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| Update on Proposed Mid-Year Cuts |
| As reported in last month's edition of PASC E-News, the State is currently facing a budget shortfall of $15 billion and growing. To address this issue, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed mid-year cuts to several state-funded services and programs, including In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Many of the cuts being proposed by the governor are identical to the cuts that were proposed earlier this year, but defeated in the legislature.
As of today, the legislature and the governor have not been able to come to any agreements regarding the budget crisis. The governor is planning to announce his proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 on January 10th. It is expected that he will propose even more drastic cuts if a budget solution is not implemented before then.
For more information on the proposed cuts, please see the December 2008 edition of PASC E-News. (click here) Additional information can also be found on the California Legislative Analyst's Office website at www.lao.ca.gov.
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| Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft |
| Identity theft can occur in a variety of different ways and usually involves the theft of Social Security and credit card numbers, which are then used to make purchases, secure loans, and empty out bank accounts. It is important that you protect yourself from identity theft as much as you can. Below are a few basic tips that can help.
When you are at the store: 
- Try to limit yourself to carrying only your I.D. and one credit card.
- Use your body to shield your P.I.N. from copying by others.
- Don't write your P.I.N. on your card.
- Make sure the cashier only scans your card and doesn't keep information stored or write down your account number for later use.
- Shred and throw away all carbons from credit card purchases.
When you are at home:
- Compare your receipts against your credit card statement or bank statement. Shred those receipts once you have confirmed that it is correct.
- Check your bank statements for charges that you didn't make.
- Keep a copy of your credit card information stored in a file at home, in case your wallet or purse gets stolen.
- When making purchases over the phone, do not give out more information than necessary to make the purchase.
- Request a free credit report every 12 months by calling 877-322-8228. Verify all accounts open in your name.
- Double-check any accounts that were denied without your prior knowledge.
When you check your mail:
- Call the United States Postal Service Fraud Department at 800-654-8896 if you suspect that someone is stealing or tampering with your mail.
- Be cautious about responding to any mail which states that you are a lottery or prize winner, but asks you to pay for your winnings. It's probably a scam.
When you are online:
- Change your passwords regularly. Try to include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers.
- Never write down your passwords on a post-it note close to the computer. Try to memorize your passwords as much as possible.
- Do not use programs that memorize your passwords, because hackers may manipulate that information.
- When making purchases online, try to use websites that have secure browsers or encryption software.
When you have visitors:
- Always check the I.D. of any person who is visiting you without your prior knowledge.
- Call the company that the person claims to be from to verify that this is a legitimate visit.
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| CPR Trainings Available for Consumers and Providers |
 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for situations where the person is not able to breathe due to choking, heart attack, or respiratory arrest (an inability for oxygen to reach the lungs). The purpose of CPR is to maintain a flow of oxygen to the brain and heart so brain damage or tissue death is avoided.
The American Red Cross offers CPR trainings throughout the county for a nominal fee. The trainings teach students how to perform CPR and care for individuals who cannot breathe due to choking, heart attack, or other medical conditions. Students also learn the signs and symptoms of heart attack, stroke, and choking emergencies.
PASC will be sponsoring three CPR trainings in conjunction with the American Red cross during the next few months. The trainings are free and open to IHSS providers and consumers. However, spacing is limited, so a reservation is required. Contact the PASC training hotline at 818-206-8030 for information on dates and locations.
For information on additional CPR trainings, please visit the American Red Cross's website at www.redcrossla.org.
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| Television Is Going Digital |
| On February 18, 2009, the television industry will complete its transition from old-style analog broadcasting to digital. At that time, anyone who does not own a digital television set and still gets their programming through an antenna will no longer receive a picture unless they have a specially equipped converter box. Viewers who have satellite or cable service will not need a box.
Converter boxes cost between $50 and $70 and are available at most major electronics retail stores. However, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NITA) is offering coupons valued at $40 to help people buy the boxes for older TVs that will not work after the switch to digital broadcasting.
To request a coupon, you can apply online at www.dtv2009.gov or can contact NITA at 888-DTV-2009 (888-388-2009).
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| Upcoming Trainings and Events
Click on training for more information |
For information on additional events, please visit the Calendar section of our website at www.pascla.org.
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| Legislation Watch
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