Sean Abajian, one of our amazing members, has created a website, http://SaveAdultEd.org This website has up-to-date info on what you can do to defend Adult Ed. Check it out.

1.  Download a petition and get your students to sign it. Have their friends sign in. Wherever you can, get signatures.  They don't have to be registered voters. See PDF attachments below for English/Spanish, English/Russian, and English/Korean petitions.

DEADLINE: February 3    Give to your chapter chair or send them by US mail to Julie Carson 10927 Louise Ave. Granada Hills, CA  91344.

2. Get "Support Adult Ed" signs in store windows around the community. Ask your chapter chair for signs.

3. Attend the School Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 14 where Superintendent Deasy will be proposing his budget.

3. Call the Board of Education and tell them how much Adult Ed. means to you and the community.  Sean Adajian has set up a telephone number that will connect you immediately to the Board member for your school. See attachments below or check out http://SaveAdultEd.org

4. Organize a curbside demonstration at your site in support of Adult Ed. 

5. Attend townhall meetings or other venues to get the word out.

6. Contact Elementary VP, Juan Ramirez, about appearing on his radio show to talk about the importance of Adult Ed. He can be emailed at jramirez@utla.net

ae-petition-with-address.pdf

support-adult-education-petition-korean.pdf

support-adult-education-petition-russian.pdf

saveadulted-flyer-community-adult-schools.pdf

saveadulted-flyer-occupational-schools.pdf

We are organizing for the defense of Adult Ed. on Friday, January 20 at 5:30 on the 8th Floor of the UTLA Building, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., corner of Berendo.  Parking is available in the structure behind the building - enter off Berendo.  A light dinner will be served.

At the meeting

• Get information and perspective about recent school board budget plans for Adult Ed for next year from your union
  
• UTLA officers will attend and share up-to-the-minute info

• Learn about our plans to respond

• Learn how you can contribute and participate in actions to save our programs for our students

We will fight on every front because..

Adult Ed means better jobs through education

Adult Ed helps parents help their children

Adult Ed is a pathway to economic recovery

Adult Ed is the community

Now is the time to occupy your and your students' futures

By the way..

We've had reports that many school administrators have been pushing the panic button about recent school board budget plans, and have attempted to organize teacher response.  They're saying things like, "We're all in this together", and "We're all in the same boat".  Are we? 

Well, then, where were they....

 ...when the previous Assistant Superintendent closed tenure? 

...when we were fighting to reopen tenure?  

...when we were cut 30% three years ago and another 20% last year?  

...when some of our leased sites were being closed? 

...when UTLA needed their support two years ago when we had a bill in Sacramento to give job security to part time teachers? (ACSA, the state administrators organization actively opposed the bill.)  

...just a few months ago when we fought to keep LVN programs open?

Adult Ed currently employs approximately 1,700 teachers.  We used to have 3,200.  Where were they when all those teachers were laid off?

 You know the answer:  they were MIA.  Why?  Because their jobs were not on the line then, only teachers' jobs.

You're now hearing cries from administration that the "sky is falling", and that it's urgent that we (you and your students) must act NOW.  The sky could be falling; we actually don't know yet.  However, the difference this time is that they sense that the sky may be falling on them also.  In the past, there's been no urgency watching the sky fall on YOU.

So before you react to what your administrator is suggesting, just....Wait. Stop.  Think.  Reflect.  Breathe.  And come to your union meeting with your fellow adult ed teacher family to organize the real fight back for what we believe in. 

The California State Teachers' Retirement Systems is opening a new full-service member center in Glendale. The center is located at 505 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 200, two blocks from Highway 134 and two miles from Interstate 5. The center will provide benefit counseling, workshops, and walk in assistance. It will be open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

These are challenging economic times for all teachers, but it can be particularly worrisome to the small groups in UTLA such as adult education, early education, nurses and counselors.

