Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 9, 2013

A5

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 9, 2013 


“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt

CALIFORNIA’S HEALTHCARE SITE WORKING 
JUST FINE, SAYS SENATOR DR. ED HERNANDEZ

State residents can easily sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage

 

Senator Californians will find none of the troubles plaguing the federal government's web site to sign 
up for health insurance, according to California State Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez of the 24th District.
Ed Hernandez.

Speaking at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Affairs Forum sponsored by 
Expedia on Nov. 7, Hernandez reminded attendees that California has its own Covered California 
web site for state residents to access for the national Affordable Care Act that became national law in 
2010. Among the benefits of the new service:

• All adults over 18 must now carry health insurance, including the 4.5 mil. - 5 mil. currently 
uninsured, or a penalty will be charged when they file their annual income tax. Initially the penalty in 
2014 will be 1% of the annual income or $95, whichever is greater. By 2016, the penalty increases to 
$695 per adult and $374.50 per child or 2.5% of family income, whichever is greater. (Exceptions for 
very low-income and a few groups.)

• No one can be denied coverage, even those with pre-existing medical conditions.

• There is a maximum amount that any insured individual would ever have to pay in the event of 
a catastrophic medical expense - $6,350 for an individual, and $12,700 for a family.

 

Dr. Hernandez serves as Chair for the Senate Committee on Health. In further discussing the ACA, 
he noted that residents may continue with their existing private or public healthcare plans and this 
does not affect Medicare. Those buying insurance for the first time may purchase from a provider as 
in the past, or buy a new plan through the Covered California program, the latter of which is the only 
place low-income residents will be able to apply for financial aid. Insurance premiums will be based 
on age, where you live, household size and income and the health plan benefit level selected (you may 
choose to pay a higher premium but get lower coverage or vice-versa). The website allows you to shop 
and compare and see how much health insurance plans cost and also allows you to find out if you 
are eligible for any premium assistance or cost sharing assistance. For more information go to www.
coveredca.com or call (888) 975-1142.

 

The public is invited on the first Thursday of each month to hear informative presentations at the 
monthly Government Affairs Forums led by Chairman Jack Orswell from Orswell & Kasman, Inc. 
Environmental Assessments & Consulting and co-chairs Pete Ulrich, former Arcadia City Councilman, 
and Mary Dougherty, former President of the Arcadia School District Board of Education.

RSVPs to the Chamber of Commerce office are appreciated - (626) 447-2159 orinfo@ArcadiaCaChamber.
org.

Education Based Incarceration-Part Two

 Last week, I wrote about the varied courses available in the County Jail system. 
Today I’d like to discuss the Behavioral Modification Courses, M.E.R.I.T. and 
Spiritual Growth Programs.

 Behavioral Modification Courses, usually called Cognitive Behavioral 
Therapy, are very effective in reducing recidivism. They generally last from 6-8 
weeks and include Changing How We Think, Domestic Violence, How to Get 
a Job, Education is a Way of Life, Substance Abuse Education, Leadership Training, Interpersonal 
Communication, Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, and Moral Recognitation Training.

 MERIT is one of the most successful programs in EBI. It involves a close, active partnership 
between LASD, community based organizations and faith based organizations. MERIT’s strength is 
bringing each participant to the point that they recognize the necessity of a personal commitment 
to reaching their goals, accepting responsibility for their actions, and being accountable for their life 
choices.

 Community faith-based organizations offer Spiritual Growth Programs: 

• Malachi Men (12-week Bible study course, how to be Godly men, husbands and fathers.)
• Returning Hearts (A one-day event that unites inmates with their children and grandchildren; 
hundreds of volunteers set up a carnival)
• The Urban Ministry Institute (Seminary-style religious program to train pastors and church 
leaders among inmates who demonstrate spiritual leadership, 16-module program, 30-36 months to 
complete.)
• School of Ministries (Short-term seminary program for inmate students who wish a career as 
a pastor or minister; features Bible studies, research techniques and public speaking, 120 hours over 
a three-month period.)
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse Courses (Using the Twelve-Step model, courses include Celebrate 
Recovery, Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous and others.)
• Family Outreach Program (Offers referrals to available 12-Step Programs, places of worship, 
free legal services, spouse/child abuse programs, food banks, crisis interventions, parenting classes 
and financial services.)
• Friends Outside (Provide information to inmates and their families regarding depositing 
money, picking up inmate property, and inmate visits.)
• Funeral/Hospital Visits (If an inmate’s immediate family member dies or is hospitalized, 
arrangements can be made for a visit or to attend a funeral.


