Gov. Gavin Newsom is making strides toward realizing his vision of preschool for all the state’s 4-year-olds in the proposed budget he released Friday for the coming fiscal year.
Newsom hopes to increase access to transitional kindergarten, or TK, programs by giving $250 million to school districts as an incentive to expand these programs, as well as $50 million for teacher preparation and $200 million to build out the necessary facilities for TK and other early education programs.
Funded by the state, transitional kindergarten is an extra year of kindergarten that principally serves children who turn 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2. In some districts, children who turn 5 even later in the school year have been able to attend what is called “expanded transitional kindergarten.” But school districts have to cover the costs themselves until a child turns 5. The funding Newsom is proposing is intended to cover the up-front costs of expanding these programs.
California’s EDD freezes many people’s unemployment benefits to combat fraud By Carolyn Said and Kathleen Pender
California’s Employment Development Department has suspended unemployment payments for numerous people because of fear of fraud. Many Californians who said they are legitimately unemployed flooded social media over the weekend with laments that they desperately need the benefits that they rely on for housing, food and other necessities.
“You have been receiving unemployment benefits, but we have temporarily suspended your claim because it may be tied to fraudulent activity,” said a notice dated Dec. 31 that many people received. “You will receive further instruction from EDD on how to verify your identity beginning Jan. 6, 2021.”
Former Camarillo care facility employee arrested for attempted murder, rape
VENTURA, Calif. A former employee of an assisted care facility was arrested as part of an investigation involving an attempted murder and sexual assault that took place in Camarillo in October. Two others are facing charges for failing to report the possible abuse.
On Oct. 17, a Camarillo man was arrested for attempted murder after an investigation revealed that he strangled a six-year-old girl.
The young girl survived the attack.
In their investigation, Ventura County Sheriff s investigators found that the man was also employed as a caregiver at the Royal Gardens in Camarillo, an assisted care facility for the elderly.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Rita L. Saenz, 71, as the new director of California Employment Development Department. Author: Ja Nel Johnson (ABC10) Published: 5:51 PM PST December 30, 2020 Updated: 5:51 PM PST December 30, 2020
SACRAMENTO, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed a new leader to the state s Employment Development Department (EDD).
Rita L. Saenz, 71, is the new director of EDD, Newsom s office announced Wednesday. Saenz was most recently a consultant at Saenz and Associates.
Newsom said Saenz is taking on the job at one of the most difficult moments in the Department’s history, pointing to a record number of unemployment claims and fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.