We've received anxious calls from many of you, so this is to let you know what's going on.  Your administrators may have shared that the LAUSD 2012-13 budget being presented to the school board on Tuesday, December 13, shows no funding for adult education.

The California Department of Education's Adult Education Office has posted the final version of its strategic plan for adult education. While they state it's not open to further revision, a comment period is open until December 16.

The plan is flawed from its inception, because it did not have any input from teacher representatives. Despite input from over 200 stakeholders, the CDE did not request either the California Teachers Association or California Federation of Teachers to select representatives to serve on their panels. (Check the list of participants at the end of the report yourself - not one teacher or teacher organization is listed.)

They had, however, representatives from state administrators organizations, like the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) and California Adult Education Administrators Association (CAEAA).  

Here's what we're asking you do to

• Click on the link below.
• In the general comments section, tell the CDE that because no teacher representatives were involved in their process, this plan is one sided, flawed, invalid, unacceptable, illegitimate, or other words that strike your fancy, but mean the same thing.

http://www.otan.us/strategicPlanning/plan.html  

Teachers must be part of any planning for the future of the programs and communities we serve. Collaboration is a key ingredient for the success of any plan for adult education in California.    

We also believe this report is a continuation of the status quo, and does not move adult education forward. Stopping this self-serving, highly flawed plan is one tangible way you can contribute to protecting the future of adult ed.

This year, LAUSD is requiring administrators to evaluate all non-tenured teachers. Typically only tenured teachers have been regularly evaluated; however the contract allows them to evaluate all certificated employees.  Many DACE administrators have decided to use the Stull evaluation forms that are used to evaluate permanent (tenured) teachers. This should not be a problem.  Since this might be new territory for non-tenured teachers, we have developed guidelines (below) for teachers to consider during this process. We also have (below) an example of Initial Planning Sheet for an I.I. Lab class.

Evaluation guidelines.doc

Example of IPS for II Lab.doc

Joining the worldwide Occupy protests against economic and social injustice, UTLA members held their own Occupy LAUSD protests this week. Adult Ed was there in a major way.

 Our own Michelle Cohen was, in fact, one of the organizing forces behind this movement. On Tuesday, October 18, Adult Ed teachers showed up and marched from City Hall to LAUSD Headquarters to protest understaffing of schools and the giving away of public schools to charter companies. 

After all the protestors went home, Matthew Kogan and Michelle Cohen camped out overnight along with other protestors in front of the LAUSD Headquarters.

On Saturday, October 22, Adult Ed again marched with the California Teachers' Association from the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown L.A. to the LAUSD Headquarters on Beaudry. Check out the news coverage below and see even more pictures in the Photo Gallery in the Main Menu.

http://www.ktla.com/videogallery/65595615/News/KTLA:-Teachers-Fight-For-Education-at-Occupy-LA-Rally---Chris-Wolfe-reports

http://www.atvn.org/news/2011/10/occupy-lausd

Governor Brown signed AB 189 into law this past weekend. The legislation proposed by Assemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park)  requires school districts to provide greater public notice when they are considering cuts to or the elimination of categorical programs, like Adult Education. This legislation is meant to empower parents, students, and community groups to take a greater role in the decision making process. The Adult Committee lobbied hard for this bill. Thank you to all the teachers and students who called, emailed, or wrote in support of this bill.

UTLA held their annual Leadership Conference from August 19-21 in La Quinta, CA. Adult Ed had a great turn out this year. The event featured speakers such as new UTLA President, Warren Fletcher, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and LAUSD School Board Members, Bennett Kayser and Marguerite LaMotte. In fact, we were very lucky to have Bennett Kayser and the new CTA President, Dean Vogel, drop by our Adult Ed meeting.

Matthew Kogan, Julie Carson, and Ernest Kettenring discussed our goals and plans for the upcoming year which include electing chapter chairs at adult schools without one, improving communication between chapter chairs and the Adult Committee Leadership, and fighting for Adult Ed issues within UTLA and California. In addition to being informative, we all had a great time out in the desert.  Check out the pictures in the Photo Gallery in the Main Menu.