Going Out: A New Beginning:

 Within the Sheriff’s Department there is a Community Transition Unit (CTU) whose mission is 
to provide guidance to inmate students scheduled for impending release who are in need of many 
essential services.

 The most vulnerable period of time for released inmates is the seventy-two hour period immediately 
after release. To reduce numbers of released inmates who immediately return to custody, CTU 
partners with correctional professionals and their organizations to refer departing inmate students to 
the specific services indicated by his/her needs profile. When inmates have 90 days or less left before 
release, they are actively case-managed to ensure optimum preparedness for a seamless transition to 
the community.

FEDERAL HEALTH BENEFIT LAWS FOR CANCER PATIENTS

 A presentation on Federal Health Benefit Laws will be given for cancer patients on Tuesday November 
19 2013 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cancer Support Community-Pasadena.

 Representatives from the Department of Labor and Social Security Administration will discuss 
Federal benefit laws such as ERISA, COBRA, HIPPA, and PPACA (Obamacare), plus Social Security 
benefits such as SSDI and SSI.

 Location is the Cancer Support Community-Pasadena, 200 East Del Mar Blvd., Suite 118, Pasadena, 
Ca 91105. Reservations at 626-796-1083.

SOUTH PASADENA RESIDENT WINS SCHOOL 
BOARD ELECTION ON $1,500 BUDGET

South Pasadena, Calif.– On Tuesday, Julie 
Winkle-Giulioni proved that winning a local 
election in southern California could 
be done without consultants, big ad budgets, 
expensive mailings, or robo-calls. The 
mother, wife, author, and business owner 
was elected to the South Pasadena Unified 
School Board and credits her victory to the 
support of her community and some creative 
tactics.

“This week’s win proves that you don’t have 
to spend tens of thousands of dollars to win 
a local seat. It all comes down to people 
reaching out to people. And when that’s the 
focus, a small budget - $1500 in my case - 
goes a long way, especially in our technology-
enabled world.”

With her husband and fifteen year old daughter serving as co-chairs, Winkle-Giulioni launched the 
modest campaign for election to serve the district of 5 schools with approximately 4,750 students. 

“Support for the campaign has been nothing short of remarkable,” says Winkle-Giulioni. “People 
came out of the woodwork to help… especially once they learned that I wasn’t asking for their money. 
From walking precincts and holding coffees (live and virtual), to creating flyers and a YouTube commercial, 
you name it. They did it.”

As a former teacher and 17+ year volunteer in local schools, Winkle-Giulioni understands the dire 
financial situation facing public eduation.; so she encouraged supporters to make donations to the 
local PTA or educational foundation rather than her campaign. She returned checks and declined 
countless donations with the conviction that it wasn’t the best use of those funds.

Winkle-Giulioni hopes to inspire others in California and across the country to step forward to support 
education. “Nothing is more important than investing in our kids and it is wonderful to live in 
a community that shares this value.”

Equally importantly, she hopes to inspire others to discard old and expensive campaigning techniques 
and instead embrace more authentic and creative ways to connect with voters. “The money 
that was spent in our small election could have been used to hire a teacher, reading specialist, or train 
all of our staff in new ways to help our kids learn. Imagine the missed opportunities on a statewide or 
national scale. Candidates can make a choice to not allow a campaign to drain funds away from the 
very causes they’re running to support. I hope we can move politics in that direction.”

About Julie Winkle Giulioni

Julie grew up in South Pasadena, attending South Pasadena Unified schools from kindergarten until 
she graduated from South Pasadena High School. She returned in 1996 with her husband Peter 
when her eldest was ready to start first grade. Over the past 17 years, Julie has held countless volunteer 
leadership roles at Marengo, South Pasadena Middle School, and South Pasadena High School, 
allowing her to become familiar with the unique needs at all levels within the district. Additionally, 
she has served as a high school and vocational teacher as well as a professor and department chair 
at Woodbury University. For more on her campaign, visit: http://www.giulioni4schoolboard.com.

 Julie Winkle Giulioni is cofounder and principal of DesignArounds, a bicoastal consulting and instructional 
design firm. She works with organizations globally to develop and implement learning 
that works. She's a sought-after speaker and author of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career 
Conversations Employees Want. Visit juliewinklegiulioni.com for more information.


Foothill 
Unity 
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Auxiliary 
Buy 
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(Don’t 
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to 
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W. 
Chestnut 
Ave., 
Monrovia 
CA 
91016. 
Questions? 
Call 
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(626) 
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