cr-00268 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Daniel Harris Status set for 8/13/24
21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids);

18 U.S.C. § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)

 Devon Wenger
23-cr-00269 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations) Morteza Amiri Trial set for 2/18/25
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Eric Rombough
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Devon Wenger
24-cr-00157 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Patrick Berhan Pleaded guilty 3/26/24, sentencing set for 9/3/24

This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney.

City of Lafayette explains use of property taxes

By Leave a Comment

Source: City of Lafayette

As council asks voters to increase sales tax

By City of Lafayette

Have you ever wondered where the revenue from property taxes goes?

As seen in the above graphic, the largest share (57%) goes to school districts, including the community college; 14.1% goes to the Contra Costa Fire District; 11.1% to the County; 3.9% to utilities (EBMUD & CentralSan); 3.4% to parks (including the East Bay Regional Park District); and 3.9% going to various other public agencies (including BART).  The City of Lafayette receives only 6.67%.  Thus, for a single-family house assessed at $1M, while the property owner will pay $10,000 annually for the Countywide tax; the City receives only $670.

“People think that because Lafayette is considered an affluent community with expensive homes that, the City must get plenty of money from property taxes,” says City Manager, Niroop K. Srivatsa; “however, that is not the case.”

In fact, the City of Lafayette receives a lesser percentage of the Countywide property tax revenue than most surrounding cities. “Many people are surprised to learn that the distribution of property tax varies widely among the incorporated cities,” Srivatsa points out.  In Contra Costa County, the rate ranges between 5.4% to 27.7%.”  As to why that is, the answer is somewhat complicated, but goes back to 1978 when Prop 13 was passed.  At that time, the City had not imposed any local property taxes while other cities had.  When Prop. 13 standardized the Countywide general 1% rate, cities got the same percentage of the Countywide tax that had previously been levied locally.   That percentage was zero in the case of Lafayette.  Over the course of the next 10 years, Lafayette’s rate has increased to the current 6.67%, and that is where it has been for the last 36 years.

When asked if the City can get a larger share of these property taxes, the City Manager answers, “Unfortunately No.”  She explains, “100% of the general property tax has been accounted for; thus, increasing Lafayette’s share would mean decreasing another agency’s share, which would be virtually impossible.”

Even with this “low” allocation, the City’s number one source of revenue is still property taxes, generating approximately $7M each year – about 35% of the total General Fund revenue. With the addition of other funding sources like sales tax, franchise, and service fees, the City provides Lafayette residents with important public services such as:

  •  Maintaining public streets and storm drains in their present condition and providing timely pothole repair.
  •  Wildfire preparedness activities.
  •  Keeping the number of sworn police officers at the current level
  •  Providing services for senior citizens.
  •  Landscaping and maintaining City parks, open spaces, paths, and playfields.
  •  Traffic safety programs for all public road and pathway users, including people driving, biking, and walking.
  •  Continuing support for our community partners like the Chamber of Commerce and the Lafayette School District.

However, mostly due to inflation, the City is now facing a deficit of more than $2M annually.  Without additional revenue, City officials will have to make difficult decisions about which programs and services to cut back or altogether eliminate.

As part of the budgeting process, City leaders evaluated several possible options for generating additional revenues. They determined that instead of asking voters to raise property taxes by an average of $200 per parcel, they are asking the voters to authorize a 1/2% increase in the City’s Sales Tax, which amounts to one-half of a penny for every taxable dollar spent locally.

A half-cent increase will generate approximately $2.4 million annually; enough to close the budget deficit and maintain the status quo but not enough to address new or unfunded projects and programs.  A sales tax is paid by visitors who dine and shop in Lafayette, as well as by residents; therefore, funds are brought into the community to benefit Lafayette residents by people who reside outside the City.

If authorized, Lafayette Sale Tax will increase from 8.75 to 9.25%, which is less than the rates in Moraga and Orinda.

The funding Measure will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot. Passage requires simple majority support (50%, plus 1 vote).  Revenues from the Measure will be placed into the City’s General Fund.  The City Council will appoint an Oversight Committee to monitor the way these monies are spent, and there will be an annual audit, which will be made available to the public.

