Earlier this summer, I reported to you that the Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD), along with county and community partners like you, embarked on a multi-pronged response to meet the critical needs that immediately arose from the March 16th COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place order.

As the unemployment rate climbed from 3.1 to 14.5 percent in just two months (February to April), EHSD received a tide of applications for food assistance, other safety net programs, and widespread requests for relief and support of all kinds. We collaboratively implemented, and even created, programs that involved:

Together we rose up to confront the initial, emergency phase of the COVID-19 crisis, yet we anticipate that challenges and uncertainties related to COVID-19 will persist.

Our data indicates this health crisis is having a disproportionate impact on communities of color, a consequence that underscores the need for us to continue working to dismantle underlying racial disparities that exist as we are providing vital support to all Contra Costa community members. In addition, although the Unemployment Rate has declined slightly since its 14.5 percent peak in April, it still remains high at 12 percent (as of July). New Weekly Claims for Unemployment Insurance declined during May, but have ticked back up slightly since early June. The status of federal assistance in the coming weeks and months will also affect our community’s need for support.

• Enrolling 15,000 more individuals to CalFresh
• Establishing Emergency Child Care for children of essential workers
• Launching a Small Business Call Center
• Distributing more than $900,000 in COVID-related cash assistance through the Season of Sharing Emergency Relief Fund (March through July).

Together we rose up to confront the initial, emergency phase of the COVID-19 crisis, yet we anticipate that challenges and uncertainties related to COVID-19 will persist.

Our data indicates this health crisis is having a disproportionate impact on communities of color, a consequence that underscores the need for us to continue working to dismantle underlying racial disparities that exist as we are providing vital support to all Contra Costa community members. In addition, although the Unemployment Rate has declined slightly since its 14.5 percent peak in April, it still remains high at 12 percent (as of July). New Weekly Claims for Unemployment Insurance declined during May, but have ticked back up slightly since early June. The status of federal assistance in the coming weeks and months will also affect our community’s need for support.

• Benefit Programs
• Food & Nutrition
• Equitable Economic Recovery
• Children’s Well-Being
• Family Violence Prevention.