Vote Nevada Supporters,

I know there was a lot happening on Saturday, so if you missed our Strategies for Success from Three Civil Rights Leaders, you can view the recording here: https://vote-nevada.news/Civil-Rights-Success-Strategies

Here are some important events taking place the week of 2/28/2022:

The Interim Legislative Commission meets on 2/28/2022 at 1 pm and will hear presentations from Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Mark Wlaschin on regulations to implement the election bills passed in 2021. 

If the Legislative Commission does not approve the regulations, there will be no official rules for implementing the new election laws.  You can watch here starting at 1 pm here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/InterimCommittee/REL/Interim2021/Committee/1896/Meetings

The Community College Workforce Training and Program Committee created by Assembly Bill 450, meets on 2/28/2022, at 3 pm, at the College of Southern Nevada Charleston Campus in the Student Union, it will also live-stream. 

The address and live-stream url is at the top of the meeting agenda: https://nshe.nevada.edu/wp-content/uploads/AB-450-Meeting-Agenda-and-Reference-Materials-2.28.2022.pdf

Here is a map of the campus if you’d like to attend in-person:  https://www.csn.edu/charleston-map

The main agenda topic is funding workforce training programs, with an emphasis on the Nevada System of Higher Education funding formula.  The funding formula does not currently fund workforce training programs offered through our community colleges. 

I will be in attendance to provide public comments on the additional need for Pell Grant reform.  Currently, students can only apply for a Pell Grant once a year through the FAFSA application, so if a student must enroll after the FAFSA deadline, she/he is unable to receive this type of federal tuition assistance until the next year. We need Pell Grant applications to be accepted each semester.

Furthermore, students pursuing short-term workforce training are not eligible to receive the Pell Grant. 

A bill making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives, will increase the amount of the Pell Grant, provide students more time to use the Pell Grant, which makes more sense for stackable degrees/certifications, and will cover short-term training programs.  

The bill is H.R. 6425, The Aid Act. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6425/text

My public comments will ask the committee members to please communicate their support for this bill to our congressional delegation.  If you would like to also ask for support for H.R. 6425, or anything else related to workforce training funding, you can email your comments to the Committee at ab450input@nshe.nevada.edu by 9 pm tonight, 9/27/2022.

The Lunch and Learn Series on Women and the Labor Movement starts tomorrow at noon, via Zoom, you can still RSVP for any of the four sessions here: https://vote-nevada.news/Lunch-and-Learn

The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents meets on 3/3 & 3/4.  If you would like to submit written comments on the dire need for workforce development for mental and behavioral health professions, you can submit your comments here: https://nshe.nevada.edu/public-comment/

If you would like to watch the Board of Regents meeting, it will live-stream through the NSHE homepage both days: https://nshe.nevada.edu/  You can view the full agenda here: https://nshe.nevada.edu/leadership-policy/board-of-regents/meeting-agendas/

If you would like to attend the Regents meeting in-person, the meeting is at the Nevada State College Campus.  The meeting schedule and NSC’s address here: https://nshe.nevada.edu/wp-content/uploads/file/BoardOfRegents/Agendas/2022/03-mar-mtgs/BORsch0322.pdf

NEW: If you are an early learning advocate and/or professional, there is a virtual conference for early learning this week from March 2^nd through March 5th. You can read more about the conference and how to attend here: https://vote-nevada.news/Early-Learning-Institute

And the Village Foundation is hosting a virtual gala in support of early learning on March 5^th, you can read more about attending here: https://vote-nevada.news/VF-Gala

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Please consider selecting Vote Nevada as your preferred nonprofit on Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_uspo_laas_aas

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Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

This is an update on upcoming events and our Unity Coalition Subcommittees.

