CNRA’s Wellness Information and News Digest – Friday, June 4, 2021

Vax for the Win

Are you already vaccinated or about to be? Great! You’ll have a chance at winning $50,000 or a grand prize of $1.5 million! Not yet vaccinated against COVID-19? Listen up! Get vaccinated as soon as possible to be eligible for a $50 incentive card and other cash prizes. We want to thank you for helping us beat the pandemic in California!

Launched last week, Vax for the Win will select 30 winners for randomized “$50,000 Fridays” cash prize drawings and on June 15, $1.5 million will be awarded to 10 lucky Californians who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Winners will be identified by anonymous number and the county they live in. Over the coming days, the state will reach out to winners and request their approval to share their information publicly. In addition, the program is providing $100 million in $50 prepaid or grocery cards for newly vaccinated people leading up to the state’s full reopening.

How You Can Win

You’re eligible to win $1.5 million if you:

  • Live in California,
  • Are aged 12 and older,
  • And have received at least a first dose of your COVID-19 vaccine.

Prize money will be paid after the winner has completed their vaccination series. Incarcerated persons and persons living outside of California are not eligible. See Terms and Conditions.

Winners will be notified by the California Department of Public Health and will not be asked to pay any fees associated with verifying eligibility for the cash prize.

Any fraudulent activities or misinformation can be reported to rumors@cdph.ca.gov. Individuals should also use this email address to report any concerns about the authenticity of any contact they have received related to cash prizes

Not yet vaccinated?

Go to myturn.ca.gov or call the CA COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255 to find a vaccination site near you. Many allow you to walk in without an appointment.

You do not have to book through My Turn to qualify for this incentive. You are eligible if you get vaccinated at any site in California that reports to the statewide vaccination registry (CAIR), including in-home vaccination services.

World Environment Day

Tomorrow (June 5)  marks World Environment Day. Ahead of World Environment Day, and the official launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) North America Office and the California Natural Resources Agency created a compelling video to showcase important restoration initiatives taking place in California and how local solutions can have a big global impact.

Among the projects featured in the video is Stemple Creek Ranch, where owners Loren and Lisa Poncia use regenerative, organic agricultural practices to enhance and rehabilitate their entire ecosystem by focusing on soil health and increasing carbon in their land. They are also part of the Marin Carbon Project.

“We try to dance with Mother Nature; we try not to do any harm and we try to create as much photosynthesis as possible with our grazing practices so there’s always a living root in the ground that can capture Mother Nature’s rays of sun,” says Loren Poncia.

“We’re carbon farmers really; we’re pulling CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil.”

Another project — the Sacramento River Run4Salmon initiative — sees UNEP Young Champion of the Earth Niria Alicia Garcia work with indigenous women and activists to raise awareness about the plight of the Chinook salmon, a keystone species that is sacred to the Winnemem Wintu people and many other indigenous communities from California to Canada and Alaska. Read more about this amazing project here.

Tribal communities have acted as stewards to California’s natural resources since before the state’s inception, and the state’s partnership with tribes is more important than ever. Indigenous peoples represent less than 5 per cent of the global population and yet they steward more than 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity.

Another project featured in the video shows how work is taking place at the Cesar E. Chavez Education Center to convert an unshaded schoolyard in the Oakland Unified School District into a green space. And finally, the video features Dos Rios Ranch, a multi-benefit project located in Stanislaus County, California, at the confluence of the San Joaquin and Tuolumne Rivers, where approximately 1,600 acres have been restored with plans to restore an additional 500 acres. This work is protecting biodiversity, protecting communities against flooding and helping California to increase its climate resilience.

These projects demonstrate how California is taking action to restore our earth, and show that by working together, we can achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Follow all the events taking place around World Environment Day here, and don’t miss the virtual gala launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration on June 4.

