Back to School Without Breaking the Bank

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County's Consumer Expert Provides Tips to Stretch Your Dollar

You’ve got a long list of required supplies from the teacher, a tattered backpack that needs replacing and your child’s pleas for some new, fashionable clothes. But, like for many American families, times are tight.

So what do you do? There’s a lot of ways you can ease the burden – by smart shopping and spreading out your expenses, says Patti Wooten Swanson, a nutrition, family and consumer science advisor with the County’s Farm & Home Advisor Office.

 “Let your kids know that this a different budget year and that spending will be a little more restrained,” Wooten Swanson says.

“Make your kids part of the process; talk about wants vs. needs and what you’re going to buy for school,” Wooten Swanson says. According to the National Retail Federation, families will spend an average of $548 on back to school clothing, supplies and electronics this year. But that doesn’t mean you have to.

Wooten Swanson says parents should consider these cost-saving strategies:

  • Decide in advance how much you want to spend, and stick to it!
  • Use cash, not a credit card, to pay for purchases. People spend more with credit cards, and end up paying more with interest.
  • Make a list and then prioritize. Can some items wait a month or two?
  • Comparison shop through ads or online before you go to the store.
  • Know the school’s dress code before you buy.

 

County Names New Parks Director

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Brian Albright has been chosen to lead the County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Albright returns to the County from the City of Carlsbad, where he also served as Parks and Recreation Director. Formerly he served as the County’s Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation from 2003 to 2008, during which time the park system expanded by more than 12,000 acres.

“On behalf of the County’s Land Use and Environment Group, I want to welcome Brian back as a member of our team,” said Chandra Wallar, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer in charge of the County’s Land Use and Environment Group.

“During these difficult economic times, Brian has the necessary knowledge and experience, and he will work to provide the public the best recreational and open space opportunities possible,” Wallar said.

Albright replaces former Parks Director Renée Bahl, who resigned to take a job as the director of Arizona's state parks.

Earlier in his career Albright served as Chief of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities for the City of Alexandria, VA.

Recently Albright was elected president of the American Parks and Recreation Association. He earned a master’s in business administration from American University in Washington, D.C.

County Launches Web Site to Help Veterans and Their Families

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The County Health and Human Services Agency and military officials today are launching a new Web site to help veterans and their families access mental health counseling, emergency housing, and employment assistance.

The Network of Care for Veterans & Service Members is a state-of-the-art site that serves as a one-stop-shop for veterans, National Guard, reservists, active duty personnel, and their families to learn about services and organizations that can help them.

The site is being announced this afternoon during an event at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park, attended by Supervisor Bill Horn, HHSA Director Nick Macchione and Director of HHSA's Mental Health Services Alfredo Aguirre.

Over the next two years, about 1.5 million veterans from across the country are expected to return home. A recent study conducted by the Rand Corporation found that about 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans report suffering from major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Only about half of those sought help.

Fear of rejection and discrimination often prevents people with a mental illness from accessing needed mental health services.

One out of every five Americans is diagnosed with a mental disorder every year. A mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behavior, resulting in an inability to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines.

Information on the Network of Care for Veterans & Service Members Web site is offered in 11 languages. People suffering from a mental illness can access services by calling the County’s 24-hour, multi-lingual Access and Crisis Line at (800) 479-3339.

 

Read to Feed a Needy Pet This Summer

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Animal Services Deputy Director Laurie Joniaux with one of the dogs available for adoption through the nonprofit Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP).Pet owners facing tough financial times can get free food and services for their animals this summer thanks to the generosity of local readers.

“Our ‘Read for a Reason’ program gives readers a way to connect with those in need by earning rewards to benefit local pets,” said José Aponte, Director of the County Library.

“The program is in its fourth year, and it is rewarding to see how people are using their love of reading to make a difference in people’s and pets’ lives.”

Kids can sign up for the “Read for a Reason” program online. They track the hours they read on the site, working toward goals set for their age group.

For each person who registers, Hills Science Diet will donate a pound of pet food. It will be given to customers of the Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP) Neuter Scooter, which provides services throughout the County, including a visit to the Lakeside library branch on June 29. More than 20 pet owners made appointments at the event to have their animals spayed or neutered before heading home with a free bag of food.Cute little dogs and reading - a great match.

Even those who can’t participate in the Read for a Reason program can still help by contributing to the Library’s pet food drive. Collection bins are located at all branches through the end of July. The food will be given to San Diego Food Bank and The Pet Food Bank.

The County Department of Animal Services will help deliver donated pet food to the organizations and will also have collection bins at its three shelters: the Central Shelter at 5480 Gaines Street in San Diego; the North Shelter at 2481 Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad; and the South Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita.

For a list of the Library’s branch locations, visit www.sdcl.org.