• I know many of you are very worried about affordable housing, so here is a series of webinars from the Administration for Community Living.  You can review the webinars and each meeting’s RSVP information here: https://vote-nevada.news/Housing-Stability

• The Legal Aid Center is offering a number of important workshops online, such as a Special Education Rights Class, you can view the workshops and how to RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/LegalAidCenterSouthernNevada/events/?ref=page_internal

• February 26, 2022, 11 am to 1 pm, Doolittle Community Center 1950 N J St, Las Vegas, NV 89106

If you know a youth who would like to enter his/her music talents into the competition, email: vegasteentalent@gmail.com

  Black History Talent Show

• If you are interested in the new 988 crisis helpline, which moves us in the right direction for decriminalizing mental illness, you can view our Vote Nevada Behavioral and Mental Health Committee meeting presentation on 988 here: https://vote-nevada-blog.org/2022/02/16/new-988-mental-health-crisis-number/

• Join Vote Nevada this Saturday, February 26^th, from 9 to 10:30 am, via Zoom, for a discussion of three important civil rights leaders and their strategies for driving change.  We will discuss Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fanny Lou Hammer, and Ida Gaines (from Nevada).  You can RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/Civil-Rights-Strategies

Next week kicks off Women’s Empowerment Month.  Here are events you can attend:

• The CSN Women’s Alliance is sponsoring a Lunch and Learn series of Zoom events to review women and labor.  The events will be on 2/28, 3/1, 3/3, and 3/4, from noon to 1:30 pm.  We will record each meeting if you can’t attend. You can RSVP for one or more of the events here: https://vote-nevada.news/Lunch-and-Learn

• The CSN Women’s Alliance is sponsoring a Resources Fair via Zoom on March 9^th, from 3 to 4:30 pm, and you can RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/WA-Resources-Fair

• A new civics organization for veterans is kicking off their Nevada outreach campaign on March 16th, at 6 p.m., it’s open to the public. RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/VPI

• Join Vote Nevada on March 26, 2022, 9 to 10:30 am, Via Zoom

Meet Carrie and Mary Dann: Two Indigenous Women Every Nevadan Should Know

RSVP: https://vote-nevada.news/Dann-Sisters

• March 28, 2022, 11:30 am, via Teams

Moving Beyond Diversity to Inclusion in the Workplace RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/CSNInclusion  

• If you signed up for one or more of the Unity Coalition working groups, I will be sending out a message to those groups by tomorrow with some first steps for each group.  A lot of important meetings are happening soon that will allow for targeted engagement.

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Please consider selecting Vote Nevada as your preferred nonprofit on Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_uspo_laas_aas

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Please view our Vote Nevada Behavioral and Mental Health Committee meeting on the new 988 mental health crisis phone number.  This is a comprehensive approach to decriminalizing mental illness.

https://vote-nevada.news/988-Meeting-Recording

You can read more about the 988 call line program here: https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention/988-Reimagining-Crisis-Response 

Vote Nevada Supporters,

You can view information about upcoming events on the Vote Nevada blog: https://vote-nevada-blog.org/

One addition is the Advisory Committee on Participatory Democracy meeting, which is on March 22, 2022, from 2 to 4 pm, via Facebook Live.  This committee works with the Secretary of State’s Office to ensure Nevadans have accurate and reliable information about our election processes. 

At the March 22^nd meeting, Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Mark Wlaschin will update the committee on changes to our upcoming primary and general elections.

There were quite a few laws passed in the 2021 legislative session focused on voter registration and election practices, so meeting attendees will learn exactly what changed and how voting may be different in this cycle.

You can watch the hearing and ask questions on March 22nd, through the live stream on the Nevada Secretary of State’s Facebook page.   https://www.facebook.com/NVSOS  No RSVP required.

Our Unity Coalition meeting was very successful last Saturday.  If you were unable to participate in the event, you can watch the recording here: https://vote-nevada.news/Unity-Coalition-Recording

If you are interested in participating in one or more of the three working groups, I created interest forms. Please review the meeting recording for an explanation of the process we are adopting.  We will be laser-focused on a few goals at a time, and we have some rules of the road to ensure inclusive participation.

This is a completely nonpartisan endeavor for Nevadans to come together to solve problems.

