May 11, 2023
LAWT News Service
More than 1,500 Los Angeles students, community members, employees and prospective job candidates gathered today at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) Truesdale Training Center for the inaugural Women’s Career and Wellness Expo.
The location usually used for line worker training was transformed to showcase a variety of utility careers, many available to women, in a family-friendly setting. The regional event included a recruitment fair with information about skilled craft and professional jobs at LADWP, along with equipment demonstrations and other hands-on activities.
Board of Water and Power Commission President Cynthia McClain-Hill said, “We want women throughout the Los Angeles region to know they have a place to build or advance their career here at LADWP, and there’s no better time for them to consider the array of opportunities open to them than right now. We want and need more female line workers, engineers, security officers, welders -- women across the board to work in our water and power systems.”
She added, “As we make our transition to 100% clean energy and build our local water supplies, it’s important that we have capable women on the job helping to lead the way. We have great women leaders at LADWP and there’s room for more. We’re intent on making LADWP a workplace where women desire and aspire to be.”
The event aligns with the Department’s goal to help narrow the nation’s gender and racial pay gaps by improving access to employment, promoting the benefits of civil service and union representation, and connecting high school students, particularly underrepresented female students, to career paths in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Out of the more than 11,000 employees working for LADWP, approximately 25 percent are women.
“LADWP is a great place to work with competitive pay, excellent benefits and opportunities for growth and advancement,” said Martin L. Adams, LADWP General Manager and Chief Engineer.
“As the provider of critical services to our city, LADWP touches the lives of everyone in L.A. And we are able to do that in large part due to the women in our workforce who are excellent at what they do, and are supported and acknowledged for their contributions. I am thrilled to see this many people come out to our first ever Women’s Career and Wellness Expo. Our hope is that many get to meet the women who work with us and see for themselves how joining our team could be the best career decision they could ever make.”
"IBEW Local 18 is proud to partner with LADWP to mount this historic event to show everyone the benefits of union-represented, civil service jobs," said Gus Corona, IBEW Local 18 Business Manager.
“Through good pay, great benefits and opportunities to advance in your career, this is a rewarding place to work, with work-life balance and perks that ensure a great quality of life. We hope this expo brings back today's attendees as LADWP employees and union members in the future.”
Booths in the recruitment fair area focused on promoting careers in professional work settings (Customer Service, Engineering, Financial Services), in addition to jobs in skilled crafts or careers that are non-traditional for women (Electrical Mechanic, Load Dispatcher, Heavy Duty Truck Operator, Security Officer and Storekeeper). Attendees were able to discuss careers at LADWP directly with current employees, who helped provide relevant knowledge, experience and expertise. Staff members also participated in live demonstrations focusing on line workers, electric safety and utility equipment.
The Expo’s wellness section showcased benefits offered to LADWP employees, including health and dental plans, retirement, family care and employee resource groups, along with City partners, health and financial services providers, and local women-owned businesses. Families were encouraged to attend with an offering of activities such as a petting zoo and rock-climbing wall to engage young children. Other activities included a program with speakers and a dance party, a financial literacy class, fitness workout and meditation session.
LADWP Building Repairer Alicia Dickerson said, “It is a great feeling to be able to share the passion I have for the work that I do, with young people and adults alike, who could very well make up our future workforce. It was personally fulfilling for me to be a part of this LADWP Women’s Expo to be able to be an ambassador for LADWP and show pride in the work that I perform to serve our city and our community.”
LADWP’s partnerships with local non-profit and community-based organizations helped result in a strong turnout with a “Caravan to a Career” that brought several hundred students to the expo, from Ulysses S. Grant High School, Unite LA/Avantus Cleantech Career Academy, Central City Neighborhood Partners and Compton Unified School District.
The event was conceived by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners and the Department’s Women’s Council, an LADWP employee resource group formed in 2021 with a mission to support, elevate and advance women in the LADWP workforce by promoting opportunities for leadership, mentorship, recognition and work-life balance, while promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
The Expo was produced entirely in-house by Department staff, with the support of IBEW Local 18. For more information, visit the event website at https://ladwpcommission.com/womens-expo.
April 20, 2023
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
In 2022, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra implemented actions to improve maternal health and reduce health disparities, and this year, the Biden-Harris Administration has continued to champion policies to improve maternal health and equity.
Vice President Kamala Harris convened a meeting with Becerra and other Cabinet leaders amplifying a whole-of-government approach to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.
On Monday, April 10, President Biden issued another proclamation to begin Black Maternal Health Week.
The president called the week a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be a joyous occasion.
Biden called it urgent that all act.
“Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women,” the president remarked.
“This is on top of the fact that women in America are dying at a higher rate from pregnancy-related causes than in any other developed nation.”
He insisted that tackling the crisis begins with understanding how institutional racism drives these high maternal mortality rates.
Studies show that Black women are often dismissed or ignored in hospitals and other health care settings, even as they suffer from severe injuries and pregnancy complications and ask for help, the president reminded.
He said systemic inequities are also to blame.
“When mothers do not have access to safe and stable housing before and after childbirth, they are at greater risk of falling ill,” Biden exclaimed.
“When women face barriers traveling to the hospital for prenatal and postpartum checkups, they are less likely to remain healthy. Air pollution, water pollution, and lead pipes can have dangerous consequences for pregnant women and newborns. And when families cannot afford nutritious foods, they face worse health outcomes.”
