Ventura, CA - Our 18th Annual Pooch Parade Dog Walk & Pet Expo has been scheduled for Sunday, July 19th, 2015, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the San Buenaventura State Beach Park. Our theme this year is "Seniors Need Second Chances Too!" We will be raising awareness for all of the senior dogs that end up abandoned and overlooked in the shelter system. C.A.R.L. has started Sam's Senior Dog Rescue Project to help place these deserving dogs in forever homes where they can live out the rest of their lives being loved and cared for. It's a fun filled day great for the entire family. The Pooch Parade draws approximately 2,000 people and their pets from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The event itself is free and open to the public.

The morning parade/walk donations start at $40.00 and participants receive a t-shirt and/or a bag of dog goodies, plus the opportunity to enter our Canine Contests with their pet. Walkers can find registration information on our website at www.poochparade.org/register.html. Walker registration forms should be mailed or registered online by Saturday, July 11th in order to guarantee a shirt.

There are also approximately fifty vendor stations, food trucks and a huge silent auction tent that attendees can enjoy throughout the day. Vendors can find registration information on our website at www.poochparade.org/vendors.html. The last day to sign up is close of business on Monday, July 6th. Vendor questions can be emailed to irra_s@yahoo.com.

These past years have been very difficult for many families, forcing them to give up their pets. As a result, Canine Adoption and Rescue League currently has over eightyfive dogs in our program. We hope to provide a second chance and find a forever home for each and every one of them. Funds raised from this event will help offset the cost of supplies, boarding, medical expenses, and obedience training for the dogs in our care.

Canine Adoption and Rescue League is a Ventura County based IRC 501(c) (3) private nonprofit, no kill dog rescue organization.

Donations are tax deductible!

For more information visit our website: www.poochparade.org.

(l-r) Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Development & Communications Director Rochelle Rose CFRE and Randy Weiss, Union Bank Corporate Social Responsibility Officer.

Union Bank recently presented Peoples’ Self-Help Housing with a $10,000 check in recognition of the award winning nonprofit’s 45th Anniversary in 2015.

Founded in San Luis Obispo in 1970, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing has over the years expanded to Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, with more than 1,100 self-help homes completed and nearly 1,600 rental units developed. PSHH has been working to provide affordable housing and programs leading to self-sufficiency for low-income families, seniors and other special needs groups.

“Peoples’ Self-Help Housing was founded with a mission to provide affordable housing and programs to those most vulnerable in our communities, the working poor, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. It is community partners like Union Bank that have allowed us to fulfill this mission for 45 years and counting,” said PSHH CEO/President John Fowler.

PSHH kicked off its 45th Anniversary year on April 23 with a luncheon at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. The festivities continue through Nov. 13 with the PSHH 45th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Auction, the Central Coast Taste of Hope, at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. For more, visit http://www.pshhc.org/

About PSHH
Founded in 1970, PSHH is an award winning non-profit organization that develops affordable housing and community facilities for low-income households and homeownership opportunities for working families and special needs populations, such as seniors, veterans, the disabled, and the formerly homeless. With more than 1,100 self-help homes completed and nearly 1,600 rental units developed, PSHH is the largest affordable housing developer on the Central Coast, with offices in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. For more information on Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, visit www.pshhc.org, email info@pshhc.org or phone (805) 781-3088.

As a fundraiser for the Y’s Open Doors program, the YMCA Run or Walk 5K event will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday Aug. 15, 2015 at the Ventura Family YMCA. Participants may register on-line, in person at the Ventura Family YMCA or on the morning of the race.

The Y works to ensure that everyone is given an equal opportunity at having membership regardless of income. With the help of the community, the YMCA Run or Walk 5K fundraiser will give others that opportunity, allowing them to participate in the Y’s membership programs such as child care, summer camps and swim lessons. To apply for financial assistance, the Open Doors Scholarship Application can be found on-line.

The financial assistance comes from community members, donors and fundraisers like the YMCA Run or Walk 5K event. At approximately 3.1 miles, this event not only raises money for the Open Doors program, but is also a great form of exercise. Marketing and Communications Director, Alicia Cattoni, says “We love our community so we’re encouraging people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join us. This is a great way to stay healthy, while also considering the importance of helping others because every donation goes back into the community. So bring your family, friends, and even your dog!”

Participants have the option of signing up individually or as a family, which would include two adults and any dependent children (up to six total). From now through August 1, the individual cost will be $35 and the family cost will be $75. However, from August 2 through August 14 the individual cost will be $40 and the family cost will be $85. The first 100 registrants will receive a T-shirt and goodie bag! There will also be over 20 raffle prizes, a breakfast, and live music. The race will start and end at the on-sight location of the Ventura Family YMCA and participants will be given a continental breakfast before the race begins.

Sponsors include: The Anchor Printing And Graphics Co., Union Bank, Pacific Western Bank, Barbarians, The Charles D. and Mary A. Bauer Foundation, Meridian Private Wealth Management, Inc., ProYo Frozen Yogurt, The River Community Church, Vendurance Sprots, and Ventura County Credit Union.

For more information about the YMCA Run or Walk 5K race, please contact Health and Wellness Director, Philipp Roye, at philipp.roye@ciymca.org or by calling 805.642.2131, ext. 20.

About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Ventura Family YMCA serves over 20,000 individuals annually through facility memberships, before & after school childcare, day & resident camps, youth sports, swim lessons, teen programs, and many more healthy lifestyles and community enriching programs which nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Through its’ Open Doors program, the Y ensures that no one is ever turned away due to their inability to pay and facility memberships without contracts or join fees makes the Y accessible to all. The Ventura Family YMCA is located at 3760 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003. Log on to ciymca.org/ventura.

One Step a la Vez teen program continues to provide Santa Clara Valley teens with activities, trips and classes this summer. Summer hours at the center are 1pm - 6pm Monday through Friday. Upcoming special activities for July are noted below.

Friday July 10: trip to Cal Arts
Tuesday July 14: 1pm Sketching Art Class with artist Paul Benavidez
Thursday July 16: 1pm Watercolor Art Class with artist Wana Klasen
Friday July 17: 3pm trip to Piru for 126 Film Festival Family Movie night
Tuesday July 21: Hiking Trip
Friday July 31: Six Flags Trip

Tuesdays & Thursdays in July: Art classes at 1pm
Everyday at the center: Games, ping pong, video games, computer lab, and food

If you know a teen that is itching to give back to their community this summer they can volunteer to serve at One Step's Food Share food distribution program the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Volunteers are welcomed and needed at 3pm on these Wednesdays.

Membership at the teen center is free for 13-19 year olds and trips are free to members. The teen center is located at 421 Sespe Ave in Fillmore. Space on trips is sometimes limited and youth who participate daily in the program will receive priority registration for trips. Please call 805-625-7067 for more information.

Community Memorial Health System announced that effective July 1 Blue Shield Covered California has agreed to bring a limited number of CMHS physicians into its network at Blue Shield’s standard commercial rates.

The decision to complete this network participation reflects the health system’s commitment to provide Ventura County residents access to high quality and affordable care. Blue Shield agreed to include physicians based on clinical integration criteria including: integrated electronic health record, quality, patient experience and cost leadership and participation in the Accountable Care Alliance of Ventura (ACAV) ACO. This is an important milestone as CMHS furthers its alignment with community physicians to meet the needs of their patients.

Blue Shield will take several months to add the physicians to its Exclusive Provider Network (EPN) network. For physicians already participating in the EPN at a reduced rate, Blue Shield will change their reimbursement rates as physicians renew Blue Shield contracts.

“We are grateful that the community’s support has enabled CMHS to reinvest in the community with a replacement hospital,” said Gary Wilde, CMHS President and CEO. “It is important to us that the new Community Memorial Hospital of San Buenaventura is available to all residents of Ventura County when it opens in 2016.”

For more information on CMHS payer contracts visit www.cmhshealth.org.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and twelve family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

The One Step Center is open for youth ages 13-19 to drop in from 1-6 every weekday at 421 Sespe Ave. At the OSCenter teens can fix a snack, play games (card, board, foosball, pingpong, airhockey), watch a movie, get on the computers, attend special activities, join a committee to improve the community such as improving public transit, getting better and more low income houses and providing safe, bully free spaces for all youth. Help distribute free food to the community! Also, go on enrichment trips. Membership and all events are free. Questions? Call 625-7067. Sign up by coming to the OSC and filling out an application and signing up for trips.OSCenter Open all weekdays except July 3.

Summer Special Activities and Enrichment Trips:
July
1: OSCenter open 1-6 2, Art Class with Karen Scott Browdy (1-4) 3. OSC closed for 4th of July 6. Trip to Universal Studios* 7.OSCenter open 1-6 8. Come help sort the food and distribute it to the community 9:.Trip to SP to hear artist John Nava and visit the SP art museum 3:00 **10: Trip to tour CalARts in Santa Clarita**13 ***Youth Leadership Board Meeting 3:0014. Art Class with Paul Benevidez 1-4, 15-17 OSCenter open for all activities 20. ***Youth Leadership Board Meeting 3:0021. Art Class with Paul Benevidez 1-422.Come help sort the food and distribute it to the community 23 Art Class with Karen Scott Browdy: 1-4, Field to Fork Trip 3:30-8:00**24 Santa Barbara Zoo, Beach and Museums**27 Youth Leadership Board Meeting 3:0028 Interior Designer Sarah Walker talks about her profession, 1:00Art Class with Paul Benevidez 3:30-4:3031 Six Flags*
August:
3 Youth Leadership Board Meeting 3:004 Ventura County Fair 10-7**5.OSCenter open for activities 6.Art Class 1-4 7.Paint ball* 10.Youth Leadership Board Meetng 3:00 11.OSCenter open for activities 12.First Day of School 13. Art Class 3:30-5:00 14. 126 Movie Festival at the OSCenter
Future event: Dodger Game October 23
*Must be among the top 10 youth who have participated in the most activities.
**Must be signed up ahead of time and have permission slip (unless 18 or older)
*** CommUnity Leadership Institute in Santa Barbara from July 12-July 18. Must be signed up by May 1.

Community Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary awarded Michelle Pablo, member of the hospital’s Junior Volunteer program who plans to pursue a career in healthcare, with scholarships totaling $1,200 from its Maria Cavallo Scholarship Fund.

Pablo was awarded the scholarship by Gary Wilde, CEO and President of Community Memorial Health System. She started her volunteer service in September 2012, working 269 hours CMH’s pharmacy. In addition to her CMH service, she is dedicated to Foothill Technology High School’s KIWIN’s club, a Kiwanis-sponsored school community service organization that focuses on helping in the community, school and home. She organized activities such as KIWIN’s Relay for Life, beach cleanup and other local service events. Pablo also participated on Foothill Tech’s speech team and helped as an English tutor as well.

Pablo’s sport of choice is roller skating, spending 13 years as a competitive roller-skater. She has won state and regional championships and is an instructor at Skating Plus in Ventura. Additionally, she won branch honors through the Music Teachers of California, studying piano for nine years. Michele graduated with a 4.5 GPA and as a member of her school’s National Honor Society. Her career goal is to become a physician specializing as an anesthesiologist or neurologist. Michelle has been accepted at UC San Diego with a projected major of human biology.

