Buckle Children Up and Keep Them Safe

Most parents know that using seat belts and booster seats helps to prevent injury to children in the event of an accident.  According to the CDC, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. and seat belts and booster seats cut the death rate in half.  However there are further steps parents can take to keep their children safe while riding in a car.


It is not just enough to have your child seated in a booster seat.  Parents should make sure that their booster seats meet The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines.  “Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars.” The NHTSA also recommends that children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat.  If you want to make sure the car seats you are using for your children are safe you can find out where to have them inspected here.

United Way Help Line

If you or your family are having problems providing food for your family, need medical attention (non-life threatening) or need counciling, your local United Way can refer you to the proper resources in your area.  They also have a suicide prevention line.

To receive help you can call 211 on your land line or cell phone and you will be connected to a representative.  They will take some of your personal information and direct you to the proper agency.  And don't forget to donate!

English as a Second Language

     Many immigrants arrive in the US that have not mastered the English language.  It can be very difficult to do even the simplest of tasks if one can not speak English.  This article is for those who are trying to halp a non English speaker find an affordable ESL class.
     Often churches, libraries or other non-profit organizations will offer ESL classes at a low cost or for free.  They have volunteers that tutor or teach English.  Look for programs that offer some sort of conversation group.  It is important that people be comfortable speaking English in public.
     Universities and Community Colleges may also ofer ESL classes.  These classes will have a fee as they are often taught by ESL professionals.
     If you are having trouble finding and ESL class check the internet for local listings and Craigs List or your local United Way office.

Great Place to Get Reasonable Bargains

Goodwill is a great place to find useful items at a descent price.  Items are donated and then priced and put out on the floor.  You can get everything from books, clothes, dishes, bicycles, paintings and lots more.  If you want to buy items at a reasonable price or have items to donate, I suggest you check them out!

Cheating and Plagiarism on the University Level

     As a student at a college or university you want to protect yourself from being accused of cheating or plagiarism as this could affect your grade for the class or your degree.  Professor's and the college or university view cheating and plagiarism as a serious offense.
    What constitutes cheating or plagiarism?  Plagiarism is defined as the practice of taking someone's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.  Violations of the college or universities code of student conduct can result in a variety of disciplinary actions, including suspension or permanent dismissal from the university. 
    If you have concerns regarding possible violations, your university should have a procedure in place for reporting such misconduct.  As a student you want to be sure you are not susceptible to such accusations.

Mail Fraud is a Federal Offense

     Tampering, withholding, or opening someone's mail that does not belong to you is a Federal Offense.  You will be happy to know that there are actions you can take to rectify the crime.  All you have to do is to go to the United States Postal Inspection Service site and fill out a form.  If you know who committed the crime you can fill out their information on the form as well.  The website is https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MLNtRcvd.aspx.
    To keep this from happening again, it may be wise to rent a post office box so that you know your mail is safe.

Tenant Rights

     In this economy many people find themselves having to rent their home rather than owning one.  Many renters are unaware that they have rights when it comes to renting a home.
    Upon moving in a rental home, you should be sure to inspect the home and report any damage you may find, otherwise you may lose some money in your deposit when it comes time to move out.  You should also know your state laws regarding mold and lead paint and make sure that your landlord notifies you of any problems regarding these common problems.
    As a tenant you have certain rights that protect you from certain privacy violations.  Most states have laws restricting when a landlord may enter your home without permission.  Check your local state laws to see what your rights are regarding unauthorized entry of your home.  If you should find that your landlord has violated your state laws, you can protect yourself by contacting your state's Department of Local Affairs.  TAKE ACTION NOW!

Computer Hacking: How to Protect Yourself

     Computer hacking and unauthorized computer access is a serious crime.  To protect yourself you will want to install a good firewall program on your computer.  If unprotected people may be able to see information you have stored on your computer as well as alter the information you see.
    Most states have laws protecting individuals from this type of crime.  In Washington state for example,  according to Washington law RCW 9A, Computer trespass in the first degree, a person is guilty of computer trespass if the person, without authorization, intentionally gains access to a computer system or electronic database of another.  Computer trespass in the first degree is a class C felony.  If you find yourself a victim, report the crime to your local authorities immediately!

Immigration: Protect Your Status!

     In 2002 the Homeland Security Act transfered the functions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Department of Homeland Security.  As such the Attorney General functions as the Executive Office for Immigration Review.
    The top reason for being deported from the US is having committed a serious crime.  The person having committed the crime will usually be deported within 90 days by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Immigrants will want to make sure they do not end up in this situation as they do not have a lot of legal rights after having committed a crime. 
    What do you do if you find yourself in this situation?  The only resource you will have is an immigration lawyer who may not be able to do much if you have been convicted of the crime.

Resources for Spanish Speakers at the US Department of Labor

If you have Spanish speakers employed at your business, the US Department of labor has tools written in Spanish from the DOL.  Some of the resources available are:

- Compliance Assistance for DOL laws.

- Disaster Assistance.

- Drug-Free Workplace.

-  Employment Training.

- Equal Opportunity.

- Health and Pension Benefits.

- Labor Management Standards.

- Mine Safety and Health.

- Occupational Safety and Health.

Links to these resources may be found at http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/Spanish-speakingTopic.htm .

Does Age Discrimination Play a Role in Unemployment?

The current economy has brought the highest rate of unemployment since the great depression.  Jobs are outsourced overseas, companies are cutting staff to increase the bottom line and small businesses are failing.  Because of the high rate of unemployment competition for jobs is fierce.  What role does age discrimination play for those unemployed and over 40?  The bigger question is what can be done about it?

I was laid off my job in 2009 from a Canadian insurance company based out of Vancouver, British Columbia.  They decided to close our Seattle office and our staff of around 20 found ourselves without work.  I spent the next two years searching for a job, sending out hundreds of resumes and receiving no responses.  "How can this be?" I thought.  I have a master's degree in management, I shouldn't be having trouble finding a job.

I found that other insurance companies were outsourcing my position I had worked in for 13 years overseas and there were no companies hiring for that position locally.  Discouraged and downtrodden from some events in my personal life I decided to move out of state and look for work elsewhere.

I moved to a city in the southwest and found myself in the same situation as Seattle.  I did however start to notice some trends in my job hunt.  When I went to the unemployment office to use their computer I noticed that most of the people using the resources in the office were mostly over the age of 40.  I also noticed as I was filling out an application for Starbucks that there was a field they wanted you to fill out if you were under the age of 40.  I realized this was a backhanded way of finding out if the prospective employee was over the age of 40 or not.  Yet on their website they define diversity as Diversity = Inclusion + Equity + Accessibility, with equity defined as fairness and justice.  I did not fill out the field and wasn't surprised that I wasn't contacted for a position.  As I was filling out applications from other businesses I noticed they all seemed to include this field in their applications.

My unemployment ran out and I found myself going to a temporary day labor agency.  I waited for four hours to be chosen for a job.  I arrived at 7 AM and at about 11 AM I looked around the room and noticed that all of the people left and waiting to be called up for a position were middle aged or older.  That is when it finally hit me, I am being discriminated against!

What can be done to stand up for your rights?  According to the US Department of Labor website  "The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment. "  You can call or visit your local Labor and Industries office and file a complaint against the employer you feel has hiring practices that discriminate against older applicants.

Also you should write a letter to the head of the company or organization detailing the Age Discrimination Act of 1967 and inform them they are breaking the law and that you are filing a complaint.  You probably won't get the job, but you will be changing the hiring practices in your community for the future.