Low Cost Internet and Computer Offers for Eligible Contra Costa Residents

 

EHSD Partners with California Emerging Technology Fund to Ensure Affordable Internet and Computer Access

Contra Costa County supports digital equity for all – this means ensuring that everyone has access to affordable home internet and computers so individuals and families can stay connected. This goal is especially important in light of COVID-19. Many students are in stay-at-home/remote learning modes, telemedicine is sometimes replacing medical office visits, job seekers must apply for work online, and employees are often working from their homes.

Under these circumstances, many low-income community members are at a significant digital disadvantage in sustaining critical elements of their lives and livelihoods. Fortunately, a number of internet service providers and equipment distributors are offering special promotions to support individuals and families who might not otherwise have adequate digital access.

We are pleased to announce that the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) is partnering with the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) on an outreach campaign to distribute information about affordable internet and equipment offers for low-income Contra Costa residents. Early next week, we will be texting approximately 35,000 active Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWORKs recipients (only those who have opted in to receive texts), providing links to an EHSD flyer (English) (Spanish) that describes the program. By filling in a zip code and checking boxes with eligibility criteria, people are presented with the discount options that may be available to them.

In addition to reaching out to benefit program participants, we posted a Get Connected, Contra Costa page with more information on EHSD.org. We are further promoting via social channels, traditional media, and through partners like you. We hope you will forward the information to individuals and organizations that you believe may benefit from discounted digital access.

Last month, Governor Newsom signed a new Executive Order aimed at accelerating improved connectivity around the state, particularly within the context of COVID-19. As developments unfold, EHSD will continue to pursue partnership opportunities that focus on enhancing digital equity and access for every individual and family in our community.

In appreciation of your ongoing support,
 
Kathy Gallagher, Director

 

 

Data Snapshot: Social Service Impact & Response to Critical Needs During COVID-19

COVID-19 Amplifies Need for Social Services

To Our Community Partners:

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:
 
  • 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.
 
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:
 
  • 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.
 
In light of these factors, we are forging a path forward with a commitment to support the evolving needs of our community. The Contra Costa County Social Service Impact & Response to the COVID-19 Crisis (June-July 2020) snapshot updates information we shared in the March-May 2020 snapshot. As the current snapshot reflects, we have organized our ongoing support efforts around key components, including:
 
  • Benefit Programs
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Equitable Economic Recovery
  • Children’s Well-Being
  • Family Violence Prevention.
 
We are very grateful to have you partnering with us in our work to further strengthen our community by supporting, protecting, and empowering individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency.
 
My best regards,
 
Kathy Gallagher, Director
 
 

 

 

 

 

Home – Refresh

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The City of Concord recently updated it’s website to include COVID-19 tip sheets for people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. The downloadable materials are available in multiple languages. Please check out the following page on the City’s website:

 

https://www.cityofconcord.org/889/Listos-California

 

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the IDD materials. Please note in particular that the downloadable Health Profile Template for People with IDD is applicable to any emergency and can be particularly useful to include in a ‘go-bag’ packed ready for an evacuation.

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St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County

are continuing to distribute food from most of our 20 food pantries and emergency help through our SVdP branches
Your Neighbors Need You- St. Vincent de Paul is Here to HelpThe individuals and families that St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County, (SVdP), help are struggling now more than ever. They live paycheck-to-paycheck, and now their paychecks are gone. Many families have never needed assistance before, but do now.Visit St. Vincent de Paul’s website for an detailed update on services available: http://www.svdp-cc.org, or call (925)439-5060.
St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County is here to help:

  • SVdP’s 750 Volunteers, “Vincentians”, from 29 branches throughout the county are still helping – providing emergency assistance and operating 20 food pantries. 
  • SVdP Family Resource Center in Pittsburg: The Emergency Food Pantry and Free Dining Room are open M-F, and we are taking calls to help people locate additional resources.
  • St. Vincent de Paul’s Thrift Stores have closed, and as this is the organization’s “earned-income” we have lost a major source of revenue. This also resulted in laying off 28 employees.
  • St. Vincent de Paul’s branches, who receive funding from their local parishes, have lost their quarterly collection – 100% of it gets distributed to local neighbors-in-need. This is a loss of $270,000 for the community.
SVDP-Conference-Services-Status-Update-04-03-20Download
St. Vincent De Paul Congregations and Pantries status for food and other supports.

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Get CalFresh! 

https://www.getcalfresh.org

https://files.constantcontact.com/fc90a5b9001/4d6d93e1-06df-43d1-9fd3-8654e4c13437.pdf

 

https://files.constantcontact.com/fc90a5b9001/8cbc29fa-7a0d-404c-aebe-c84efef01e7d.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Find Food Support Easily


Easily find food bank, school meal, and senior center food distribution sites

As the economic toll of #COVID19 hits our communities hard, hunger is a growing concern.  Easily find food bank, school meal, and senior center food distribution sites!  

