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 Community Coordinator Report
Josephine Wyatt

Siskiyou County  Community Coordinator

October -  December, 2005		 Weed Office

“State of Emergency”
Declared in Siskiyou
by John Diehm
Siskyou Daily News Staff Writer

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed Siskiyou County in a “State of Emergency,” signing a declaration on Monday, January 2, 2006. By signing the declaration, the governor confirmed that a local emergency exists in Siskiyou county and requested the federal government for a presidential declaration for Siskiyou County.  A state and federal declaration of emergency will give Siskiyou County access to financial resources to help repair millions in damages caused by the flooding that started in late December.

For many, the main activity of the new year was just trying to stay dry.  Calls of flooding was received throughout numerous communities  and fire departments were called to fill and place sand bags.  As isolated flooding worsened the torrential rains continued.  The Siskiyou County Chapter of the American Red Cross gave some families emergency shelter.

The highest water levels were in the Klamath and Scott rivers with water high enough to close roads.  Butte Valley was also flooded.  Grizz Adams, from the office of emergency services reported that Siskiyou County has received over 11 inches of rain since December 25th, and more is expected. 

Many county roads were damaged by the high water and flooding with some remaining closed and others impassable.  The fear is that the cost of repairing the damage will be in the millions. 


Northern California Nurse Training Program
by Renee Barr
In response to the continued shortage of health care professionals and nurses in California, the Governor has issued a Northern California Nurse Training Program grant. Siskiyou Training & Employment Program (STEP) was chosen to receive some of those funds. Brenda Sisk, Tara Cunningham, and Renee Barr, Vocational Advisors for STEP, have been assisting many of the nursing students in meeting their financial needs while in training. Morris Eagleman, Vice President of Patient Care Services, at Mercy Medical Center said, “I truly believe it is an opportunity in this community to assist the local residents to prepare for a career that is in demand.”

Through this initiative, STEP assisted 25 graduates of College of the Siskiyous’ December 2005 LVN program. Currently 11 students are receiving assistance to participate in the LVN to RN upgrade at Shasta College. STEP is also gearing up to provide services to the spring 2006 LVN program, anticipating assisting 30 students.

Gerri Fedora, the LVN instructor commented that, “The students are definitely less stressed and better prepared. Because they had their textbooks, they were immediately able to start assignments and their test grades reflected that. They are prepared for lectures, discussions and testing.”


Customized Training Assists Local Businesses
by Josephine Wyatt

EXCEL Training

The Workforce Connection business services team has worked closely with the City of Weed.  Some of the services that we have assisted with are the revision of job descriptions, labor law information, posting requirements and recruitment efforts for Police Officers, Community Services Officers, Dispatchers, Maintenance Workers, and Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Clerks. 

When the City of Weed’s administrative staff requested some customized training in Excel, who else would they contact, but the Workforce Connection.  The Workforce Connection’s business services staff went on site to perform a needs survey and developed a comprehensive customized training program, on a fee for service basis. Training sessions have been set up once a week to accommodate the client’s work schedule.  


Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

With the new Sexual Harassment Prevention training law going into effect on January of 2006, many Siskiyou County employers took advantage of the Workforce Connection seminars for Managers and Supervisors.  However, some businesses need a customized training for their new employees. The Workforce Connection business services department was contacted to provide this service. Staff performed the two-hour training (fee for service) for the City of Dunsmuir and Weed Building and Home Center. 


Wage & Hour Seminar
by Joanie Zarzynski
The Workforce Connection’s Employer Resource Center sponsored the “California Wage and Hour Law” employer seminar on October 4, 2005. Eric Rood, Deputy Labor Commisioner from the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement was the presenter. Participants learned the basics about California's wage and hour laws, including overtime rules, alternative work weeks, meal and rest periods, time off from work, and recordkeeping issues. Approximately 40 employers attended the sessions and feedback was extremely positive.

The Workforce Connection Employer Resource Center sponsors frequent seminars for the business community. Topics for the coming year include Hiring and Firing - How to Minimize Your Risk, Cal-OSHA Requirements, Workers Compensation, and Preventing Workplace Harassment.


Santa Claus Stops at the Workforce Connection
by Sandie Brack
Santa Claus made his annual trip from the North Pole and stopped at the Workforce Connection in Weed. As every child (big and little) confessed if they had been "bad" or "good", Santa listened to their Christmas wishes. All children received a picture with Santa and a Christmas onrnament to hang on the tree. Staff from Siskiyou Modoc Regional Child Support Services and STEP, coordinated the annual event.

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Santa and children shown above from left to right:  Griffin Hough, Gabe Gaither, Mia Cunningham, and Zeke Buchert.