Brazos Valley Community Action Agency, Inc.
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Life Saving Tips


Click here for important news regarding life saving tips.


Better Business Bureau Article on Business Ethics


Click here to view the article.


added October 15, 2009

News from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention regarding H1N1 Flu

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
  • Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
  • Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
  • Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
    • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
    • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
  • Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
  • Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information or logon to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

added October 15, 2009

Transitioning In and Out of Poverty


Slightly more than half of the U.S. population experiences poverty at some time before age 65. Roughly half of those who get out of poverty will become poor again within five years. Who is more likely to enter poverty? How long are people poor? And what events are associated with falling into and climbing out of poverty? This fact sheet summarizes key findings from the poverty dynamics literature to describe how, why, and when people move in and out of poverty.

Click here to view the fact sheet.


added September 17, 2009

BCCADV 15th Annual Candlelight Vigil


TIME: 7 p.m.

DATE: October 27, 2009

LOCATION: Brazos Cotton Exchange

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Ashley Wesp, Executive Director, Brazos Animal Shelter

The candlelight vigil is held each year in recognition of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For more information send an email to fvigil@bccadv.org or log on to www.bccadv.org


added August 27, 2009

FREE WORKSHOP! Gang Awareness, October 12, 2009 at the Bryan Civic Auditorium


Click here for more information regarding "Gangs in Our Community: There is a Crack in Our Foundation"


added August 24, 2009

National Suit Drive - September 1-30


Click here to learn how you can help at-risk men make a great first impression at job interviews.


added August 24, 2009

Resources for Hurricane Season


Click here to download the Disaster Supply Kit.

Click here for preparation's involving your family's pet.


added July 23, 2009

Wild Cat Attack Prompts Rabies Alert in Brazos County

Many Counties on Alert in the 12 County BVCAA Service Area

On Monday, July 13, 2009, Beverlee E. Nix, DVM, MPH with the Department of State Health Services Region 7 forwarded information including a Rabies County Map. There were 103 laboratory-confirmed animal rabies cases reported from the 30-county area of Health Service Region 7 (Central Texas) during the first half of 2009. Region 7 staff investigated an additional 58 non-negative (decomposed, destroyed, and unsatisfactory) animal rabies test results.

In the first half of 2009, rabies was confirmed in 49 bats, 40 skunks, 5 raccoons [Burnet (3), Lampasas, and Milam], 3 cats (Brazos, Burnet, and Limestone), 2 dogs (Burleson and McLennan), 2 foxes (Falls and Limestone), 1 bobcat (Burnet), and 1 coyote (Hamilton).

KBTX.com reported: Brazos County authorities are warning residents of possible rabies cases following what they say was an unusual bobcat attack. Saturday morning, Sheriff Chris Kirk says a person at a home near FM 2038, Cobb and Saxon Roads was bitten by a bobcat in what was an unprovoked attack. Animal control deputies, game wardens and state health officials have all said such an attack is unusual and may be an indicator that the bobcat was rabid. The animal in question has not been caught, and the bite victim is set to undergo rabies shots as a result. Kirk also notes a feral cat bite incident back on May 10 on Mize Road near this most recent incident, one that did turn out to be positive for rabies.

"This incident should serve as a warning to all in the community that wildlife is ever present and that contact with any wild animal should be avoided," Kirk wrote in a statement Monday. "If you believe that a domestic or wild animal is rabid and you or one of your domestic animals has been exposed, contact your local animal control authority immediately."

Please go to www.KBTX.com for further information.


added July 23, 2009

United We Serve - Volunteer Today!


Serve.gov is a comprehensive clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities, managed by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Americans interested in volunteering can use this tool to locate opportunities to serve across the country and around the world. To find an opportunity based on geography, a volunteer can enter his or her ZIP code. To find an opportunity based on interest area, they can use keywords such as "Meals on Wheels." Click on Serve.gov to be directed to the national site or click here to discover how you can volunteer in the Brazos Valley.


added July 14, 2009

Affordable Health Care Coverage for People with Disabilities Who Work and Earn a Paycheck


Click here for information regarding the Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) program. This initiative, a part of the DARS Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, gives Texans with disabilities the opportunity to obtain/retain health benefits.


added July 14, 2009

Texas Federally Qualified Health Center Directory


The new, improved, Texas Federally Qualified Health Center listing is up on the Texas Primary Care Office Website. With this directory, the user can click on the Region or go to the alphabetical list of FQHCs. It also includes the newest FQHCs and sites that were funded in March of this year. We now have 64 FQHCs and over 300 sites.