Telework Training – Beyond the Pandemic: The Hybrid Model

Telework training is available now from CalHR and GovOps titled “Beyond the Pandemic: The Hybrid Model” on CalLearns. This is a new requirement for managers/supervisors, whether or not you directly manage or supervise employees. The entire six course hours can be counted toward the biennial minimum requirement of 20 hours of leadership training. If you haven’t done so already, create an account on CalLearns (instructions below). Once you sign in, select/add to your cart ‘Beyond the Pandemic: The Hybrid Workforce 6/1/2021-7/13/2021: https://calhr.geniussis.com/PublicWelcome.aspx

Once added to your cart, you will need to click on ‘Proceed to Checkout’ in the upper right hand corner:

Follow the rest of the prompts to complete your registration.

Directions for Registering for CalLearns

  1. Create a CalLearns Profile (a prerequisite for registering) if you do not have one:  Use this link: Create an account
  2. Log onto Your CalLearns Account via Access CalLearns using any borrower (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) except Internet Explorer (IE).  
  3. Register for the Course on your CalLearns Dashboard.   Please refer to this document: Register for Training
  4. Take the Course You can begin taking the course immediately after registration.  The course consists of sequential, self-paced modules.  You can exit the course at will and re-access it again later to continue. You will have until end-of-day on July 13 to complete the course; there will be no extensions.
  5. Retrieve Your Certificate – Certificates of Completion, in downloadable pdf format, are available via your CalLearns Dashboard usually within 15 minutes after you complete the entire course. Please refer to this document: Print Transcripts and Certificates

Information and Troubleshooting:  Visit the CalLearns Homepage for information about the CalLearns resources.  Additionally, typically questions and problems can be resolved easily by referring to the FAQs and troubleshooting links on the homepage.  If you encounter a registration or course problem that cannot be resolved via the FAQs or troubleshooting links, then please address your questions in writing to training@calhr.ca.gov.

Time Capsule Submission Request

We have the exciting opportunity to place a time capsule in the new CNRA Headquarters Building and we want your input! We are requesting concepts to be submitted by June 18, 2021 through this survey. Categories to keep in mind while considering your submission should include:

  1. Something that is reflective of CNRA’s mission: To restore, protect and manage the state’s natural, historical and cultural resources for current and future generations using creative approaches and solutions based on science, collaboration and respect for all the communities and interests involved.
  2. California current events.
  3. Something that is specific to the building.

In thinking about ideas, please keep in mind the limitations due to the size of the time capsule box: 14”W x 10“H x 32“D.

If you would like to submit an idea, please fill out this form.

Mind Your Mental Health – June is National PTSD Awareness Month

Approximately eight million Americans at any given time suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD Awareness Month seeks to raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD, reduce the stigma associated with PTSD and help those suffering with this condition obtain needed treatment.

  • Traumatic events that can cause PTSD include physical or sexual assaults, war-related combat stress, serious accidents, terrorism, natural or man-made disasters and other threats on a person’s life.
  • Symptoms can include nightmares, flashbacks or disturbing thoughts about the experience(s), avoidance of traumatic memories, anger, irritability, depression and being easily startled or frightened.
  • Helpful treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy with a mental health professional, medications such as antidepressants, family therapy to help loved ones understand a family member’s PTSD and peer support from fellow trauma survivors.
  • There are resources readily available to help diagnose and effectively treat PTSD. There should be no shame in seeking assistance.

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. Throughout the month, we will be highlighting the importance of speaking openly about mental health. Seventy percent of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives, with up to 20% of these go on to develop PTSD.

With your help, we can bring awareness to the prevalence of PTSD and other mental health conditions in our communities. It’s our job to help end the stigma surrounding addictions and mental health by sharing resources and starting conversations. Throughout the month of June, we encourage family, friends, and loved ones to learn more about PTSD mental health. Here are some important facts you should know:

Here are some important facts you should know:

Remember, mental illness does not discriminate. Join us to help bring attention to the importance of sharing mental health stories and help improve the lives of millions of Americans living with a mental illness.

Help is available! Visit https://www.magellanhealthcare.com/about/bh-resources/mymh/ or contact your program to learn more about how to help yourself or someone you care about.

2021 Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards – Accepting Nominations

We are excited to announce the call for nominations for the 2021 Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards. We would appreciate your participation and support in helping to share this announcement with your contacts, colleagues, and allies.  Click here to submit nominations for the 2021 Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards!

