Community: Greenfield

Host Agency: Greenfield Unified School District & Community Human Services

Community Profile: Greenfield is in the heart of the Salinas Valley, with a population of just under 10,000. The majority of residents are first and second generation Mexican families, many are farm workers. The family-based community has a significant number of children.

Residents and community agencies of Greenfield attended four meetings to address their concerns and to strategize regarding welfare reform issues. Those in attendance included Community Human Services, DSS of Monterey County, California Rural Legal Assistance, the Superintendents of Greenfield Union School District and King City Union High School District, Department of Employment, Futures for Families, Monterey County Free Library and a member of the Board of Supervisors. Key issues were agreed upon. The three areas the community felt were most crucial are transportation, childcare and library hours access. The group agreed that the community in many ways already felt the impact of welfare reform, and the solutions would require an effort by residents, agency and political representatives from the larger South county area.

The ICCS welfare reform specialist prepared a survey questionnaire for this community to dialog. Between meetings three and four, community members took the initiative to conduct surveys of low-income and welfare recipient families in order to get their input about issues regarding welfare reform. These same residents were instrumental in getting the word out and took the lead in organizing the surveys, while representatives from various agencies took the lead on each of the three policy areas: transportation, childcare, and library services.

The King City High School District Superintendent headed up the transportation committee. He proposed public use of school buses as a possible solution to the transportation problem. All schools have a "back-up" bus that sits idle during school hours. A schedule of rotation among the schools for a pilot program was proposed to create alternative transportation. School districts are exploring such an option for an inter-district agreement.

In Greenfield, the community room at the public library is the only real place community members have to meet. Welfare recipients need to study for their GED, technical training, accessing the Internet, and become computer literate. However, the hours of operation are limited. Also, residents, especially those impacted by welfare reform, have requested that the business hours be extended. Residents made the suggestion to enlist volunteers to work there during the extended hours. The librarian for the School District is heading up that committee and has taken their concerns to the Library Board. Residents want to continue to have a role in the expansion of services.

License Home Providers Support Group, a non-profit committed to providing such services as support, counseling, day care referrals and vocational training for childcare providers, is now available to help families who wish to open their own childcare business. Futures for Families are referring residents.

Community Human Services also addressed the issue of childcare by establishing a Latch Key program for children grades three through eight. The program was beneficial to both the children and their parents. Twenty-six to thirty-two children and youth attended the program daily. One of the benefits provided by the ICCS stipend was that they learned to eat healthy snacks. Activities included youth developing a park and garden, car wash fund raising, workshops on communication skills and Native American story telling. Other educational sessions that summer included: self-esteem and self-discovery, arts and crafts, building relationships, healthy choices, decision-making and goal setting. They also had first hand experience in governing their group by establishing their own set of ground rules, and setting up a Kids Court to handle those who breached the rules and other minor infractions. The youth requested that the program be continued and expand. A survey of parents confirmed the success of this project.

For some the program was behavior changing, as was the case with a young man who, when he entered the program, smoked marijuana regularly. While participating in the program he came to realize, largely through group discussions, the harm he was doing to his body. Before long he made the decision to quit smoking marijuana and cigarettes. His parents saw a marked improvement in his behavior, self-esteem and overall attitude. Program participants have asked that the program continue during the school year as an after school program.

The welfare reform project promoted empowerment among low-income and welfare recipient families by motivating them to organize and utilize their personal and community resources. Residents have become aware of their options and lines of communication between residents and agencies have been established. The Institute's collaborative pursuit process provided structure yet allowed for autonomy. This group also recommends a follow-up leadership program. ICCS is planning to include south county participants in the proposed Community Leader program.

Accomplishments:

• Superintendent of King City High School District met with transportation committee for an alternate transportation plan
• Increased knowledge and skills in becoming licensed child care providers
• Established summer youth program for 32 children to improve school performance and community experience
• Community volunteers including welfare recipients are working to preserve and expand access to library

Challenges and Next Steps:

• Negotiate an inter-district agreement to address transportation needs
• Expand the pool of licensed childcare provider
• Look for funds to incorporate the latch-key project
• Continue informal discussions toward solutions for the library and utilize volunteer Cal Work recipients
• Need for training community leadership