Edward Henderson | Impact Alameda

The California state government has been reminding businesses and landlords across the state that it is illegal to discriminate against job and rental applicants because they have committed felonies or misdemeanors in the past.

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is also encouraging the public to report housing ads that use discriminatory language to exclude certain racial groups, immigrants, people with felonies, and applicants with Section 8 or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) vouchers; etc.

“The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing announced a new effort to identify and correct violations of the Fair Chance Act, a pioneering state law that seeks to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal histories,” a DFEH statement read.

The Fair Chance act, which took effect on January 1, 2018, was written to increase access to employment and housing for Californians with criminal histories — a way to reduce recidivism, among other goals. Employers with five or more employees are prohibited from asking a job candidate about conviction history during the hiring process or when advertising a vacancy.

Since the law passed, the state has sent more than 500 notices to businesses informing them that they have violated protections put in place to protect people seeking work.

The DFEH says it is implementing new technologies to conduct mass searches of online job applications that include unlawful statements. For example, some businesses explicitly state in hiring advertisements that they would not consider applicants with criminal records.

“Using technology to proactively find violations of the state’s anti-discrimination laws is a powerful strategy for our department to protect Californians’ civil rights,” said DFEH Director Kevin Kish. “DFEH is committed to preventing employment discrimination through innovative enforcement actions and by providing clear guidance to employers.”

DFEH released a toolkit to aid employers in adhering to the Fair Chance Act guidelines. The toolkit includes sample forms and guides employers can use to follow required procedures; a suggested statement that employers can add to job advertisements and applications to let applicants know that they will consider individuals with criminal histories; answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Fair Chance Act and an informational video that explains the Fair Chance Act.

In addition, DFEH plans to release an interactive training and an online app this year.

Before authorities lifted the statewide COVID-19 public health restrictions, DFEH also warned businesses against masking discrimination with COVID safety precautions.

“As Californians navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing has provided guidance to protect civil rights and mitigate risk of COVID-19 transmission in employment, housing, healthcare, and, in our guidance released today, businesses open to the public,” said Kish. “We can and must uphold civil rights while simultaneously disrupting the spread of COVID-19.”

DFEH encourages individuals to report job and housing advertisements violating the Fair Chance Act or other instances of discrimination.

Visit the DFEH website to file complaints. (https://ccrs.dfeh.ca.gov/s/login/)

Bo Tefu | Impact Alameda

Margot Dashiell became an activist advocating for people living with mental illness in Alameda County following her career as a Sociology and African American Studies professor at Palo Alto Community College.

The community leader has committed more than 20 years of her life and career to supporting people with severe mental illnesses and their families. Her track record as a volunteer working to improve the quality of life for mentally ill individuals and their families has helped improve the behavioral healthcare system in Alameda County. As the vice-president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, East Bay, Dashiell has leveraged her network to spearhead behavioral health initiatives and programs.

“It’s in my DNA. I’ve been an activist all of my adult life. A lot of it was around racial justice and equity. It’s just in my nature to try to work on behalf of change,” said Dashiell.

The retired professor worked on the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), a California landmark ballot initiative approved in 2004 that has helped to fund mental health services across Alameda County. Titled Proposition 63 voters approved the legislation that has contributed to mitigating the lack of funding for mental health services in California state hospitals. Thirty years ago, the state cut back on funding services that treat individuals with severe mental illnesses. The MHSA places a 1 % tax on personal income above $1 million, the funds get redirected to mental health services across the state. It has generated more than $15 billion for individuals with mental illnesses and disabilities.

According to Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), more than 2 million people in California are affected by potentially disabling mental illnesses every year.

The lack of resources to support African American families who take care of relatives with mental illnesses inspired Dashiell to work as a facilitator in the African American Family Outreach Program. The program hosted by the Mental Health Association of Alameda County is a support group for Black families with mentally ill relatives. The program, funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Agency is one of many projects which aim to reform the behavioral healthcare system for underserved communities.

“I became involved in mental health issues working on behalf of families and people who have a serious mental illness. Having it in my family for over three generations, I became involved in trying to support not only in my own family but family members in the community,” said Dashiell.

The limited resources in the behavioral health care system make it hard for Black families to best care for mentally ill relatives which can be catastrophic for their family dynamic.

