SPAC Celebrates New Laws

By Bena Vohra, Sr. SPAC Delegate

Each legislative session, California SPAC delegates review and analyze bills related to health, education, violence prevention, and family support issues. During the 2012 legislative session, delegates focused their advocacy efforts in support of 35 bills, one ballot initiative, and one sponsored bill.  The legislative session ran from January 1 to August 31 this year.  At the close of the session, 19 SPAC supported bills were chaptered into law!  Most laws took effect on January 1, 2013, unless otherwise specified in the bill’s language.

Bill Highlight - SB 1538: Comprehensive Breast Tissue Screening

Local State Senator Joe Simitian (Palo Alto) championed legislation to improve breast cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue, an issue near and dear to members of our League.

Under federal law, a radiologist performing a mammogram must send a report to the referring physician that includes information about the patient’s breast density.  In addition, federal law requires that the radiologist write the patient to inform her of the results of her mammogram.  Women with dense breast tissue are at a four to six times greater risk of developing breast cancer when compared to women of the same age and health.

Signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in September, SB 1538 requires that following a mammogram, women with dense breast tissue be informed of the following:

• That they have dense breast tissue;

• That dense breast tissue can make it harder to evaluate the results of a mammogram;

• That it is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer;

• That information about breast density is given to discuss with their doctor; and

• That a range of screening options are available.

An estimated 40 percent of women who have mammograms have dense breast tissue. Because dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram, and cancer also appears white, it can be difficult to see the cancer.

Senator Simitian commented, “This bill is about a patient’s right to know. Patients with dense breast tissue need to know that it can hide a cancer, and that additional screening options are available. Early detection is the key.”

The bill makes California just the fifth state with a breast density notification law (following Connecticut, Texas, Virginia and New York.) SB 1538 will take effect April 1, 2013.

For more information about dense breast tissue, visit http://www.areyoudense.org

To see a full list of SPAC supported bills which passed, see the Junior Leagues of California SPAC website.  http://californiaspac.org/

2012-2013 California SPAC Delegation 

Prop 35 Breaks Record

By Bena Vohra, Sr. SPAC Delegate

California voters sent a loud and clear message to human traffickers by approving Proposition 35 in record-breaking numbers! With an 81.1% “Yes” vote, the C.A.S.E. Act set the new record as the most successful ballot proposition in California’s history! The highest recorded "Yes" vote for a California initiative was 79%, a record which was set back in 1934.

Proposition 35, the C.A.S.E. Act, expands the definition of human trafficking, increases penalties for traffickers, requires convicted sexual traffickers to register as sex offenders, and requires additional training for law enforcement officers.

California SPAC and JLPA-MP Support the C.A.S.E. Act

By Bena Vohra, Senior SPAC Delegate

A couple of weeks ago I had the great pleasure of presenting at the September General Membership Meeting.  I had spent hours preparing, learning about human trafficking in the United States, studying Proposition 35 (a.k.a. the C.A.S.E. Act), and watching videos.  This was a meaty issue that the League and League members could impact immediately, and I was excited to share what I had learned. 

C.A.S.E. stands for Californians Against Sexual Exploitation, and the act specifically fights human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and children.  Human trafficking is a criminal business that profits from enslaving people for sexual servitude and forced labor.  In other words, it is modern day slavery.  It is the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world today, second only to drug trafficking.

 

California is a particular hotbed.  Here are the facts:

·       3 of the highest child sex trafficking areas in the nation: Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego

·       Average age a victim is first trafficked for sex in the U.S.: 12-14 years old

·       Many victims are runaways who already suffered sexual abuse as children.

·       Traffickers or pimps are master manipulators who gain a victim’s trust before forcing them into commercial sex acts and keep them compliant through violence and drugs.

·       The prevalence and anonymity of the internet has fueled the rapid growth of sex
trafficking, making the trade of women and children easier than ever before.