Fortunately, free and low-cost food providers are ramping up their service, in a way that maintains social distancing.

To help find food, Contra Costa County has a new GIS (global information system) mapping tool. It can be used on any mobile device, just like searching for the nearest gas station or cafe on your phone.
Contra Costa County COVID-19 Food Distribution Map: https://cccgis.link/Food
 
The tool, developed by the County’s IT Department, incorporates data from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, school districts, senior centers, and other food organizations.
 
It was developed in partnership with us, (211 Contra Costa!) and Supervisor Gioia’s office also contributed to the map’s development.
 
Please share this map url widely! It is a community tool and will be continually updated.
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COVID-19-SOS-EmergencyReliefFunds-electronic-002
 
Download

 

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MONUMENT CRISIS CENTER HOURS through 5/15   
Location:  1990 Market Street, Concord, CA 94520 

Tel: (925) 825-7751                

• MONDAYS  9AM -12 NOON   FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND DONATIONS         

• TUESDAYS  9AM -12 NOON   FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND DONATIONS         

• WEDNESDAY 9AM -12 NOON DONATIONS ONLY!                                     

OR DONATE FROM HOME BY TEXTING MCC TO 41444!

 

Life Church East Bay, 4255 Clayton Rd., Concord, CA 94521                                                                                                  Collecting donations of non-perishable food 8AM-4PM Mon-Fri in their multi-purpose room to be delivered to Monument Crisis Center for the next two weeks.

“NO TOUCH” Drive Up Food Drive  St. Joan of Arc Parish Parking Lot                                                                       2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd. San Ramon, CA 94583                                                                                            WEDNESDAY APRIL 29TH, 10 AM- 12 NOON                                                                                             Drive up, pop your trunk, donate non-perishable food for Monument Crisis Center.

https://www.monumentcrisiscenter.org

 

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Mental Health Resources
 
NAMI is also offering the NAMI Peer Support group every Monday at 5:30pm and the NAMI Connection every Wednesday at 7pm via Zoom. People can access the meetings virtually through their electronic device, or call in on the dial in option. See the information below as well as the attached flyer for meeting information.


NAMI Connection

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/480221654?pwd=TUFWd0VXeW1DMUQrSlBlc0ZqcGpUUT09

Meeting ID: 480 221 654
Password: 247326

Dial in Option: 16699009128, Code: 480221654#

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 NAMI Peer Support Group: 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/590216652

Meeting ID: 590 216 652

Dial in Option: 16699009128, Code: 590216652# 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Peer Employment Training that was going to be offered virtually through RI International has been postponed. Once we receive new information, I will send it out.

UPDATED PET flyer-VIRTUAL

 

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From the Executive Director of the 211 Contra Costa Crisis Center:

Hello friends of the Contra Costa Crisis Center:
 
I hope this note finds you and yours healthy and safe.
 
Just a quick note to let you know that our agency continues to serve the community, with both staffing onsite and many volunteers and staff working from home.
 
Our grief program is providing outreach and virtual groups to those in need, while our call center team maintains its high level of support to anyone searching for food, housing and economic resources.
 
We have been working closely with the county’s health services department and emergency operations center to respond quickly to the ever changing disaster response landscape, and our collaboration with the Contra Costa County Volunteers Active in Disaster (CCC VOAD) has helped to deliver hundreds of food boxes to individuals and families throughout the county.
 
With your support and partnership, we will continue to serve as an informational hub for our community and work to explore ways to reduce suffering and bring hope to our neighbors near and far. Thank you!
 
With help comes hope.
Tom
 
 
Staying up to date with current factual information can help ease any anxiety or stress about the situation.  Contra Costa Health Services is updating a webpage daily with information here.  
 
The CDC is updating a robust site with information and answers to commonly asked questions here.
 
This situation is changing rapidly and creating anxiety and stress for many in our community.
At this uncertain time, we think the best thing Contra Costa County residents can do to reduce their own risk and risk to other is to stay informed, follow most recent guidelines, and take steps to reduce, slow, and prevent the spread of disease now and in the future.
 
Our 211 database is continually updated with resources and critical info. IF assistance is needed with food, housing, utilities, etc., we can connect you to resources.
Call 211 (or text HOPE to 20121) if this situation is creating emotional distress in you or someone you love.
 
We are here 24/7.
 
 

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New Posters on Covid-19 Testing from the County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVID Testing Flyer English

 

COVID Testing Flyer Spanish