Contra Costa County Entering New Phase of COVID-19 Response

Two COVID-19 Testing Sites, Including San Ramon Site, Sunset Today

Many Other Testing Options Available

Friday, September 30 will be the last day of operations at the County’s two COVID-19 testing sites located in Richmond and San Ramon, which have been providing free testing to the community for more than two years during the pandemic.

In recent months, usage of these two sites has dropped considerably as more people use at-home tests or get tested at pharmacies or through their doctor.

Although the County testing sites will sunset, people can also still get tested through their regular healthcare providers, state testing sites, pharmacies or by purchasing over-the-counter home test kits. Private healthcare insurance and Medi-Cal will reimburse people or pay for up to 8 at-home tests a month.

Free home-test kits are also available to residents at the County’s 26 library branches and at the three COVID-19 vaccination sites in Richmond, Concord, and Antioch, which remain open.

For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit the Testing page. To find a COVID-19 testing site near you, use the State’s online search tool.

Omicron Booster Shots Available at

County Vaccination Sites

Contra Costa Health (CCH) is offering the Omicron booster shots at its COVID vaccination sites in Antioch, Concord, and Richmond.

Vaccinated people ages 12+ are eligible to receive Pfizer’s Omicron booster and adults ages 18+ can get Moderna’s Omicron booster, as available - the Moderna version is in short supply.  While some may have a personal preference for the brand they receive, both bivariant vaccines provide important protection from the Omicron variant. 

People can schedule a booster appointment at County-run vaccination sites online at covidvaccine.cchealth.org or by calling 833-829-2626. Walk-ins are also accepted. Community members also can get the Omicron boosters through their regular healthcare providers or local pharmacies.

For more detailed information about the new booster, see the “Booster Doses” section of the Vaccine Q&As.

To Read the Latest Contra Costa Covid-19 Information and To See the Data Summary, isit COVID-19 updates

Bring the Entire Family to the Open House & Pancake Breakfast at Moraga-Orinda Fire District Station 41 this Saturday 8-11 a.m.

Danville Scarecrow Stroll Begins October 1st

Danville visitors and citizens are encouraged to stroll around Downtown Danville to find their favorite fall friend for the third annual Scarecrow Stroll. Scarecrows will be displayed outside Danville businesses between October 1 and October 31, 2022. Participating businesses have created scarecrows with added flare so that the community can stroll around Danville and support local businesses.

To find all the Scarecrows, visit danvillescarecrowstroll and download the Scarecrow Stroll map. Citizens are encouraged to visit each scarecrow, snap a photo, and tag Danville Instagram pages @danvilleparksca and @livelocallydanville.

For more information please contact Lindsay Gallardo at (925) 314-3403 or lgallardo@danville.ca.gov.

San Ramon Valley Education Foundation 39th Annual

Run For Education

It's just two weeks away from the 39th Annual Run for Education on Sunday, October 9th. The 10K run starts at Charlotte Wood Middle School, in Danville, and the 5K starts on Camino Ramon, near 2700 Camino Ramon, across from City Center Bishop Ranch. 

School teams get 70% of funds donated to pledge pages!

Can't join in on the race weekend? You can still support your school and SRVEF by registering as a Virtual Runner!

The Run for Education, as part of the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, supports the education of all students in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. For more information visit the website.

Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services ~ One Size Does NOT Fit All

Families come in all shapes and sizes…which means one size does not fit all when it comes to the services and care they need. California’s child support program is ever evolving to better serve new and existing customers. 

In 2022 the Department of Child Support Services added a new, simplified online enrollment process that is specifically designed to be mobile-friendly. It requires less information to get started and takes just minutes to complete.

Have additional questions about our services or the child support process?  Please visit the Contra Costa DCSS website at www.cccdcss.us to reach them by phone, email, video chat, or visit their office at 50 Douglas Drive, Suite #100 in Martinez, Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. After hours, you can use their Virtual Information Center (VIC) Chatbot for general program questions 24/7. 

If you are ready to open a case, click on the Open a Case icon to get started. Let the child support professionals focus on your child support so you can focus on what’s most important…your child! 