What Proposition 35 (C.A.S.E. Act) will do:

1.     Increases prison terms for human traffickers.

2.     Requires convicted sex traffickers to register as sex offenders.

3.     Requires all registered sex offenders to disclose their internet accounts.

4.     Requires criminal fines from convicted human traffickers to pay for services to help victims.

5.     Mandates law enforcement training on human trafficking.

At the end of the meeting, a Provisional came up to me and said, “What you’re doing, I want to do that!”  I couldn’t have imagined a better response!

Learn more www.caseact.org, tell your friends and family, and above all, vote.

Learn about the other propositions on November’s ballot at the Election Forum on October 9!  Details at http://bit.ly/SHZfV1

Children and the Internet

By Brittany Lothe, Communications Team

Protecting our children against becoming victims of crime – especially online – must be a national priority. As part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January, JLPA-MP hosted an informative training presented by the FBI on how adults can facilitate children using the Internet more safely.

Many league members attended the training, including Noelle Gonsalves. I found the evening very informative. As a teacher, I knew many of the dangers of children using the Internet, but now as a parent, I have become even more aware of the importance of using a strong filter to post and receive information. The FBI officer was a fantastic speaker who was also a parent, and related his own family life to the topic which was very helpful and insightful.

Below you will find tips for keeping your children safe online and what to do if you think your child is in danger.

Signs That Your Child Might Be At Risk On-line: 

• Your child spends large amounts of time on-line. Often times, online pretenders work during the day and spend their evenings on-line trying to locate and lure children. Most children who fall victim to computer-sex offenders spend large amounts of time on-line, particularly in chat rooms in the evening.
• You find pornography on your child's computer. Sex offenders often send potential victims pornography as a means of opening sexual discussions and for seduction. Child pornography may be used to show the child victim that sex between children and adults is "normal."
• Your child receives mail or gifts from someone you don't know. As part of the seduction process, it is common for offenders to send letters, photographs, and all manner of gifts to their potential victims. Computer-sex offenders have even sent plane tickets in order for the child to travel across the country to meet them.
• Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room. A child having inappropriate conversations does not want you to see it on the screen.
• Your child becomes withdrawn from the family. Computer-sex offenders will work very hard at driving a wedge between a child and their family or at exploiting their relationship.

What Can You Do To Minimize The Chances Of An On-line Pretender Victimizing Your Child?

• Talk to your child about sexual victimization and potential on-line danger.
• Spend time with your children on-line. Have them teach you about their favorite on-line destinations.
• Keep the computer in a common room in the house, not in your child's bedroom. It is much more difficult for a computer-sex offender to communicate with a child when the computer screen is visible to a parent or another member of the household.
• Utilize parental controls provided by your service provider and/or blocking software. While electronic chat can be a great place for children to make new friends and discuss various topics of interest, it is also tracked by computer-sex offenders.
• Maintain access to your child's on-line account and randomly check his/her e-mail.
• Be aware that your child could be contacted through the U.S. Mail.
• Be up front with your child about your access and reasons why.
• Instruct your child to never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they met on- line; upload (or post) pictures of themselves onto the Internet or on-line service to people they do not personally know; give out identifying/personal information such as name, home address, school name, or telephone number; to never download pictures from an unknown source; or, respond to messages or bulletin board postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or harassing.

Another League member and attendee, Meredith Schneider, commented on the training, I have not fully checked it out myself, but the FBI agent suggested referencing netsmartz.org for tips on how and what to communicate with kids regarding internet safety. He also suggested passing it along to schools to spread the word. Another point of the discussion revolved around smart phones. In the "olden days" parents could monitor computer use, because it was a fixed object. Now, smart phones and exposure to even younger kids is more prevalent, so education for both parents and children need to begin earlier.

