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Peter V. Lee, center left, is joined by representatives from statewide organizations receiving funding Affordable Care Act outreach and education programs. These groups include the Pacific American Legal Center; California Black Health Network; California State University-Los Angeles-University Auxiliary Services; Community Health Councils; SEIU Local Majority and Vision y Compromiso.

LOS ANGELES, CA — California was the first state to create a health benefit exchange following the passage of the federal health care law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obama Care).  ‘Covered California’ (www.CoveredCA.com) is an independent part of state government charged with creating a new health ins

urance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to health insurance; and to make the market work for California consumers.  It operates under the leadership of a five-member board appointed by the Governor and Legislature.

‘Covered California’ has announced $37 million in grants to 48 lead organizations to conduct outreach and education programs on how, starting in 2014, Californians c

an access affordable health care coverage under the federal. The lead organizations will be supported by 226 subcontracting entities. “We are excited to build on our partnerships with organizations that have trusted relationships in diverse communities throughout the state,” said Peter V. Lee, Executive Director of Covered California.

His organization is seeking to strengthen their efforts to make certain Californians are aware of and enrolled in the new health insurance options this fall for coverage beg

inning Jan. 1, 2014. The efforts will inform the public about the new benefits, educate them about available programs, and motivate consumers and small businesses to obtain health insurance. Outreach activities are expected to reach nearly 9 million individuals and over 200,000 small businesses in 58 counties, primarily focused on connecting with 5.3 million Californians needing individual insurance, including almost 3 million of whom may be eligible for premium financial assistance.

Covered California is deve

loping educational partnerships that anchor outreach and education programs in actual targeted communities where likely enrollees live, work, pray, shop, and play; and are therefore both economically and ethnically targeted:  The state’s large Latino community is the focus of 37 outreach and education grants; with the next highest number of those in need of potential subsidies being Caucasians (24 grants); followed by Black and African Americans (32 grants); the Middle-Eastern community (11 grants).  20 grants outreach to Asian-Pacific Islander communities with targeted sub-contracts: Vietnamese (19); Chinese (18); Filipinos (18); Koreans (16); Hmong (11); Laotians (9); Japanese (8); and Cambodians (8).  All

grant specifics are available online at www.hbex.ca.gov.

“We see an outpouring of interest from groups across the state who want to be part of increasing the number of Californians with health insurance, improve the quality of health care, reduce health care coverage costs and ensure California’s diverse population has fair and equal access to quality health coverage,” added Lee.

Organizations tha

t did not receive a grant are encouraged to become part of Covered California’s Community Outreach Network by applying to become Assister Enrollment Entities under the Covered California Assisters Program; and will be trained, certified, and in many cases paid by Covered California to provide in-person enrollment assistance.  Covered California’s board allocated $43 million of its federal funding to organizations that can reach all eligible Californians: $34 million for community outreach; $3 million for business outreach with the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP); and $6 million to support successful outreach and education strategies in 2014.

Covered California will help individuals compare and choose a health plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Federal financial subsidies will be available to help lower costs for people on a sliding scale. Small businesses will be able to purchase competitively priced health plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans, and will be eligible for federal tax credits.

Pacesetters Drum Squad

SAN BERNARDINO, CA– The award-winning San Bernardino Pacesetters Drum Squad led the procession of the proud high school graduates who were the honorees at the well-attended 2013 Inland Empire Alliance of Black School Educators’ Graduation and Scholarship Recognition Ceremony held Friday, May 3, 2013, at the San Manuel Events Center, at California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB).  The Pacesetters Drum Squad is as renowned for their intricate and complex beats as are the Pacesetters Drill team for their outstanding moves. Their shirts say it all as the group, led by Jo Ann Parker and Kelly Graham, believes in “Excellence, Discipline, and Pride.”  Shown here at the front of the drum line are Traquise Martin, left, and Andre Jackson, right, who is a current freshman at CSUSB. Directly behind Traquise is Harith Martin, and Kaijah Thompkins brings up the left flank rear and is unseen.  Behind Andre on the right are Jayden Kelly and Davonnie Martin. Photo by John Coleman, CP Times ©2013)

