Monday, September 7, 2020

FREE legal services in LA and TX for those impacted by the hurricane. September 7, 2020

Background: The lawyers - some work for Legal Aid offices and some are volunteers - are trained on disaster issues. The Red Cross has a longstanding partnership with Legal Services Corporation/Legal Aid Offices.

Common issues: Lawyers are available to help with all sorts of problems - housing, consumer scams, FEMA applications, food, healthcare, social services and more. Working with a lawyer can speed up processes, eliminate mistakes in government relief applications, and generally cut through the mess. Understand that one of a client’s top priorities may be finding a place to stay and taking care of their families. Engaging a lawyer can assist in finding a solutions quickly. Consistent top issue is housing needs - evictions, landlord tenant, insurance, return of rent deposits and long-term solutions.

Process: If a person calls the numbers below, they will be helped. If they live outside the service area, they will be referred to a local agency in their area. If person needs assistance in Spanish, they will be referred to a Spanish speaking lawyer.

Distribution: Hope this helps with requests for help you may receive. Hard copies should be printed and distributed.

Louisiana

Disaster Hotline 1 844 244 7871

Call this hotline for free legal help. It was initially set-up for pandemic issues but will handle all issues relating to the hurricane. The initial greeting may refer to COVID problems but just ignore that. I spoke with Executive Director for Legal Aid in LA yesterday and they are in the process of changing the recording.

Louisiana Lawhelp Website http://louisianalawhelp.org

Texas

Legal Aid Hotlines

1 800 244 5492

1 866 659 0666

Call one of these numbers - process is outlined above for how person will receive help. One other thing: the caller may be referred to this website to complete an initial, short application to see if they qualify for help from Legal Aid or will be referred to another group: www.lonestarlegal.org. After this, all conversations are on the phone.

NO INTERNET ACCESS

However, if the caller doesn't have internet access, he/she should let the person on the other end know that, and they may help with application intake during that call. Legal Aid is very experienced at this and wants to help.

When you call one of these numbers, you'll reach a person - should tell that person that there is no access to internet in their area. The normal process is to tell someone calling in that they need to complete a quick online application at www.lonestarlegal.org.

Once the application is submitted and the caller qualifies, someone will call them on the phone. So only the initial application has to be online - the rest of the assistance can be handled by phone.

Recommended that you tell people whoever answers the phone that they have no access to internet.

September 8, 2020 Starts. New Free Online Course in Disaster Human Services Case Management -- Register Today!

Disaster Human Services Case Management being offered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR).

This free online course will be available next week on September 8, 2020!

The course is interactive and is structured to highlight the value of case management, connecting survivors to services.

To enroll in the course, please click on the link for the Request for Access to DHSCM Courses form.

Once registered, you will receive a link to take the course beginning September 8, 2020.

Friday, September 4, 2020

September 2020. High School and College Students. COLLEGEREADINESSPLAN.ORG

https://collegereadinessplan.org/

COLLEGE READINESS PLAN

ABOUT US

Our History

College Readiness Plan is a non-profit organization (501C3) dedicated to preparing the future for success in their career choices and educational goals. For more than 15 years our College Readiness Plan has led as an essential contributor in the professional fields of business, industry, education, law, science, technology, medicine and the fine and performing arts. Our in-service presentations are empowering, informative and stimulating. The College Readiness Plans core values are self-Love, Honesty, Hard Working, Integrity and Excellence. Our values are the cornerstones that have successfully carried the College Readiness Plan through many years.

Research and Development

Please assist us in the process of sharing many scholarship opportunities available through our College Readiness Plan with student’s grades preschool through 12. Our research is proven reaching students during early development is very effective with children beginning in preschool. Our representative is available for motivational speaking, financial aid, career, and College Readiness Plan in service at fairs held at schools, organizations, recreation centers and churches.

College Tours

The College Readiness Plan also includes monthly College Tours.

We have committed to parents and the community to disseminate the educational opportunities the College Readiness Plan is offering.