Should your child receive child pornography, be sexually solicited by someone who knows that your child is under 18 years of age or receive sexually explicit images from someone who knows your child is under the age of 18, keep your computer off, do not attempt to copy any images or emails (unless instructed by law enforcement) and contact your local or state law enforcement agency, the FBI, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Legislation Update! My Interview with Sr. SPAC Delegate, Polly Neumann

By Michelle Hostrup, Social Media Assistant Chair, Communications Team

At the last Board Meeting of 2011, Polly Neumann, Sr. SPAC Delegate, presented two federal bills regarding Human Trafficking. Our League usually supports California state bills, but both Polly and Cat Carlton, SPAC California Chair, felt that these two federal bills regarding Human Trafficking were important enough to gain the support of our Board and League.

I reached out to Polly this past weekend to learn more about the two bills. In honor of President Obama declaring January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, I wanted to share with you what I learned from Polly and the outcome of her presentation to the Board.

These bills will help authorities and non-profit groups fight human trafficking internationally and in our own back yard:


1) H.R. 2982 Human Trafficking Reporting Act 

This federal bill would move Human Trafficking (HT) to a Part 1 crime in relation to the Unified Crime Reporting Program that the FBI runs.

Part 1 Crimes: The FBI requires law enforcement to report these to the UCR Program (e.g. murder)
Part 2 Crimes: The FBI requests law enforcement to report these crimes, but it is not a requirement (e.g. hate crimes)

The passing of this bill would make reporting of HT crimes mandatory for law enforcement groups (as long as they want federal funding).

 

2) H.R. 2830 TVPA Trafficking Victims Protection Act 

The original Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 was and still is the largest piece of human rights legislation in U.S. history, creating the first comprehensive federal law to address human trafficking both domestically and internationally.

The methods of traffickers are constantly evolving, so the TVPA must be updated and renewed every few years. The TVPA was reauthorized through the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2003, 2005 and 2008. The new TVPRA bill will be voted upon in 2012. Details on the bill’s reauthorization can be found here.


Domestic provisions within the TVPA: 

The TVPA of 2000 follows a three-pronged approach to prevent vulnerability, protect survivors, and prosecute human traffickers. 

Under prevention, it creates an office to monitor and combat trafficking in persons within the state department, enabling the President to impose sanctions on countries that fail to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; it also creates public awareness programs and partnerships to prevent goods made by slave labor from entering the country. 

Under protection, it expands the types of technical assistance that can be provided to foreign countries, including police training; it requires the Department of Labor to provide a list of goods that may have been made with forced labor; and it provides the T Visa for foreign victims of trafficking in the U.S. 

Under prosecution, it makes human trafficking (and related activities) a federal crime with severe penalties and mandates that restitution be paid to victims. 

International provisions within the TVPA:

Internationally, the TVPRA requires the U.S. government to terminate contracts with overseas contractors who engage in sex trafficking or forced labor; addresses sex tourism with prevention programs; expands federal criminal jurisdiction to trafficking offenses committed abroad, meaning the alleged offender can be tried in the U.S. whether or not the crime was committed in the U.S.; requires the U.S. to cut military aid to countries using children in their national armies/militias; and requires that countries ranked on the Tier II Watch List for more than two years receive the same sanctions as countries ranked on the Tier III Watch List. 

************************************

After speaking with Polly and understanding the two bills related to Human Trafficking, I could understand why she sought the support of our League. Our League has demonstrated in the past that we can make a difference in our community and world. I was delighted to learn (and not surprised at all) that our JLPA-MP Board voted to support both of these bills!

Child/Human Trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, and the world’s second largest criminal enterprise, after drugs. About 2.8 million children run away each year in the US, and, within 48 hours of hitting the streets, one-third of these children are lured into the underground world of prostitution and pornography. Over 70% of all child and human trafficking in California occurs in the Bay Area. 

'Robotripping' Law Takes Effect January 1, 2012

The following is from a press release regarding Senate Bill 514, prohibiting the sale of over-the-counter cold and cough medications containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors. This bill was supported by the Junior Leagues of California's State Public Affairs Committee.