“I work with families to support individuals within the family and to navigate the very complicated and inadequate system of mental health in the county,” she said.

The outreach program hosts public meetings five times a year for the families of people with mental illness. Each of the meetings includes psychiatrists and other mental health service providers specializing in crisis response, substance abuse, and mental illness.

People struggling with mental illness are still stigmatized although mental health support in Alameda County has improved. The negative perceptions associated with behavioral health are also connected to social justice issues that disproportionately affect Black and Brown people from low-income communities.

The War on Drugs inflicted harm on many Black and Brown families across the United States. The trauma criminal justice system-imposed trauma on Black and Brown families which catalyzed mental health challenges in diverse communities.

According to a research report by the MHSOAC, 17 % of people incarcerated in local jails have a serious mental illness, a rate more than three times that of the general population.

The research report stated that people with mental health needs or experiences of trauma often have addictions to drugs or alcohol and are vulnerable to poverty and homelessness. Researchers of the report claimed that major consequence of the criminal justice system that is overwhelmed by a population it was never designed to serve.

“Mental illness is connected to very serious social problems, it impacts the community in very deep ways. The homeless are living with mental illness, a large proportion of the people in the county jail, are living with mental illness,” said Dashiell.

“Support and adequate resources for people with serious mental illness are very critical,” she said.

Dashiell also works to dispel misconceptions about mental illness that prevent Black people from receiving the help they need to overcome mental illness.

“Mental illness is very hard on the individuals who are afflicted,” said Dashiell.

“It’s a misconception that people are in control of mental illness. People often think they are in control, they don’t realize the depth of the illness,” she said.

The stigma associated with medical treatment for severe mental illness is another point of concern among Black families. However, experts say, receiving professional help is the best option for both the individual and their family. Medication is often necessary for severe conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Skilled psychiatrists work closely with individuals to prescribe medication that helps improve the quality of life for someone who is mentally ill.

“It’s important to notice early symptoms so people can get early treatment and offset some of the severe symptoms of mental illness,” said Dashiell.

“Social relationships and cognitive processes are not functioning when people experience hallucinations, delusions, the inability to concentrate or have difficulty working. And it’s not the person’s fault,” she said.

The intersection of homelessness and mental illness is pivotal for the advancement of behavioral health in Alameda County. Dashiell is currently working with East Bay Supportive Housing Collaborative (EBSHC) to offer mental health support for homeless people in Alameda County.

The project aims to build housing units with support programs that serve the homeless population. A long-term goal of the project is to create social impact through public policy to eradicate homelessness in Alameda County.

Bo Tefu | Impact Alameda

Shanice Smith, a social worker at Roots Community Health Center in Oakland, with extensive experience in behavioral health is offering tips on different ways people can keep their mental health in check, especially as we begin to head out of the global pandemic

Smith highlights the importance of developing effective mental health practices “to build a resilient community.”

Practice Self-Care, It’s Not Just a Buzzword

Self-care is about self-preservation.  It’s important to make sure that you are doing something for yourself, even if it’s 30 minutes a day. So, find activities that can help curb your anxiety. For some people, it can be a fun hobby or a task such as meal prepping, as long as it can help you feel better about yourself.

Plan Your Day Around What You Can Control 

The COVID-19 pandemic has made many people anxious about the future. There is no guaranteed timeline for when COVID-19 will end, however, you can plan out your day and figure out what you can control. A key lesson the pandemic taught us is that certain things are out of our control, so we need to be cognizant of the way we handle inconveniences. There are times you should also need to let things go when they are beyond your control or not working in your favor. The best way to bounce back is to focus on the things that you do have control over and make that better if possible.

Communicate with the People You Care About 

The majority of people are overwhelmed with balancing their responsibilities, so it’s important to let people in your life know what’s going on. Communication can help avoid any misunderstandings and can present opportunities for you to talk about your experiences. Talking to friends and family does not mean that you should not work with a mental health professional. Consult a mental health professional if you recognize the need for mental health support.

Go Out for Fresh Air

Being indoors for many days can affect you mentally, physically, and spiritually. It’s important to follow recommended safety precautions even if you are vaccinated but go outside and get some fresh air. It can help you feel better to spend time outside, whether you are enjoying a picnic, taking a walk, or doing an exercise routine. Take part in activities that will help boost your mood — as long as you feel safe and comfortable.