Voice of the FieldsCalifornia

Whooping Cough

As we get into winter weather, it is important to keep an eye on your and your children’s health. We are all familiar with colds and flus but there are other illnesses which you should be aware.

Whooping cough, formally known as Pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. The infection is caused by bacterium B. pertussis and is easily transmitted from one person to another through coughing, sneezing, and saliva. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) a person with whooping cough can potentially infect up to 12 to 15 other individuals.

Whooping cough generally starts with a mild cough, runny nose, and fever. While the initial symptoms of whooping cough may mimic a common cold, a person may develop severe coughing spells that make breathing difficult and cause vomiting. These violent coughing fits may last weeks, or even months.

In recent years the number of whooping cough cases has risen. During 2014, 32,971 cases of whooping cough were reported by the CDC, representing a 15% increase from cases reported during 2013. Latinos, especially those working in the agriculture industry, tend to be affected at higher rates. According to the state Department of Public Health, Latino infants less than six months old have a higher rate of infection compared to babies of other ethnicities.

Infants are at greatest risk for whooping cough. CDC research shows that about half of babies younger than 1-year-old who get whooping cough need hospital care, and 1 out of 100 of those infants pass away. A majority of infants and children are infected with whooping cough by older siblings, parents, or caregivers who might not know they have the disease. The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated.

Whooping cough vaccinations are recommended for individuals of all ages. CDC recommends infants and children receive 5 doses of DTaP – a dose given at 2, 4, and 6 months, at 15 through 18 months, and again at 4 through 6 years old.

All California public schools require a pertussis vaccination. The California Department of Public Health recommends that everyone gets vaccinated against the illness, especially women of childbearing age, those that have close contact

F A R M L A B O R I N F O R M A T I O N B U L L E T I N

December 2015 FREE Volume 25, Number 12

with infants, anyone over sixty-five years of age, and infants and children who are not already vaccinated for whooping cough.

Teens or adults who were not vaccinated as a baby or child should still get vaccinated. It is also recommended that individuals who were vaccinated as a child or have been sick with whooping cough in the past receive an additional booster shot (Tdap).

The pertussis vaccine only provides 5-10 years of protection. After the vaccine becomes ineffective it is recommended for adolescent and adults to also receive Tdap.

For more information, please visit www.CDC.gov.

T H E E M P L O Y M E N T D E V E L O P M E N T D E P A R T M E N T Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Outreach Program

The Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Outreach Program (MSFW) was established by the Employment Develop-ment Department (EDD) in an effort to improve working conditions for all farm workers in California and to ensure Californians, including migrant and seasonal farm workers, are aware of EDD’s services.

MSFW Outreach Workers contact agricul-tural employers to offer assistance with labor needs, labor law, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and paid family leave. The program provides Californians with access to employment and labor resources if and when they need assistance. MSFW Outreach Program also offers services to ensure that seasonal farm workers are aware of employ-ment opportunities.

MSFW Outreach Workers and You

EDD employees regularly conduct com-munity outreach efforts in order to provide farmworkers information about services of-fered by the department and local community centers. An EDD employee’s presence within the community is not a cause for concern, they are solely there to assist and provide en-couragement and resources. Oftentimes EDD workers come from MSFW backgrounds, and have first-hand experience working in or around agriculture.

EDD employees must, and do, receive permission before visiting worksites and liv-ing areas. Each outreach worker is designated to a particular California region, where they visit multiple agricultural worksites, schools, community events, community centers, and various other places where farm workers who may benefit from EDD services are located.

The outreach worker spends his or her time communicating in the preferred language of the employers, workers, and job

seekers, educating them about EDD services and programs. When they are in the com-munity or at a worksite, outreach workers will have resources, including information on the services available from local America’s Job Centers, such as: employment opportunities (agricultural and non-agricultural), job train-ing, supportive services, as well as counsel-ing and the availability of education and job testing in your area. They will also have a summary of your rights as a farmworker and information on other organizations in your area that serve MSFWs.

Outreach workers will encourage individuals who are looking for year round employment or higher wage jobs to visit their local America’s Job Centers. MSFW outreach workers may also assist you with identify-ing forms of transportation to take you to an America’s Job Center and help with applica-tions or paperwork that must be completed.

