SHIELDS for Families, Inc. joins Covered CA Network

Dear Collaborative Partner Network:

We are pleased to announce that SHIELDS for Families, Inc. is a certified enrollment entity with Covered CA. In addition, we have a certified enrollment counselor on staff who can provide one-on-one, in-person assistance to guide consumers through the health insurance enrollment process.

Also, we have partnered with the California Family Resource Center to increase public awareness of the Affordable Care Act, Covered CA, and Qualified Health Plans offered through the health exchange.

We would be happy to host a booth at your community health fairs or arrange a presentation for your staff or families free of charge. Simply call our Behavioral Health Administrator, Vina Crum, at (323) 242-5000, extension 1261, to arrange.

In health and wellness!

Click HERE to download "Request for Covered Covered California Qualified Health Plan Enrollment Assistance"

Click HERE to download "Request for health Reform Outreach and Education Presentation"

SHIELDS Believes in Family

Congresswoman Karen Bass honors an Angel in Adoption from SHIELDS

Proud to honor Gerri Lavonda, a grandparent and kinship care provider, with the 37th Congressional District's Angel in Adoption award this year. Each year, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's Angels in Adoption program provides an opportunity for all Members of Congress to honor constituents who demonstrate a deep commitment to foster youth and families in the United States and abroad.

Gerri became even more active in our community when she participated in and assisted with the Adoption Promotion and Support Services Program at SHIELDS for Families. After years of working tirelessly to ensure that she provided the best environment for her grandchildren, she is now going back to school for a degree in child development. She is very deserving of this year's Angel in Adoption Award. Congratulations, Gerri!

A Word From Gerri Lavonda

"It was a privilege to be nominated and awarded as an Angel In Adoption. It was an amazing opportunity to visit Washington D.C. and I cannot put into the words the things I experienced. Congresswoman Karen Bass took me under her wing to present to the floor the problems of my past along with the joys experienced alongside the SHIELDS team - especially my case manager Ana Velasco. 

 I only wish that each person would have the opportunity to visit our government in Washington D.C. to see the hard work that is done on behalf of citizens. I am forever thankful for my SHIELDS family who has been my support when I needed them the most." 

SHIELDS for Families serves 10,000 children and families annually!

This Holiday Season, help angels like Gerri…

GIVE ONLINE

www.shieldsforfamilies.org

DROP OFF
New toys, gift cards, and financial contributions
11601 S. Western Avenue

Los Angeles CA 90047
# (323) 242 – 5000 x1209

PARTNER
Interested in “adopting” a program, hosting a toy drive, or other ways to donate?
Contact Stephanie Moss at smoss@shieldsforfamilies.org or #(323) 242 – 5000 ext.1209

SHIELDS for Families, Inc. is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. Therefore, donations are tax-deductible according to local tax laws.

 

SHIELDS Believes in Justice

SHIELDS partners with Public Counsel to provide critical legal services for our clients and children!

SHIELDS for Families works closely with Public Counsel, the largest non-profit law firm in the country, to provide legal services to undocumented victims of crime.  Gina Amato Lough, Senior Staff Attorney in Public Counsel's Immigrants' Rights Project provides legal services on Mondays, on-site at the SHIELDS ASK Resource Center.  Ms. Amato assists undocumented individuals who have been victims of serious crimes, including domestic violence and sexual abuse, in obtaining U Visas.  The U Visa allows an individual to remain in the U.S. in lawful status, obtain a job and driver's license, and work toward legal, permanent residency. 

Recently, Ms. Amato filed a U Visa application for a man who was shot at a party in 1976 by an unknown assailant.  The random shooting resulted in the death of his cousin and left him a paraplegic.  For nearly forty years, the shooting victim has struggled to access the necessary medical and social services due to his lack of lawful status in the U.S.  It was not until he accessed the legal services at SHIELDS that he realized that he qualifies for a U Visa, which will provide him with lawful status and access to public benefits.  This case will be the oldest that the immigration service has adjudicated to date.   
 

SHIELDS for Families serves 10,000 children and families annually!

Help families like those that Ms. Amato serves…

GIVE ONLINE

www.shieldsforfamilies.org

DROP OFF
New toys, gift cards, and financial contributions
11601 S. Western Avenue

Los Angeles CA 90047
# (323) 242 – 5000 x1209

PARTNER
Interested in “adopting” a program, hosting a toy drive, or other ways to donate?
Contact Stephanie Moss at smoss@shieldsforfamilies.org or #(323) 242 – 5000 ext.1209

SHIELDS for Families, Inc. is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. Therefore, donations are tax-deductible according to local tax laws.