 Once again this year, LAUSD and UTLA negotiated an agreement for unpaid furloughs. Unlike previous years, however, Adult Ed was explicitly included in the agreement. The money gained through furloughs is to be used to restore positions to Adult Ed teachers who had their assignments reduced or eliminated because of the budget cuts. Unfortunately, DACE has passed out the money to principals without any directive to make sure the money is used to restore those positions reduced or lost. We are fighting back to make sure this money, gained through our sacrifice, goes towards our members who need it most. To find out what you can do if you have lost hours or for more information, see the attached document on furlough implementation. 

Furlough Agreement Implementation 7-21-11(1).pdf

Many people could not attend the Adult Ed Teachers Unemployment Benefits/Underemployment Resources workshop held at UTLA on Friday, June 17.  The following is a summary of the information and resources provided at the workshop, as well as other information that we have written ourselves or acquired.  There are several "attachments" at the bottom of this article that will provide you with further information.  This article is also attached as a pdf.

This is provided as a service to our members in attempt to help us through these difficult times.  UTLA is not responsible for the information provided here.  If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the people listed.

Unemployment Benefits/Underemployment Resources Workshop

June 17, 2011 at UTLA

 Topics covered included:

      1)      How to file for Unemployment Benefits

2)      Starting your own business

3)      Supplemental job opportunities

4)      Resources for more job info and training

5)      Rapid Response Team Workshop Presenter info

6)      Financial info:  Health insurance, retirement  

1)      EDD (Employment Development Dept.) on filing for Unemployment Benefits (UI)

Presenter from EDD gave information about filling out the application, but wasn’t

particularly well versed in the nuances of the Adult Ed teacher’s employment

situation.  Therefore, we refer you to the handout written by Ernest Kettenring,

which has been revised (minor changes) from the one handed out at the workshop

Friday (see below).

 You can file for unemployment benefits on-line at www.edd.ca.gov/eapply4ui

24 hrs. a day.  You may also file by phone at: (800) 300-5616

For more information, including frequently asked questions such as:  General UI

information, the best time to call EDD, the status of your UI check, go to:

www.edd.ca.gov

We are also posting a Power Point presentation in pdf format made for part-time community college

instructors on how they should file for unemployment benefits (this was not avail-

able at the Friday 6/17 workshop).  Their circumstances are almost identical to ours:

wherever you read “community college instructor”, substitute “adult ed instructor”.

This should give you more guidance about how to file for UI. 

2)      If you have thought about starting your own business, now might be the time; here’s the contact info for the presenter at Friday’s workshop:  Kimberly Rolfe, Financial & Entrepreneur Empowerment, Workshops & Resources, (323 ) 384-7784.  Email:  kimberly@krfs.org 

3)      For connections to jobs in the educational field, help with resume writing, job clubs and other job training resources, contact Tony Jaramillo, Senior Project Coordinator, Job Training for L.A. Valley College, (818) 947-2941.  Email:  jaramiaj@lavc.edu  Here are a couple of upcoming events and trainings you might want to take advantage of: 

a.      Job Fair, Tuesday, June 28, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Room 281, L.A. County Office of Education, 9300 Imperial Highway, Downey 90242. Free parking; must bring photo ID and 15 copies of your resume).  Jobs available throughout L.A. County; bring your passion for sports, arts, music, clubs and youth tutoring.  Jobs require background check, TB test, 18 yrs +

b.      Job Club, June 24, L.A. Valley College Cafeteria, 5800 Fulton Avenue, Valley Glen 91401, Park in LOT B.  9:00 a.m.   This is a golden opportunity for job seekers to network in person with employers and others; peruse over 300 job leads; refine job search techniques; meet with professional job counselors; workforce readiness workshops. Bring your resume – they will help you fine-tune it.  The job club meets on the last Friday of each month on the L.A. Valley College campus.  (818) 947-2941.  Website:  www.lavc.edu/jobtraining/jobclub.html

c.      Workforce Readiness Skills Certificate of Completion:   Combining education and workplace skills to maximize career advancement.  Topics  covered include:  Time management, effective communication, methods to achieve workplace goals, getting hired, maintaining employment, interview preparation.  NO COST.  Register with Devon Werble (818) 947-2941.  Email:  werbledm@lavc.edu 

