Dear Friends,
This month I am incredibly proud to recognize California’s rich history of activism as we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and César Chávez Day. A California labor legend, Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association, later called the United Farm Workers, to advocate for the labor and collective bargaining rights of migrant farm workers. Likewise, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is the result of decades of tireless advocacy from communities across the nation, from groups like the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, and countless groundbreaking individuals.
These leaders have made long-lasting contributions to the daily lives of many of the nation’s farm workers, between 500,000 to 800,000 people, who live and work in California, alongside the more than 600,000 Californians living with cerebral palsy, autism, or other intellectual disabilities.
This movement is far from over. Last session, I was proud to participate in what many called ‘hot labor summer,’ a California-wide movement to put working families first and prioritize real wage gains in the face of mounting costs across the state.
As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health, our first committee hearing of the year prioritized addressing the state’s looming shortage of healthcare workers by strengthening California’s pipeline of diverse medical talent, to ensure that every community has access to comprehensive medical care, regardless of where they live or who they are.
Thank you to all the activists and advocates who continue to show up for the Assembly District 18 community, and have a very happy César Chávez Day and Developmental Disability Awareness Month.
Yours in Service,
Mia Bonta
Assemblymember, 18th District
In this newsletter, you'll find the following information:
- Celebrating Developmental Disability Awareness Month with No-Cost Resources and Programs
- State of California Free Tax Filing, Career, and Grant Funding Opportunities
- Resources for Local Small Businesses and Residents in District 18
Assemblymember Mia Bonta & staff are committed to keeping AD-18 residents fully engaged and informed. Please send this newsletter to a friend and subscribe!
Stay connected with our office at (510) 286-1670, Email Me, or follow us on social media.
Section 1: Developmental Disabilities No-Cost Resources for Children, Adults, and Seniors
Section 1A: Department of Developmental Services
The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) works to ensure Californians with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to make choices and lead independent, productive lives as members of their communities in the least restrictive setting possible. DDS is responsible for overseeing the coordination and delivery of services and support to more than 600,000 Californians with developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy, and related conditions. For specific questions, you can email info@dds.ca.gov or call (833) 421-0061.
Section 1B: Regional Center of the East Bay Resources
The Regional Center of the East Bay supports persons with developmental disabilities and their families with the tools needed to achieve lives of quality and satisfaction and builds partnerships that result in inclusive communities. Regional Center of the East Bay helps with adaptive equipment and supplies, assessment and diagnosis, behavior services, case management and childcare, day programs, independent living services, and much more!
Section 1C: Department of Health Care Services Persons with Disabilities Resources
The Department of Health Care Services has various developmental disability services for adults, children, seniors, and women.
Section 1D: California State Council on Developmental Disabilities $3M Grant
The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is seeking grant applications for organizations and agencies to train and support the implementation of Supported Decision Making (SDM).
Areas of SDM include Educational Services, Financial Services, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Services, Legal/Judicial Services, and Medical/Healthcare Services. Grant awards vary from $150K to $800K.
Eligible applicants are nonprofits, community-based organizations, businesses, public agencies, and tribal governments. Applications are due April 22, 2024.
Learn more about the 2024 Supported Decision Making-Technical Assistance Program (SDM-TAP) Implementation Grant.
Section 1E: Department of Industrial Relations File a Claim or Complaint
The California Department of Industrial Relations has many resources for both employees and employers who work and operate in California. The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners and helps their employers comply with state labor laws.
If you or someone you know needs to file a claim due to illegal labor practices, file a claim or complaint today.
Section 2: State of California Free Tax Filing, Career, and Grant Funding Opportunities
Section 2A: File Your Taxes for Free With the New Direct File Webpage!
Direct File allows eligible taxpayers to securely file their taxes online directly with the IRS – for free. Direct File is available in English and Spanish and works on mobile devices as easily as it does on tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, and includes dedicated customer support directly from trained IRS customer support agents.
- Types of Income W2: wage income Social Security; Unemployment; Interest of $1,500
or less
- Types of Credits: Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for Other
Dependents
- Types of Deduction: Standard Deduction, Student Loan Interest, and Educator Expense
Section 2B: California Will Begin Recruiting 10,000 Paid California Service Corps Members!
California will begin recruiting 10,000 paid California Service Corps Members to help their communities, provide economic opportunities, tackle our state’s most pressing challenges, and address the crisis of social isolation and division.
California Corps Programs:
- #CaliforniansForAll College Corps
- #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps
- California Climate Action Corps
- AmeriCorps California
Learn more at California Service Corps.
Section 2C: Department of Industrial Relations $40M Grant for Apprenticeship Programs!
The Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF) is to support both new and existing Apprenticeship programs to grow and scale to meet the needs of more employers and create more earn and learn pathways for job seekers. In FY 2023-2024, a total of $40 million is available to support both new and existing Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships programs. Applications are due April 17, 2024!
Join the virtual Grant Application Office Hours on April 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. Register here.
AIF - Support
- Amount: $3500 per active apprentice per year, prorated to the month, along with a $1000 per apprentice completion bonus.
- Covers the cost of running an apprenticeship program, aggregating employer demands, and recruiting, supporting, and placing apprentices.
AIF - Training
- Amount: $9.98 per training hour per apprentice.
- Allows for new training programs to develop in a more agile manner and will specifically be used for training costs for IACA Apprentices.
Eligible applicants include non-profits, industry associations, unions, public agencies, apprenticeship organizations, and many more.
Learn more and apply for the Apprenticeship Program Grant.
Section 3: Resources for Local Small Businesses and Residents in District 18
Section 3A: SPARK is a New Easy Way to Apply for a Business Loan!
Main Street Launch is one of the top small business advocate community advantage lenders in the nation. They have approved over $4.1 million of Community Advantage loans in 2023, and are on track to double their lending this year. Main Street Launch's mission is to create economic opportunity by empowering entrepreneurs with loans for small businesses up to $350,000.
Section 3B: Free Legal Advice Virtual Clinic for Business Owners
Attention Business Owners! The Sustainable Economies Law Center provides direct legal support to individuals and groups who are working to create new solutions for resilient local economies. If you need advice about starting a worker-owned cooperative, converting an existing business into a cooperative, organizing a housing cooperative, or founding a nonprofit or other social enterprise, attend this webinar and register online!
When: April 19, 2024 from 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Section 3C: City of Oakland’s MACRO new phone line!
The Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO) Program is a community response program for non-violent, non-emergency 911 calls. The purpose of MACRO is to meet the needs of the community with a compassionate care first-response model grounded in empathy, service, and community.
- Phone: (510) 44 MACRO | (510) 446-2276
To aid the dispatcher, callers should confirm that the situation is non-violent, non-emergent, with no visible weapons, and outside of a dwelling/residence or business.
Section 3D: City of Oakland Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development Summer Hiring!
The City of Oakland’s Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development has various activities and opportunities for Oakland youth to enjoy. Through a robust activity guide for Spring and Summer 2024, there are open part-time employment positions available for the summer.
Positions include
- Recreation Aid (Entry Level)
- Recreation Leader I/II
- Recreation Specialist I/II
- Sports Official
- Aquatics
- Lifeguard
- ... and many more!