Weekly Update - October 16th
Understanding Our County's Status: When will we move into the next lower tier?
We hope to move into the Orange Tier on November 3. The State reviews data weekly, with results posted on Tuesdays, and Contra Costa County will move to the next tier once the following three criteria have been met for two consecutive weeks:

Cases Numbers: Less than 4 new cases per 100,000 residents
Currently we are at 4.3, but because of our volume of testing, it should be adjusted down to 3.7. This past Tuesday the State reported us at 4.5, adjusted down to 4.3. 
Positivity Rate: Less than 5% of tests countywide are positive
Currently we are at 2.0%. This past Tuesday the State reported us at 2.4%.
Equity Metric: Less than 5.2% of tests for residents of the lowest quartile of the Healthy Places Index census tracts are positive.
Currently we are at 3.5% in those neighborhoods. This past Tuesday the State reported us at 4.9%.

The State relies on data from the week ending 10 days before. This week’s status was based upon data from the week ending on October 3. 

Click to learn more about tier assignments and metric details.
County Tier Metrics
For the updated "Most Frequently Asked Questions", go to
Cases by Location
Contra Costa Health Services Shares Recommendations for
Voting Safely in Upcoming Election
In order to help people exercise their right to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California and Contra Costa County have taken great steps to make voting in the November 3 election as safe as possible. Voters will be able to use a number of approaches and are encouraged to protect their health and the health of others while doing so.
 
Voting by mail is the safest voting option as it limits contact with others outside of a voter’s household, health officials say. The County is making voting by mail easy this year by sending every voter a vote by mail-in ballot and paying for first-class return postage.
 
To ensure you receive a ballot in the mail, confirm you are registered to vote before the statewide October 19 deadline: https://registertovote.ca.gov/. After October 19th, registration must be in person at one of our early voting sites or at the Elections Division in Martinez.
 
To vote by mail, voters can fill out their ballots and return them by mail or deliver them to one of 37 outdoor ballot drop-boxes across the county. Voters can find a list of convenient drop-box locations here. Ballots must be dropped off no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked by November 3rd. The County is allowing 17 additional days for ballots to arrive if they are postmarked by Election Day. 
 
Those who choose to vote in person will be required to practice social distancing and wear face coverings. If voters don't have PPE available, the County will provide it. All Elections staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks. Sanitizer will be available at the entry and exit of all in person polling places and we will be sanitizing equipment regularly.
 
To minimize the time spent at the polling place, voters should review their ballots ahead of time and arrive ready to vote for their preferred candidates and ballot measures.
 
For more information on how or where to vote, visit Contra Costa County's Elections website.
 
For more information on COVID-19 in English and Spanish, residents can visit our COVID-19 website.
 
To get tested for COVID, residents can call 855-5-TEST-ALL or go online and make an appointment.  
 
To learn more about voting locations, security concerns, and how to know when your ballot is received, go to general election 2020

For more information about voting in November go to Vote November.
Or e-mail questions to: voter.services@vote.cccounty.us or call 925-335-7800
Contra Costa County Offering Free Flu Shots at COVID Testing Sites
Lafayette's Res Run for Education Goes Virtual
California Unveils New Rules on Family Gatherings,
Social Events
With the holiday season approaching, California has released new guidelines for socializing that prohibit gatherings among more than three households.

While coronavirus cases are dipping and hospitalizations and deaths are at their lowest levels in months, officials are emphasizing the importance of maintaining health safety measures.

Click here for the latest guidelines.
Schools in Contra Costa County Now Eligible to
Reopen for In-Person Instruction
Beginning October 13th, Elementary and secondary schools (TK-12th grade) in Contra Costa County are allowed to reopen for in-person instruction without a waiver or permission from Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS). 
 
It is up to each school/district to decide when and how to safely reopen for classes. However, there are still significant safety guidelines from the State that need to be followed.
Contra Costa Health Services continues to provide schools with support for safely reopening, contact tracing and other COVID-19 related issues. Earlier this year, CCHS and the County Office of Education developed reopening guidelines for schools, which include recommendations on wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distancing in classrooms.
 
For more information, visit our Schools and Childcare page.

Annual Veteran's Day Ceremony
Plan to attend the Virtual Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Due to the Coronavirus, this year’s ceremony will be held virtually on Contra Costa TV, available to watch at www.contracostatv.org.

The keynote speaker is Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Congressman Mike Thompson. Thompson served in combat with the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant/platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He was also an instructor at the Army's Airborne School.

Thompson has been a member of Congress since 1999 and now represents California’s 5th congressional district, which includes all of Napa County and portions of Contra Costa, Lake, Solano, and Sonoma counties. Thompson is a former Co-Chair of the Military Veterans Caucus and worked to end the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

The ceremony will also honor Mike Hoffschneider, who retired from Contra Costa County as a Veterans Service Representative on October 1, 2020. Mike, an Army Veteran, had over 43 years of combined federal and county public service.