Outreach workers are not only concerned with providing employment information and opportunities, they provide information and support to improve quality of life. Outreach workers have information on numerous programs outside of EDD services that offer assistance to improve life at home. Services include, but are not limited to, ESL classes, low cost energy programs for your house, and food assistance programs.

While on worksites, the outreach workers will check safety and sanitation to make sure working and living facilities meet state law requirements. If they do not meet standards,

the outreach worker will note possible viola-tions and educate your employers about changes that should be made to ensure a healthy and clean workplace. They will also ask for feedback from you about your jobsite. Remember, they are only there to help and anything you say will be kept confidential.

If you are having a problem with your employer (wage, sanitation, hour, etc.) or have any service problems with EDD, you can tell an outreach worker. They will provide you with paperwork to file a formal complaint. You do not have to be a migrant farm worker to file a complaint.

If you have an outreach worker you are already working with and wish to follow up with them, please visit your local EDD office and contact your outreach worker directly, or visit your local America’s Job Center (see chart below). Additional locations may be found at www.edd.ca.gov under the “Office Locator” tab.

EDD Programs and Services Outreach workers can help you access:

WORKFORCE SERVICES Workforce services include job referral, job search, workshops, placement services, and special assistance to individuals who are expe-riencing difficulty in finding work. Workforce services will also handle any complaints you may have about employment or your service at the EDD. The EDD works with CalJOBS and outreach workers will encourage you to

America’s Job Center City Address Phone Business & Career Network Alturas 221 North Main Street, Alturas, CA 96101 530-233-4161Anaheim Jobs Anaheim 290 South Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805 714-765-4350America`s Job Center of California- Bakersfield Bakersfield 1600 East Belle Terrace, Bakersfield, CA 93307 661-635-2601America`s Job Center of California - EASTBAY Works Brentwood 281 Pine Street, Brentwood, CA 94513 925-634-2195Calexico One-Stop Career Center Calexico 301 Heber Avenue, Calexico, CA 92231 760-768-7171Cerritos Career Center Cerritos 10900 East 183rd Street, Cerritos, CA 90703 562-402-9336Butte County Employment Center Chico 2445 Carmichael Drive, Chico, CA 95928 530-895-4364Colusa County One-Stop Partnership Colusa 144 & 146 Market Street, Colusa, CA 95932 530-458-0326CCD/Compton WorkSource Center Compton 2909 E Pacific Commerce Drive, Compton, CA 90221 310-762-1101America`s Job Center of California - EASTBAY Works Concord 4071 Port Chicago Highway, Concord, CA 94520 925-671-4500America`s Job Center - Delano Delano 1816 Cecil Avenue, Delano, CA 93215 661-721-5800East County Career Center El Cajon 924 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92021 619-590-3950America`s Job Center of California - Fremont Fremont 39155 Liberty Street, Fremont, CA 94538 510-794-3669Verdugo Jobs Center Glendale 1255 South Central Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204 818-409-0476Eden Area Multiservice Center Hayward 24100 Amador Street, Hayward, CA 94544 510-670-5700Indio Workforce Development Center Indio 44 - 199 Monroe Street, Indio, CA 92201 760-863-2500Lodi WorkNet Center Lodi 631 East Oak Street. Lodi, CA 95240 209-331-2087East Los Angeles Employment and Business Center Los Angeles 5301 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90022 323-887-7122Hollywood WorkSource Center Los Angeles 4311 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029 323-454-6100Madera County Workforce Assistance Center Madera 441 East Yosemite Avenue , Madera, CA 93638 559-662-4500Stanislaus County Career Alliance WorkNet Modesto 629 12th Street, Modesto, CA 95354 209-558-9675Workforce Napa Business & Career Center Napa 2261 Elm St. Bldg K, Napa, CA 94559 707-253-4134Foothill Employment & Training Connection Pasadena 1207 E Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91106 626-796-5627El Dorado County Connections One Stop Placerville 3047 Briw Road, Placerville, CA 95667 530-642-4850America`s Job Center of California - Goodwill Southern California Pomona 264 E Monterey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91767 909-242-7999City of San Bernardino One-Stop Career Center San Bernardino 600 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92401 909-888-7881East Valley America`s Job Center San Bernardino 658 E Brier Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92408 909-382-0440Center for Employment Training San Diego 4153 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92102 619-527-8253Comprehensive Access Point San Francisco 1500 Mission Street at 11th, San Francisco, CA 94103 415-575-4570Work 2 Future San Jose Job Center San Jose 1601 Foxworthy Avenue , San Jose, CA 95126 408-794-1100America`s Job Center of California - San Luis Obispo County San Luis Obispo 880 Industrial Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-903-1419America`s Job Center of California - SASSFA Santa Fe Springs 10400 Pioneer Blvd., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 562-946-2237Stockton WorkNet Center Stockton 56 S Lincoln Street, Stockton, CA 95203 209-468-3500Amador Career Center - Mother Lode Job Training Sutter Creek 10877 Conductor Blvd, Sutter Creek, CA 95685 209-223-3341Sutter County One Stop Yuba City 950 Tharp Rd, Yuba City, CA 95993 530-822-5120

