COMPUTER LEARNING CENTERS

Computer Learning Centers (CLCs) serve as on-site educational labs that assist adults with gaining office automation skills and provide children with the tools necessary to succeed in school. Adults benefit from multimedia training in Windows, Word XP, word-processing, and office skills. The CLC also provides software-based ESL and GED tutoring.

CLCs not only benefit adults, but also offer specialty programs tailored to both children and teenagers. For children, there are the PC Magic and PC Adventure programs. PC Magic is a specially designed program for children in grades 2 and 3. Students use educational software and participate in activities customized to their particular interests or in relation to an event or activity. In doing so, students build their reading, spelling, and math skills. PC Adventure is a similar program provided to slightly older children. In this program, 4th and 6th graders develop critical thinking skills that enable them to navigate through the Internet. Students also receive assistance with their homework assignments. For youth in grades 7 through 12, they may participate in the Digital Vibe program. In this program, youth receive instruction in multimedia technology through the use of graphic arts software.

COMMUNITY RESIDENT LIAISONS
Manager Claudia Moore

The Community Resident Liaison (CRL) unit of Resident Relations develops and maintains positive, constructive and cooperative relationships between the Housing Authority, development residents and the community at-large through special event coordination, program implementation, translation and interpretation assistance, and transportation services. CRLs provide foundational support and guidance to resident governing bodies in parliamentary and electoral procedure as well as sponsor, support, and develop conflict resolution and mediation workshops and resident safety programs. These programs are directed towards enhancing the quality of life for public housing residents. Examples of CRL activities are leadership seminars for residents, cultural diversity workshops, community building and organizing events, and the Joint Advisory for Neighborhood Empowerment (JANE) collaboration between Section 8 staff and Resident Liaisons.

LANGUAGE SERVICES

Language Services provides accurate and professional translation and interpretation services for non-English speaking residents of HACLA developments. Any language that cannot be translated by a member of the Language Services staff is made readily available through a contracted agency. Although English to Spanish translation is the primary translation and interpretation provided, thirteen other languages (Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Cantonese, Farsi, Khmer, Korean, Indonesian, Mandarin, Malay, Russian, Thai, and Tagalog) can also be interpreted and translated for residents. Such services are offered at all public meetings and are present in translations of HACLA program literature. It's the goal of Language Services to ensure that any non-English speaking or limited-English speaking resident has equal access to HACLA services and programs.

** Major Accomplishment **

Language Services developed the nation's 1st Public Housing Bilingual Glossary of Terms. This glossary serves as the standard to follow for translation in public housing developments across the nation and is available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) clearinghouse.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

The Transportation Services unit was established to address the lack of affordable transportation available to residents seeking or sustaining employment. Transportation Services provides numerous passenger vans to make it possible for residents to participate in employment-related activities. These vans are used to transport residents to pre-employment services, vocational classroom training, paid work experience, support services, and many more programs offered by HACLA to alleviate barriers to employment, childcare and job placement. In addition, the unit provides transportation-related assistance to residents participating in other programs provided by Resident Relations, such as Jobs Plus, CSC, Hope VI, Youth Initiatives, and many more.

Transportation Services also provides transportation to monthly college field trips, recreational and sports activities, cultural events, leadership training events, and annual sponsored events for residents and staff. Some examples of these events include field trips to local universities, Raging Waters, Sea World, Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm, and many others.