4)      City of L.A. WorkSource Centers:  There are about 50 WorkSource Centers around the Southland whose purpose is to connect workers and employers.  They have job listings and networking opportunities, provide access to job boards, websites and databases; they assist with filing for Unemployment Insurance; career counseling; education and job training; resume and interview skills.  To find a WorkSource Center online go to:  www.lacity.org/wib 

5)      The City of L.A.’s Rapid Response Team presenter and coordinator of this workshop was Elvia Magallon.  She handed out a packet entitled “Rapid Response Career Transition Services” from WorkSource that included a sample unemployment benefits application along with other information.  Her phone number is:  (213) 744-7170.  Email is elvia.magallon@lacity.org   

6)      John Stokes Financial:  This presenter gave information about what your options are if you lose your health insurance (like COBRA and gap insurance), as well as what you could do with your retirement accounts (whether STRS or private). Website: http://www.johnstokesfinancial.com  Email:  john@johnstokesfinancial.com  Phone:  (949) 477-1245 

Please also note that we have a handout on our website (www.aeutla.net)  (below) about how to maintain your health benefits with LAUSD if you’re laid off.

Unemployment Benefits - CC Presentation.pdf

Unemployment Benefits-Underemployment Resources Workshop Info 6-17-11.pdf

How Do I Maintain My Health Benefits-6-2011.doc

Unemployment Benefits Eligibility 6-19-11.doc

Sean Abajian, one of our amazing members, has created a website, http://SaveAdultEd.org This website has up-to-date info on what you can do to defend Adult Ed. Check it out.

1.  Download a petition and get your students to sign it. Have their friends sign in. Wherever you can, get signatures.  They don't have to be registered voters. See PDF attachments below for English/Spanish, English/Russian, and English/Korean petitions.

DEADLINE: February 3    Give to your chapter chair or send them by US mail to Julie Carson 10927 Louise Ave. Granada Hills, CA  91344.

2. Get "Support Adult Ed" signs in store windows around the community. Ask your chapter chair for signs.

3. Attend the School Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 14 where Superintendent Deasy will be proposing his budget.

3. Call the Board of Education and tell them how much Adult Ed. means to you and the community.  Sean Adajian has set up a telephone number that will connect you immediately to the Board member for your school. See attachments below or check out http://SaveAdultEd.org

4. Organize a curbside demonstration at your site in support of Adult Ed. 

5. Attend townhall meetings or other venues to get the word out.

6. Contact Elementary VP, Juan Ramirez, about appearing on his radio show to talk about the importance of Adult Ed. He can be emailed at jramirez@utla.net

ae-petition-with-address.pdf

support-adult-education-petition-korean.pdf

support-adult-education-petition-russian.pdf

saveadulted-flyer-community-adult-schools.pdf

saveadulted-flyer-occupational-schools.pdf

We are organizing for the defense of Adult Ed. on Friday, January 20 at 5:30 on the 8th Floor of the UTLA Building, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., corner of Berendo.  Parking is available in the structure behind the building - enter off Berendo.  A light dinner will be served.

At the meeting

• Get information and perspective about recent school board budget plans for Adult Ed for next year from your union
  
• UTLA officers will attend and share up-to-the-minute info

• Learn about our plans to respond

• Learn how you can contribute and participate in actions to save our programs for our students

We will fight on every front because..

