PICO California creates innovative solutions to pressing community issues; translates faith into action; builds a legacy of leadership; and raises a new vision for California.

THE LATEST PICO NEWS

PICO Leaders Go to D.C. to Lay Out Transition Priorities

More than 175 leaders from throughout the PICO Network met in Washington, D.C. from Nov. 17 to Nov. 19 to urge their representatives for quick passage of SCHIP and assistance for 2 million homeowners facing foreclosure as steps to boost the economy. PICO made its voice heard all over the Capital, holding more than 100 meetings with Congressional leaders, federal agencies, policy groups, think tanks, and the Obama transition team.

Click here to watch the CNN coverage of the event

PICO Affiliates Increase Voting!
California PICO affiliates increased voting by 9 percentage points among infrequent voters in their communities in the February 2008 presidential primary. The February election was the first time California PICO affiliates conducted coordinated statewide door-to-door campaigns to Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV). Click here to read more.

To read more about our collaboration with The James Irvine Foundation, click here.


Hmong and Spanish Trainings Help Develop Leaders
From September to November of 2008, PICO California coordinated the training of 225 Hmong and Spanish-speaking leaders from 16 California affiliates in four regional trainings. Many of these leaders are unable to access PICO National Training because of language and transportation barriers. Besides the PICO Organizing Model, more than 30 California staff and veteran leaders trained new leaders in strategies for building bridges with other ethnic communities in their congregations, how to increase the voting power of their community, how their faith and community organizing intersects, and successful strategies for education reform, responding to ICE raids, affordable housing, and children's health insurance access.

This is the fourth year that PICO California has coordinated with California affiliates to provide regional, language-specific PICO trainings. Directors and staff report that leaders who have participated really "got it", and are now taking stronger roles in their LOC's developing newer leaders, helping spearhead issue campaigns, and are serving as board members.


ISSUES IN FOCUS

School and District Dropout Data Now Available

Following the historic release of “real” dropout numbers this summer, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell has released revised dropout and graduation rates for the 2006-7 school year

Click here for press release on dropout data announcement.

To see most recent dropout information for your high school, district, county or statewide information, visit http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/ . For tips on accessing Data Quest click here.

Several local PICO affiliates continue work on youth and education equity issues (click for education update) and many are planning events for this fall or spring to bring communities together in addressing school dropouts and other youth issues:

• SDOP, Conference on Youth, October 12, 2008
• CCISCO, Town Hall Meeting, November 10, 2008