Lafayette Res Run for Education

Click here to register for Res Run

Run/walk downtown Lafayette in the 2-mile fun run/walk or 5k, or strive for your best 10k time which includes going around the Lafayette Reservoir on race day, Sunday, October 23. The virtual option is around the paved trail of the reservoir, October 13-22.

Race Start Times

• 5K Race           October 23, 8:00am
• 10K Run           October 23, 8:15am
• 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk     October 23, 8:45am 

Reservoir Challenge: October 13-22, 2022, during Lafayette Reservoir open hours 6:30am-7:00pm. 

Beneficiaries of this event are Lafayette's public schools as well as Campolindo High School in Moraga and Miramonte High School in Orinda! Last year the Lafayette Chamber gave over $42,000 back to our schools!

Please note: Strollers and dogs are welcome in the 2-mile fun run/walk, 10k and Reservoir Challenge only. No skateboards, scooters, bikes or similar … it’s for everyone's safety!

Don’t miss the Healthy Lifestyles Fair - a free public information and service health fair which will take place as part of this year’s Res Run for Education. The fair will be located on Lafayette Circle adjacent to La Fiesta Square from 7:30am-10:30am on race day, Sunday, October 23, 2022.

Learn more about the Lafayette Res Run for Education as well as find the link to register at https://lafayettechamber.org/resrun.

Alamo Cemetery Tour - Saturday, October 22nd, 10:00 a.m.

Have you ever wanted to tour the Alamo Cemetery?

Docents from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will talk about Valley residents buried in the cemetery. Historical re-enactors will provide stories about Charlotte Wood, Mary Ann Jones, and R.O. and Mary Cox Baldwin.

Meet in front of the cemetery at 130 El Portal, one block east of Danville Boulevard. The tour will last about an hour.

Make Reservation

Town Hall on the Future of Water in Central Contra Costa

Planned for October 26

With drought the new norm in California, how can we ensure Central Contra Costa County has a reliable water supply for the future? What are the opportunities and challenges for using recycled water to help meet our community’s water needs?

Join community leaders along with our local water, wastewater, and recycled water utilities for a town hall forum exploring the future of water in the central county area. Representatives of East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) will share what they are planning and doing to make the most of our precious water resources.

The town hall will take place Wednesday, October 26, 11:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. at Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. Lunch will be provided.

All are welcome. The event is free, but space is limited, so pre-registration is requested by October 19th.

To register, go to townhallwater or contact (925) 988-7780 or e-mail  kberto@rossmoor.com.

The town hall is sponsored by Rossmoor in partnership with EBMUD and Central San to benefit the local central county communities of Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and Walnut Creek that do not have access to recycled water.

Contra Costa County Seeks Nominations for

Humanitarians of the Year

Student and Adult Humanitarians to be Recognized at

45th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony 

Contra Costa County will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 45th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. In the spirit of Dr. King’s work, this year’s theme is “The Future Belongs to All.” The County now seeks nominations for a Student and Adult Humanitarian of the Year. 

Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors will recognize two individuals, (1) a community member and (2) a student leader, whose dedication to others embodies the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the January event. 

We welcome your nominations of a community member and/or student whose accomplishments and actions go above and beyond to positively impact Contra Costa County, its residents, and communities. Please nominate candidates who demonstrate leadership, commitment to the community, and personal integrity. 

The deadline to submit candidates for consideration is Friday, November 4, 2022. To submit online nominations and learn more about the County’s celebration and past honorees, visit the  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony website. 

Honoring Firefighters Lost in the Line of Duty

The Contra Costa Fire Protection District held a public ceremony on Saturday, September 24th, to remember and honor Firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. The memorial service took place at the Training Division on Treat Boulevard in Concord.

The memorial wall contains the names of 18 firefighters lost in the line of duty in the Fire District since 1969. The individuals identified on their memorial wall were committed to serving citizens unselfishly and ultimately gave their lives in the pursuit of public safety for the community.

Pictured above, left to right, are Latonia Ellingberg of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Jen Quallick, