The importance of listening to the needs of our communities when working in institutions and organizations.

Restorative Justice requires  commitment to bringing  everyone to the table so all voices are heard.

Responding to Covid-19 will require stable testing and contact tracing to ensure that we can help individuals and families.

 Diane  and Roma have committed their lives to improving health and justice for our communities.

In the first part of this two part series, Diane Jones shares a research project with the University of California San Francisco after Physicians identified that the majority of the transmissions  of Covid-19  was within the Latino/Latinx communities.  Diane reached out to and worked closely with the Latino/ Latinx leadership in San Francisco  to involve them in the research project to identify who was being infected and how best to respond. Diane was pivotal in this research because she  was able to build  bridges with Latino/Latinx communities.

Roma Guy  discusses her work fighting a new proposed jail that would cost the city millions of dollars. She talks about the community organizing that was done to block this jail and to focus on the needs of those incarcerated including bail reform, health care, mental health, and substance abuse treatment.

This  episode continues next week.....

The Esparza family, led by Ofelia Esparza, has  continued to bring  Dia De Los Muertos Altars  and activities  to the community during the Covid19  restrictions by going virtual in association with Self Help Graphic in Los Angeles, California.

Ofelia Esparza shares her rich history of Altar making and her mother's influence on her artistic development.

Honoring our Ancestors is so important to our wellbeing and health, remembering how their lives  contributed to  our family histories.

The Esparza Family also provides  health and wellness activities through their Tonalli Studio  to the greater communities and women who are incarcerated. 

*Correction from Jasmine Najera.  The requirement for LCSW licensing  a 3,000 supervised hours*

The importance of mentors in career development.

 The challenges of working in health care systems as a Woman of Color.

The importance of developing programs that integrate social workers into community policing.

Supporting the wellness of  law enforcement and  clinical staff who work in jails.

Keeping youth out of criminal justice systems by providing wraparound services in times of crisis.

There are many health benefits to being outside and  involved  in physical activities.

Latinos are underrepresented in sponsored recreational and outdoor activities.

Latinos Outdoors sponsor outdoor and physical activities for Latino families and youth.

Latino Outdoors are responding to Covid19 by going to virtual activities and small group activities.

Latino Outdoors, depends on volunteers,  if you want to volunteer or donate contact Latinooutdoors.org

Epidemiology is the study  of the distribution  and the determinants of disease frequency in human populations, as well as  the application of research studies to control health problems.

Health outcomes are influenced by educational access, income, housing status, and the environment.

Although Covid 19 can impact everyone, those with  risk factors and facing social inequalities will have a more difficult time protecting themselves.

The importance of virtual engagement with friends and families to  help with mental health during this time of isolation and  social distancing.

Flu  Shots are effective against Influenza (Flu). 

Flu Shots can also reduce symptoms of the Flu.

Young Children, Pregnant Women and those with Chronic Illnesses are especially encouraged to get flu shots.

Keeping up with Covid19 prevention activities: mask wearing, good hygiene, and social  distancing continues to be important during flu season.

Technology employees work long hours  and stress levels are high.

Working from home increases pressure to work long hours.

Taking personal control of stress helps  prevent burnout.

Working with co-workers and Human Resources to improve work environments.

We should imagine the world differently for the future in the post-pandemic era:

A world where justice prevails and our brothers and sisters in the criminal justice systems are treated fairly and mass incarceration is a practice of the past. Those released from  our jails and prisons  have support  when they come back into the communities, support that helps them succeed.

Nance Alejandrez and Luis J. Rodriguez are justice activists  and they share their thoughts and wisdom about a better world in the future.