Adult Ed means better jobs through education

Adult Ed helps parents help their children

Adult Ed is a pathway to economic recovery

Adult Ed is the community

Now is the time to occupy your and your students' futures

By the way..

We've had reports that many school administrators have been pushing the panic button about recent school board budget plans, and have attempted to organize teacher response.  They're saying things like, "We're all in this together", and "We're all in the same boat".  Are we? 

Well, then, where were they....

 ...when the previous Assistant Superintendent closed tenure? 

...when we were fighting to reopen tenure?  

...when we were cut 30% three years ago and another 20% last year?  

...when some of our leased sites were being closed? 

...when UTLA needed their support two years ago when we had a bill in Sacramento to give job security to part time teachers? (ACSA, the state administrators organization actively opposed the bill.)  

...just a few months ago when we fought to keep LVN programs open?

Adult Ed currently employs approximately 1,700 teachers.  We used to have 3,200.  Where were they when all those teachers were laid off?

 You know the answer:  they were MIA.  Why?  Because their jobs were not on the line then, only teachers' jobs.

You're now hearing cries from administration that the "sky is falling", and that it's urgent that we (you and your students) must act NOW.  The sky could be falling; we actually don't know yet.  However, the difference this time is that they sense that the sky may be falling on them also.  In the past, there's been no urgency watching the sky fall on YOU.

So before you react to what your administrator is suggesting, just....Wait. Stop.  Think.  Reflect.  Breathe.  And come to your union meeting with your fellow adult ed teacher family to organize the real fight back for what we believe in. 

The California State Teachers' Retirement Systems is opening a new full-service member center in Glendale. The center is located at 505 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 200, two blocks from Highway 134 and two miles from Interstate 5. The center will provide benefit counseling, workshops, and walk in assistance. It will be open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

These are challenging economic times for all teachers, but it can be particularly worrisome to the small groups in UTLA such as adult education, early education, nurses and counselors.

We've received anxious calls from many of you, so this is to let you know what's going on.  Your administrators may have shared that the LAUSD 2012-13 budget being presented to the school board on Tuesday, December 13, shows no funding for adult education.

The California Department of Education's Adult Education Office has posted the final version of its strategic plan for adult education. While they state it's not open to further revision, a comment period is open until December 16.

The plan is flawed from its inception, because it did not have any input from teacher representatives. Despite input from over 200 stakeholders, the CDE did not request either the California Teachers Association or California Federation of Teachers to select representatives to serve on their panels. (Check the list of participants at the end of the report yourself - not one teacher or teacher organization is listed.)

They had, however, representatives from state administrators organizations, like the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) and California Adult Education Administrators Association (CAEAA).  

Here's what we're asking you do to

• Click on the link below.
• In the general comments section, tell the CDE that because no teacher representatives were involved in their process, this plan is one sided, flawed, invalid, unacceptable, illegitimate, or other words that strike your fancy, but mean the same thing.

http://www.otan.us/strategicPlanning/plan.html  

Teachers must be part of any planning for the future of the programs and communities we serve. Collaboration is a key ingredient for the success of any plan for adult education in California.    

We also believe this report is a continuation of the status quo, and does not move adult education forward. Stopping this self-serving, highly flawed plan is one tangible way you can contribute to protecting the future of adult ed.

This year, LAUSD is requiring administrators to evaluate all non-tenured teachers. Typically only tenured teachers have been regularly evaluated; however the contract allows them to evaluate all certificated employees.  Many DACE administrators have decided to use the Stull evaluation forms that are used to evaluate permanent (tenured) teachers. This should not be a problem.  Since this might be new territory for non-tenured teachers, we have developed guidelines (below) for teachers to consider during this process. We also have (below) an example of Initial Planning Sheet for an I.I. Lab class.

Evaluation guidelines.doc

Example of IPS for II Lab.doc

Joining the worldwide Occupy protests against economic and social injustice, UTLA members held their own Occupy LAUSD protests this week. Adult Ed was there in a major way.

