Latest news with #CalWORKs
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California ‘SUN Bucks' program will feed millions of children over summer break
Millions of children across California will receive 'SUN Bucks' to purchase food during the summer school break. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, announced the return of the food program that is expected to help feed over 4 million eligible California children. The Sun Bucks EBT cards can be used to purchase groceries starting in June, and each eligible child will receive $120, state officials said. 'It's absolutely essential that no kid in California go hungry – especially during the summer months when school meals aren't available,' Newson said. 'We're proud to administer the SUN Bucks program and lead the nation in beating childhood hunger.' Most children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, and/or Medi-Cal benefits (certified at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level), are automatically enrolled. Children in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or attending Head Start are also categorically eligible and are automatically enrolled. Children who are not determined to be automatically eligible may apply by submitting a school meal application or to their school or school administrator's office by Sept. 1, to receive SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2025. 'We're excited to see SUN Bucks return for the summer of 2025,' said Jennifer Troia, California Department of Social Services director. 'Last year, this program not only helped put food on the table for millions of California families, but it also bolstered local economies where food benefits were spent.' Per federal rules, funds must be used within 122 days of funds being added to the card. Any unused funds on the card will expire after 122 days. Expired benefits cannot be replaced. California was one of the first states in the nation to launch SUN Bucks in the summer of 2024. In its first year, nearly $500 million in food purchases were made and the families and caregivers of more than 4.3 million California children activated their SUN Bucks cards. Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@ Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: California SUN Bucks EBT cards to feed millions of kids in summer 2025
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Kern County Supervisors were not informed of ongoing EBT theft by District Attorney's office
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. KGET) — A month after discovering Kern County EBT beneficiaries had been losing millions to theft, 17 News and the community, had yet to hear from county supervisors on this topic until District 3 Supervisor Jeff Flores confirmed supervisors were not made aware of the thefts. 'I have been notified actually through the press, in the great work of [17 News] covering these stories,' said Flores. Kern County In Depth: Millions in EBT cash benefits stolen The thefts have been going on for years with millions being stolen, but law enforcement had not mentioned it to members of the Kern County Board of Supervisors. 'I've not been notified by the DA on this specific amounts in Kern County, or EBT fraud,' Flores said. 'I am periodically updated by the DA on a number of crime issues, enforcement issues, things in my district, but not on EBT yet.' Flores assumed office on January 2, 2023. EBT theft ramped up years before that, during the pandemic. Since July 2021, over $439 million in benefits were stolen statewide. In the last two years, around 22,000 theft reports were made in Kern County, but arrests started being made only this November, resulting in three cases involving five Romanian nationals. Kern County District Attorney warns of EBT fraud after millions in benefits lost Supervisor Flores says there are things the county can do. 'In terms of strengthening the sanctions, that's one way my serve on the Legislative Committee for the county along with my colleagues, and we're tasked with improving, managing our legislative platform, weighing in on bills in Sacramento,' Flores said. Though county supervisors do not manage state programs like CalWORKs or CalFresh, Flores says it's important to talk about this. 'These people are living check to check, card to card, for basic needs,' he said. 'For food, for medicine, for gasoline, and so it hurts the most vulnerable.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Flores also wants to bring the EBT thieves and scammers to justice. 'I'm all for the maximum amount of sanction to prosecute these people to the fullest extent to the law,' he said. 'If those need to be changed and strengthened, I'm also for that as well.' To learn more about how to keep your EBT benefits safe, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newsom issues executive order increasing access to benefits for wildfire survivors
SACRAMENTO - Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday issued an executive order increasing access to benefits for those impacted by the deadly wildfires that scorched swaths of Southern California earlier in the year. The order – officially titled Executive Order N-21-25 – ensures that survivors of the fires who received charitable donations or other contributions such as food, clothes or shelter are not disqualified from also receiving support from CalWORKs. The executive order also eases legal requirements for public schools and students displaced due to the fires. Newsom's order specifically suspends sections of the California Welfare and Institutions Code and the California Department of Social Services Manual of Policies and Procedures for CalWORKS applicants and recipients that were directly impacted by the fires, and extends deadlines for local schools affected by the blazes to obtain approval for their independent study programs and to review their annual audits. Additionally, classroom-based charter schools that were forced to shift to independent study programs due to the fires will not have to submit funding determinations for the 2024-25 school year, according to the executive order. "Survivors of the LA wildfires should be focused on recovering and rebuilding, not caught up by red tape while trying to attend school or fighting to retain state assistance because they received a donation of clothes from a neighbor," Newsom said. "My administration is dedicated to making the process of getting life back on track as smooth and simple as possible." The backstory Beginning Jan. 7, a series of wildfires sparked in the Greater Los Angeles area. Spurred by drought conditions and Santa Ana winds, the blazes ultimately destroyed more than 18,000 buildings, blackened over 57,000 acres and killed 29 people. The Palisades and Eaton fires were among the most destructive wildfires in California's history. The Source Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sierra College Welcomes Anabel Toche as Executive Dean of Student Equity and Completion