 

SHIELDS Believes In Self-Sufficiency

Did you know? Working helps further recovery more than any other single thing – more than therapy, case management or medication alone…

I am Martha, a 33 year old single mother of two wonderful children, Jesse (13yo) and Abigail (8yo) who are my inspiration for a better life and future for our family.

Earlier in 2013, I graduated with an AA degree in Culinary Arts and secured a job. Unfortunately, I lost my job and we became homeless. Our family experienced difficult times and got entangled in the web of systems impacting our ability to move forward.

That is when I came to SHIELDS for Families. I enrolled in their Homeless CalWORKs Families Project (HCFP), and participated in the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) component. SHIELDS, HCFP and IPS provided me with the support I needed for my family to become self-sufficient again. We moved into a shelter for a year, received therapy, case management, and employment services such as educational training, resume workshops, interviewing skills, job training and linkage. All the services and support paid off…

My job developer helped me secure a few short-term employment opportunities while I participated in IPS services. Recently, I applied for a position with the Los Angeles County Department of Public and Social Services (DPSS) and my application was accepted! I am so excited to have secured a long-term, stable career to provide for my family.

I cannot imagine where my children and I would be today, or what could have happened to us, without the support of SHIELDS, HCFP, and the IPS component. Thank you to all those who believed in me from the beginning and provided me with support through all the difficult times until the end; Jeremy Argo, Shelia Nelson, Joyce stone, Ana Gamez, Martha Ascencio, Torrie Wallace, and Angelica Sanchez-Enriquez.

Thanks to your assistance and encouragement, I can be proud of the example I set to my children by navigating various systems to advocate for our futures and I am confident that I can overcome any challenge facing my family. I will never give up and will always keep love, faith, and God as the important things in my daily life.

SHIELDS for Families serves 10,000 children and families annually!

Help families like Martha’s this holiday season…

GIVE ONLINE

www.shieldsforfamilies.org

DROP OFF
New toys, gift cards, and financial contributions
11601 S. Western Avenue

Los Angeles CA 90047
# (323) 242 – 5000 x1209

PARTNER
Interested in “adopting” a program, hosting a toy drive, or other ways to donate?
Contact Stephanie Moss at smoss@shieldsforfamilies.org or #(323) 242 – 5000 ext.1209

SHIELDS for Families, Inc. is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. Therefore, donations are tax-deductible according to local tax laws.

 

1st Annual Solid Unit Street Fair

 

College Bridge Academy Taking Applications Now!

This summer, in partnership with Los Angeles Education Corps, SHIELDS for Families is opening the College Bridge Academy, a grades 9-12 charter school, which will target youth who have dropped out or are having difficulty in the traditional school system. Students will be provided with wrap-around services through other programs, and families will be an integral part of the service delivery.

“Since the beginning, all of our programs have been built around needs our families and our community have specifically identified,” says SHIELDS co-founder and CEO Kathy Icenhower. College Bridge Academy creates a safe and nurturing learning environment where students are welcomed, challenged and motivated about their learning.

WHY CHOOSE COLLEGE BRIDGE ACADEMY
College Bridge Academy creates a safe and nurturing learning environment where students are welcomed, challenged and motivated about their learning.

• Small Class Sizes
• Accessible and Available Support Staff (Including Tutors)
• Experienced and Passionate Teachers
• College Readiness
• After School Services

MEET OUR STAFF

Enrique Munoz Education Manager / Ms. Carr English

Ms.Thompson Science / Ms. Crane Social Science

Miss Lee Math / Bryson Gauff Tutor

CONTACT INFORMATION

Enrique Munoz (323) 528-4599 / enriquemunoz76@gmail.com

Danielle Lowe (310) 913-2111 / daniblowe@yahoo.com

Community Meeting Addressing Welfare System

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Recommended Child Immunizations

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SHIELDS for Families awarded AGENCY OF THE YEAR by the USC School of Social Work

The USC School of Social Work stated, “Each year, the Field Faculty at USC select an agency that they agree has been outstanding in their collaboration with our school in the education of social work students. This year, the field faculty enthusiastically nominated and selected SHIELDS for Families for its distinguished service to the USC School of Social Work. Your work with the school of social work has made an outstanding contribution to the quality of our program and you have helped to shape the professional careers of students that have been fortunate enough to work with you.” 