Click here to access the directory.


added July 14, 2009

Summertime Sales Scams Return to the Brazos Valley


One consumer rip-off that shows no sign of abating is the annual invasion of door-to-door salespeople who use dubious and intrusive tactics to sell everything from burglar-alarm systems to discounted driveway paving to unwary homeowners.

Larry Lightfoot, president of the Better Business Bureau of the Brazos Valley, stops short of advising you not to buy from door-to-door salespeople, but says, "You just have to make sure that you verify everything the company says and do your comparison shopping, do not be pressured into making a snap decision.

Industry experts stress that you should deal only with well-established local companies. When someone comes to your door you should ensure they have the proper license with the city, and check to see if they are a local business. It is free and easy to verify a company's reliability by calling your Better Business Bureau at (979) 260-2222.

One of the many alarm company scams is to offer to install a system for free and only charge for the monthly monitoring fee, however if the company has no local representative the cost of a service call for a technician coming from Houston, Dallas or Austin may exceed the average installation fee charged by a local alarm company. Deal with local companies who will be here to service your system and answer your questions when you need them.

You should also beware of the paving company who knocks on your door and says they have paving material left over from another local job, which they will use to pave your drive way at a reduced rate. This scam typically involves inferior workmanship and low quality materials at a highly inflated price, which may be concealed in the contract fine print.

Regardless of the product or service being offered by the salesman at your door verify if the company is local and what type of reputation they have by contacting the Better Business Bureau for more information. You may reach the BBB for this region by calling (979) 260-2222, (800) 392-3798, or by visiting the BBB website at www.bbb.org.


added June 30, 2009

Multistate E. coli Outbreak Linked to Cookie Dough


Advice to Consumers
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7. If consumers have any prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products in their home they should throw them away. Cooking the dough is not recommended because consumers might get the bacteria on their hands and on other cooking surfaces. The recall does not include Nestle Toll House morsels, which are used as an ingredient in many home-made baked goods, or other already baked cookie products.

Individuals who have recently eaten prepackaged, refrigerated Toll House cookie dough and have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately. Any such illnesses should be reported to state or local health authorities.

Consumers should be reminded they should not eat raw food products that are intended for cooking or baking before consumption. Consumers should use safe food-handling practices when preparing such products, including following package directions for cooking at proper temperatures; washing hands, surfaces, and utensils after contact with these types of products; avoiding cross contamination; and refrigerating products properly.

Advice to Retailers, Restaurateurs, and Food-service Operators
Retailers, restaurateurs, and personnel at other food-service operations should not sell or serve any Nestle Toll House prepackaged, refrigerated cookie dough products subject to the recall.


added June 19, 2009

Caregiving


As Americans focus on their finances, a new survey sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Financial Management Service finds half of American caregivers are now helping to manage the finances of a parent, friend or other person needing their care adding significantly to caregivers levels of stress and anxiety. Yet, surprisingly, only 52 percent of caregivers receiving Social Security payments on behalf of the person they care for say they use direct deposit, a decades-old time-saving tool that is safer and more reliable than paper checks. In fact, when there is a problem with a Social Security payment, nine times out of 10 its with a paper check, not a direct deposit payment. Making the switch to direct deposit takes only a few minutes through the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Go Direct campaign. Simply call toll-free 1-800-333-1795 or visit www.GoDirect.org. Dont have a bank account? Consider signing up for the Treasury-recommended Direct Express® Debit MasterCard card. Visit www.USDirectExpress.com to learn more.

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service

Click Here For More Information
ADOBE ACROBAT READER REQUIRED


added June 19, 2009

Making Work Pay Credit and Form W-4 Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate


Click Here For More Information
ADOBE ACROBAT READER REQUIRED


added June 18, 2009

Alert


Dear Colleague, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has learned that some stolen vials of the long-acting insulin Levemir made by Novo Nordisk Inc. have reappeared and are being sold in the U.S. market. Three lots or a total of 129,000 vials of this product were stolen in all. These stolen insulin vials may not have been stored and handled properly and may be dangerous for patients to use.

