On August 25^th, 2020, the Alameda County Social Services Agency launched the Alameda County Responsibility to Community Health (ARCH) with the purpose of reducing the spread of Covid-19 in Alameda County. ARCH aims to curb spread through financial help to self-isolating County residents who've tested positive for Covid-19 and live in designated high-risk neighborhoods. Eligible residents will receive a one-time stipend of $1,250.00 in the form of a VISA cash card. Please view this pdf for contact information, more details, and frequently asked questions.

The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 and poor air quality is to stay indoors. Bandanas, cloth masks, and typical surgical masks do not protect against wildfire smoke particles, but are recommended to protect each other from COVID-19. Visit the Alameda County Public Health Department's website at www.acphd.org to learn more about practices that can protect you from wildfire smoke during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as current health orders.

Prepare U. just completed a great first week with two sessions. It is not too late to join us for week two!

Join Eden I&R and our community partners for a free, interactive course to learn about disaster preparedness needs specific to the East Bay. This series is designed to be appropriate for everyone, and will focus on personal preparedness, agency preparedness, government & organizational coordination, and much more. Each week's topic is designed to work independently, however participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, if possible.

Prepare U. is funded by the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (BAUASI). Lead trainers for this course are Lars Eric Holm, the Disaster Preparedness Coordinator for Eden I&R/211Alameda County and Ron Halog, Instructor Trainer, of the RiHT Team. Click here to see the training flyer with a full course schedule. To register for Prepare U. go to www.batep.org. You will need to create a free account to register. Trouble with registering? Contact contact@batep.org.

Eden I&R has partnered with the ACEs Aware campaign this year to educate the community on ACEs and toxic stress. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic experiences before the age of 18 and include emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, physical or emotional neglect, and household dysfunction such as mental illness, an incarcerated relative, mother treated violently, substance abuse, and divorce. Children or adolescents experiencing one or more ACEs often develop a toxic stress response such as long-term changes in hormone and immune systems, brain development, and genetic regulatory systems due to repeated or prolonged activation of their stress response.

Research and studies have found a significant relationship between the number of ACEs a person experienced and a variety of negative outcomes in adulthood, including risky behaviors, substance abuse, and long-term physical and mental health conditions. ACEs Aware has a mission to reduce ACEs and toxic stress through early identification and intervention to improve the health and well-being of patients. Visit www.acesaware.org to learn more.

This year we have teamed up with the City of Oakland to promote water consumption and educate the community on the harms of sugar sweetened beverages. As part of this project, Eden I&R has 211 water bottles available for Oakland agencies to distribute to clients.

We are looking for agencies that can distribute 100 water bottles or more in Oakland by September 30. They will also be asked to pass out educational materials promoting water consumption. If you are interested in distributing these to clients, please email cece@edenir.org to arrange a pick up at our office in Hayward.

Limited quantities available. First come, first served.

Be disaster ready with these 4 steps: 1.) Find your 5 Trusted Allies 2.) Prioritize your health needs and create lists 3.) Create your Emergency Supplies Kits 4.) Plan how and when to evacuate - Click here to learn more about disaster-readiness

The last day to be counted for Census 2020 is September 30. Make sure you are counted! The census provides critical information for appropriately allocating health, education, social service, and other resources to our communities. Take your Census now at my2020census.gov/.

An Oakland resident called seeking resources to help her aunt who was experiencing domestic violence. The caller’s aunt recently separated from her abusive husband and moved in with a friend. Unfortunately, the caller’s aunt experienced domestic violence again because the friend she lived with was also in an abusive relationship. The caller requested help to find a safe shelter and legal assistance for her aunt to follow through with her divorce. 211 provided the caller information for Love Never Fails to be screened and to inquire about possible shelter and immediate assistance. Staff also offered information for Ruby's Place to inquire about Domestic Violence Outreach/Support Services and Sister to Sister 2 for additional resources. 211 also provided this caller with information on Keep Oakland Housed, so her aunt could apply for deposit/financial assistance towards a new place for herself.

For more 211 call examples from July, click here.

In July AHIP completed 93 calls and 13 face-to-face meetings with clients, provided 330 housing referrals and 100 referrals to services. 3 site visits were conducted and 2 clients were assisted with Coordinated Entry System navigation and document readiness. Since July 1, 2020, AHIP has provided assistance to 75 unduplicated clients.

31 community web-based meetings & calls attended

35,974 website page views

7,618 website sessions/visitors

Eden I&R thanks the Firedoll Foundation, for their ongoing support of 211 Alameda County! The foundation concentrates their grant making on Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, with a focus on the development of self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship and community services.