The City Manager concludes, “Our goal is to keep pace with existing services and programs, while maintaining the City’s finances.”

As previously reported, the Lafayette City Council is asking voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase to 9.25% on the November 5th ballot. They claim it’s needed due to inflation, unfunded state mandates and would last seven years.

About The City of Lafayette

Lafayette is a charming small community located in Contra Costa County, 30 miles from The City of Oakland. It’s known for its beautiful green hills, excellent schools, and miles of hiking trails, making it an attractive place to live. The City has a population of more than 25,000 highly educated residents, with 75.2% of them holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, 73.6% of the homes in Lafayette are owner-occupied. The median home value is $1,914,700, while the median household income is $219,250. The total area of the city is 15.22 square miles.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Kaiser Permanente’s Contra Costa hospitals recognized for providing high-quality care for heart, stroke patients

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Kaiser Permanente

Antioch, Richmond and Walnut Creek locations among 20 to receive American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®– Heart Failure and Stroke Gold Plus awards

KP clinicians and staff work together to deliver excellent cardiac and stroke care using evidence-based treatment protocols rooted in high-quality scientific research

By Kerri Leedy, Media and Public Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente

OAKLAND, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are being recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for following nationally recognized, research-based guidelines when diagnosing and treating heart failure and stroke patients, leading to more lives saved.

The following Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals have received both the AHA Get With The Guidelines®– Heart Failure and the Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke Gold Plus awards: Antioch, Richmond, Walnut Creek, Fremont, Fresno, Modesto, Oakland, Redwood City, Roseville, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, South San Francisco, Vacaville and Vallejo. Kaiser Permanente Manteca received the Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke Silver Plus award.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke or heart attack, and heart disease and stroke are the leading and fifth-leading causes of death in the country, respectively. This national recognition from the AHA reflects Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s commitment to providing high-quality heart and stroke care, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer hospital readmissions.

“This recognition is a tribute to our physicians, cardiac specialists, and care teams, who are dedicated to delivering high-quality, comprehensive cardiac care and treatment to their patients,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “As a result, we are widely recognized for consistently delivering nation-leading clinical outcomes that enable our members and patients to live healthier and longer lives.”

Kaiser Permanente Northern California cardiac care specialists treat a broad range of heart conditions, frequently performing life-saving procedures.​ Using a team-based approach to care, Kaiser Permanente’s connected system enables our cardiologists to share knowledge across locations and specialties. In our communities, Kaiser Permanente members are 33% less likely to experience premature death due to heart disease, according to a 2022 research study.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California is also a leader in stroke care, and our integrated model of care supports close affiliation between our stroke care clinicians and cardiac researchers and specialists.

“The comprehensive cardiac and stroke care and support we provide is leading to better health outcomes for our members and patients,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “This recognition shows how we use our integrated care model to make sure patients get the care they need so they can recover faster, be healthier, and live longer.”

The Get With The Guidelines®– Heart Failure award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and aggressive risk-reduction therapies. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their heart failure and overall health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

The Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve nearly 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

CCHealth, Contra Costa College offer SPIRIT course for recovery training

By 1 Comment

Behavioral Health Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training for young adults with mental health conditions, substance abuse disorder, or both, and parents

Application deadline: October 4, 2024

SPIRIT is a 9-unit college course taught in collaboration with Contra Costa College from January – May on Monday’s and Wednesday’s and June – July on Mondays (in person) with 10 hours a week internship equaling 60 hours. The course teaches students how to develop core skills to empower themselves by attaining and maintaining recovery and resiliency through self-awareness and peer/family support, while learning to assist others in doing the same. The completion of this class leads to a Certificate.