Critical Infrastructure. Agriculture & Food. COVID-19 and beyond. Countries must offset the soaring costs of healthy foods September 2020

Weekly Digest

Issue #36

Countries must offset the soaring costs of healthy foods

There is ample food for everyone—but not everyone can afford it. Countries must offset the soaring costs of healthy foods, says Máximo Torero, chief economist of the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

LEARN MORE →

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Water Security. California. U.S. EPA Orders Water Utility in Kern County to Reduce Arsenic in Drinking Water

For Immediate Release: September 2, 2020
Media Contact: Soledad Calvino, 415-972-3512, calvino.maria@epa.gov

U.S. EPA Orders Water Utility in Kern County to Reduce Arsenic in Drinking Water

NORTH EDWARDS, Calif. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently ordered North Edwards Water District to address ongoing arsenic violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The California’s State Water Resources Control Board – Division of Drinking Water (DDW) referred the system to EPA for enforcement.

"A number of smaller drinking water systems in the Central Valley struggle to provide consistently safe drinking water,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud. “EPA will work closely with this Kern County system to ensure its 600 customers have the benefit of alternative drinking water until the North Edwards Water District can supply water safe to drink."

The North Edwards Water District system serves approximately 600 residents through more than 200 connections. The system's current source of drinking water is groundwater from two wells.

Arsenic, a naturally occurring mineral found throughout the United States, can be found in groundwater. Drinking high levels of arsenic over many years can increase the risk of lung, bladder, and skin cancers, as well as heart disease, diabetes, and neurological damage. Arsenic also inhibits the body’s ability to fight off cancer and other diseases.

As part of EPA’s order, North Edwards Water District must comply with the arsenic maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 micrograms per liter no later than April 30, 2023. The system has been serving water with arsenic levels above the MCL since at least 2013.

The District must provide a compliance plan by the end of October 2020 outlining how it will comply with the arsenic MCL standard. North Edwards Water District is also required to provide EPA with quarterly progress reports and participate in quarterly meetings with EPA and California DDW on its progress towards compliance. The District has applied for funding from the California State Water Resources Control Board – Division of Financial Assistance to provide residents with alternative water until the system complies with federal and state drinking water requirements.

EPA will continue to monitor North Edwards Water District’s efforts to provide safe drinking water and may levy penalties if the utility fails to meet the compliance provisions in the order.

For more information on EPA's drinking water program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Preparedness Month. Mobile App. ERG 2020 (Emergency Response Guide 2020). Training & Workshops.

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/erg/erg2020-mobileapp

ERG2020 MobileApp

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has developed a free, mobile web app of its Emergency Response Guidebook 2020 (ERG). The new safety tool provides the nation's emergency responders with fast, easily accessible information to help them manage hazardous material incidents. This software is available from the Apple iTunes store for iPhone, and from the Google Play website for Android.

ERG 2020 for Android

ERG 2020 for iPhone

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Hazardous Materials Transportation Training One-Day Workshops

PHMSA's Hazardous Materials Safety Assistance Team conducts workshops specialized to meet the needs of industry or the public safety community. These free one-day events are scheduled across the nation to help meet the needs of local communities.

Transportation workshops provide a basic overview of the regulatory requirements - what they are, how they apply, and how to comply with them - for shipping and transporting Hazardous Materials. The workshops address the same information as the Hazmat Basics track given at the Multimodal Seminars and include overviews of the Training and Security Requirements.

Public safety workshops are specifically designed to help emergency responders understand the Hazardous Materials Regulations as set forth in CFR 49. The seminars cover the use of the Emergency Response Guidebook, locating emergency response information, and information that every emergency responder should know in order to safeguard themselves and the public.

One-Day Workshop Calendar and Details

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Webinars

PHMSA offers Hazmat transportation training workshops and webinars throughout the year. These free training opportunities are for anyone who offers or transports hazardous materials in commerce, or has a desire to learn more about DOT's Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

PHMSA conducts webinars specialized to meet the needs of industry or the public safety community. Transportation webinars provide a basic overview of the regulatory requirements - what they are, how they apply, and how to comply with them - for shipping and transporting Hazardous Materials.

To register for any of the webinars below, please use the following link:
https://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov/hm_seminars/default_webinar.asp

How to Use the HMR

This session will help you understand the 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and help you to use the Hazardous Material Table to help make sure you are shipping hazmat correctly. At the end of the session attendees will be able to describe the purpose of the 49 CFR; Identify basic roles and responsibilities of shippers; and How to locate reference numbers in the HMR for both Hazard Identification and Packaging Requirements. Time commitment: 90 minutes. Learning Level: Beginner.