Please contact Contra Costa County Veterans Service Officer Nathan D. Johnson at (925) 313-1481 for any questions about this year’s event.
The Park District Encourages Members of The
Community to Become #PupPros   
Since March of this year the Park District requested that all dogs be kept on-leash for the safety of all park visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent crowding and unsafe interaction between unrelated park visitors. Unleashed dogs tend to group together, making it difficult to maintain physical distancing.
 
The Park District is one of the most dog-friendly in the nation, with many parks allowing off-leash dogs in designated areas.
 
When off-leash, dogs must be kept in view and under voice control, and must return to owners when called. Failure to control your dog is a violation of the Park District’s Ordinance 38. The harming or harassment of wildlife is also a violation of state and federal law and subject to penalties and fines.
 
For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/PupPro.         
Updated FAQ's Regarding the Eviction Ordinance
The County website has been updated with County Counsel’s FAQs and forms related to Ordinance No. 2020-26. This information is on the homepage with links. It is highlighted in the following News item from the homepage: contracosta.ca.gov/CivicAlerts.
 
The full FAQs webpage has been updated: Eviction-and-Rent-Freeze-Ordinance-FAQs. A link to the state’s COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020 is available on this page and in the latest news release.
Tips for a Safe Halloween
Focus on decorations, limit activities to the people you live with, and host virtual costume parties or contests. This will help keep our communities safe this season.

For more ideas, please go to Tips for a safe Halloween.
 Would You Like To Serve on the
Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District 
Board of Trustees? 
The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District is recruiting for volunteers to fill two vacancies. The term of office is four years, ending on January 2, 2025. The District Board of Trustees meets on the second Monday of every other month at 7 p.m. in Concord.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar St., Martinez, CA 94553, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020. Applications can also be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.
 
Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews on Monday, November 9, 2020. Due to COVID-19, interviews will likely be conducted telephonically. 

More information about the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District can be obtained by visiting the District’s website at www.contracostamosquito.com
Join the Sustainability Commission
The Sustainability Commission is a voluntary body appointed by the Board of Supervisors. It advises the Board and staff on successful implementation of the County's Climate Action Plan, opportunities to realize equity and fairness across the diverse communities of Contra Costa County in sustainability programs that support the Climate Action Plan, and how to better engage with County residents and businesses on these issues. The Sustainability Commission has two vacancies.

The deadline to apply for these positions is Friday, October 23Click here to learn more about the Sustainability Commission and how to apply. 
Community Advisory Board Looking for Representatives
Community Corrections Partnership, Community Advisory Board (AB109) - Central County representation Community Advisory Board To provide input on community needs; assess implementation of the realignment plan; review data on realignment outcomes; advise the CCP on community engagement strategies; offer recommendations for ongoing realignment planning; advise County agencies regarding programs for implementation in the County; and encourage outcomes that are consistent with the County’s Reentry Strategic Plan.
Contra Costa County Seeks Applicants for Racial Justice Oversight Body Community Representatives Seats
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants who are interested in serving on its 18-member Racial Justice Oversight Body (RJOB). The Racial Justice Oversight Body will have vacancies for seven (7) Community-based Representatives effective January 1, 2021.

Applications will be due by 5 p.m. on October 19, 2020, and all timely applicants will be invited to the public interview process conducted by the Board of Supervisors’ Public Protection Committee.

Below is a complete timeline of this recruitment process to fill the seven (7) vacant RJOB seats:
• October 19: Final Day of the Application Period, due by 5:00 p.m.
• October 26: Public Protection Committee Meeting: Interviews
• November 10: Board of Supervisors Appointments

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or by visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov. Completed applications should be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us. Applications can also be mailed to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Office at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553.
District 2 Volunteer Opportunities
Although, during these COVID-19 times, many of our advisory bodies are not meeting, some have been meeting virtually and more are starting to come on board with virtual meetings with each passing week. The benefit of these meeting platforms is that more people are able to participate than ever before.

If you are interested in participating in government, then perhaps one of these volunteer opportunities are of interest to you:
 
Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) co.contra-costa.ca.us/3595/Alamo
Alternate Seat Available.

The Alamo MAC advises on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within its boundary, which includes parks & recreation, lighting & landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation.

Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B/APSAC)
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.

Assessment Appeals Board - co.contra-costa.ca.us/2924/Assessment-Appeals
Alternate Seat Available

The Assessment Appeals Board conducts impartial hearings on property assessment disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. Based on the evidence presented at these hearings, the appeals board determined the value of the disputed property or determines other matters of property tax assessment within the board’s jurisdiction.
 
County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only)

The P-5 Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.

Family & Children's Trust Committee (FACT) children/family-and-childrens-trust-fund-fact

The FACT Committee was established in 1985 to make funding recommendations on the allocation of specific funds for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect and supportive services for families and children. To learn more or to fill out an application go to the link above.

Library Commission click here

The Library Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian; provides a forum for the community to provide input concerning Library operations and recommends proposals to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian which may improve the Library.
 
Find out more information about volunteering for an advisory body here co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418 . To apply online go to www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/.