This program is intended for individuals who fit at least one of the following criteria:

  • A person who has self-identified as having lived experience of recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or
  • A transition-age youth or young adult 18 – 26 who has self-identified as having lived experience of recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or
  • A person with lived experience as a self-identified family member of an adult experiencing a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or
  • A person who is parenting or has parented a child or adult experiencing a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or both. This person may be a birth parent, adoptive parent, or family member standing in for an absent

Goals

  1. To become more empowered, explore potential and help others learn resiliency and empowerment skills.
  2. To gain an understanding of the importance of peer and family support as an integral part of the recovery and resiliency journey, as well as to the overall behavioral health system of
  3. To gain a working understanding of Contra Costa Behavioral Health’s system of care which includes, Mental Health Services, Housing and Homeless Services, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, and Health Services broadly, and recovery/resiliency-oriented techniques and
  4. To identify, develop and sustain your personal support system, develop and use a personal Wellness Recovery Action Plan and to help others to incorporate these skills into their personal wellness process.
  5. To become more aware of community resources which aid peers and their families, including young adults and children in living successfully within the larger
  6. To explore career options that will help you develop the skills enabling you to find meaningful activity and to learn skills and participate in internship training in the behavioral health

The Behavioral Health Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training (SPIRIT) includes two components; the comprehensive classroom training and support program, followed by the individualized Work-Study placement. This program is a collaboration between Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services (CCBHS), Office for Peer and Family Empowerment, and Contra Costa College (CCC).

Application Deadline and Mailing Information

Application Process: This APPLICATION is due by October 4, 2024

Please submit your completed application to:

Attention SPIRIT

Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services

Office for Peer and Family Empowerment

1340 Arnold Drive Suite 200, Martinez, CA 94553

Fax (925) 957-5156

For further information about the SPIRIT Training or application, please contact: Bianca Connor at: Bianca.Connor@cchealth.org  (925) 957-5141 or (925) 839-0669 Victoria Fairchild at: Victoria.Fairchild@cchealth.org (925) 957-5143 or (925) 723‑2729.

Training Components

  1. Intensive Training (SPIRIT I and II): The classroom training takes place during the Spring 2025 college semester (starting in January 2025) in partnership with Contra Costa College. It consists of two separate 3 unit college classes (6 units / 93 hours total), SPIRIT I and SPIRIT Students take SPIRIT I for the first half of the semester, and then SPIRIT II during the second half of the semester. Students may not participate in SPIRIT II without successful completion of SPIRIT I.
  2. Work-Study/Summer Internship (SPIRIT III): The work study portion of SPIRIT takes place during the summer 2025 college semester (3 units / 18 hours total), and includes a six-week, 60-hour internship at a human service agency with once-a-week classroom instruction. Students must successfully complete both SPIRIT I and II to participate in SPIRIT III. Students receive 3 units of college credits for successfully completing SPIRIT III (a total of 9 units / 111 hours of class time and 60 hours of internship.
  • Allowance: All students will be eligible for an allowance to assist with transportation and other expenses needed to complete the training.

Download the application form, here – SPIRIT Application 2025.

The Raley’s Companies honor veterans, first responders with new discount program

By Leave a Comment

Military & First Responder Discount Days: 10% Off Your Groceries

Regional, family-owned grocery retailer offers 10% off the first Tuesday of each month and designated holidays throughout the year for service members and first responders

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its long-standing commitment to give back to the communities it serves, The Raley’s Companies announces a new 10% discount program for retired and active-duty military, first responders, and their families. Starting today, the discount is available for in-store and on-line purchases the first Tuesday of each month, as well as on Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day.

Military & First Responder Discount Days: 10% Off Your Groceries – First Tuesday of Every Month, Memorial Day, 4th of July & Veterans Day

“We are truly humbled by the dedication of our nation’s military and first responders,” said Keith Knopf, President & Chief Executive Officer for The Raley’s Companies. “While we could never repay the selfless work of these brave and patriotic individuals, we wish to honor their service and share our gratitude for all they do — and have done.”

Growing from a single store opening in 1935, The Raley’s Companies now includes brick and mortar locations under Raley’s and Bashas’ family of brands, including: Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill, Raley’s ONE Market, Bashas,’ Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, and Bashas’ Diné Markets. The new discount program is available at all brand stores.

The military discount applies to active-duty military, retired military, veterans, and their household family members. The first responders discount applies to active firefighters and wildland firefighters including California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, New Mexico Forestry Division, U.S. Forest Services, National Park Services, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, police officers, sheriffs, paramedics, EMTs and their household family members. Members of these groups need to show their military ID or Veterans identification card. If the individual is a member of Something Extra or the Bashas’ Thank You Program, the discount will activate once the military member enters their loyalty number (after the first time).

In addition to the military and first responders new discount program, The Raley’s Companies are deeply committed to giving back by addressing local hunger needs, advocating for good, and focusing on child welfare, the environment and sustainability, food access, food system education, and total wellness. Between 2022 and 2023, the organization donated more than $3 million to local and regional non-profits.

For more information about the program, please visit raleys.com/discountdays to learn more.

About The Raley’s Companies

The Raley’s Companies is a private, family-owned and purpose-driven retail company headquartered in West Sacramento, CA. Since our founding in 1935, our store operations have grown to include more than 235 locations across eight states and four Tribal Nations under 10 well-known banners: Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods, Raley’s O-N-E Market, Bashas’, Bashas’ Diné, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Full Circle, and Farm Fresh To You. In addition, The Raley’s Companies bridges the divide between the physical and digital retail experiences through the operation of Apium Logistics, Fieldera and fieldTRUE. Built on a higher purpose, the organization and our more than 21,000 employees are committed to quality offerings, exceptional service and doing right by our team members, communities and planet. To learn more, visit theraleyscompanies.com.

 

CA Controller publishes 2023 payroll data for state government, superior courts, CSU’s

By Leave a Comment

399,000 positions paid almost $29 billion in total wages

Includes Contra Costa Superior Court and Cal State East Bay data

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Malia M. Cohen has published the 2023 self-reported payroll data for state departments, superior courts, and California State Universities (CSU) on the Government Compensation in California website. The data covers more than 399,000 positions and approximately $28.87 billion in total wages for those agencies and institutions.

Users of the site can view compensation levels on maps and search by region, narrow results by name of the entity or by job title, and export raw data or custom reports.

The newly published data were reported by:

  • 24 CSU institutions (116,235 employees),
  • 56 superior courts (20,884 employees), and
  • 157 state departments (262,097 employees).

California law requires cities, counties, and special districts to annually report compensation data to the State Controller. The State Controller also maintains and publishes state and CSU salary data. However, no such statutory requirement exists for the University of California, California community colleges, superior courts, fairs and expositions, First 5 commissions, or K-12 education providers; their reporting is voluntary. Two superior courts either did not file or filed a report that was non-compliant, including those in Alameda County and Tuolumne County.

The site contains pay and benefit information on more than two million government jobs in California, as reported annually by each entity.

Contra Costa County Superior Court

As of Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, the information provided for the Contra Costa Superior Court shows 413 employees were paid $35,892,317 in total wages and $13,761,517 in total retirement & health contribution for a total of $49,653,834 in total compensation, or $120,227.20 on average.

In addition, the report shares, “This superior court includes payments toward the unfunded liability of the employer sponsored retirement plan.” For more information visit www.cc-courts.org/general/administration.aspx.

Cal State East Bay

As of Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, the information provided for California State University, East Bay shows 3,651 employees were paid a total wages of $132,664,169 and $58,874,273 in total retirement & health contribution, for a total of $191,538,442 in compensation or $52,461.91 on average. That doesn’t take into account the many part-time positions for the two-campus university.

In addition, the report shares, “This California State University includes payments toward the unfunded liability of the employer sponsored retirement plan.” For more information visit www.csueastbay.edu/hr.

The State Controller’s Government Compensation in California website provides information on employee pay and benefits for approximately 2 million positions at more than 5,000 public employers. Public employers annually report employee compensation to the State Controller’s Office. It allows the public to view and search employee job titles, build charts and graphics, and download custom reports and raw data.

About Controller Cohen

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds. Follow the Controller on X at @CAController and on Facebook at California State Controller’s Office.

 

 

 

Contra Costa health officer recommends indoor masking again to reduce risk of rising COVID-19 infection

By Leave a Comment

“Face masks are an effective tool to reduce the spread of the virus” – Dr. Ori Tzvieli

“Wearing a well-fitting mask, such as an N95 or KN95 respirator, is a healthy choice indoors, particularly in public spaces or if around people with whom you do not live.” – Contra Costa Health

By Contra Costa Health

With evidence of increased COVID-19 infections throughout the Bay Area, Contra Costa Health (CCH) recommends masking in crowded indoor settings, particularly for those at high risk of serious illness if infected.