The FDA has received one report of a patient who suffered an adverse event due to poor control of glucose levels after using a vial from one of these three lots.

The agency is advising patients who use Levemir insulin to:

1. Check your personal supply of insulin to determine if you have Levemir insulin from one of the following lots: XZF0036, XZF0037, and XZF0038. Patients can locate the lot number on the side of the box of insulin and also on the side of the vial.

2. Do not use your Levemir insulin if it is from one of these lots. Replace it with a vial of Levemir insulin from another lot. If you must switch to another brand of insulin for any reason, first contact your healthcare provider as another insulin product may require adjustments in dosing.

3. Always visually inspect your insulin before using it. Levemir is a clear and colorless solution.

4. Contact the Novo Nordisk Customer Care Center at 800-727-6500 for what to do with vials from these lots or if you have any other questions.

For more information: Click Here


added June 01, 2009

BBB Alerts Consumers about U.S. Census Workers:
Be Cooperative, But Cautious!


For years, the Better Business Bureau has educated consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door. With the U.S. Census process beginning, BBB advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.

"Most people are rightfully cautious and won't give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors, however the Census is an exception to the rule," said Larry Lightfoot, President of the BBB. "Unfortunately, scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government employee and soliciting sensitive financial information."

The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year, as well as determine a State's number of Congressional representatives. Households are actually required by law to respond to the Census Bureau's request for information.

During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a U.S. Census worker who will inquire about the number of people living in the house. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers who are impersonating Census workers in order to gain access to sensitive financial information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

  • If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.


  • Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.


  • Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the lookout for e-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau. For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org.



added May 27, 2009

Edwards: Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Becomes Law, Protects Families from Unfair Rate Hikes, Penalties, and Overcharges

(text taken from edwards.house.gov)

(Washington, D.C.) -- U.S. Representative Chet Edwards announced that the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights has been signed into law by the President. The bill, strongly supported by Edwards, provides common sense protections for consumers by ending credit card practices that the U.S. Federal Reserve has called "unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive." The bill passed by strong bipartisan votes of 361 to 64 in the House and 90 to 5 in the Senate.

"This is great news for Texas families. This law will put an end to unfair credit card practices that have gouged individuals and families for years," said Edwards, a member of the Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee. "After years of being blocked by special interests and big Wall Street banks, we finally have a common sense law that will protect hard-working families from deceptive credit card practices that deepen the debt crisis in this country."

Credit-card debt in the U.S. has reached a record high - nearly $1 trillion - almost half of American families currently carry a credit card balance, and for those families, the average balance was $7,300 in 2007. One out of every five people carrying credit card debts pays an interest rate above 20 percent. In 2008, credit-card issuers imposed $19 billion in penalty fees on families carrying credit card balances-up more than 50% since 2003 and accounting for nearly half of the $40.7 billion in industry profits.

"It is up to individuals and families to exercise personal responsibility and to not get over extended on their credit cards, but credit card companies should not be able to unfairly take advantage of hard-working families," said Edwards.

Consumers nationwide are facing excessive credit card fees, sky-high interest rates, and unfair, often incomprehensible agreements that credit-card companies revise at will. The Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights puts into place common sense regulations and oversight that address the growing debt crisis by:

  • Blocking credit card companies from arbitrarily increasing the interest rates on customers' existing balances unless the borrower is at least 60 days late paying a bill. If the cardholder makes payments on time for 6 months, then the original interest rate must be re-instated.

  • Ending the practice of charging interest on already repaid debt.

  • Requiring credit card companies to give 45 days notice of all interest rate increases, so consumers can pay off their balances or shop for a better deal.

  • Protecting consumers from due date gimmicks by requiring credit card companies to mail bills 21 days before the due date (instead of 14).

  • Requiring promotional rates to last at least 6 months.

  • Ending the credit card practice of applying consumer payments to lower interest debt first.
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1500 University Drive East, Suite 100, College Station, Texas 77840 | (979) 846-1100
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