 Our own Michelle Cohen was, in fact, one of the organizing forces behind this movement. On Tuesday, October 18, Adult Ed teachers showed up and marched from City Hall to LAUSD Headquarters to protest understaffing of schools and the giving away of public schools to charter companies. 

After all the protestors went home, Matthew Kogan and Michelle Cohen camped out overnight along with other protestors in front of the LAUSD Headquarters.

On Saturday, October 22, Adult Ed again marched with the California Teachers' Association from the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown L.A. to the LAUSD Headquarters on Beaudry. Check out the news coverage below and see even more pictures in the Photo Gallery in the Main Menu.

http://www.ktla.com/videogallery/65595615/News/KTLA:-Teachers-Fight-For-Education-at-Occupy-LA-Rally---Chris-Wolfe-reports

http://www.atvn.org/news/2011/10/occupy-lausd

Governor Brown signed AB 189 into law this past weekend. The legislation proposed by Assemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park)  requires school districts to provide greater public notice when they are considering cuts to or the elimination of categorical programs, like Adult Education. This legislation is meant to empower parents, students, and community groups to take a greater role in the decision making process. The Adult Committee lobbied hard for this bill. Thank you to all the teachers and students who called, emailed, or wrote in support of this bill.

UTLA held their annual Leadership Conference from August 19-21 in La Quinta, CA. Adult Ed had a great turn out this year. The event featured speakers such as new UTLA President, Warren Fletcher, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and LAUSD School Board Members, Bennett Kayser and Marguerite LaMotte. In fact, we were very lucky to have Bennett Kayser and the new CTA President, Dean Vogel, drop by our Adult Ed meeting.

Matthew Kogan, Julie Carson, and Ernest Kettenring discussed our goals and plans for the upcoming year which include electing chapter chairs at adult schools without one, improving communication between chapter chairs and the Adult Committee Leadership, and fighting for Adult Ed issues within UTLA and California. In addition to being informative, we all had a great time out in the desert.  Check out the pictures in the Photo Gallery in the Main Menu.

 Once again this year, LAUSD and UTLA negotiated an agreement for unpaid furloughs. Unlike previous years, however, Adult Ed was explicitly included in the agreement. The money gained through furloughs is to be used to restore positions to Adult Ed teachers who had their assignments reduced or eliminated because of the budget cuts. Unfortunately, DACE has passed out the money to principals without any directive to make sure the money is used to restore those positions reduced or lost. We are fighting back to make sure this money, gained through our sacrifice, goes towards our members who need it most. To find out what you can do if you have lost hours or for more information, see the attached document on furlough implementation. 

Furlough Agreement Implementation 7-21-11(1).pdf

Many people could not attend the Adult Ed Teachers Unemployment Benefits/Underemployment Resources workshop held at UTLA on Friday, June 17.  The following is a summary of the information and resources provided at the workshop, as well as other information that we have written ourselves or acquired.  There are several "attachments" at the bottom of this article that will provide you with further information.  This article is also attached as a pdf.

This is provided as a service to our members in attempt to help us through these difficult times.  UTLA is not responsible for the information provided here.  If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the people listed.

Unemployment Benefits/Underemployment Resources Workshop

June 17, 2011 at UTLA

 Topics covered included:

      1)      How to file for Unemployment Benefits

2)      Starting your own business

3)      Supplemental job opportunities

4)      Resources for more job info and training

5)      Rapid Response Team Workshop Presenter info

6)      Financial info:  Health insurance, retirement  

1)      EDD (Employment Development Dept.) on filing for Unemployment Benefits (UI)

Presenter from EDD gave information about filling out the application, but wasn’t

particularly well versed in the nuances of the Adult Ed teacher’s employment

situation.  Therefore, we refer you to the handout written by Ernest Kettenring,

which has been revised (minor changes) from the one handed out at the workshop

Friday (see below).

