May is National Wildfire Awareness Month! Preparation is key to your recovery after a disaster/emergency.
Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in natural areas like forests, grasslands or prairies. These dangerous fires spread quickly and can devastate not only wildlife and natural areas, but also communities.
In 2023, CALFIRE reported 7127 wildfires with up to 324,917 burned acres. Being prepared is the single best thing you can do for your home, family, and community.
May 2024 is also Older Americans Month. While you prepare for wildfires, don’t forget to consider those who may be most vulnerable during wildfires and discover ways you can teach them about preparedness or support their efforts directly.
The Social Services Agency (SSA), Government and Community Relations (GCR), Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management’s (DPEM) wildfire response and support to Agency staff and Alameda County residents include: • monitoring wildfires and air quality • issuing communications—bulletins, emails, website updates • updating the Employee Emergency Hotline, (510) 208-3929 with information and reporting instructions • supporting evacuations • establishing evacuation points • setting up shelters
Are You Prepared? All of us have an essential role in protecting ourselves, loved ones, and communities from wildfire. Take the following steps to proactively stay prepared and mitigate devastating impacts: • Know Your Risk – Prepare for environmental risks in your area. • Make a Plan – Create a plan specific to your household before a disaster/emergency strikes. • Take Action – Be ready to respond and recover from a disaster/emergency.
Public Hearing: 2024-2028 Countywide Area Plan for Older Adults
San Leandro Community Library or Online
In person: 300 Estudillo Avenue, San Leandro, CA 94577 or Online: (see below)
Every four years, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) prepares a Countywide Area Plan for Older Adults (CWAP) that strategizes decisions, partnerships, and improvements throughout Alameda County for residents aged 55+. The services are provided by the AAA along with our network of community partners, which include the Advisory Commission on Aging, community-based organizations, public agencies, and the private sector.
Mark Your Calendar: If you're an older adult in Alameda County, care about someone who is, or are wondering what your life as a senior will look like, you can make a difference!
5/6/24, 2pm - Comment on the plan at a public hearing.
We anticipate the draft CWAP will be posted on our website by 4/30/24.
Don't have time to read the CWAP draft before the hearing? No problem! We still want to see you there and share ideas for bringing Alameda County closer to our goals as an Age Friendly Community.
Recurring event
Commission on the Status of Women Meeting
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 6:30pm - 8:15pm*
Hybrid Meeting
*Commission meeting schedules are subject to change.
To access the agenda (normally available at least 72 hours in advance) for this meeting as well as previous minutes please visit our Commission on the Status of Women page.
To participate in meetings of the Commission on the Status of Women:
In Person:
Gail Steele Multi-Service Center (formerly Eden Area)
The Commission on the Status of Women - Policy and Advocacy Committee will meet at 5:30 P.M. It will be followed by the full Commission meeting at 6:30 P.M.
In Person:
Gail Steele Multi-Service Center (formerly Eden Area)
Various Locations - See Posted Meeting Date For Meeting Location
Meets every second Monday of the month.
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE INDEFINITE CLOSURE OF THE EASTMONT TOWN CENTER - FIRST FLOOR, ACA MEETINGS WILL NO LONGER BE HELD IN THE MAXWELL PARK ROOM UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
General session meetings will be held in various locations, please see posted meeting agenda and/or individual meeting calendar invite for specific address and location of each meeting.
Public participants may also attend the meetings online via Zoom.
Or Dial-in by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 899 2454 4024 Passcode: 839169 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abzuOIeRu4
Recurring event
Veterans Affairs Commission
Third Monday of each month (subject to change; please see below) - Executive Mtg: 9:30am to 10:00am /General Mtg: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Alternating Sites
(See below for more information)
To be more inclusive of our Veterans Community, the Commission will be holding its meeting at various locations within Alameda County.
The April Meeting will be at the Fremont Veteran Memorial Building on 37154 2nd St in Fremont.
To access the meeting agenda (normally available at least 72 hours in advance) or previous meeting minutes, please scroll to the corresponding section above.
Recurring event
Human Relations Commission Meeting
Fourth Wednesday of the Month - 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Gail Steele Multi Service Center and Online
To access the agenda (normally available at least 72 hours in advance) for this meeting as well as previous minutes please visit our Human Relations Commission page.
To participate in meetings of the Human Relations Commission:
Option 1: In person (required of all Commissioners) 24100 Amador St Hayward, CA 94544
Gail Steele Multi Service Center, 2nd Floor, Room: Cal Poppy
The Agency will be observing the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, May 27th. Offices will be closed.
For a list of the other County Holidays click here.
Video available -
Resource Parent Receives KPIX Channel 5's Jefferson Award
Virtual - see below
Watch and be inspired: Ms. Linda Owens of Hayward has received KPIX Channel 5's Jefferson Award for her 34 years as a resource parent with SSA's Department of Children and Family Services (DCSF). You can watch the KPIX report to learn what her experience caring for more than 80 newborns means to her - and what her dedication has meant to DCSF and the community they serve. "It's a challenging job, but very rewarding," notes the retired grocery department manager, who has cared for babies with challenges such as drug exposure in the womb and developmental delays. Mia Buckner-Preston of DCSF comments, "Her experience, the care, the love she provides to the babies - it's immeasurable."
Focus on Clients-Not Case Numbers-Wins KPIX Jefferson Award for ACSSA Assistant Director & Staff
Video available -
Virtual
Andrea Ford, Assistant Agency Director for the Alameda County Social Services Agency – Workforce and Benefits Administration (WBA), received KPIX Channel 5's Jefferson Award on June 30, 2021 for her work to address the human needs of clients beyond documents and case numbers. She noted that in more than 30 years with the Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA), including ten years at the helm of WBA, she and her dedicated colleagues and staff “have made a top priority of overcoming misconceptions and stereotypes about the Agency, and humanizing our role beyond simply issuing benefits.”
It was this spirit that moved Ms. Ford and WBA staff to create the Agency’s annual “A Purse of Her Own…” Mother’s Day event six years ago. The following year, they added “A Father Is…” Father’s Day event. Both quickly became annual traditions, mobilizing staff from ACSSA and other County departments to donate purses, toiletries, clothing, and other necessities, and to create meaningful celebrations at ACSSA sites for mothers and fathers to mark the national holidays in their honor. This year alone, both events served 700 people. One dad who attended the Father’s Day event with two of his children told KPIX, “When they help out in those little ways it’s great, because you know there’s some kind of hope out there.”
Feeling inspired? Join Andrea Ford and the dedicated staff from WBA and other County departments in celebrating the parents of our community. Anyone interested in contributing to the Mother’s Day “A Purse of Her Own” event or the Father’s Day “A Father Is… ” event can contact Alameda County Social Services Public Affairs Director Sylvia Soublet at ssoublet@acgov.org.
Check out community events happening around Alameda County, including festivals, town hall sessions, health and wellness events, job fairs, and more. Events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise specified.