The Auxiliary annually honors one or more of its junior volunteers, a graduating high school senior, with the scholarship. Recipients must have served at least 100 hours in the Auxiliary, maintained a grade-point average of 3.50 or better in high school and plan to attend an accredited college with the goal of pursuing a healthcare career, such as a physician, nurse, physical therapist or pharmacist.
Maria Cavallo’s family established the fund in memory of the 15,000 hours Cavallo gave as a CMH Auxiliary member. Contributions to the fund are made throughout the year from auxiliary members, CMH employees and the public. Gifts may be a donation, or a gift provided in memory or in honor of anyone the donor wishes to remember.

To donate, call the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation office at 805-667-2881. Application forms to apply for both Auxiliary and the Juniors program are available at Community Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary front desk.

Community Memorial Hospital is a member of Community Memorial Health System, a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and 12 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

On Sunday, July 5, kids and grown-ups can plant a variety of fall crops in a mini greenhouse. Seeds will sprout on a window sill or in any sunny spot. A light misting every few days will keep them growing. When 2 – 3 leaves sprout, they will be ready to transplant into pots or right into your garden bed. Choose from crops such as cucumbers, beans, carrots, beets, winter squash, beneficial flowers, and more. While you’re here, visit our drought tolerant demonstration garden and garden beds. Admission is free all day, with greenhouse planting from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. All ages are welcome.

Also on July 5, booksigning with Fillmore author Evie Ybarra of her book “Legendary Locals of Fillmore,” a new local history book that reveals the intriguing characters and everyday citizens who shaped Fillmore’s character. Legendary Locals of Fillmore shares the stories of unique individuals and groups, past and present, who have had a lasting impact on the community throughout its history.

Since its beginning as a Southern Pacific Railroad town 100 years ago, Fillmore has been the setting of many legends and true tales, like the St. Francis Dam disaster, the 1994 earthquake, and the Hollywood film shoots.

For further information please contact: Stefanie Davis, director of marketing, at (805) 653-0323, x303 or sdavis@venturamuseum.org

The Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Ave. in Santa Paula. Hours are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Admission is $5.00 Adults (18 years & older) $3.00 Seniors (65 and older), Students & AAA members with ID, $1.00 Children (17-6 years old) Children 5 years old & younger are FREE. The first Sunday of every month are free general admission for the public. For more information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

Ventura, CA - The Valley Express is offering a special free and extended service on Independence Day to help residents and travelers celebrate the holiday.

The Valley Express will run from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will include all three service areas: Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru. Service will be free all day.

The special holiday service will allow residents to travel between Piru and Fillmore for the Sespe Creek Car Show and the City of Fillmore fireworks show, and also to Harding Park in Santa Paula from designated parking lots for that City’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular event.

“We’re happy to provide this safe, reliable transportation option so people can focus on enjoying themselves during the holiday,” said Ginger Gherardi of the Santa Paula City Council. “The buses are free and timed to get people home after the big fireworks show.”

The special service schedules will be available online, onboard the buses, and at pass sales outlets, including the Santa Paula and Fillmore City Halls, MV Transportation Office (810 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula), and the VCTC office (950 County Square Dr. #108, Ventura).

If there are any further questions regarding this service please call (800) 438-1112 or visit www.valleyexpressbus.org.

Jonathan Hersholt

PORTERVILLE, CA – Bank of the Sierra recently named Jonathan Hersholt as Vice President Senior Commercial Loan Officer of its Santa Clarita branch. In his new position, Hersholt will develop and manage commercial loan accounts, identify and analyze potential loan markets to develop prospects, promote and cross-sell bank products and services.

“We’re excited to have Jonathan Hersholt recently join the Southern California region of Bank of the Sierra. Jonathan brings with him over twenty five years of experience in commercial banking and lending that will allow us to quickly grow our market share in the Santa Clarita market,” stated David Azma, Market President. “Jonathan recently joined us from City National Bank, where he was a Senior Business Banking Relationship Manager for the San Fernando Valley market. We are expecting great things from Jonathan in his new position as our Senior Commercial Loan Officer,” continued Azma.