On January 1, California will become the first state in the nation to prohibit the sale of over-the-counter cold and cough medications containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors. Senate Bill 514, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian of Palo Alto, will require store clerks to check identification to ensure that no one under 18 purchases these medications, which are known to cause a potentially life-threatening high when consumed in high doses. 

According to WebMD and the Consumer Healthcare Productions Association, 1 in 10 teenagers say they’ve used DXM to get high – making it more popular than LSD, cocaine, ecstasy or meth. The California Poison Control System reports that DXM abuse calls for children under age 17 have increased 850% in the past ten years, making DXM abuse the most commonly reported type of abuse in this age group.

“The truth is that ingesting too much cough medicine can be as dangerous as abusing alcohol and other drugs,” Simitian said. “Until now, these drugs have been easy for young people to obtain. By putting age limitations on these drugs, we’re communicating to kids and their parents that, when used inappropriately, these are dangerous drugs with serious consequences.” 

Restricting the sale of DXM was a winning submission in Simitian’s 2004 “There Oughta Be a Law” contest from Wayne Benitez and Ron Lawrence, both with the Palo Alto Police Department at the time (Lawrence is now the Rocklin Police Chief). The legislation stalled in 2004, but Simitian successfully reintroduced the bill earlier this year. 

Senate Bill 514 was supported by the Junior Leagues of California's State Public Affairs Committee, Consumer Healthcare Products Association (manufacturers of these products), the California Peace Officers Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the California State Board of Pharmacy, among other groups. A violation of the new law will be an infraction. The law provides an exception for sale to minors with a prescription.

Click here for a video relating to the SPAC-supported bill, which goes into effect January 2012.

The Provisional Class's First Meeting and Social

By Alison Hart, Provisional PR

The provisional class had two very exciting events last month including our first meeting on October 18th at the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto and a Provisional Class Social at the Dutch Goose on October 27th. The overall theme of the Provisional Meeting was how the Junior League and its members make an impact in our community.

We listened to a number of excellent speakers including Vanessa Roach, Special Projects/Community MAL, who gave us a brief introduction to The Strategic Continuum. Vanessa spoke about six aspects of our Strategic Continuum: Impact Community, Increase Visibility, Recruit & Retain Members, Train Volunteers, Raise and Manage Funds, and Develop Projects and Make Grants.

After Vanessa’s speech, we were introduced to Polly Neumann, Senior SPAC Delegate, and Catherine Carlton, SPAC State Chair. During the introduction to SPAC, the provisionals were educated on successful SPAC sponsored legislation and how the Junior League supports and sponsors bills. Cat also told the provisionals about the many ways we can become involved with SPAC including the “There Ought to be a Law” contest, Day at the Capitol event on May 6th, and the Public Affairs Special Interest Group that will hopefully be launched in 2012.

Provisional Member Kristin Barker especially enjoyed learning about SPAC and said, "I really enjoyed listening to Polly Neumann and Catherine Carlton speak about SPAC. I think it's great that Junior League helps to create and sponsor legislation regarding important issues in our community and state." Lisa Hammon, also a Provisional, commented about SPAC, "I enjoyed learning about the Junior League State Public Affairs Committee, how the League has taken action on important state and national issues and the legislation they have drafted, like the children's bicycle helmet law. Their work is very inspiring."

Finally, the Provisional Meeting closed with a speech by our League President, Meaux Costello, on the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI). Julia Alshvang commented on the first Provisional Meeting, "I really enjoyed learning about different opportunities in Junior League during the first Provisional Class Meeting. I'm excited to participate in different activities in the future!"

The members of the Provisional Class enjoyed mingling on a more casual level at the Dutch Goose at the end of the month, and look forward to the next Provisional Meeting!

