President Obama is declaring January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. “We stand with all those who are held in compelled service,” Obama wrote in a proclamation issued today. “We recognize the people, organizations and government entities that are working to combat human trafficking; and we recommit to bringing an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse.”

Obama wrote that “trafficking networks operate both domestically and trans-nationally, and although abuses disproportionally affect women and girls, the victims of this ongoing global tragedy are men, women and children of all ages.”

In declaring National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Obama noted that Jan. 1 is the 148th anniversary of the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation. Obama’s full proclamation:

“Nearly a century and a half ago, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation — a document that reaffirmed the noble goals of equality and freedom for all that lie at the heart of what it means to live in America. In the years since, we have tirelessly pursued the realization and protection of these essential principles. Yet, despite our successes, thousands of individuals living in the United States and still more abroad suffer in silence under the intolerable yoke of modern slavery. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we stand with all those who are held in compelled service; we recognize the people, organizations and government entities that are working to combat human trafficking; and we recommit to bringing an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse. Human trafficking endangers the lives of millions of people around the world, and it is a crime that knows no borders.

“Trafficking networks operate both domestically and transnationally, and although abuses disproportionally affect women and girls, the victims of this ongoing global tragedy are men, women and children of all ages. Around the world, we are monitoring the progress of governments in combating trafficking while supporting programs aimed at its eradication. From forced labor and debt bondage to forced commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude, human trafficking leaves no country untouched. With this knowledge, we rededicate ourselves to forging robust international partnerships that strengthen global anti-trafficking efforts, and to confronting traffickers here at home. My administration continues to implement our comprehensive strategy to combat human trafficking in America. By coordinating our response across federal agencies, we are working to protect victims of human trafficking with effective services and support, prosecute traffickers through consistent enforcement, and prevent human rights abuses by furthering public awareness and addressing the root causes of modern slavery. The steadfast defense of human rights is an essential part of our national identity, and as long as individuals suffer the violence of slavery and human trafficking, we must continue the fight. With the start of each year, we commemorate the anniversaries of the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery, which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and submitted to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. These documents stand as testaments to the gains we have made in pursuit of freedom and justice for all, and they remind us of the work that remains to be done. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, and in cooperation with our partners around the world, we can work to end this terrible injustice and protect the rights to life and liberty entrusted to us by our forebears and owed to our children.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2012 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.”

www.ktvu.com/videos/news/palo-alto-local-incidents-inspire-law-to-curb/vFZx2/

http://networkedblogs.com/ljdZE

Kelly Martinez’ husband, Raul, has spoken at legislative hearings for the past two years, and has helped a great deal to have this and our previous perinatal depression bill pass. We received the following message from Raul:

“Thank you all so much for your efforts. Words can’t describe how much this means to our family. Thank you. Raul”

Thank you to everyone for your efforts in supporting the passage of ACR53– another success in addressing the needs of people who may suffer from perinatal depression.

To see the latest photos of our delegates and legislators recognizing ACR 53, view the links below:

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1ZDyeBajEUJRMnrP7Kpa07F-ExT_R7XA8UUkffAwx-Vw

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1ZDyeBajEUJRMnrP7Kpa07F-ExT_R7XA8UUkffAwx-Vw

http://laperinatalmentalhealth.com/news-events-2/

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.226518940697388.76165.125339114148705

Perinatal Depression Awareness PSA

AB 839 “Breakfast First” is gaining momentum . . . and press coverage!  Click this link to read the April 21st article in the Monterey County Weekly:  http://mcweekly.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/2011/apr/21/building-breakfast/

Health

AB 137 Health Care Coverage: Mammographies (Portantino)

AB 395 Newborn Screening Program (Pan)

AB 581 Public Health Food Initiative (John A. Pérez)

SB 255 Breast Cancer Surgery (Pavley)

SB 36 County Health Matching Funds (Simitian)

Family Support

AB 181 Foster Youth Mental Health Bill of Rights (Portantino)

AB 194 Public Higher Education: Priority Enrollment Foster Youth (Beall)

AB 212 Fostering Connections to Success Act (Beall)

SB 299 Employment Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave (Evans)

SB 33 Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse (Simitian)

Education

AB 123 School Safety:  Disruption Threatening Pupil’s Immediate Physical Safety (Mendoza)

AB 25 Athletics: Concussions and Injuries (Hayashi)

Violence Prevention

AB 12 Abolition of Child Commerce, Exploitation, and Sexual Slavery Act of 2011 (Swanson)

AB 322 Forensic Evidence: Rape Kits (Portantino)

AB 545 Domestic Violence: Corporal Injury (John A. Pérez)

AB 588 Tenancy: Victims of Domestic Violence (V. Manuel Pérez)

AB 630 Public Safety: Bullying (Hueso)

AB 799 Commercially Sexually Exploited Minors (Swanson)

SB 557 Family Justice Centers (Kehoe)

SB 723 Restraining Orders (Pavley)

 SPAC will convene again in Sacramento on April 30^th and May 1^st for their annual Spring Conference where the bills that the SPAC sub-committees are currently watching will be discussed.

Existing law requires each school district or county superintendent of schools maintaining any kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, to provide for each needy pupil one nutritionally adequate free or reduced-price meal during each school day. Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that the Federal School Breakfast Program be made available in all schools where it is needed to provide adequate nutrition for children in attendance. Existing law requires the State Department of Education to, in cooperation with school districts and county superintendents of schools, provide information and limited financial assistance to encourage school breakfast program startup and expansion into all qualified schools. Existing law encourages school districts and charter schools that do not operate school breakfast programs to apply for funding to establish breakfast programs using funds appropriated for this purpose in the annual Budget Act.

This bill would state findings and declarations regarding the importance of breakfast to the achievement of pupils. This bill would require school districts to undertake specific actions to increase access to the federal School Breakfast Program. The bill would require school districts to submit a report to the State Department of Education on each noncharter, public school site within the district that did not operate a federal School Breakfast Program in the previous school year,  hear and discuss the report at two school district board meetings, and adopt a resolution for submission to the department that indicates which school sites will continue not to operate the program and articulates the reason for continued nonoperation, and which school sites will begin to operate the program and provides a timeline for implementation of the program.

The bill would also require school districts to undertake specified actions to increase participation in the federal School Breakfast Program at sites where a breakfast program already exists. The bill would require school districts to identify noncharter, public school sites within the district that operate a federal School Breakfast Program but experience low participation, as defined, submit a report to the department regarding enrollment and participation in the program, and considering options concerning its operation, hear and discuss the report at 2 school district board meetings, and adopt a resolution for submission to the department that indicates which school sites will continue to operate the program without changes, and which school sites will continue to operate the program with changes, and provides a timeline for implementing those changes. 

Because this bill would require school districts to perform additional duties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.  Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. 

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.

For the complete bill text, please click on the following link: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0801-0850/ab_839_bill_20110217_introduced.pdf  For more about the importance of ensuring all students have access to school breakfast, please see the breakfastfirst.org website: http://www.breakfastfirst.org/