Departments of Social Services - Behavioral Health - Public Health - Child Support Services and Collections A Word from the Health & Human Services Agency... In this issue marking the beginning of summer, we bring you articles focusing on community services and supports that strengthen our residents and their families. Family Preservation services help families cope with difficult times while maintaining children in their own homes. Peer counselors work to sustain and nurture individuals with serious mental illness. Our One-Stop Business & Career Centers work tirelessly to help individuals transition to sustainable employment. Finally, we present the recently held Fruits and Veggie Fest at Grocery Outlet that very successfully promoted healthier food options. Hoping that your summer is filled with relaxation and enjoyment, - Jeff Brown, Director
"Celebrate Fruits & Vegetables" Event a Big DrawFamilies Encouraged to be Champions for Change
On May 18, 2012, Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) and Grocery Outlet partnered to offer "Celebrate Fruits & Vegetables," an event that was a component of the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention grant awarded to HHSA by the Network for a Healthy California. The event included tastings of vegetables and a fruit smoothie, sponsored in part by General Produce. Water tastings demonstrated how to add fruits and veggies to good old H2O to make refreshing (and sugar-free) drinks. In addition, Grocery Outlet customers who participated received recipe cards, a cookbook, grocery totes, and helpful educational materials. A CalFresh representative was also there to provide information about the program.In Nevada County, 56% of adults are overweight or obese and 68% of children report eating fast food at least once in the past week. Obesity is a public health issue that contributes to chronic disease. "Celebrate Fruits and Vegetables" helped encourage shoppers to become part of the solution by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables and decreasing the amount of sugary beverages. Grocery Outlet, which serves a large number of CalFresh customers, offered a prime location for the event, donated all the fruits and veggies needed for tastings, provided power and a sample cart so smoothies could be made, and widely advertised the event. The event was part of a statewide effort to empower families to be Champions for Change.
Family Preservation Services AvailableGoal is to Maintain Children in Families or Reunify Safely
Family Preservation Services are short-term, family-focused, and community-based services designed to help families cope with significant stresses or problems that interfere with the ability to nurture their children. The goal of family preservation services is to enable children to stay with their families, or to reunify them whenever it can be done safely. Family Preservation Services are most often provided to families that have come to the attention of Child Protective Services, but referrals can also come from our community partners such as schools, Probation and Behavioral Health. If you would like to make a referral for a child or family in need, contact Margaret Duffy at margaret.duffy@co.nevada.ca.us for a referral form or access the forms at: http://www.mynevadacounty.com/nc/hhsa/dss/cps/Pages/Prevention-Programs.aspx.
Four Peer Counselors Graduate in May Individuals with Mental Illness Trained to Provide Support
On May 29, 2012, the NCBH New Directions Program held a graduation and celebration for four trained peer counselors. Peer counseling is a recognized evidenced-based practice and follows a rigorous six-month curricula of structured classes and training. Individuals with mental illness are trained to provide support and counseling to other individuals with similar issues. These trained peer counselors serve an important role, and are placed at SPIRIT Peer Empowerment Center, NCBH New Directions, Odyssey House, Hope House, Turning Point, Juvenile Hall, and the Wayne Brown Correctional (being the first in the state to bring peer counseling to jail inmates who struggle with varying degrees of mental illness). NCBH continues to acknowledge the important work the peer counselors do and seeks to create more placements throughout our community. For more information about the program, contact Mary Lowe, Program Manager at (530) 470-2542.Jobs Not Jail Child Support Services Supports Families
Child Support Services has come a long way since the days of placing delinquent obligors in jail. Focus has shifted to working with parents to give them the tools and resources they need to support their children.When non-paying parents are court ordered to seek employment via an Employment Efforts Order, they are referred to One-Stop and assigned to a specialized Child Support case manager. The case manager works closely with the parent to help identify and resolve barriers to employment. This may include referrals to other agencies and organizations such as the CalWORK's Job Club. Parents are also offered the opportunity to voluntarily agree to an Employment Efforts Order by stipulation. This saves the cost and time associated with a court hearing, and reduces caseloads, which enables the case manager to make a connection with the parent. The direct contact provides the customer with the feeling that CSS is supporting their efforts to seek employment. As the program evolves further, Child Support Services looks forward to assisting many more parents in finding gainful employment and promoting the self-sufficiency of the families in Nevada County.Truckee One-Stop Business & Career CenterServing the needs of Job Seekers & Employers in Eastern Nevada County
The new Truckee One-Stop Business & Career Center is opened and located at 10075 Levon Avenue, Suite 105, Truckee, CA. The current hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The One-Stop Business & Career Center is a partnership of nonprofit and public organizations working together to address the unique and seasonal needs of job seekers and employers in the Eastern Nevada County region. The One-Stop Business & Career Center provides unlimited employment services to job seekers. Activities have included job search, resume and interview workshops for job seekers. In addition, the Center provides hiring, training and human resource assistance to local businesses.
The Truckee One-Stop has been working to establish business relationships with many different community based organizations and agencies in the Tahoe-Truckee region and participates in many Tahoe-Truckee meetings and events. For more information, call (530) 550-3015 or email Charlotte J. Hawley, Employment Services Advisor, at chawley@ncen.org.
