Track your ballot, register to vote, find election results and more! This information is available at the CA Secretary of State webpage:
Click here to visit the California Secretary of State's Elections and Voter Information webpage.
Resources
Links to Selected State and Federal Resources
Food Distribution Resources
Voting Information Resources
Voting Information!
CalFresh Benefits
CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-income and provides economic benefits to communities. CalFresh is the largest food program in California and provides an essential hunger safety net. CalFresh is federally mandated and in California, is state-supervised and county-operated.
CalFresh benefits can help buy nutritious foods for a better diet. CalFresh benefits stretch food budgets, allowing individuals and families to afford nutritious food, including more fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods. The amount of benefits a household receives is dependent on household size countable income, and monthly expenses, such as housing and utilities. The program issues monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Food may be purchased at any grocery store or farmers market that accepts EBT cards.
Click HERE to visit GetCalFresh.org and apply for CalFresh benefits.
Click HERE to visit the BenefitsCal website to see if you qualify.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov.
You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov.
Nutrition and Fitness
The winning recipe for a healthy lifestyle includes a combination of both good nutrition and physical activity. Your body needs a variety of nutrient rich foods to grow and prevent illness. And your body also needs to move and exercise every day.
Well-nourished students have higher test scores, increased school attendance, improved concentration, and improved classroom behavior. Students, who are physically fit, sleep better and are better able to handle the physical and emotional challenges that they encounter during the day.
Local School Wellness Policy
Local educational agencies (LEA) that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the School Breakfast Program (SBP), are required by federal law to establish a Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP) for all schools under its jurisdiction. LSWPs are an important tool for parents, LEAs, and school districts in promoting student wellness, preventing and reducing childhood obesity, and providing assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the minimum federal school meal standards.
Click HERE to view the Etiwanda School District Wellness page!
Smart Snacks in Schools
All public non-charter schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) must follow state and federal requirements for competitive foods and beverages. Competitive foods and beverages are those that are sold to students on school campus during the school day* outside of the school meal programs. Examples include à la carte items sold in the cafeteria, foods received by students as part of a fundraiser, and foods sold in school stores, snack bars, and vending machines.
(*The school day is defined as the midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the school day.)
Competitive foods must meet smart snack standards. This means they must meet specific nutrition standards, including limits on calories, fat, sugar, and sodium. Smart snacks are considered a healthier choice for students to snack on during the school day.
You can use California Project Lean's Calculators to see if a food or beverage meets smart snack standards!
Click here for the Elementary School Snack Calculator
Click here for the Intermediate School Snack Calculator
Click here to visit California Project Lean's website to learn more about smart snacks in schools!
Good Nutrition Leads to Great Academic Performance
Your body needs healthy fuel to perform, to grow and to ward off illness and disease. Would you feed a million dollar racehorse junk food & soda? Of course not, so think about what you eat...because you are worth far more than a horse!
Good nutrition has a positive and direct impact on your ability to do well in school. When your nutritional needs are met, you have the cognitive energy to learn and achieve. You will be better prepared to learn, more likely to attend school, and are more apt to take advantage of learning opportunities.
Kids often need snacks to help them get enough calories (ENERGY) throughout the day. Choosing healthy snacks that add nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to their diets is essential. Smart snacking is a great way to meet daily nutrient requirements that may be missed at meal times.
60 Minutes of Activity a Day...do it for life!
Fit "Fitness" into your busy day - It is important to your health and success. Whether it is walking the dog, running, or riding a bike... make physical activity one of the healthy habits in your daily life.
Get out and get active - limit sedentary activities. Student's lifestyles today are very different from their parents'. TV, video games, texting and online social networks are now replacing the neighborhood kickball game. Kids and teens are spending more time sitting and less time running, jumping and playing. Commit to staying active.
What are the Benefits? Students who are physically fit will...
Find it easier to maintain a healthy weight
Sleep better
Have higher self-esteem and self-confidence
Be more attentive in class and perform better in school
Have proper growth with stronger bones, muscles, and joints
Feel less stressed
Reduce their risk of chronic disease
Decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Have lower blood pressure
Have lower LDL "bad" blood cholesterol levels, and raise HDL "good" cholesterol levels
Feel happier and have a better outlook on life!