Pictured here with Rhea McIver, Principal of Werner Elementary School for the Rialto Unified School District, are the talented young men who shared their essays and oratorical skills in this year’s Sixth Annual Oratorical and Essay Contest sponsored by SHAD Club #62; left to right: DeShawn Redden, Maxwell Row, Scean Mustin, and Joshual Jackson.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA– SHAD CLUB # 62 hosted its 6st Annual Oratorical and Essay

Contest on Sunday April 21, 2013 at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. The contest featured four young men competing for a top prize of $500. This year’s theme was “Do Not Judge Each Day by the Crops you Reap, But by the Seeds you Sow.”                 The contest is sponsored to give young men in the community an opportunity to showcase their talents in research, composition and public speaking. The contest allows participants to deliver their own words on the chosen theme, and then to recite an original or famous literary piece. In addition to the cash prizes, the winner of the contest received the Samuel Jackson Memorial Plaque. Mr. Jackson was a noted businessman and community activist in the San Bernardino Area.

SHAD Club # 62 is affiliated with the Gamma Omega Chapter of Eta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. SHADS are the husbands of active members of the sorority. The stated mission of the SHADS is to “be positive role models to young men” in our area. During the year, the SHADS sponsor or support other civic organizations outreach to youth in our area. (Photos and story courtesy A. Bell)

SHAD Club President Anthony Bell (back row-fourth from left) presented the 2013 winning plaque and cash award to DeShawn Redden (center front), whose stated career goal is to be a teacher and to be active in the community. He has already demonstrated community support by helping to mentor young disadvantaged children. DeShawn was joined by Mrs. Faye Jackson, (center) wife of Mr. Samuel Jackson in whose memory the plaque is given. They are surrounded by other members of SHAD Club #62 including Vice President Bobby Magby 1, who stands beside Mrs. Jackson on the right.

Professor Audrey Matthews

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Audrey Mathews, professor emerita at California State University, San Bernardino, received the Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Public Service by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) during their annual conference in New Orleans in March.  The organization honored Mathews for dedicating more than 35 years to public service in local and state governments as a professor, budget director, planning commissioner and consultant.

“Professor Mathews is a role model for all of us for her outstanding commitment to public service through higher education and government,” said CSUSB President Tomás Morales. “The university community is proud of her accomplishments and remarkable dedication.”

“I am grateful and humbled that I would even be considered in the same category of those who have been recognized for this award before me,” Mathews said.

“I have dedicated my life to helping those in need in the communities where I live, work and play, never thinking my life’s dedication to the public service as something remarkable,” she said. “I’m just doing what I was born to do: mentor and provide a helping hand to those in need of my services.”

Mathews taught full time in CSUSB’s College of Business and Public Administration from 1996 to 2006, developing curriculum on diversity management, economic development, and budget and finance. She currently teaches courses on diversity in public organizations and organizational roles in multicultural societies as the CEO of Mathews and Associates, her consulting firm based in Los Angeles.

A 2007 National Academy of Public Administration Fellow, Matthews has also written numerous chapters in textbooks, journal articles and technical reports on topics of diversity, mentoring and urban governance. Professor Mathews received her doctor of public administration from the University of Southern California and a master of public administration from California State University, Northridge.

“I am so impressed with the ongoing dedication and commitment of Dr. Mathews to public service,” said Jonathan Anderson, chair of CSUSB’s public administration department.  “From her years of service as CSUSB faculty, including chair of the department of public administration, to her ongoing positions as a member of the San Bernardino County’s Planning Commission and Workforce Investment Board, Audrey is an outstanding public manager who continues to contribute to the San Bernardino community,” he added.