Website for Californians Impacted by Wildfires and Power Shutoff
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New Publications
Westside is excited to share with the community our brand new publications! All publications are available online or in print at the Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center.
To view the entire publication online, click here!
The 2020-2021 FAFSA Form Is Now Available!
Completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is FREE, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay for college or career school. For more information or to access the form, visit fafsa.gov or download the myStudentAid app on your phone (Apple or Google Play). For assistance in completing the form, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center via email at StudentAid@ed.gov or by phone at (800) 433-3243/ TTY: (800) 730-8913.
Financial Aid Process: Click here to view the process in English.
¡El formulario 2020-2021 de Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes (FAFSA) ya está disponible!
Completar y enviar el formulario FAFSA es GRATUITO, y le da acceso a la mayor fuente de ayuda financiera para ayudar a pagar la universidad o la escuela profesional. Para obtener más información o acceder al formulario, visite fafsa.gov o descargue la aplicación myStudentAid en su teléfono (Apple o Google Play). Para obtener ayuda para completar el formulario, comuníquese con el Centro de Información de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes por correo electrónico a StudentAid@ed.gov o por teléfono al (800) 433-3243 / TTY: (800) 730-8913.
Proceso de Ayuda Financiera: Haga clic aquí para ver el proceso en español.
Hot Off the Press!–New WRC Transition to Adulthood Guide
Hello WRC Community!
We are pleased to announce that our brand new Transition from High School to Adulthood booklet is now available on our website resource page in English and Spanish.
If you, your loved one or someone you support are nearing the transition out of high school (14 and up) , this book is your one-stop checklist for everything you need to know about entering adulthood.
It includes specially catered checklists for individuals on the high school diploma track as well as the certificate of completion track, along with IEP, ITP tips and post-secondary resources.
Don’t miss out on this great resource and please spread the word to others who would benefit from this booklet.
Download your copy:
WRC Transition Booklet English
WRC Transition Booklet Spanish
Stay Safe During the 4th of July Celebration!
Help us prevent fireworks-related injuries and deaths by following these safety tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- Don’t buy or use illegal fireworks! Fines range between $500 and $1,000.
- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
- Older children can be permitted to use fireworks only under close adult supervision.
- Set off fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from houses, dry leaves, or grass and other flammable materials.
- Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of emergencies.
- After fireworks complete their burning, soak the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department encourages families to attend fireworks shows conducted by State-licensed pyrotechnicians. To find a professional fireworks show near you, please call their Fireworks Show Directory Hotline at 888-654-FIRE (3473) for information in English and Spanish.
Ayúdenos a prevenir lesiones y muertes relacionadas con los fuegos artificiales siguiendo estos consejos de seguridad de la Comisión de Seguridad de Productos del Consumidor:
- ¡No compre o use fuegos artificiales ilegales! Las multas oscilan entre $ 500 y $ 1,000.
- Siempre tenga un adulto que supervise las actividades de fuegos artificiales. Los padres no se dan cuenta de que los niños pequeños sufren lesiones por las bengalas. Las chispas se queman a temperaturas de aproximadamente 2,000 grados, lo suficientemente caliente como para derretir algunos metales.
- A los niños mayores se les puede permitir usar fuegos artificiales solo bajo la supervisión de un adulto.
- Ponga los fuegos artificiales afuera en un área despejada, lejos de casas, hojas secas o hierba y otros materiales inflamables.
- No intente volver a encender o manejar fuegos artificiales que funcionen mal. Remójalas en agua y arrójalas.
- Nunca apunte o lance fuegos artificiales a otra persona.
- Tenga a mano un cubo de agua o una manguera de jardín en caso de emergencias.
- Después de que los fuegos artificiales completen su combustión, empape el dispositivo usado con abundante agua de un cubo o manguera antes de desecharlo para evitar un incendio de basura.
El Departamento de Bomberos del Condado de Los Ángeles alienta a las familias a asistir a espectáculos de fuegos artificiales realizados por pirotécnicos con licencia estatal. Para encontrar un espectáculo profesional de fuegos artificiales cerca de usted, llame a su línea directa de Fireworks Show Directory al 888-654-FIRE (3473) para obtener información en inglés y español.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Westside Regional Center (WRC) is happy to announce the arrival of two new social media accounts to help you access important information at your fingertips.
Facebook and Instagram will inform you of:
- important events, trainings, public meetings and workshops;
- legislative news and budget updates;
- civic engagement opportunities;
- resources available at WRC and in your community;
- services available by age group;
- and more!
Self-Determination Fair: Sunday, May 19th
Westside Regional Center &Self-Determination Local Advisory CommitteePresent2019 Self-Determination FairDate: Sunday May 19, 2019Time: 11AM – 2PMLocation: Westside Regional Center BoardroomWelcome to all individuals and families who have been selected for the Self Determination program initial phase-in! During this event you will have the opportunity to meet FMS Providers and Independent Facilitators who can help you begin your Self Determination Program. Link for Self-Determination Participants to Register: https://selfdeterminationresourcefair.eventbrite.com If you are interested in reserving a table to share your skills as an Independent Facilitator or FMS please contact Mina Gomez at 310-258-4019. The last day to register for a table is Friday, May 17th at Noon.
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WRC Transition to Adulthood Saturday Series–Save the Date!
Click here to view the flyer for our upcoming Saturday series. More registration information will be coming soon!
Disaster Relief Information–Woosely Fire Recovery
Dear Westside Families,
Our heart goes out to all of our extended community who have been impacted and continue to be displaced by the Hill and Woolsey Fires. Please know that WRC is available to assist you in finding resources. We also remain available to assist you if you or your family member need specialized supports during this time. I hope that you all remain safe and, in spite of these recent tragic events, still have reasons to be thankful. Again, please do not hesitate to call your Service Coordinator if you need assistance.
My best,
Carmine Manicone
Executive Director
Westside Regional Center
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DISASTER ASSISTANCE:
LOS ANGELES (Fri., Nov. 16, 2018) – As Los Angeles County departments and public agencies continue in their Woolsey Fire response and recovery efforts, community partners from the private sector are also extending recovery support to those impacted by the wildfire.
Current examples of disaster assistance include:
– Free rides provided through Lyft and Uber to the Disaster Assistance Centers located in Malibu and Agoura Hills;
– Temporary housing through Airbnb; and
– Waived phone/text/data usage fees by phone carriers
LA County residents may also visit www.lacounty.gov/woolseyfire/ or contact 211 LA County by calling 2-1-1 or visiting http://211la.org to learn more about these community partner assistance programs, as well as services and resources offered by governmental agencies and non-profit organizations.
Other entities who are providing disaster relief assistance and are interested in being featured as a Woolsey Fire community partner on the County’s Woolsey Fire website can contact pio@ceooem.lacounty.gov.
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Media Accessibility for People with Disabilities, and others with Access and Functional Needs.
Federal Communication Commission rules under Section 255 of the Communications Act require telecommunications service providers to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities, if such access is readily achievable. Where access is not readily achievable, service providers must make their devices and services compatible with peripheral devices and specialized customer premises equipment that are commonly used by people with disabilities, if such compatibility is readily available.
LOS ANGELES (Fri., Nov. 16, 2018) – As residents and business owners return to the Woolsey Fire-impacted areas and begin cleaning up their properties and neighborhoods, Los Angeles County agencies are working with public and private partners to resume trash and debris removal services as soon as it is safe to do so.
Public Works provides the following debris and trash removal guidelines for the public:
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRASH REMOVAL
Trash collection services that were interrupted by the Woolsey Fire will resume as soon as evacuation orders are lifted and roads reopen.
· TRASH – Place your trash carts for collection on regular trash day
· EXCESS WASTE – Place your excess waste in up to 5 bags on your trash day; no call-in is required for the next few weeks.
· ROTTEN FOOD – Spoiled food may be placed in the trash or the excess in bags. Public Health recommends the following:
o If a power outage lasts several hours, it is best to throw away
perishable food items such as meat, dairy products and eggs.
o Items that have thawed in the freezer should be thrown away. Do not re-freeze thawed food. All other food items should be inspected to ensure safety. Remember, “if in doubt, throw it out.”
· MELTED CARTS – Damaged carts should be reported for replacement.
· HAZARDOUS WASTE – Household Hazardous Waste should be brought to 23519 W. Civic Center Way on December 1, between 9 am and 3 pm or to one of the permanent collection centers. Contact CleanLA.com or (888) Clean LA for more locations.