On Monday May 6th, SHIELDS CEO Kathy Icenhower and Training Administrator Kimberly Medvin, both USC School of Social Work Alumnae, accepted the AGENCY OF THE YEAR AWARD at the USC School of Social Work’s annual Field Education Luncheon. SHIELDS was honored to receive this recognition for our dedication to providing effective hands-on experience that helps prepare students for the Social Work profession. CONGRATULATIONS Kimberly Medvin, the SHIELDS for Families Training Department, and all SHIELDS Field Instructors and Preceptors agency-wide!

FIELD INSTRUCTORS Claudia Chavarria Tameika Gonder Alison Greiner Cheryl Gully Irene Lanier Stephanie Moss Leah Niehaus Ingrid Rey Balbuena Jennifer Reynosa Lauren Rochelle Sara Rodas

SUPERVISORS Wesley Carlin Claudia Chavarria Phil Erlich Marcela Garcia Tamieka Gonder Alison Greiner Cheryl Gully Rita Haddad Anita Hall Irene Lanier Niija McMillon Kim Medvin Stephanie Moss Leah Niehaus Daniel Oakley Ingrid ReyBalbuena Jen Reynosa Lauren Rochelle Sara Rodas

PRECEPTORS Bianca Deanda Brandon Dearen Erin Fairchild Collette James Geoffrey Jones Murray Kaufmann Erika Llamas Corinna Lopez Vynette Moore Alison Quals Audrey Tousant

Other great news in the SHIELDS Training Department…

SHIELDS PILOTS A TRAINING INSTITUTE WITH THE USC SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Click HERE to read an article about our recent partnership with the USC School of Social Work to pilot a Training Institute for Master’s Level Social Work students

MACRO SOCIAL WORK SHOWCASE

SHIELDS for Families trains students at various educational levels in a variety of positions and placements across the agency, including Masters in Social Work (MSW) interns who were required to present macro social work projects in a showcase to SHIELDS Program Managers, Administrators, and Executives. Attendees walked through, asked questions, and spoke directly to students about the details of their projects, and then provided feedback for each student. Some of the projects included evidence-based career training for clients, health resource navigation – linkage - and program implementation, resource development, and needs assessments, and a few of the ideas were actually implemented throughout the agency.

Macro Social Work Practice is central to the development of services and the well-being of communities so SHIELDS applauds the interns for exercising their skills in this area.

For more information about SHIELDS Training Department click HERE

Invest in future social workers, make a donation to the SHIELDS Training Department today!

Child ID & Fingerprinting Event

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NRCPFC spotlights SHIELDS Child Welfare Services

Providing prevention services for child abuse and neglect costs less financially and emotionally. Prevention has better long-term outcomes than removing children from the home. Watch/listen to this webcast that discusses the successful networks, programs and services that help strengthen families and keep them together, including SHIELDS for Families.

The free webcast, which was filmed at the Magnolia Place Family Center in Los Angeles, California, focused on community-based initiatives to prevent child abuse and neglect by meeting the needs of families. National Resource for Permanency and Family Connections (NRCPFC) Director Dr. Gerald P. Mallon spoke with administrators, staff, and parents who are a part of the Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project (PIDP) in Los Angeles about their experiences with this approach. Presenters explored how neighborhood-based agencies/centers can partner with each other and with families to become an integrated, positive part of community life. Presenters discussed the following three strategies to support positive outcomes for children, youth, and families: decreasing social isolation by connecting families to each other; addressing issues of economic security; and increasing access to available resources.

Full Webcast can be found at http://bit.ly/17LQ80I

Learn About Tuberculosis Day and Populations at Risk

The City of Los Angeles, Community Action Board (CAB) needs your help!

The City of Los Angeles, Community Action Board (CAB) has sent our Community Needs Assessment Survey to our community, City partners, and to the people we help every day.  As the designated Community Action Agency for the City of Los Angeles, the Community Development Department prepares and submits a Community Action Plan to the State of California Department of Community Services and Development.  The plan must have community input on the recommended City priorities and strategies to reduce or eliminate poverty.  You are an important part of this network of partners. The CAB is asking for you to also take a moment and complete the survey.