The following learning aids will be used during the webinar:

eCFR:

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9066bf422d632df74cb60b99e8a77437&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title49/49tab_02.tpl

How to Use the HMR brochure:

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/how-use-hmr

Training and Security

This session will help you to understand everyone's responsibilities and roles when hazardous material is on the move in the transportation system according to the 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). We will explore testing, recordkeeping and training sources and then end up learning how to discuss threat assessment through a written plan. Time commitment: 90 minutes. Learning Level: Beginner.

The following learning aids will be used during the webinar:

eCFR:

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9066bf422d632df74cb60b99e8a77437&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title49/49tab_02.tpl

Security Requirement brochure

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/security-requirements-brochure-english

Transportation Training Requirement brochure

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/hazmat-transportation-training-requirements

Guide to Developing Hazmat Training Program brochure

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/guide-developing-hazmat-training-program

Do You Know If You're Shipping Hazardous Materials? brochure

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/do-you-know-if-youre-shipping-hazardous-materials

Preparedness Month. Learn how to use the ERG for Hazardous Material incidents. Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

You are invited to the following event:

AAACERT Monthly Training -- Emergency Reference Guide (ERG)

Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT)

via Zoom
Virtual
Annapolis, MD 21403

Attend Event

Learn how to use the ERG for Hazardous Material incidents

We hope you can make it!

Cheers,

Anne Arundel County and City of Annapolis CERT

Critical Infrastructure. Agriculture and Transporation\Roads. Black Farmers and Ranchers. Comments Proposed Jarales Rd NM 109

As a long time resident of the Jarales/ Pueblitos area I have attended and participated in all of the meetings held regarding this issue. Although my property is West of the immediate area to be impacted, what does take place on either side of the tracks has an effect. In 2017 we had a major flood in Pueblitos and the only access road into Pueblitos was through the Jarales juncture. For several weeks the use of the Jarales Road for any purpose including emergencies was our only option. The time table as well as an environmental impact statement should have an established timeline. That timeline should now have projected purchases options for the residents directly impacted in addition the dates for proposed construction.

Due to the use of the road as a major route for Farming and Ranching activities it is of the utmost importance that this long over due project have a defined and expedited proforma.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.

Eugene Pickett

Due to the use of the road as a major route for Farming and Ranching activities it is of the utmost importance that this long over due project have a defined and expedited proforma.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.

Eugene Pickett

Black Farmers and Ranchers New Mexico

PO Box 183

Jarales, New Mexico 87023New Mexico

PO Box 183

Jarales, New Mexico 87023

Volunteer to Be a Poll Worker on Election Day

Happy National Poll Worker Recruitment Day!

America needs more poll workers in November. If you are healthy and able, please volunteer and ensure free, fair, and accessible elections for all.

#HelpAmericaVote

Check Out Poll Working 101 Video

For information on how to work at the polls on Election Day go to: HelpAmericaVote.gov

Twitter: @beapollworker

Facebook: @HelpAmericaVoteBeAPollworker

Thank you for stepping up.

National Puerto Rican Agenda
http://www.puertoricanagenda.org/

Monday, August 31, 2020

NSBA Leadership Council Opportunity August 2020

The National Small Business Association (NSBA) is seeking leaders from the small business community to become part of NSBA’s Leadership Council.

Specifically we are seeking members who may know their member of Congress, have experience in leadership positions in other organizations, have had some experience in dealing with the media and most importantly are passionate about small business.

Our goal is to have at least one Leadership Council member in each Congressional District. The needs of small business has to be communicated to our political leadership in an effective manner so that loans,grants,contracts and other small business relief measures are a national priority. Today we are not only facing a pandemic but are also facing civil unrest which is negatively impacting our communities.

The NSBA Leadership Council is the premiere network of small-business leaders from across the U.S. who meet on a regular basis to identify key issues that are important to the small business community. Our members bring a wide variety of skills and interests to the table. Some of our like to work in the background while others like to be in front of the camera. We need all types because we have a message that needs to be communicated. We need to get the attention of our elected officials and educate them on our real-world issues including the impact of Covid-19 on small business.

If you are interested in becoming a spokesperson for small business and gain visibility for you and your firm while helping advance the small-business community before lawmakers and members of the media please consider this opportunity.

We have developed a survey which will help you and our team determine if you would make a good candidate for the Leadership Council. We will review your answers and will respond to you shortly.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. We look forward to talking with you soon.

Please click here to take the survey.