The first working group is: Denial of Services

                This working group is focused on creating an ombudsperson position to help advocates who ensure students receive necessary services.  This group is not focused on merely documenting services not being provided, but more importantly, on creating an officer who can help advocates who are trying to match students with services.  This group will most likely have subgroups to investigate categories of services.

If you are interested in joining this working group, you can sign-up here: https://forms.gle/rxR52DsMJYYYQjes8

The second working group is: Expansion of High-Quality Internet Service

                This working group is focused on ensuring federal relief dollars dedicated to expanding high-quality, broadband internet service reaches every family, agency, and business.  This working group will research all sources of funding for expanding internet service, all transparency requirements, and all accountability mechanisms.

If you are interested in joining this working group, you can sign-up here: https://forms.gle/pkCdqd3jt1CeBsHy5

The third working group is: Addressing Mental and Behavioral Health Care

                This working group is focused on two related topics.  First, determine funding sources and mechanisms for fully funding a complete package of wraparound services for every child.  Second, address shortages of professionals through workforce development plans that build a pipeline of mental and behavioral health care service providers.

If you are interested in joining this working group, you can sign-up here: https://forms.gle/tEh6SJofpL8wUJKe9

If you are specifically interested in helping with transparency and accountability, please also complete this form: https://forms.gle/zqVJ3ZJAuDX8HdjP9  

Each working group will create an action plan that includes research and communication strategies.

I will send out information for each working group tomorrow so we can start achieving our goals.  The information will include a poll to help us find some days and times for working groups to meet over Zoom.

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra 

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Please consider selecting Vote Nevada as your preferred nonprofit on Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_uspo_laas_aas

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Upcoming meetings and events:

February 12, 2022, 10 am to Noon, Via Zoom

 Unity Coalition for Education

We need a collaborative effort to address crisis-level issues right now, so please join us on Saturday, February 12, 2022, 10 am to Noon, via Zoom.  RSVP: https://vote-nevada.news/Unity-Coalition

February 15, 2022, 6 to 7 pm, Via Zoom

Vote Nevada Behavioral and Mental Health Committee Meeting

We will hear about the new 988 number designed specifically for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. You can read more about 988 here https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention/988-Reimagining-Crisis-Response and you can RSVP by emailing info@vote-nevada.org

February 17, 2022, 5:30 pm, Via Zoom

  Affordable Housing Crisis

Join Sarah Adler, Policy Advocate with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) NV, to discuss Nevada’s widespread and deepening affordable housing crisis that impacts rental units for the Extremely Low Income (ELI) at 20 units for every 100 needed.

WHEN: Thursday, February 17 at 5:30 PM

WHERE: On-Line Zoom  Register Here INNV Feb 17 Membership meeting

February 20, 2022, 4 to 5 pm, via Zoom

 Nevada NOW: Nevada’s Housing Crisis RSVP: https://fb.me/e/1TLACy4Zw

Hear from great panelists for a conversation about Nevada’s housing crisis. With record home prices and rents and increasing evictions we turn to these experts to learn ways to connect people to services, legislation and activism that’s needed. 

February 26, 2022, 9 to 10:30 am, Via Zoom

  Vote Nevada Meeting: Civil Rights Leaders & Their Political Strategies

We will start preparing for the upcoming election cycle by looking at strategies for advancing civil rights through the lives of important Black civil rights leaders.  RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/Civil-Rights-Strategies

February 26, 2022, 11 am to 1 pm, Doolittle Community Center 1950 N J St, Las Vegas, NV 89106

If you know a youth who would like to enter his/her music talents into the competition, email: vegasteentalent@gmail.com

  Black History Talent Show

February 28^th through March 4^th Noon to 1:30 pm, Via Zoom

 Lunch and Learn: Women’s Labor Movement RSVP: https://vote-nevada.news/Lunch-and-Learn