Bank of the Sierra (www.bankofthesierra.com) is in its 38th year of operations, and at $1.7 billion in assets is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. The Company has over 400 employees and conducts business through 28 branch offices, an online branch, a real estate industries center, and an agricultural credit center.

Edvart Warzhapetian

PORTERVILLE, CA – Bank of the Sierra recently named Edvart Warzhapetian as Vice President Senior Commercial Loan Officer of its Santa Clarita branch. In his new position, Warzhapetian will meet with prospective clients to cultivate banking relationships, including developing and managing commercial loan accounts along with other financial products and services, as well as identify and analyze potential loan markets to develop prospects for commercial loans.

Warzhapetian attended Los Angeles Valley College and received an Associate of Arts in Business Administration and continued on at California State University Northridge to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Finance.

“We’re excited to have Edvart Warzhapetian join the commercial banking team of Bank of the Sierra in the Santa Clarita market. Edvart’s professionalism and commitment to excellence along with his extensive experience in business banking will help Bank of the Sierra to quickly grow its share of the Santa Clarita’s business banking market,” stated David Azma, Market President. “Edvart recently joined us from JP Morgan Chase, where he enjoyed a successful career as a Relationship Manager for the San Fernando Valley market. Congratulations to Edvart Warzhapetian in his new position as our Senior Commercial Loan Officer,” continued Azma.

Bank of the Sierra (www.bankofthesierra.com) is in its 38th year of operations, and at $1.7 billion in assets is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. The Company has over 400 employees and conducts business through 28 branch offices, an online branch, a real estate industries center, and an agricultural credit center.

As the County’s only non-profit Home Health and Hospice provider, we support the total well-being of our community. As part of our services, we host free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following:

Special Classes/Events

• Ojai: Peace Beyond Losses on Wednesday, July 15 from 1-2:30 pm at Ojai’s Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office at 202-A Cañada Street, Ojai. Brock Travis, PhD, teaches guidance and support through life changes. Solutions to problems and answers to questions for finding serenity and fulfillment once again following bereavement. More information at (805) 642-0239.

Social Services/Bereavement Groups

• Ojai: Caregiver Support Group Monday, July 6th and 20th from 10:00 am – 11:30 am at Continuous Care Center, Fireside Room, 1306 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai (behind Ojai Valley Community Hospital). Find encouragement and hope during your time as a caregiver. Share, listen and explore thoughts and feelings about the struggles, losses and successes of caring for your loved one. For more information call (805) 633-9056.

• Ojai: Adult Bereavement Support Group July 7th and 21st (2nd & 4th Tuesdays) 10:30-Noon at Help of Ojai, West Campus 370 Baldwin Rd., Ojai. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email griefinfo@livingstonvna.org.

• Oxnard: Adult Bereavement Support Group on Wednesdays July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 3:00-4:30pm at First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Dr, Oxnard. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email griefinfo@livingstonvna.org.

• Ventura: CONTINUED »

Ventura, CA - The 2015 WIB Awards were presented at the annual meeting of the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Ventura County on June 18 at the Ventura County Office of Education. The annual awards program recognizes individuals, employers, organizations and partnerships for extraordinary work or volunteer efforts to advance workforce development in the Ventura County region.

“The WIB Award winners leverage workplace, partnership and networking opportunities to support work experience, training and career advancement that benefit employers and job seekers,” says Cheryl Moore, executive director of the WIB. “The award recipients are making a real contribution to the strength and competitiveness of the Ventura County workforce.”

WIB Youth Opportunity Award
The WIB Youth Opportunity Award goes to two organizations for providing internships or employment opportunities that help to grow and strengthen Ventura County's future workforce. One recipient is Douglas Wood, general manager at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach. For over a decade, the hotel has welcomed more than 200 high school juniors and seniors from the Ventura Unified School District for one-month summer school internships. Students are given hands-on work opportunities in all phases of hotel management and are paired with Crowne Plaza mentors.

