| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 27, 2020Media ReleasePublic Information Officer Laura Forrest, (510) 670-7754, [email protected] |
Today the Supreme Court of the United States issued a ruling that lifts an injunction on the “public charge” rule In Alameda County we embrace our diversity and take pride in the community support that we provide to all who come to our country in search of a better life. The change to the “public charge” rule set to be implemented by the Trump Administration after Monday’s ruling by the Supreme Court does not change that. We know the change in this rule will cause anxiety and fear for those families who access public benefits. We have already seen the chilling effect of the rule and we hope that we can be a part of dispelling those fears in order that our families are not discouraged from accessing benefits for which they are eligible.We want to be clear. Public education — and in particular, school nutrition programs — are exempt from the “public charge.” Families should not fear sending their children to school or having them receive meals or other services while at school. The school districts of Alameda County remain wholly committed to and supportive of access to services for the students and families in our educational communities. We also support the social services agencies of our county, which are dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of our most vulnerable populations, including those in the immigrant community unjustly targeted by the change in the “public charge” rule.Families should not fear sending their children to school or having them receive meals or other services while at school. Visit acoe.org/publiccharge for more information and resources in English and Spanish. About ACOE The Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE), under the leadership of County Superintendent of Schools L. Karen Monroe, serves as liaison between the California Department of Education and the 18 Alameda County public school districts that serve more than 200,000 students and 10,000 teachers. ACOE provides oversight of district budgets and Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs). ACOE also directly operates schools that serve Alameda County most vulnerable students: Court Schools at the Juvenile Justice Center, ACOE Opportunity Academy schools serving students 16 and older seeking a high school diploma, and Community Schools that serve foster youth, students in substance abuse treatment, pregnant and parenting teens, Probation-referred youth, and students expelled from their resident school districts. ACOE also runs the Infant & Family Support Program, which provides individualized service for children from birth to three years and their families. For more information, visit www.acoe.org. |
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