California

California AgrAbility staff participated in the inaugural AgrAbility Virtual State Fair. California promoted the event with its network and during presentations staff had throughout the month. The California AgrAbility Program was featured on October 13th with highlights including California agricultural crop statistics, AT device lending library, a farmer story, farmworker data and ending the day with the newest educational tool developed in collaboration with partner agencies. Staff also made contributions for the Disability Employment Awareness Month along with veterans and mental health focused days. The event not only highlighted the California AgrAbility Program, but it also helped to increase collaboration and mutual understanding among SRAPs.

California AgrAbility staff presented virtually for the Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) and their partner agencies at their Annual Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration. The event opened with remarks from the California State Conservationist highlighting the importance of integrating individuals living with a disability into our workforces. The speaker was also celebrating 28 years of service with NRCS. The event followed with a spotlight presentation from California AgrAbility overviewing program services, assistive technologies, new program initiatives and an invitation for attendees to visit the AgrAbility Virtual State Fair social media pages. The event brought together over 60 attendees from around the state including Davis, Concord, Willows, Lockeford, Templeton, Bakersfield, Salinas, Oroville, Chico, and Placerville. Even states Texas and Tennessee joined in.

California AgrAbility staff presented at the Migrant Education Parent Meeting. An AgrAbility program overview was presented followed by local program highlights. A member of the parent group presented a summary of their Migrant Education Regional Parent Meeting. In this meeting they had a chance to discuss the top-ranked concerns they would like to receive further guidance on. Mental health concerns came out on top with 74% reporting this topic as a topic of concern. Getting aid to help their children with homework came in as the second concern with 63% of parents marking it.

Submitted by Sara Wat