The next VCDSA Board of Directors meeting is Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Check out the agenda here!

Click here to access the benefit information handbook.

On December 3rd, VCDSA hosted the third annual Battle of the Badges Charity Boxing event which raised over $22,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme. In partnership with VCPFA (Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association) and OceanView Pavilion, the event featured 10 hard-fought bouts of amateur boxing with firefighters vs. deputies or police officers. The ideal-for-boxing OceanView Pavilion was packed with over 650 screaming fight fans who came to cheer for boxers from six different public safety agencies in Ventura County, including the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County Fire Department, Oxnard Police Department, Port Hueneme Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department and the Federal Fire Department.

VCDSA renewed its Corporate Sponsorship of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme, which provides programs and services to over 7,000 underprivileged kids.

Pictured from left: BGCOP Board President Richard Elzinga, Development Director Kelly Ventimiglia, VCDSA President Matt Findlay and Executive Director Rick Shimmel

November is open enrollment time for our medical and dental benefits. This year, VCDSA is initiating a new benefit for our members. It is called a Health Savings Account, or HSA. This account is coupled with a high deductible HMO or PPO plan through the Association and allows you to build a medical expense nest egg, similar to a medical IRA. Make sure you attend one of the HSA seminars to fully understand how this might fit for you and your family. For those who enroll in the HSA there will be a start up incentive program.

Support the POAVC (Peace Officers Association of Ventura County) Memorial Paver Project. This important project is a fundraiser for the Ventura Peace Officers Memorial to permanently dedicate your personal thanks and recognition for the sacrifices of the fallen in the form of a brick paver. You can purchase any number of bricks inscribed with your message of approx. 39 character max. Contact Matt Findlay for details at 805-509-0124. Paver donations are $300, $400 or $500. Paver donations are tax deductible and the proceeds of this fundraiser will be used to offset the cost of maintaining the memorial in perpetuity. This is a limited, one-time opportunity.

The VCDSA Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 VCDSA Scholarship Awards.  As is customary, all winners were selected by the committee based upon a blind review of applications, meaning that the identities of the applicants were unknown to the committee members (all identifying information was stricken from the applications).  The selection criteria is based upon academic standing and performance, participation in school, athletic and outside activities, community service, overcoming of personal obstacles, and quality of application essay. As in the past, the committee members had a difficult time reaching their final decisions due to the outstanding qualifications of all of the applicants.  Nineteen applications were submitted, from which six applications were selected to receive a scholarship.  We wish every applicant continued success in their endeavors. To find out more about our scholarship winners click here.  

From left to right: Gabriella Aguirre, Samantha Brooker, Daniel Koressel, Amanda Brooker and Morgan Luna.Not pictured: Ryan Fleming.

Steve Silver has been VCDSA’s principal labor counsel for many years, and is recognized throughout the State of California as an expert in public safety labor issues, and in public pension and retirement issues.  Steve was lead counsel in the litigation brought by VCDSA that came to be known as the  “Ventura Decision,” which benefited tens of thousands of public employees statewide.

Many of Steve’s clients have been asking questions about the current anti-pension rhetoric and proposed legislation and ballot initiatives targeting hard-won retirement benefits. These are retirement benefits that represent a modest level of future security for public employees, and they are under attack. Please click on the button below to read Steve’s appraisal of these pension attacks and what they could mean to you.

It was another successful year for the annual VCDSA/Department Shoot! This year's shoot was held on Saturday, September 18 at the Sheriff’s Range. There was delicious catering provided by Outback Steakhouse and a great turnout from participants, family members, and guests. More pictures and details will be forthcoming.

VCHCP DEBUTS NEW VCDSA WEB PORTAL

The Ventura County Health Care Plan (VCHCP) is a service oriented, County sponsored Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) that offers an extensive range of benefits and low out-of-pocket expenses. Check it out here and also view the new VCDSA portal here where you can find a doctor, review eligibility, and contact customer service.