BreakfastFirst Campaign Success with SPAC

By Catherine Carlton, Endowment Fund Committee Member, 2010-2011 Senior SPAC Delegate

State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, issued a letter on Wednesday endorsing innovative school breakfast models. Torlakson announced that he is now the Honorary Chair of the Breakfast First Campaign, emphasized that Classroom Breakfast and instructional minutes are perfectly compatible [referencing the prior State Supt./State Controller letter on the subject], and strongly promoted the BreakfastFirst Campaign!

This is wonderful support for school breakfast advocates working to ensure that all children start the day well-nourished and ready to learn through innovative school breakfast models! It doesn't mandate a conversation about breakfasts, but it does go a long way to meet our goal of working to educate the school boards, school administrators, etc. about the benefits of breakfast. State Superintendent Torklakson's letter is below, for your reference. As Honorary Chair of the Breakfast First Campaign, he will continue the effort to support Breakfast First implementation in schools throughout California.

IMPROVING STUDENT NUTRITION AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAMS

Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and Nutrition Service Directors:

I am proud to be the new honorary chair of the BreakfastFirst Campaign. Promoting the School Breakfast Program (SBP) is integral to my Team California for Healthy Kids campaign, which focuses on making healthy choices the easy choices. In alignment with the Team California goal to promote good eating habits, BreakfastFirst aims to ensure that all students are served an optimally nutritious breakfast using innovative models such as Classroom Breakfast, Grab-and-Go, and Second Chance Breakfast. These models are known to dramatically increase participation, bringing the benefits of school breakfast to the maximum number of students.

Research confirms the clear connection between health, learning, and attendance. Healthy children are more successful in school, miss fewer days of school, are more attentive and well behaved, and are more likely to graduate from high school and go to college.

Healthy students not only excel academically, but also are more likely to be positively engaged in social, community, and extra-curricular activities. The implementation of inventive models like Classroom Breakfast links nutrition to our joint goal of increasing academic achievement in school. In most cases, the breakfast can be completely supported by federal and state meal reimbursement. In addition, as former Superintendent Jack O'Connell and State Controller John Chiang shared in a joint letter last year, "As long as the breakfast is served and eaten in the classroom while otherwise allowable instructional activities are underway, the time will not be considered free time by auditors . . . The SBP is an easy way to enhance children's health and improve their academic achievement." The full letter is located on the CDE Breakfast in the Classroom - Letters Web page.

I urge you to expand your School Breakfast Program (especially outside of the cafeteria) to serve the nutritional needs of your students and to strengthen their academic performance. If you would like information on innovative breakfast models, visit the California Food Policy Advocates Web site for the BreakfastFirst Campaign. You may also contact your Field Services Unit Child Nutrition Consultant by phone at 916-445-0850 or 800-952-5609.

Sincerely, Tom Torlakson


The following information regarding the JLPA-MP's involvement with the State Public Affairs Committee can also be found on our website.

Advocacy

The State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues of California (SPAC) is a non-partisan education and advocacy organization, representing 16 member Leagues, nearly 12,000 members, and millions of fundraising dollars in support for community programs that assist women and families.

Since 1971, SPAC has represented the interest of its member Leagues and the groups or issue areas addressed by Junior League projects accross California to policymakers at the national, state and local levels.

SPAC advocates in four issue areas: health, education, family support, and violence prevention.

The members of the SPAC delegation: 

• ADVOCATE for specific legislation relevant to member league issues
• EDUCATE their home Junior League members
• COORDINATE the exchange of information from community based league projects to policy makers.

Since 1992, SPAC has sponsored six bills, and co-sponsored two bills, that are now California Law; sponsored one California Resolution; and co-sponsored one Congressional Resolution.

Each year, SPAC solicits ideas for potential new legislation by holding its "There Ought to Be a Law" contest.

To learn more about the League's advocacy work, please download the CalSpac brochure, visit the CalSpac website or email the JLPA•MP delegates at spacdelegates@thejuniorleague.org.