· MORE EXCESS WASTE – Three times per year, you may call in to arrange the pickup of 10 bulky items, 10 bundles of green waste, and/or 5 bags of excess waste. Bulky items include construction and demolition debris of up to two 70-pound bundles not exceeding 4 feet in length.
· If you need any special services, please contact your waste hauler.
In addition to the above guidelines, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has published a “Returning Home After A Fire” fact sheet to help residents protect their health when returning to or cleaning up their homes.
FIRE DEBRIS REMOVAL
Ash and debris that remains from a structure that was destroyed in the wildfires contain hazardous waste and materials that can threaten public health. Therefore, the Los Angeles County Public Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency on November 12, 2018 which prohibits the removal of fire debris until an inspection of the debris is conducted by either state, federal, or local hazardous materials agencies.
Los Angeles County has requested State and federal assistance to expedite recovery activities and ensure the safe removal of hazardous waste and fire debris from structures and properties damaged by the wildfires. Additional information on this consolidated debris removal program will be provided when determined.
The Public Health Emergency Declaration also prohibits the delivery of debris bins in the affected areas without the approval from the Los Angeles County Fire Department (Fire Department). Owners that opt out of the Fire Debris Clearance Program, once established in Los Angeles County, must register with and obtain the permission of Los Angeles County before beginning the removal of fire debris, and must conduct their private debris removal, transport, and disposal in a manner that does not endanger the community. For additional questions regarding fire debris removal, contact DPW at (800) 675-4357.
CONTACTS
Waste Management
(800) 266-7551 / http://WM.com
Universal Waste Systems
(800) 631-7016 / http://UWScompany.com
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
(888) Clean LA (888-253-2652) / http://CleanLA.com
LOS ANGELES (Fri., Nov. 16, 2018) – A multitude of important disaster recovery resources from government, non-profit, and private agencies are now available on www.lacounty.gov/woolseyfire to help support residents, business owners, and others impacted by the Woolsey Fire. “I know how anxious my constituents are to take the next steps moving forward with recovery and rebuilding. The recovery resources on the County’s Woolsey Fire webpage provide a wealth of information that will help residents and business owners begin the process of rebuilding their lives,” said Shelia Kuehl, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The site serves as a virtual one stop shop for the public to access a comprehensive range of disaster recovery resources available, including:
• Reporting property damage
• Shelter and housing
• Financial assistance
• Debris cleanup
• Replacing lost documents
• Air quality reports
• Mental health resources
• Preparing for future disasters
The site will also contain information and updates about the ongoing response and relief efforts of the Los Angeles County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Small Business Administration (SBA), the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), and other partner organizations.
In addition to the LA County Recovery webpage, those impacted by the Woolsey Fire, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, may also contact 211 LA County to report property damage and for emergency preparedness information and other referral services. The toll-free 2-1-1 number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 LA County services can also be accessed online by visiting www.211la.org.
14:12:09 Press Release #35
Advisory: AS REPOPULATION CONTINUES, TAFT HIGH SCHOOL IS DEACTIVATED AS TEMPORARY
LOS ANGELES (Fri., Nov. 16, 2018) – As Los Angeles County continues to help residents return to their homes, the need for temporary shelters in the impacted areas has decreased. In an effort to manage emergency resources, and provide a high level of care to affected Los Angeles County residents, Taft High School (5461 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91364) has been deactivated as an emergency shelter, and those residents have been re-sheltered at Pierce College. The evacuation shelters at Pierce College and Palisades High School will remain open until further notice. “We are thankful to the hardworking staff and volunteers of the Taft High School shelter for their dedication and compassion in helping those displaced by the Woolsey Fire in their greatest time of need,” said Jeff Reeb, Director, Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management . “Even though we are deactivating this shelter, Los Angeles County and its partners remai n committed to help those affected by the wildfire on their road to recovery.”
Residents can continue to access relief and recovery services by contacting 211 LA County at 2-1-1. Those impacted by the Woolsey Fire may also get the latest information, updates and resources by visiting http://LACounty.gov/WoolseyFire.
June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant
310 821 7080 | jik@pacbell.net | www.jik.com
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