Training Department Prep Course Successful For SHIELDS Employees

Did you know SHIELDS for Families offers its employees a FREE Clinical License Prep Study Group during work hours? The SHIELDS Training Department in conjunction with SHIELDS Clinical Coordinator Renee Becraft, hosted an 8-week study group that met 2 hours a week from 10am-12pm this past Fall. The group was designed to assist employees that completed BBS hours and were interested in taking the clinical licensing exam. CalWORKs Program Manager, Jonathan Ousley, LMFT, reported that "Renee structured the group in a way that reduced our anxiety about the test. She helped the group connect on a level that motivated us to support each other. The content was easily broken down and delivered exactly like the test. I think everyone that considers taking the exam should be required to take this course, it's that beneficial."

SHIELDS is happy to report that all 5 students in the group passed their licensing exams! Thanks to our Training Program Administrator Kim Medvin, LCSW for coordinating such a great resource for our employees and thanks to Renee Becraft, LCSW for your quality instruction that led to successful outcomes for the following group members and SHIELDS employees:

• Wesley Carlin, LCSW
• Kathy Eliassian, LMFT
• Brandon Hyatt, LMFT
• Stevon Lewis, LMFT
• Jonathan Ousley, LMFT

The next round of the study course is TBD - so if you're an MFTI or MSW that has completed your BBS hours and are interested in the next round of Clinical Licensing Exam Prep Courses, contact Kim Medvin kmedvin@shieldsforfamilies.org x2129 or Renee Becraft at rbecraft@shieldsforfamilies.org x2202

Keep up the great work SHIELDS!

SHIELDS' Joe Paul Advocates for Youth Offenders Re-Entering The Workforce

SHIELDS Jericho Training Center Program Manager, Joseph Paul, is in Tampa FL this week presenting to a group of grantee's from the Department of Labor that work with youth offenders. The presentation is a discussion on Workforce development services and reentry for "youth offenders" 18-24 years old. He is discussing "The Rules of the Game", which is an overview of the obligations and responsibilities of the `when evaluating criminal histories in background check for employment. 

He's also sharing promising practices that work to create a "felon friendly" referral process for organizations regarding employment services to recently released felons and their respective employment markets. The grantees are from 6 Cities across the country, who all work with offenders, pre and post release, just like our program here at Jericho. It is an honor to have our staff member invited to share the work we do here at SHIELDS and throughout Los Angeles. 

Shout out to Jericho, Joe Paul and CEO Kathy Icenhower - keep up the great work!

2013 Fruit Tree Giveaway Festival

Apply For A Fruit Tree: Visit http://www.sjli-cp.org/FTDP
Email: dsteele@sjli-cp.org / Call: 323.952.3466

As a part of the "100 Seeds of Change" food system Initiative, the Social Justice Learning Institute, TreePeople and the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) present the 2013 Fruit Tree Giveaway Festival hosted in the City of Inglewood at Morningside High School (10500 Yukon Ave Inglewood, Ca 90303).

On Saturday, January 26th, 2013 from 10am-4pm, with volunteer support from the UCLA Volunteer Center and non-profit DoGood, the Social Justice Learning Institute will host a day filled with numerous free activities that include a film screening, physical fitness training sessions, healthy cooking demonstrations, home gardening tutorials, music, a fun zone for the children all while giving 2000 families a FREE fruit tree. TreePeople will be conducting Fruit Tree Planting & Care workshops, ensuring the success of each fruit tree distributed.

The Fruit Tree Giveaway Festival is designed to empower community residents to take hold of their access to healthy, fresh locally grown fruit by growing their own fruit trees. During the day, three IUSD schools, Inglewood & Morningside High Schools, and Bennett Kew Elementary School, are also providing the opportunity for residents & volunteers to get their hands dirty by helping to plant fruit tree orchards on their campus grounds. Join us in our community’s continued effort in taking BIG steps towards greater access to quality, healthy, organic and culturally relevant food.

We need your help. Please assist us in spreading the word about this very exciting and innovative experience to the people in your network, your friends, family members, and neighbors. 

Online registration is now CLOSED... but you can still come to the 2013 Fruit Tree Giveaway Festival at Morningside High School (10500 Yukon Ave Inglewood, CA 90303) between 10am-4pm to try and register on site.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday! Be Well!

"Free Cash For College" Cal Grant Workshop This Saturday 01/26/13

“FREE CASH FOR COLLEGE”
Cal Grant Workshop
Saturday, January 26, 2013

11:30am – 1:30pm
Inglewood High School | 231 S. Grevillea Ave., Inglewood, CA

1:00pm – 3:00pm
Washington Preparatory High School | 10860 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA

Get help to apply for a Cal Grant at these workshops

You may qualify for a $1000 scholarship**

Please bring financial documents such as:

• Your and/or your parents' federal income tax returns for the 2010 tax year (if filed)
• Your and/or your parents' current W-2 forms, paycheck stubs and/or any records of earned income
• Current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds or other investments

For more information, please call Darryn Harris at 310-412-6400.

**Limited funds available. Scholarships recipients randomly selected.

Website: http://www.asmdc.org/Bradford 
Email: Assemblymember Bradford

Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0062
Tel: (916) 319-2062
Fax: (916) 319-2162

Inglewood Office:
One West Manchester
Boulevard, Suite 601
Inglewood, CA 90301
Tel: (310) 412-6400
Fax: (310) 412-6354