The Kelly Martinez Act (Post-Natal Depression) Passes!!

By Catherine Carlton, CalSPAC Chair

I am delighted to inform you all that ACR 53, the Kelly Martinez Act, passed out of the Senate Floor and will be soon enrolled and chaptered. Senator Carol Liu presented it yesterday and it received unanimous AYE vote! 

Assemblymember Roger Hernandez, Catherine Carlton, Raul Martinez, Kimberly Wong, and Joy Burkhard on the California Assembly Floor

We received the following message from Raul, the husband of Kelly. This bill is named after Kelly, who killed herself when her baby was a few weeks old. Raul has spoken at legislative hearings for the past two years, and has helped a great deal to have this and our previous peri-natal depression bill pass. 


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


Thanks to everyone for your efforts in supporting the passage of ACR53-- another success in addressing the needs of people who may suffer from peri-natal depression!! Cat

Congratulations to JLPA-MP Member Cat Carlton!

by Summer Brill, Social Media 2010-11

Cat Carlton (center) pictured with Joy Burkhard and Diana Gilbert, Co-Chairs for SPAC 2010-2011

We would like to extend CONGRATULATIONS times-two to our Junior League of Palo Alto-Mid Peninsula (JLPA-MP)member Cat Carlton. She served as our League Senior State Public Affairs Committee Delegate (SPAC) during the 2010-11 League year.

FIRST, she was elected President of the California State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) for the 2011-2012 League year. In this role, Cat will be leading 32 Junior and Senior SPAC representatives from the 16 Junior Leagues of California in legislation advocacy, helping to support and co-author bills relevant to our focus areas, for passage into law up in Sacramento. This is a great honor, and Cat is only the third JLPA-MP SPAC Delegate to be named SPAC President in JLPA-MP history. Congratulations, Cat - thank you for representing us so well!

AND, Cat just received the Above and Beyond Award at the Junior League of California SPAC state conference. Here is what they had to say about Cat when they honored her with this award:

California SPAC Above and Beyond Award: Cat Carlton
This honor is awarded to a Junior Leagues of California SPAC delegate who made significant contributions to SPAC by working above and beyond her role or the normal call of duty. The recipient has demonstrated outstanding initiative, exemplary leadership, and helped advance the development of SPAC itself. Through consultation with League Presidents, SPAC delegates, and Sub-Committee Members, the Above and Beyond Award is given by the SPAC Chair on behalf of the delegation for outstanding service to SPAC.

"Cat's work goes above and beyond. She continues to lead our organization in all things SPAC, and now, will be leading all the Jr. Leagues in California. We are so proud of her and her accomplishments. This award is well-deserved recognition for her talents and leadership. Congratulations Cat!" - Stefanie Bruggeman, President JLPA-MP 2010-11

Join Us in Congratulating Cat Carlton, the California SPAC 2011-2012 President!

SPAC Sponsored Legislation

Submitted by Cat Carlton, Senior SPAC 2010-11

This is an article in the Monterey County Weekly about the State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) of the Junior Leagues of California sponsored legislation for breakfasts in public schools, and a good illustration of how an idea comes through our "There Ought to be a Law" contest to SPAC, and eventually becomes law.

Below is the text of the article, to access the original article, click here.

BUILDING UP BREAKFAST
California takes on school breakfast after Monterey County girls say nutrition matters.


Research conducted by Monterey County girls is paving the way for statewide legislation that could improve access to school breakfast for tens of thousands of students. Now a long way from the Greenfield High School classrooms where students interviewed their peers about health concerns in 2009, a federal school breakfast program participation bill, AB 839, passed out of the California Assembly Education Committee on April 13.

When the Women's Fund of Monterey County wanted to identify health concerns among young women, it enlisted 57 high school students to gather data. "One of the central tenets of the project was to have girls in the lead," says Tobi Marcus, then-director of the Women's Fund.