The California Energy Commission’s Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards recognize leaders who are helping to advance California’s clean energy goals. Nominations are being accepted in the following categories:

  • Lifetime Achievement
  • Clean Energy Champion
  • Youth Game-Changer

The second annual awards ceremony is scheduled for December 2021. Learn more at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/about/california-energy-commissions-clean-energy-hall-fame-awards. Contact: PublicAdvisor@energy.ca.gov or call (916) 654-4489

CNRA’s New Instagram

Virtual Water Cooler

Tweet of the Day

Telework Tip

Visit telework.govops.ca.gov for best practices and tips to help make telework successful for every employee and the Californians we serve.

Featured Activities

https://t.co/bqrMbkk96G?amp=1

A World Environment Day Screening & Discussion of “Kiss the Ground”
Screening, June 5-7, 2021
Discussion, Monday, June 7 from 11 am – 12 pm EST

Watch the film

Join the discussion

With less than 10 years left to shift the path of our planet and combat climate change, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration calls to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean.

On World Environment Day, join the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to mark the launch of the UN Decade by viewing an exclusive screening of the critically-acclaimed environmental feature documentary, “Kiss the Ground,” and joining a virtual discussion about the film.

You are invited to watch the documentary between June 5-7 and tune into the interactive conversation with experts and featured guests from the film on Monday, June 7 from 11 am – 12 PM EST. This session will highlight innovative ways regenerative agriculture is reviving ecosystems around the world and how you can be part of the movement.

Welcoming Remarks 

Jocelyn Brown Hall, Incoming Director of FAO North America

Barbara Hendrie, Director of UNEP North America

About Kiss the Ground

Finian Makepeace, Co-founder of Kiss the Ground

Panelists

John D. Liu, Ecosystem Ambassador, Commonland Foundation, and Founder of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps Movement

Eduardo Mansur, Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity & Environment, FAO

Ronald Vargas, Secretary of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO

Moderator

Thomas Pesek, Senior Liaison Officer, FAO North America

Join the conversation: #GenerationRestoration #WorldEnvironmentDay #Regeneration

RSVP Today! June Career Development Program: LGBTQ+ Pride and Disability Employment, Independence, and Equality with Andi Mudryk, Chief Deputy Director, DOR

The June Career Development Program session is scheduled for 12:00 – 1:00, on Wednesday, 6/9/2021.

Session Title: LGBTQ+ Pride and Disability Employment, Independence, and Equality

Session Speaker: Andi Mudryk, Chief Deputy Director, Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)

Session Overview: Andi will share her personal, professional, and leadership experiences as a transgender woman with a disability in the disability rights movement and as an executive within state government.

About the Speaker: Andi joined DOR in 2018 as the Chief Counsel, was appointed in her current role in 2020, and was unanimously confirmed by the California Senate in April 2021.  DOR provides services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living and equality for individuals with disabilities.  Before joining DOR, Andi served as the Deputy Director of Disability Rights California, the largest disability rights law firm in the country and the largest legal services provider in California.  She graduated with honors in 1989 from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. and has extensive experience serving in leadership roles in non-profit organizations and in litigating a variety of discrimination and disability-related claims.  She is admitted to practice law in California, Arizona, and Michigan.  On a personal note, Andi is a proud transgender woman with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as Brittle Bone Disorder.

This workshop is sponsored by both the Asian Pacific State Employees Association (APSEA) and Association of California State Employees with Disabilities (ACSED). This is a virtual session using Zoom.

A new online registration system has been developed and you are encouraged to use it to register at the following link: https://www.acsedonline.org/June-workshop. You may also register using Eventbrite at this link: https://Juncdp2021.eventbrite.com

Please only register once by using one of the links above. Once you submit your registration, you will receive an email confirmation with the Zoom link. In addition, shortly before the workshop you will also receive an email containing the Zoom link. Should you experience difficulty registering using the above link or if you fail to receive the confirmation email with the Zoom link, send an email to apseacdp@gmail.com.

To join APSEA, please visit http://apsea.org/membership/

To join ACSED, please visit https://www.acsedonline.org/get-involved/