County Roundup

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• Foster families welcome tears and joys

  Foster families welcome tears and joys

  Many children awake this Christmas morning to the thrill of presents under the tree and a memorable day with loving parents. But for foster children, who for their safety have been removed from their parents by the Department of Social Services, Christmas can be an unspeakably difficult time.

  In the spirit of giving, some foster families provide more than just a clean bed and regular meals to the traumatized youth who land in their homes. They also give warmth, emotional support, and advocacy — all year long.

  Here are profiles of two such foster families.

• Unsung Heroes: Dedicated to literacy for all

  Unsung Heroes: Dedicated to literacy for all

  In the 15 years that Liz Curren has been a volunteer for The Literacy Council of San Luis Obispo County — first as a tutor and later as a center director — she’s seen dozens of adult students progress from speaking little English to gaining the language skills and confidence to start their own businesses; volunteer in their children’s classrooms; earn U.S. citizenship; serve as interpreter for co-workers and friends ... the list goes on.

  Curren has joined in celebrating those successes.

  “It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve gone to weddings and baptisms and birthdays,” she said. “It’s almost like a big family there.”

• A boost for local counseling

  A boost for local counseling

  A collaborative project between the Community Counseling Center of San Luis Obispo County and Transitions Mental Health Association will provide free counseling and therapy to people living with severe mental illness in San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande.

  Therapists will be available to assist clients at two wellness centers run by Transitions Mental Health in those cities.

  Until now counseling wasn’t offered among the other programs offered at the centers, such as peer and support groups, and job and housing assistance.

• Viewpoint: Funding cuts are putting The Literary Council in peril

  Viewpoint: Funding cuts are putting The Literary Council in peril

  There have been times in my life when well-meaning friends have told me that when a door closes, a window opens. For the most part, it has proved to be true. However, there are those occasions when a window has not opened, and I have had to face the inevitable knowledge that I have lost something of value. The challenge is to know when to struggle against all odds to keep the door open in the first place and to forget about the window.

  Such a struggle is going on today for The Literacy Council of San Luis Obispo County.

  The Literacy Council is facing draconian funding cuts that may very well lead to the closing of its doors. If that happens, there will most likely be no one picketing on the front sidewalk in protest or any type of media coverage. Most residents of our county will go about their day completely unaware of the valuable asset they have just lost. Instead, there will be only the quiet emptiness left by the closed doors.

• College success plan under fire

  College success plan under fire

  California community college faculty and community members questioned this week whether draft recommendations from a task force aimed at increasing student success could have negative consequences for groups that receive special services, such as English as a Second Language students, CalWORKs recipients and foster care parents.

  Representatives from the 20-member Student Success Task Force and the chancellor’s office have been canvassing the state to get feedback on a plan they hope will help more students earn degrees or certificates, transfer to four-year universities and navigate college more successfully.

  The task force will present a final set of recommendations to the Board of Governors in December, along with a report to the state Legislature by March 2012. Ultimately, the Board of Governors would have to vote on the recommendations. Some of the proposals would require legislative changes. Others would require additional funding.