“Students benefit from real-life experiences and get a chance to see if hospitality is something that resonates with them,” says Wood. “While helping students, the internship program also helps our hotel to cultivate a workforce for the hospitality sector, which is one of the top three revenue-generating industries in the county. Through the program, we have hired full-time associates and part-time summer associates.”

Also receiving the WIB Youth Opportunity Award are Ralph Imondi and Linda Santschi, co-founders and scientific directors at Coastal Marine Biolabs (CMB) in Ventura Harbor. For more than nine years, the organization has engaged Ventura County high school students in an authentic research environment. Under the guidance of Imondi and Santschi, students gain an appreciation for the daily practice of science and contribute real data to the scientific community. Through national funding support, students are able to participate in research-based educational programs at no charge. CMB also makes innovative technology resources and training available to teachers to help them better prepare their students for life science careers.

“To participate productively in the 21st century scientific workforce, students will need to be conversant in a universal scientific language that bridges multiple life science domains,” says Santschi. “CMB’s programs are inherently multidisciplinary in scope, introducing students to scientific issues, concepts and methodologies with a level of depth and rigor that cannot be replicated in traditional learning settings.”
WIB Collaborative Action Award

The WIB Collaborative Action Award is for partnerships that help to meet employer needs, improve the relevance and capacity of education and workforce training and/or support business retention in Ventura County. There are four award recipients this year.

Tiffany Morse, Ph.D., director of career and technical education with the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo, has facilitated collaboration across multiple school districts, adult education and community colleges through the California Career Pathways Trust Grant initiative. “VC Innovates represents an unprecedented collaboration countywide to connect employers, education and the community to advance workforce education,” says Morse. “It has been a privilege to work with so many different organizations towards the same goal and to see that work rewarded with another $10 million investment from the state to expand and enhance our efforts.”

The WIB Collaborative Action Award also goes to biotechnology professor Subhash Karkare, Ph.D., at Moorpark College, Bill Pratt, vice-president of operations at Kinamed, Inc. in Camarillo and manufacturing technology professor Scot Rabe at Ventura College. The trio are recognized for their collaborative problem solving and long-term commitment to developing a two-campus Biomedical Device Manufacturing Certificate of Achievement program for Ventura County.

“The Biomedical Device Manufacturing Certificate provides students with an entry point to mid-level skilled positions in the medical device industry,” says Pratt. “These roles integrate the hands-on world with the intellectual disciplines required to maintain control and quality in the manufacturing environment. Similar programs recently instituted in other community college districts are graduating students into full-time employment after about two years of study.”

WIB Champion for Prosperity Award
The WIB Champion for Prosperity Award is presented to an individual or organization for supporting workforce development in Ventura County through job creation, job retention and business expansion or attraction.

This year, the award recognizes Tejas Patel, president of Laksh, Inc. in Camarillo. Already employing more than 30 workers, the full-service trucking company also has plans for growth. Since 2013, the company has worked with the America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) to offer opportunities to seven trainees. Trainees have moved forward in their careers and now have roles such as dispatcher, human resources recruiter and vehicle maintenance coordinator at the company.

“My experience with WIB-funded training is very positive,” says Patel. “The AJCC staff response to our needs has been excellent. We absolutely will use the program again.”

WIB Leadership Award
The WIB Leadership Award provides special recognition for a role model whose efforts and accomplishments embody the spirit and purpose of workforce development in Ventura County. Manuel Vega, CEO of Anacapa Water Blasting, Inc. in Oxnard, is this year’s award recipient. The company accesses WIB-funded training to help support workforce development, and Vega has helped to spread the word to other employers. Because of his endorsement, five other companies now successfully use WIB-sponsored employee training programs.

“The WIB program is a diamond in the rough for the small business person struggling to find quality employees. With the training funds, we have been able to develop several great long-term employees,” says Vega. “The WIB program provides the needed means to help both the employer and employee through the “learning curve” cycle.”