An online survey is also available through Survey Monkey at the following link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013communityactionsurvey.

This link to the survey will be posted on the CDD website. The survey is available in English and Spanish. ”PDF” versions are also available by clicking here should you wish to print and distribute the survey to those who prefer to complete a hard copy.  Please feel free to share the survey with anyone you may know who should also be included. Everyone's opinions are welcomed and we want to hear from as many people as possible!  All paper surveys must be completed and delivered to the CDD by Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

Thank you for your help in making this a successful survey!

SHIELDS Innovative All Woman Executive Team

In the late 1980's SHIELDS for Families was founded in South Central Los Angeles by 3 women, Dr. Xylina Bean, Kathryn Icenhower, and Norma Mtume. Xylina continued with SHIELDS through serving as President of the Board while Kathy and Norma led the agency together. Soon after, Charlene Smith and Sara Tienda joined them to help lead SHIELDS for over 20 years. This year, SHIELDS expanded their executive leadership team from the original 4 to include a total of 8 women exclusively!

CEO Kathy Icenhower reflects on this milestone…

“I feel honored to be a part of an agency where so many people have given their passion and commitment to making a difference and I am humbled to be a part of an executive team that has stayed together for over 20 years in order to help guide and direct our vision. SHIELDS has grown tremendously in 20 years, today we operate on a $27 million budget that serves 7,000 families annually with 350+ staff members throughout our 35 comprehensive and collaborative programs. Therefore, the recent growth in our executive leadership team is just a testament to and necessary by-product of our ever-expanding services, programs, staff, clients, and community”

Check out the leading ladies of SHIELDS for Families by clicking HERE and for more information about SHIELDS for Families visit our website at www.shieldsforfamilies.org

Photo Credits: AlbaVisuals

Talk With Assembymember Holly Mitchell About Healthcare Reform

Let's Talk about Healthcare Reform

Join me February 28, 2013 for a tele-town hall on the Affordable Care Act and how we can create a Healthy California.

I will be joined by other health care experts to talk about what this reform means for California and how we can ensure we get the best out it for our families and communities.

It is easy to participate in the conversation. Here is what you need to do:

1. Be near your phone at 6 p.m.
2. Answer the call.
3. Follow the prompts to be connected to your friends and neighbors.

If you don't get a call from me by 6:05 p.m., please dial: (855) 246-7045. The passcode is 20970#.

Win two tix to Washington, DC. to have your artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol!

2012 Congressional Art Competition
Winner Michelle Bac

Congresswoman Karen Bass is delighted to announce that the 2013 Congressional Art Competition “An Artistic Discovery" is now underway! Do you know a talented high school art student? If so, they could enter to win two round-trip airline tickets to Washington, D.C.

Since 1982, each spring the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors a nationwide high school arts contest designed to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of artists in our nation. Any high school student in the 37th Congressional District of California is welcome to submit their artwork to Karen Bass' office to enter the competition. Deadline to enter is April 15, 2013.

The winner of the competition will win two round-trip airline tickets to Washington, DC, to attend the unveiling ceremony with Members of Congress and special guests. In addition, the winner’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year.  

Click here for more information about the competition and to enter to win.

Starting Monday, April 22, submissions will be displayed in an online gallery on my official website and the public will be able to vote for their favorite.

If you know a great high school art student, please feel free to forward them this email and encourage them to submit their art!

If you have any questions, please call Karen Bass' Los Angeles office at (323) 965-1422. We look forward to seeing all the great submissions this year!


 


Karen Bass
Member of Congress

Family Of SHIELDS Alumni Needs Your Help

The family of SHIELDS Alumni Ebony Wooten who tragically passed away on February 9th  is looking for donations to help with funeral expenses. If you can help, we greatly encourage you to contact Lennie Woodley of the Genesis program, lwoodley@shieldsforfamilies.org or 310.668.8260. Cash would be preferred and any assistance you can provide by Next Tuesday, February 26th march would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

"UNDOCU-POWER!" Know Your Rights Training

HAVE YOU ENDORSED THE LA FOR YOUTH CAMPAIGN YET?
Click HERE - it'll take just a minute!

Youth Justice Coalition
@ Chuco's Justice Center
On the border between South Central L.A. and Inglewood
one light west of Florence and Crenshaw
1137 E. Redondo Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90302
323-235-4243 * Fax: 323-846-9472
freelanow@yahoo.com
www.youth4justice.org