He claimed his administration has penned the blueprint for addressing the maternal health crisis, an agenda that lays out specific actions the federal government would take to improve maternal health and secured funding from Congress to help implement it.
“Vice President Kamala Harris has been a leader on the issue of maternal mortality for years and led the charge to improve maternal health outcomes, including by issuing a call to action to address disparities in maternal care,” Biden stated.
“She continues to elevate the issue nationally, convening State legislators, medical professionals, and others so all mothers can access the care they need before, during, and after childbirth.”
The president continued:
“Additionally, my American Rescue Plan gave States the option to provide a full year of postpartum coverage to Medicaid beneficiaries — up from just 60 days of coverage.
“As a result, my Administration has approved requests from 30 States and Washington, D.C. to provide women with Medicaid coverage with a full year of postpartum coverage, and we have made this option permanent for every State that extends Medicaid postpartum coverage.
“My Administration has helped facilitate Medicaid expansion in four States since I took office, and I continue to call on the Congress to close the Medicaid coverage gap.
“We are also working to expand and diversify the maternal health workforce, helping health care providers hire and train diverse and culturally competent physicians, certified nurse midwives, doulas, and community health workers to support women during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care.”
The president’s budget includes $471 million to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates, improving access to care in rural communities, expanding implicit bias training for health care providers, and further supporting the perinatal health workforce.
“This week, as we continue our work to make pregnancy and childbirth safe, dignified, and joyful for all, let us remember that health care should be a right and not a privilege,” Biden continued.
“Let us give thanks to the extraordinary maternal health care workforce, which serves its patients and their families every day. And let us join in common cause to end the tragedy of maternal mortality once and for all.”
April 13, 2023
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
In 2022, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra implemented actions to improve maternal health and reduce health disparities, and this year, the Biden-Harris Administration has continued to champion policies to improve maternal health and equity.
Vice President Kamala Harris convened a meeting with Becerra and other Cabinet leaders amplifying a whole-of-government approach to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.
On Monday, April 10, President Biden issued another proclamation to begin Black Maternal Health Week.
The president called the week a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be a joyous occasion.
Biden called it urgent that all act.
“Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women,” the president remarked.
“This is on top of the fact that women in America are dying at a higher rate from pregnancy-related causes than in any other developed nation.”
He insisted that tackling the crisis begins with understanding how institutional racism drives these high maternal mortality rates.
Studies show that Black women are often dismissed or ignored in hospitals and other health care settings, even as they suffer from severe injuries and pregnancy complications and ask for help, the president reminded.
He said systemic inequities are also to blame.
“When mothers do not have access to safe and stable housing before and after childbirth, they are at greater risk of falling ill,” Biden exclaimed.
“When women face barriers traveling to the hospital for prenatal and postpartum checkups, they are less likely to remain healthy. Air pollution, water pollution, and lead pipes can have dangerous consequences for pregnant women and newborns. And when families cannot afford nutritious foods, they face worse health outcomes.”
He claimed his administration has penned the blueprint for addressing the maternal health crisis, an agenda that lays out specific actions the federal government would take to improve maternal health and secured funding from Congress to help implement it.
“Vice President Kamala Harris has been a leader on the issue of maternal mortality for years and led the charge to improve maternal health outcomes, including by issuing a call to action to address disparities in maternal care,” Biden stated.
“She continues to elevate the issue nationally, convening State legislators, medical professionals, and others so all mothers can access the care they need before, during, and after childbirth.”
The president continued:
“Additionally, my American Rescue Plan gave States the option to provide a full year of postpartum coverage to Medicaid beneficiaries — up from just 60 days of coverage.
“As a result, my Administration has approved requests from 30 States and Washington, D.C. to provide women with Medicaid coverage with a full year of postpartum coverage, and we have made this option permanent for every State that extends Medicaid postpartum coverage.
“My Administration has helped facilitate Medicaid expansion in four States since I took office, and I continue to call on the Congress to close the Medicaid coverage gap.
“We are also working to expand and diversify the maternal health workforce, helping health care providers hire and train diverse and culturally competent physicians, certified nurse midwives, doulas, and community health workers to support women during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care.”
The president’s budget includes $471 million to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates, improving access to care in rural communities, expanding implicit bias training for health care providers, and further supporting the perinatal health workforce.
“This week, as we continue our work to make pregnancy and childbirth safe, dignified, and joyful for all, let us remember that health care should be a right and not a privilege,” Biden continued.
“Let us give thanks to the extraordinary maternal health care workforce, which serves its patients and their families every day. And let us join in common cause to end the tragedy of maternal mortality once and for all.”
April 13, 2023
LAWT News Service
John Guttierez, a 32-year veteran law enforcement officer, who was serving as a lieutenant of the Cal State San Bernardino Police Department, has been named the university’s new chief of police.
Guttierez, who had also been serving as the interim police chief, was chosen following a nationwide search, said Sam Sudhakar, vice president and administrator-in-charge of the Division of Administration & Finance at CSUSB.
“After an intensive search and interview process, John stood out and we are proud to have him lead the department,” Sudhakar said. “He brings a wealth of training, knowledge and experience as a police officer, field training officer, senior police office, sergeant and lieutenant serving in the Los Angeles School Police Department.”
Guttierez, who began his law enforcement career in 1991, also served for five years as a sergeant with the San Bernardino City Unified School District Police Department.
“I am committed to our campus community, building lasting sustainable relationships through positive campus safety and policing concepts and partnerships that improve, enhance, and empower our students through education as we inspire our community through the badge,” said Guttierez.