This recommendation is not a health order. It aligns with existing state requirements and recent advice issued in neighboring counties.

A particularly infectious strain of COVID-19, FLiRT, is currently spreading throughout the western U.S., and drives the current surge. Wastewater sampling from the county shows a steady increase in the presence of the virus.

From May 9 to July 9, for example, state lab testing of wastewater samples from the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District showed that concentrations of COVID-19 more than quadrupled. Recently, wastewater concentration has plateaued but still remain high.

Health agencies across the Bay Area jointly lifted most of their requirements and orders to mask indoors in February 2022, but strongly recommended use of masking, particularly for those who are high risk for serious illness, as a prevention measure whenever COVID-19 case rates grew high.

“Face masks are an effective tool to reduce the spread of the virus, particularly for those who are at risk for serious illness when there is evidence of elevated COVID-19 activity in the community,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Contra Costa County’s health officer. “This is one of those times. Our health system is not seriously impacted by COVID currently, and our goal is to keep it that way.”

Wearing a well-fitting mask, such as an N95 or KN95 respirator, is a healthy choice indoors, particularly in public spaces or if around people with whom you do not live.

Contra Costa’s only standing COVID-related health order requires workers at healthcare facilities to mask seasonally, from Nov. 1 to April 30 each year, to reduce risk to patients from COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

However, workers and visitors to healthcare facilities, including skilled nursing and congregate care facilities, are strongly encouraged to mask now in those settings.

Health guidance for schools and community colleges remains unchanged. But with the school year beginning this month for most campuses in the county, CCH recommends encouraging students and faculty, particularly those who maybe at risk for serious infection, to mask within classrooms and providing masks to anyone who asks for them, when possible.

Other important ways to protect against COVID-19 are to remain up to date on vaccination, testing for COVID-19 whenever you have symptoms, and staying home from work or school whenever you feel ill. Additionally, treatments remain available for COVID 19 for those who may be at risk of serious illness.

Contact your healthcare provider for advice on vaccination, testing and treatment when you are ill. An updated vaccine to protect against COVID-19 infections is expected to be available in late summer or early fall.

Home test kits are available from healthcare providers and pharmacies throughout the county. Check with your healthcare provider or insurer about any cost or copay for testing or test kits.

For more information about COVID-19 in Contra Costa County, visit cchealth.org/covid19.

DeSaulnier says “Chevron left California years ago” over state’s climate goals, company says move was about “better collaboration”

By Leave a Comment

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-10). Employees at Chevron’s solar photovoltaic project. Source: Chevron Corp.

Following announcement of HQ move to Texas

“I’m disappointed, but not surprised” – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier who represents San Ramon. “Chevron’s actions and investments do not align with its stated commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Chevron responds

By Allen D. Payton

Washington, D.C. – On Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-10) made the following statement on Chevron’s decision to move its headquarters from San Ramon, a city he represents in Congress, to Texas.

“I am disappointed, but not surprised, to see Chevron’s announcement that it will be leaving San Ramon. I have long been involved and advocated for California’s renewable portfolio standard and climate goals to protect both public health and the environment, and for years I have encouraged Chevron to be a diverse energy company investing in clean renewable sources of energy as we in California have been responsibly transitioning away from climate destroying energy and towards clean energy that protects the climate and public health. Unfortunately, these efforts have been much less successful than I had hoped and, in many ways, Chevron left California years ago. I hope as Chevron relocates their corporate facilities, they will keep California’s climate goals in mind. I’ve reached out to the city of San Ramon and I would be happy to work with Chevron, or any other company, in reaching these important energy goals and to continue to support its employees in Contra Costa County.” (See related article)

Source: Chevron 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report

Alternative energy

However, according to Wikipedia, Chevron has been pursuing alternative energy sources. operations include geothermal solar, wind, biofuel, fuel cells, and hydrogen.[145] In 2021 it significantly increased its use of biofuel from dairy farms, like biomethane.[146]

Chevron has claimed to be the world’s largest producer of geothermal energy.[51] The company’s primary geothermal operations were located in Southeast Asia, but these assets were sold in 2017.[147][148][149][150]