register with CalJOBS where employers can easily find qualified workers. If you have ques-tions about CalJOBS you may call 1-800-758-0389 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST).

AMERICA’S JOB CENTERS A part of the Job Service Program, America’s Job Centers provide many helpful resources for your work search efforts in one convenient place. America’s Job Centers offer training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services. To find your local America’s Job Center visit www.americasjobcenter.ca.gov/ or contact the

Career One Stop at 1-877-872-5627.

DISABILITY INSURANCE If you are out of work due to a non-work-related injury, illness or pregnancy, State Disability Insurance could help pay part of your lost wages. This program is funded by employee payroll deductions. There are many requirements one must meet in order to receive benefits from Disability Insurance. Qualifying criteria include being in a condi-tion where you are unable to do regular work for at least eight days and being under the care of a licensed practitioner. To speak with a representative about Disability Insurance

call 1-800-480-3287 (English) or 1-866-658-8846 (Spanish), Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST.

PAID FAMILY LEAVE Part of State Disability, the California Paid Family Leave Act (PFL) allows individuals to take time off from work to care for their families without losing out on wages. The Paid Family Leave Program provides compensation for parents or spouses when they need to miss work due to providing care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, or registered domestic partner or bonding with a new child or the

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new child of a spouse. For more information about PFL call 1-877-238-4373 (English) or 1-877-379-3819 (Spanish), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE The Unemployment Insurance Program also known as UI, provides workers who lose their steady income due to lay-offs, reduced hours, or seasonal work with weekly unemploy-ment insurance payments. The UI program pays benefits to individuals to help pay for necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. For more information about UI you can call a representative at 1-800-480-3287 (English) or 1-866-658-8846 (Spanish), Monday through

Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST.

If you are out of work visit CalJOBS at www.caljobs.ca.gov. CalJOBS is a virtual job center that generates a list of thousands of job listings and tools to help you manage your career. If you don’t have access to the internet, visit the nearest America’s Job Center of Cali-fornia. For additional information or to find the center nearest to you, call the America’s Service Locator at 1 (877-872-5627).

Remember, EDD and its MSFW out-reach workers can be found in the commu-nity and are available to provide assistance. Outreach workers are informed about MSFWs and the community in which they are working and living. It is highly encour-aged for you to utilize their services.

MSFWContinued from second page

El Niño 2015-2016

The El Niño weather pattern is expected to play a large role in this winter’s weather forecast, causing wetter than average condi-tions. Here is what you need to know:

What is El Nino?El Niño occurs when sea surface tempera-

tures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean rise above the normal temperatures, which in turn creates tropical convection (thunder-storms) and alters weather patterns globally. Occurring every two to five years, El Niño’s resulting weather varies depending on where the warm water temperatures are centered. These factors may, but not always, result in heavy winter storms that hit California.

Although the forecast of this year’s El Niño is still unknown, confidence continues to grow that this El Niño will be the strongest in fifty years. Current temperatures in the Pacific Ocean’s sea surfaces are 10.8 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, the prior record for El Niño weather in 1997-1998 was 8 degrees above normal temperature—that

year saw 13.8 inches of rainfall in one month. With a strong El Niño pattern in place, Cali-fornia is projected see heavy winter showers.

How will El Niño impact California?

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 97% of California is in a drought. Forty-four percent of drought regions have been declared a D4, also known as “exceptional drought regions.” California is supposed to see much wetter than average conditions, with Southern California seeing the highest chance of above-average precipitation. If and when heavy rainfalls hit drought de-clared regions, there will likely be flooding, even in low risk areas, since overly parched ground can act as asphalt with a low water absorption rate.