Members of the WIB are appointed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and include leaders from business, economic development, education, labor, government and community-based organizations.

About the Workforce Investment Board
The Workforce Investment Board administers federal funds that help to support America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) locations and other free job seeker, youth, and employer programs and services in Ventura County. For more information, visit www.wib.ventura.org.

The Tourism Bureau focuses on attracting tourists into the Valley, reaching between the communities of Valencia and Ventura along the Highway 126 corridor. They advertise the Valley as a fun and safe place to bring your friends and family and enjoy all year long. They promote the local events and work along side by side with the leaders in the communities of Piru, Fillmore and Santa Paula. They also work with tourist leaders at the City of Santa Clarita Tourism Division, Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau and the California Welcome Center in Oxnard. Board meetings are open to the public as they are welcome to participate. To become a member give us a call at (805)524-7500 or visit our facebook page.

The Ventura County government is the second-largest employer in the county—after the US military—with more than 8,000 people working in numerous locations. County employees work as lawyers, firefighters, administrative assistants, forensic specialists, nurses, public-safety officers, groundskeepers, veterinarians, human resources personnel and just about any other profession you can name. So what does it take to get hired into this huge workforce?

The 2014-2015 Ventura County Grand Jury received a public complaint about the county’s recruiting/hiring/promoting processes. Of particular interest were applicant screening, testing and interviewing procedures, which the complaint alleged could hamper selecting the best employees. Why don’t hiring department’s key staffers get to review applications of potential hires, instead of just human resources personnel? Why are persons who serve on a rating panel for applicants taking civil service exams told not to ask or answer any questions not on a preapproved list? Why can’t a “subject matter expert” who helps write exam questions also serve as a rater?

The grand jury investigated by gathering information from the county’s personnel rules and regulations, interviewing county personnel, studying county webpages, performing general Internet research and reading news articles.

The grand jury learned the following key facts:
• The county’s 28 organizational entities have highly specialized personnel needs, from police officers to children’s services experts, as well as more general needs, for example, administrative assistants.
• A Human Resources Division consisting of more than 125 staff members provides services from a central location or from satellite units within agencies located elsewhere. They have wide-ranging responsibilities. Hiring and promotion alone involve at least 15 strictly defined and consistent steps; among them are assigning job classifications and salary ranges, recruiting and screening applications, overseeing interviews and doing background checks.
• Personnel rules and regulations adopted by the county’s Board of Supervisors govern every aspect of recruiting, hiring and promoting county employees. Many of these rules aim to make sure that personnel processes are fair and candidates compete on an even playing field. The county regularly updates its Equal Employment Opportunity plan, which includes activities to recruit applicants from among diverse cultural groups and women.
• Nationwide, the number of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filings alleging employment discrimination averages about 90,000 yearly and is trending upward.
• The Human Resources Division works to enhance its operations through setting goals, identifying tactics, using a respected process-improvement methodology (Lean Six Sigma) and sharing best practices.
The grand jury found that:
• The Human Resources Division is well organized to carry out its complex and demanding recruiting and hiring functions.
• The county’s tightly structured recruiting/hiring/promoting process is intended to avoid the fact and appearance of bias and preclude legal actions based on charges of discrimination. The process sometimes results in by-passing well-qualified candidates.
• The Human Resources Division has applied continuous process-improvement methods to some steps of recruiting and hiring with impressive success.
The grand jury’s final report makes two main recommendations to the Board of Supervisors:
• Direct the Human Resources Division to review the current restrictive recruiting/hiring procedures with the aim of discovering other fair and legally tenable applicant-filtering techniques.
• Direct the Human Resources Division to expand its use of Lean Six Sigma methodology to analyze additional parts of the recruiting/hiring/promoting process.
The complete report may be accessed at www.ventura.org/grand-jury; click on the Annual Reports tab and consult “Fiscal Year 2014-2015.”