 You can file for unemployment benefits on-line at www.edd.ca.gov/eapply4ui

24 hrs. a day.  You may also file by phone at: (800) 300-5616

For more information, including frequently asked questions such as:  General UI

information, the best time to call EDD, the status of your UI check, go to:

www.edd.ca.gov

We are also posting a Power Point presentation in pdf format made for part-time community college

instructors on how they should file for unemployment benefits (this was not avail-

able at the Friday 6/17 workshop).  Their circumstances are almost identical to ours:

wherever you read “community college instructor”, substitute “adult ed instructor”.

This should give you more guidance about how to file for UI. 

2)      If you have thought about starting your own business, now might be the time; here’s the contact info for the presenter at Friday’s workshop:  Kimberly Rolfe, Financial & Entrepreneur Empowerment, Workshops & Resources, (323 ) 384-7784.  Email:  kimberly@krfs.org 

3)      For connections to jobs in the educational field, help with resume writing, job clubs and other job training resources, contact Tony Jaramillo, Senior Project Coordinator, Job Training for L.A. Valley College, (818) 947-2941.  Email:  jaramiaj@lavc.edu  Here are a couple of upcoming events and trainings you might want to take advantage of: 

a.      Job Fair, Tuesday, June 28, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Room 281, L.A. County Office of Education, 9300 Imperial Highway, Downey 90242. Free parking; must bring photo ID and 15 copies of your resume).  Jobs available throughout L.A. County; bring your passion for sports, arts, music, clubs and youth tutoring.  Jobs require background check, TB test, 18 yrs +

b.      Job Club, June 24, L.A. Valley College Cafeteria, 5800 Fulton Avenue, Valley Glen 91401, Park in LOT B.  9:00 a.m.   This is a golden opportunity for job seekers to network in person with employers and others; peruse over 300 job leads; refine job search techniques; meet with professional job counselors; workforce readiness workshops. Bring your resume – they will help you fine-tune it.  The job club meets on the last Friday of each month on the L.A. Valley College campus.  (818) 947-2941.  Website:  www.lavc.edu/jobtraining/jobclub.html

c.      Workforce Readiness Skills Certificate of Completion:   Combining education and workplace skills to maximize career advancement.  Topics  covered include:  Time management, effective communication, methods to achieve workplace goals, getting hired, maintaining employment, interview preparation.  NO COST.  Register with Devon Werble (818) 947-2941.  Email:  werbledm@lavc.edu 

4)      City of L.A. WorkSource Centers:  There are about 50 WorkSource Centers around the Southland whose purpose is to connect workers and employers.  They have job listings and networking opportunities, provide access to job boards, websites and databases; they assist with filing for Unemployment Insurance; career counseling; education and job training; resume and interview skills.  To find a WorkSource Center online go to:  www.lacity.org/wib 

5)      The City of L.A.’s Rapid Response Team presenter and coordinator of this workshop was Elvia Magallon.  She handed out a packet entitled “Rapid Response Career Transition Services” from WorkSource that included a sample unemployment benefits application along with other information.  Her phone number is:  (213) 744-7170.  Email is elvia.magallon@lacity.org   

6)      John Stokes Financial:  This presenter gave information about what your options are if you lose your health insurance (like COBRA and gap insurance), as well as what you could do with your retirement accounts (whether STRS or private). Website: http://www.johnstokesfinancial.com  Email:  john@johnstokesfinancial.com  Phone:  (949) 477-1245 

Please also note that we have a handout on our website (www.aeutla.net)  (below) about how to maintain your health benefits with LAUSD if you’re laid off.

Unemployment Benefits - CC Presentation.pdf

Unemployment Benefits-Underemployment Resources Workshop Info 6-17-11.pdf

How Do I Maintain My Health Benefits-6-2011.doc

Unemployment Benefits Eligibility 6-19-11.doc