New Executive Dean to Champion Student Success and Equity initiatives ROCKLIN, Calif., Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sierra College is proud to announce the appointment of Anabel Toche as the new Executive Dean of Student Equity and Completion. In this role, Toche will lead initiatives to ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed and graduate."We are thrilled to welcome Anabel Toche to Sierra College," said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. "Her extensive experience and deep commitment to equity align seamlessly with our mission of fostering a culture of belonging and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. We look forward to the positive impact she will bring to our college community." With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, Anabel Toche is a dedicated advocate for equity and student success. Most recently, Toche served as the Dean of Student Success, Institutional Effectiveness at Yuba College. As a Latina and a first-generation college graduate from a low-income immigrant family, she brings a unique and valuable perspective to this leadership role. Anabel holds a bachelor's degree in leadership studies from Cal Poly Humboldt and an MBA from Southern Oregon University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at UC the Executive Dean of Student Equity and Completion, Toche will work with campus and community partners to create an inclusive environment that supports Sierra College's diverse student population while implementing strategies to help students achieve their educational goals more efficiently. "I am honored to join Sierra College and excited to work alongside dedicated faculty, staff, students, and the campus community to advance equity and student success initiatives," said Toche. "I look forward to building on Sierra College's strong foundation and collaborating with the campus community and the broader community to foster a culture where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their educational goals." Throughout her distinguished career, Toche has demonstrated a profound commitment to creating transformative student success programs. Her extensive experience includes overseeing initiatives such as EOPS/CARE/NextUp, CalWORKs, TRIO programs, MESA, and the Puente Project. She has also championed efforts supporting LGBTQ+, DREAMer, and AANHPI students, consistently prioritizing holistic student support, culturally responsive practices, and the dismantling of systemic barriers to equity and access. "Anabel's leadership philosophy, 'Think Student and Then Decide,' underscores her student-centered approach to decision-making," said Duncan. "Her collaborative work with faculty, institutional research teams, and campus stakeholders has yielded measurable outcomes in closing equity gaps and enhancing student engagement. Additionally, her expertise in budget management and program assessment has been instrumental in driving sustainable, impactful change." About Sierra College Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sierra College Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
EBT card cloning in Kern County on the rise as Romanian gangs hit ATMs nationwide
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — EBT card cloning has been a major problem for years and more than $6.8 million in benefits were stolen 2024 alone in Kern County. Only $15 thousand were recovered. In the county, 19,374 people receive benefits from the CalWORKs program, better known as cash aid, and 69,447 get CalFresh, better known as Food Stamps. Combined, there are 88,821 recipients, but that may include some who receive benefits from both. In 2024 alone the Department of Human Services received 10,039 reports of stolen added up to $6,832,990 dollars in stolen benefits. Woman arrested after taking down US flag, raising Mexican flag at Hart Park: Kern County Sheriff's Office The thefts come as the United States is flooded with reports of organized Romanian gangs hitting ATM's from coast to coast. Human Services reported receiving about 22,000 reports of stolen benefits in 2023 and the District Attorney's office says it is prosecuting only two cases of that 22-thousand. One of those is the case of 22-year-old Fernando Stantu, a Romanian allegedly busted with that $15,702, 48 cloned cards and a skimming device. Stantu's case is similar to that of 34-year-old Norbert Karaba, also from Romania. He was arrested at a southwest Bakersfield bank while allegedly withdrawing money from an ATM. He was found with 78 cloned EBT cards and over $63,000 in cash. The cash came from ATM withdrawals using the cloned cards, one right after another, 75 withdrawals total all between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Jan. 2. Both Romanian men said they're transients, but the District Attorney's office refused to confirm if the two men were working together. 'I had all the inspiration I needed right there': Kern County firefighter battling cancer touched by fellow firefighters' gesture Both men are out on bail. Those aren't the only two ATM cases involving Romanian nationals. In March 2023, two Romanians were arrested for allegedly placing a skimmer on a terminal in Arvin. They were charged with felonies, but then failed to appear in court and warrants have been issued for their arrests. Although the District Attorney's Office issued a release on January about the arrest of Karaba, the scope of the thefts was not disclosed to the public until KGET began getting calls Monday from concerned crime victims. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