The findings - that 51 percent of the 1,200 respondents wanted more information about healthy eating, and girls identified weight or healthy eating as their biggest health concerns above sex, illness or substance abuse - prompted Marcus to take the data to the Junior League of California, where she volunteers as a legislative liaison.

Eyeing nearly $5.7 million of federal assistance that went unclaimed by Monterey County schools last year because of low participation in school breakfast programs, the Junior League partnered with Oakland-based California Food Policy Advocates to sponsor the breakfast bill.

The bill would require schools to report on participation levels and evaluate how well different service models work. Some schools find that "second chance" breakfasts offered mid-morning improve participation for those students who don't come in early. Considering 70 percent of low-income students do not eat school breakfast, the bill would set the stage for strategies to improve access.

Even if students eat 10 meals a week at school, they still consume most of their meals outside the cafeteria. Still, "School meals are essential tools for helping kids stay healthy," says Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University. "Schools set an example. If schools serve junk food, kids quickly learn that eating this way is normal."

Shifting norms towards healthier eating also is a public health priority for the 120 students at San Ardo Elementary School, where a weigh-in last year found 44 percent of children were obese, and a quarter of girls were "severely obese," meaning they fall into the 99th percentile for body mass index.

Now, as part of a healthy eating effort in partnership with the County Health Department, the school is transitioning from a menu that previously offered no fruits or vegetables. The cafeteria introduced a salad bar in early April, a financial struggle considering the $2.72 per meal, per student federal reimbursement.

School board member and parent Irma Guerrero says one of her daughters is already losing weight and is more attentive to healthy snacking at home. "There is a need for more education, not just for the children, but for the parents," she says. "It's going to take not just the kids, but everyone in the community to be involved in the process."

One girl behind the Women's Fund study wants to stay involved. Jeanette Corona of Greenfield, now a freshman at UC Berkeley, plans to study public health. "It's very rewarding," she says, "because any work that comes from that little small town never gets noticed."

To learn more about SPAC, click here.

Think YOU can Balance California's Budget? Join SPAC April 14th and Give it a Try!

By Catherine Carlton, Senior SPAC Delegate 2010-11

The Junior League of Palo Alto-Mid Peninsula, The Junior League of San Francisco and The Junior League of Oakland East Bay have put together the rare opportunity to participate in the Next 10 Budget Challenge for 2011.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn about the state programs and
the budget by trying to balance the budget yourself with a special
computer "game" that is a lot of fun!  We will be carpooling from the
Gatehouse, or people can meet us there.  It's open to both members and
friends.  Here are the details:

What FUN and Educational!! Join the Next 10 California Budget Challenge 2011!

When:    Thursday, April 14 @ 6:30pm

Where:    Claremont Middle School, 5750 College Avenue, Oakland  (We will
carpool from the Gatehouse.)

What:     Try your hand at solving California’s budget woes with a
personal handheld device - YOU balance the California budget!
* Build a state budget based on your values and vision for the state's future
* Learn about some of the topical policy choices legislators face
* Take action and email the governor and your representatives about the policy choices you are making
* Understand about how the budget is built, who is involved, and important background information
* See the choices other people are making on each policy choice

Contact: Catherine Carlton, SPAC Delegate, at spacdelegates@thejuniorleague.org

Assemblywoman Julia Brownley to Carry School Breakfast Program Legislation bill

By Cat Carlton, Senior SPAC Delegate 2010-11

Julia Brownley, an outstanding Assemblywoman who has been very
successful in improving the lives of women and children through
legislation in California, is going to carry our 2011-2012 sponsored
legislation bill on the School Breakfast Program, AB 839.

If you would like to track this bill’s progress, can use the link
below (type 839 in the space and hit enter). While you are there, we
encourage you to sign up for updates that can be emailed to you as the
bill progresses through legislation.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html

To learn more about the JLPA-MP State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC), click here.