THIS MONTH’S HOT TOPICS
You can make a difference by being a Court Appointed Special Advocate!
There are approximately 443,000 children who are currently in the foster care system in the United States and approximately 23,000 youth emancipating (aging out) out of the foster care system every year. Only 58% of these youth are graduating with a high school diploma. Within a year 1 in 5 will be homeless and by the age of 24, less than half are employed. 74% of the prison population is made up of former foster youth. However, when a youth is assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), the graduation rate increases from 58% to 92%.
On any given day there are over 3,100 children in the foster care system within Orange County. More than 2,300 of those children are living in out-of-home care; group home, foster home or with an extended family member. CASA-OC currently has over 500 matches between a trained and supervised CASA volunteer and a youth in the foster care system. CASA-OC currently has over 200 youth on a waiting list and is in need of more volunteers who are willing to step up to the plate to mentor and advocate for these vulnerable children and fight for their best interest.
Learn more at casaoc.org on how you can make a difference by being the difference.
CalPERS Long Term Care Lawsuit Update
A class-action lawsuit that could cost CalPERS $1 billion is headed to trial in June, and many of the 122,000 retirees who bought an insurance plan at the center of the case are receiving small checks from an agreement that settled a portion of the claims. The lawsuit stems from a series of rate increases that CalPERS adopted for long-term care insurance beginning in 2013, peaking with an 85 percent rate hike in 2015. CalPERS says in its most recent appeal that it would raise rates on the plan by 124 percent if it loses the lawsuit.
Mike Bidart, the lead counsel in the CalPERS LTC lawsuit, contends that the structure of the rate increases breached the contracts people signed when they bought the policies beginning in 2003. Those agreements included assurances that rate hikes would be spread among those who bought long-term care insurance, and that people who bought inflation protection policies would not see their rates increase because of expanded benefits, according to court documents.
The website to learn more about this lawsuit is: http://www.calpersclassactionlawsuit.com/
When your contact information has changed
If you move, get a new or change your e-mail address or telephone or if you have a name change, there are actions that are necessary so that you continue to receive your benefits, newsletters, e-mails, etc.
If any of the above pertains to you, you need to notify REAOC, the Orange County Employees’ Retirement System (OCERS) and the County of Orange Employee Benefits Center with the new information.
To contact REAOC – call (714) 840-3995 or click here to e-mail with the new/changed information.
To contact OCERS – call (714) 558-6200 or click here to go to their website and sign-into “MyOCERS” to update your information.
To contact the County of Orange Employee Benefits Center – call (800) 858-7266 or click here to go to the benefits website.
REAOC Informer Newsletter
Click here to read the latest Informer newsletter.
CRCEA Intercom Newsletter
Click here to read the latest newsletter from the California Retired County Employees Association (CRCEA).
NEWS WEEK OF JUNE 10, 2019
San Diego pension morass creates confusion
What happens when a court rules that a voter-approved pension reform package was placed on the ballot in violation of the state constitution, but the court refuses to either validate or invalidate the voting outcome? Good question. This story in the San Diego Union-Tribune explains the situation and presents differing opinions on what should happen. (Click here)
And this story in the Voice of San Diego is an update providing information about an action the Council just took to invalidate the voter approved pension reform proposition, but what it all means is still very unclear. (More)
Snapshot of new state budget
This Los Angeles Times Essential Politics column of June 10 reports on some of the budget and policy compromises and trade-offs being made in the legislature as a final 19-20 budget deal is negotiated. It reports that some of Governor Newsom’s proposals will not be included, such as a water tax, but some will such as health care for some undocumented immigrants. (More)
Are public employees safe at work?
By identify states that have and have not adopted OSHA type regulations regarding employee protections from violence while at work, this Governing article finds that about half the states seem to have their policies in place, while the other half – mostly in the south and interior west – do not. The story says, “In 2017, 265 local government workers and 91 state employees died while on duty, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.” (More)
Governor wants a master plan for aging
The Lake County News reports that Governor Newsom has signed an executive order to create a master plan for aging by October 1, 2020. The article says, “The master plan will serve as a blueprint that can be used by state government, local communities, private organizations and philanthropy to build environments that promote healthy aging.” (More)
Big rise in Riverside County pension debt forecast
The Press Enterprise reports that Riverside County pension costs are expected to rise by almost $300 million through 2024, squeezing an already tight budget. The story says, “the sobering forecast — which also said costs will increase through 2030 — came up during the Board of Supervisors’ review this week of the budget for the fiscal year.” (More)
ABOUT OUR LUNCHEONS
WHY
REAOC luncheons are held for the purpose of bringing Orange County retirees together for an afternoon of camaraderie, entertainment, and information. Friends and family are always welcome! Each luncheon features a different theme, with door prizes, and special gifts. As an added bonus, there is a valuable Progressive Drawing. They also serve as a general meeting for the membership.
WHERE
The Mile Square Park Banquet Facility located at 10401 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, California, 92708. For directions, call the Mile Square Banquet Facility at (714) 962-5541 or see map below showing where the Facility is located. Please DO NOT call the Facility to make reservations. Reservations are made by sending in the reservation form in The Informer or by calling the REAOC office at (714) 840-3995.
WHEN
Luncheons are held the 4th Wednesday of January, March, May and September, and on the first Wednesday of December at Noon. To ensure a parking spot please arrive by 11 a.m. Please carpool if possible as the parking lot at this facility can be quite busy.
Luncheons for 2019 are listed below:
September 25 December 4
Please Note: Reservations by phone or mail for the September 25th luncheon must be at the REAOC office by Wednesday, September 18, 2019.
Cost for the luncheon is $17.00 per person. A reservation form is provided in The Informer (on the current Luncheon page), in the “Forms” section of the REAOC web site or you may email the REAOC office of your request (reaoc@reaoc.org).
HEMET CHAPTER LUNCHEONS
Luncheons in Hemet have been traditionally held on the second Tuesday during the months of February, April, June, October and December. Attendees arrive around 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall located at 515 E. Kimball Avenue in Hemet and lunch is served between 11:45 and noontime. The cost is $9.50 per person. The Hemet Chapter would like new members and encourages all REAOC members who live in the area or within driving distance to join them for the luncheons.
REAOC’s Hemet Chapter will hold its next luncheon on Tuesday, June 18th at 11:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall located at 515 E.Kimball in Hemet.
Make your reservation by calling Mary Little at 951-485-7738 or Jane Pabitzky at 951-237-3240 by no later than June 11th, 2019.
Luncheons for 2019 are listed below:
June 18 October 15 December 17
MAP TO MILE SQUARE PARK
Below is a map showing the general location of the Mile Square Park Banquet Facility located at 10401 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, California 92708.
If you need exact directions from your house you can go to MapQuest and click on “driving directions.”