Prior, Chevron operated geothermal wells in Indonesia providing power to Jakarta and the surrounding area. In the Philippines, Chevron also operated geothermal wells at Tiwi field in Albay province, the Makiling-Banahaw field in Laguna and Quezon provinces.[151]

In 2007, Chevron and the United States Department of Energy‘s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) started collaboration to develop and produce algae fuel, which could be converted into transportation fuels, such as jet fuel.[152] In 2008, Chevron and Weyerhaeuser created Catchlight Energy LLC, which researches the conversion of cellulose-based biomass into biofuels.[153] In 2013, the Catchlight plan was downsized due to competition with fossil fuel projects for funds.[154]

Between 2006 and 2011, Chevron contributed up to $12 million to a strategic research alliance with the Georgia Institute of Technology to develop cellulosic biofuels and to create a process to convert biomass like wood or switchgrass into fuels. Additionally, Chevron holds a 22% stake in Galveston Bay Biodiesel LP, which produces up to 110 million US gallons (420,000 m3) of renewable biodiesel fuel a year.[155][156]

In 2010, the Chevron announced a 740 kW photovoltaic demonstration project in Bakersfield, California, called Project Brightfield, for exploring possibilities to use solar power for powering Chevron’s facilities. It consists of technologies from seven companies, which Chevron is evaluating for large-scale use.[157][158] In Fellows, California, Chevron has invested in the 500 kW Solarmine photovoltaic solar project, which supplies daytime power to the Midway-Sunset Oil Field.[159] In Questa, Chevron has built a 1 MW concentrated photovoltaic plant that comprises 173 solar arrays, which use Fresnel lenses.[160][161] In October 2011, Chevron launched a 29-MW thermal solar-to-steam facility in the Coalinga Field to produce the steam for enhanced oil recovery. As of 2012, the project is the largest of its kind in the world.[162]

In 2014, Chevron began reducing its investment in renewable energy technologies, reducing headcount and selling alternative energy-related assets.[163]

In 2015, the Shell Canada Quest Energy project was launched[164] of which Chevron Canada Limited holds a 20% share.[165] The project is based within the Athabasca Oil Sands Project near Fort McMurray, Alberta. It is the world’s first CCS project on a commercial-scale.[164]

Chevron’s Advanced Clean Energy Storage (ACES) Project will use an electrolyzer like this one to convert renewable resources, such as wind and solar, into hydrogen and then store that hydrogen for later use. Photo: Chevron

DeSaulnier Doubles Down

DeSaulnier was asked why he would make the comment about Chevron when the company has been pursuing and investing in alternative energy sources in multiple ventures since 2006 including geothermal, solar, wind, biofuel, fuel cells and hydrogen. He was also asked what else he wanted Chevron to do.

DeSaulnier’s office responded, “Congressman DeSaulnier believes Chevron’s actions and investments do not align with its stated commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions – moving out of California which has some of the most progressive climate and energy policies, to Texas, which is a heavy fossil fuel supporter, is evidence of that. Additionally, Chevron’s production hit a record 3.1 million barrels of oil-equivalent per day last year and it expects 2024 production to be even higher and a 2022 study found that Chevron does not match its investments to its pledges as it is still financially reliant on fossil fuels.”

Chevron Responds, Move is About Better Collaboration

Asked if the company had a response to DeSaulnier’s initial statement, Chevron spokesman Ross Allen provided the following statement:

“In addition to our release out Friday morning, our Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth spoke about our move on CNBC and BloombergTV. We also hosted our regularly scheduled Earnings Call, where the topic was addressed during both prepared remarks and the Q&A with investors — (an official transcript will be posted to the website early next week).

As you note, we have areas of disagreement with California policymakers about the shape and direction of energy policy. At Chevron, we support affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy – and we believe certain state policies threaten those goals. But our headquarters relocation is about better collaboration and engagement with executives, employees, and business partners.”

“Learn more about our extensive sustainability efforts and capital projects in our 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report — Chevron, which details the way we are achieving “lower carbon, higher returns,” Allen added.

Read the latest news on Chevron’s hydrogen and renewable fuels, like biodiesel, renewable natural gas and sustainable aviation fuel at Alternative Fuels Newsroom — Chevron.