County Attorney Press Releases

November 2012 - Posts

El Paso Assistant County Attorney Appointed To National Environmental Advisory Committee
The Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lisa P. Jackson has appointed El Paso Assistant County Attorney Cristina Viesca-Santos to EPA’s 12-member Governmental Advisory Committee. The committee advices the EPA’s Administrator on a broad range of environmentally related strategic, scientific, technological, regulatory and economic issues to be addressed in the implementation and elaboration of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). Committee members serve two-year terms as representatives of state, local and tribal governments. Ms. Viesca-Santos will be representing local governments in the committee. Assistant County Attorney Viesca-Santos was selected to the board for her knowledge of environmental issues facing local governments along the US-Mexico Border. Since November 2000, Ms. Viesca-Santos has served as the Environmental Prosecutor in El Paso County. Under her leadership, El Paso County created the first Environmental Court in the state of Texas. “I feel very honored and privileged to have been nominated and selected for this important task,” said Viesca-Santos. “I will endeavor to bring to light environmental issues we face in our border region as the Commission for Environmental Cooperation works with Mexican Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources and Canadian Environment Minister who are committed to greening the North American Economy,” Viesca Santos concluded. The appointment period runs from October 22, 2012 to October 2014. 

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About the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC):

As environmental issues continue to be at the forefront of the North American integration process, the U.S. Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) provides a valuable avenue for the public input. Arising from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the GAC is charged with providing advice on a broad range of environmental and economic issues. The committee helps shape U.S. policies that improve the environment and health conditions of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The GAC is composed of 12 members selected from state, local and tribal governments.

Origin:

The U.S. GAC was created in 1994 by executive order, as part of the United States Federal Implementation of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). Article 18 of the NAAEC authorizes the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to each convene a national advisory committee. Since its inception, the committee has proven to be a valuable asset in the development of U.S. policies on trade and environment. The committee produces letters of advice and reports on a periodic basis.

On the web:

http://www.epa.gov/ofacmo/gac/

EPA Nomination Press Release.pdf

 

Posted: Nov 21 2012, 04:27 PM by edominguez | with no comments
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More Foster/Adoptive Families Needed In El Paso To Assist Neglected And Abused Children

The city of El Paso currently is experiencing a shortage of foster/adoptive families available to help neglected, abused or abandoned children. As of last month, in El Paso there were 96 children ready for adoption. Even more pressing is the need for foster parents. Just last year Child Protective Services (CPS) in El Paso investigated more than 5,300 cases of abuse/neglect, and 621 children were placed in foster care.

In an effort to recruit more foster and adoptive families in El Paso, several agencies and organizations that work with abused and neglected children are hosting the 2012 CARE Adoption Conference. The conference will be held on Wednesday November 14, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Region XIX Education Services Center, located at 11670 Chito Samaniego.

The purpose of the conference is twofold:

  • To educate parents and professionals who work with foster/adoptive kids about current trends and approaches to deal with children's needs.
  • To recruit more foster and adoptive homes for local abused and neglected children.

During the conference interested families will understand how simple it is the process of adopting a child. They will also receive information about the financial assistance the government offers to help pay for some of the expenses of the child.

Attendees at this conference will be able to participate in breakout sessions where they will have the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with current foster parents.

The event also provides professional training to individuals who work with abused children by presenting experts on complex needs of vulnerable children. For more information on the training sessions, please see the attached program.

Both the conference and professional seminar are free and open to the public. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available.

The Professional Seminar portion of the conference runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The foster/adoption information sessions run from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

WHO:       CARE Coalition

WHAT:    2012 C.A.R.E. Conference and Professional Seminar

WHEN:     Wednesday November 14, 2014, from 8 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Region XIX Education Services Center
                   11670 Chito Samaniego

INFO:       Jose Alamillo, (915) 740-8879

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2012 CARE Conference Press Release.pdf

2012 CARE Flyer.pdf

Posted: Nov 13 2012, 03:52 PM by edominguez | with no comments
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