March 9, 2022, 3 to 4:30 pm, Via Zoom

Women’s Empowerment Fair: RSVP https://vote-nevada.news/WA-Resources-Fair

March 26, 2022, 9 to 10:30 am, Via Zoom

Meet Carrie and Mary Dann: Two Indigenous Women Every Nevadan Should Know

RSVP: https://vote-nevada.news/Dann-Sisters

March 28, 2022, 11:30 am, via Teams

Moving Beyond Diversity to Inclusion in the Workplace RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/CSNInclusion  

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Please consider selecting Vote Nevada as your preferred nonprofit on Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_uspo_laas_aas

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters, 

 The NAACP and the National Action Network are hosting an event on Thursday, February 10th, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at the East Las Vegas Library (2851 E Bonanza Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89101) with four representatives of local law enforcement.  The theme of the event is Bridging the Gap between the Police, the Community, and Youth.

Captain Hatchett, who met with Vote Nevada’s Mental and Behavioral Health Committee in January, to chat about his vision for better integrating social workers and mental health services into community policing efforts, is on the panel.

You can view Captain Hatchett’s discussion with our committee here: https://vote-nevada.news/Captain-Hatchett-Presentation

I will be attending the February 10th meeting to support Captain Hatchett’s efforts.

We all know that mental illness and homelessness are often intertwined problems, so it is important to address affordable housing if we expect to stop sending the mentally ill into our prison system. 

The Nevada National Organization of Women is hosting a virtual panel discussion about the housing crisis on February 20th, at 4 pm.  You can RSVP through a link on this page: https://fb.me/e/1TLACy4Zw 

Lastly, Robert Strawder, who is doing excellent work with our youth by offering classes that blend hip hop music with civics education and social and emotional health training, is hosting a Black History Talent Show on February 26th, at Doolittle Community Center, 11 am to 1 pm.  1950 N J St, Las Vegas, NV 89106

If you know a youth who would like to enter his/her music talents into the competition, email: vegasteentalent@gmail.com

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

 Sondra

 Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Please consider selecting Vote Nevada as your preferred nonprofit on Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_uspo_laas_aas

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Yesterday the Interim Legislative Subcommittee to Advise on the Expenditure of Federal COVID-19 Relief Funding heard reports from our K-12 school district superintendents about how each is spending federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Relief) funding.  

In addition to introducing an appreciated layer of transparency and accountability to the process of allocating federal funds, the presentations clearly showed that our school districts have prioritized wrap-around support services for students, teachers, staff, and parents.

These efforts align with the recently released Nevada Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights recommendations from the Impact of Remote Learning on Education Equity report.  

Recommendations include ensuring every family has access to high-quality internet services, supplemental tutoring, and to behavioral and mental health professionals, and that teachers and staff have professional development and personal support assistance.

But our school districts are funding these vitally important wrap-around services with the one-shot federal funding, so what will happen when this money is gone?  The superintendents asked the legislative committee to please help them with a sustainability plan.

We can help!  Please join us for our Unity Coalition meeting on February 12th, 10 am to noon, via Zoom, to create an action plan.  You can RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/Unity-Coalition

If you would like to review materials before we meet, here are the relevant resources:

Impact of Remote Learning on Education Equity report: https://www.usccr.gov/files/2021-11/nv-sac-remote-learning-and-equity-in-education-report.pdf

The Nevada Department of Education follow-up presentation on addressing the above report’s recommendations.  This includes the dollar amount needed to fully fund the behavioral and mental health care needs in K-12 education.  You can view this presentation PDF here: https://vote-nevada.news/NDE-Follow-Up-Report 

You can view the recording of the Nevada Advisory Committee’s follow-up meeting here: https://vote-nevada.news/Advisory-Committee-Followup-Recording The password is: 4MbAShhP

You can review the reports from all our school district superintendents and the recording of the interim committee meeting (click on the picture of the movie camera on the page) here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/InterimCommittee/REL/Interim2021/Committee/1907/Meetings

 Getting the funding needed to provide every student, every family, every support staff member, and every teacher the services needed for children and families to thrive will be a heavy lift, so we will all need to work together to succeed.  But I know we can!

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Please consider selecting Vote Nevada as your preferred nonprofit on Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_uspo_laas_aas

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here