Years of drought have impaired the land’s

ability to absorb large amounts of rainfall. Flooding and mudslides are triggered as the rain is unable to soak into the soil, and in-stead runs over the ground, picking up loose soil as it moves to lower elevations. In addi-tion to flooding and mudslides, heavy rains may cause sewage overflow and stronger fire seasons later on.

Because it is impossible to know exactly what areas will be threatened by flooding and mudslides this winter, FEMA has urged all Californians to buy flood insurance. It is important to note that you cannot get flood insurance last minute. There is a 30-day wait-ing period for new flood insurance policies to go into effect. To obtain information on flood insurance and what areas are most prone to flooding visit www.floodsmart.gov.

El Niño’s Impact on Agriculture If this year’s El Niño brings heavy rainfall

to California, it can result in crop damage and a reduction in crops the following sum-mer can also be expected. Warm and wet conditions increase the likelihood of disease presence in fruit production. Rain is needed, but too much rain combined with cloudy

T A X S E A S O N : Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) Tax season is upon us. This year many Californians may qualify to receive up to $6,000 cash back on their tax returns. Californians who earned less than $54,000 last year can now file and claim both federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits without affecting CalWorks, CalFresh or MediCal eligibility. To qualify, you must file a tax return, even if you do not owe any taxes or are not required to file. For more information visit CalEITC-4Me.org or call the IRS at 800-906-9887.

Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contractYou may apply for these jobs by phone or in person at your nearest Employment Development Department (EDD) field office

The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.

CalJOBS Number

Job Title Pay Rate Contract Dates Positions City of Job Employer’s County

America’sJob Center of California (AJCC)

14627186 Strawberry $11.89 2/15/2016 - 12/15/2016 70 Santa Maria Santa Barbara Santa Maria AJCC (805) 614-1550

14626243 Avocado and Citrus $11.89 2/10/2016 - 12/01/16 24 Valley Center San Diego Oceanside AJCC (760) 631-6150

14602748 Onion $11.89 2/15/2016 - 4/15/16 10 Firebaugh Fresno Fresno West AJCC (559) 445-5249

14594980 Lemons/Avocados $11.89 2/01/16 - 10/31/16 22 Soledad Monterey Salinas AJCC (831) 796-3600”

13898523 Farmworkers Sheepherder

$1777.98 Mo. on-going 206 California and Western States

California and Western States

Selected AJCCs WSB Offices

Voice of the FieldsCalifornia Circulation: 45,000 copies

www.LaCooperativa.orgPublished monthly by:

La Cooperativa Campesina de California

1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone 916.388.2220

Fax 916.388.2425This product was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

The opinions expressed in this product are exclusive of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

Content produced by ALZA Strategies, a full-service strategy firm that offers quality media relations, crisis communications, public affairs services, and exper-tise into the growing Latino market.

warmer weather can result in heavy crop loss from both lack of sunshine and increased disease and pests. It has been estimated that the global average of El Niño’s impact on total crop harvest is between a 0.8 and 4 percent loss for wheat, rice, corn and soybeans.

If crops are drastically damaged, agri-cultural jobs will be cut and agricultural commodities will be the most exposed. Shortfalls in crop production will also result in higher food prices.

California has suffered four years of crip-pling drought, much of the state’s land is ill equipped to absorb rainfall. Although water is needed in California, this year’s El Niño will not fix the drought problem. Southern California gets most of its water from snow runoff that comes from Northern California. Unfortunately, El Niño weather typically brings heavy showers but not snow. Accord-ing to a paper by the Nature Climate Change, snowpack levels in California’s Sierra Nevada, which fills reservoirs that provide drinking water for a third of the state, are at a 500-year low and will likely continue to remain low through this year’s El Niño.

El Niño and Homeless Shelters With wetter weather on its way, many

shelters have been working to increase their housing space over the last month. Some cities, such as Los Angeles, have declared

shelter crisis ahead of El Niño. Although area emergency shelters are in the process of opening, most are night shelters leaving many individuals outside during the day, which can be detrimental to one’s health. If you are homeless and are forced to be outside during the day attempt to stay as dry as possible. If possible layer up with absorbent or moisture wicking clothing. Many shelters, churches, and non-profits such as Coats-for-Kids and One Warm Coat provide free new and gently used coats to those in need.

For more information on shelters near you, visit www.homelessshelterdirectory.org

What You Can Do to Prepare for El Niño Weather

There are various steps you can take to prepare your home for heavy rain. To avoid flooding in your house, open drains and keep ditches and other water collection ways clear of debris and leaves. Be prepared for power outages caused by heavy storms. Have an emergency supply kit in your home with flashlights, flashlight batteries, bottled water, blankets, matches, candles and canned and dry foods that do not easily perish. If your home is subject to flooding problems during heavy precipitation, consider purchasing a portable electric submersible pump and a wa-ter resistant extension cord, which can help remove water seepage. If your house sits at a

low elevation where water is likely to drain through, purchase sandbags and properly line the side of your house with them. It is also vital to purchase flood insurance if you live in an at-risk flood zone. For additional information and assistance with flooding contact your local fire department through their non-emergency number.

L A V O Z S P O T L I G H T : Aracely Campa

When Aracely Campa was five years old she and her family emigrated from Durango, Mexico to a small town north of Sacramento, Au-burn. Aracely, who comes from a strong agriculture background,

now works in California’s State Capitol. In an interview with La Cooperativa Aracely shares her accounts migrating and growing up in California. Q: How did your family end up settling in Auburn, California? A: Many of those we knew from Mexico in the 1980s immigrated to San Jose, CA - there was already a Mexican community established in the region. While San Jose seemed like a natural choice with the then surge of gang violence, my dad decided to move our family to Auburn, CA. This was a drastic transition for my family, as we were only one of two Mexican families in Auburn’s community. My parents wanted to keep our Mexican culture alive. At home we spoke Spanish. My parents were strict about my siblings and I only speaking Spanish, because it was important to them to keep our traditions. It wasn’t until 8 or 9 that I started to speak English because of school.Q: What was your educational experience like in the United States?A: No one in my family had graduated from high school, but my dad still stressed how important education was. Because no one in my family had really pursued their education, I didn’t have any examples and had to ask a lot of questions. I knew I wanted to pursue my education and maintain good grades. After high school I decided to attend Sacramento State and major in Political Science. During my last semester in college I enrolled in the Sacramento Semester Program and began interning at the State Capitol.

Balancing my time was hard. I had the internship, was a full-time student, and worked a separate job. Despite the challenge, I knew my efforts were for the best and

would be worth it. I started working as an intern for Assemblymember Jose Solorio in 2006. I was eager to learn and was very interested in immigration issues. I later went on to work for Assemblymember Ana Caballero. Her district was very agricultural driven, which allowed me the opportunity to work on behalf of farm workers. Q: What issues have you worked on that are agricultural related?A: Some of our early work was to increase accessible housing for farm workers. It was unacceptable that many farmworkers found themselves without adequate housing. With landowners willing to provide space, we worked on legislation to increase available housing for the workers.

An issue that has grown to be important to me is increasing access to clean drinking water. The Central Valley faces a lot of ground water contamination. In 2009 we were able to work on the original water bond legislation. We advocated for rural communities to get access to clean drinking water and were able to secure funding for that. Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?A: Given my experience in water issues, I was flown out to Washington D.C. to brief our U.S. California Representatives on what was happening on the ground level at home. I’d never taken a plane that far before and was proud to brief senior members of Congress.

Also, last year we revisited the water bond. We worked on setting a level for water con-taminates. A large number of our water com-

munities are over the threshold for allowable carcinogens.

For the first time in California’s history there was collaboration between the Admin-istration of CA water agencies and the Gov-ernors Administrations to create a process to ensure water was safe to drink. Q: Who in your life influenced where you are today? A: My Dad. Growing up he would share stores about the hardships his family and him underwent. Most striking was his first move to the United States. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. He was robbed, beaten, and left homeless.

When he first came to the United States he started as a cook. Without a home, he slept in the back of the restaurant. Eventually he was able to save up money, buy a car, and provide for himself and his family. Know-ing the sacrifices my father made motivated me to do something that could help others. I knew I wanted to be in a position to help people. Q: What advice do you have for individuals who come from a similar background?A: The driving force has been my family, their stories, and knowing that anything is possible. If there is something important to you and you are willing to put in the work and time, it’s achievable and well worth it.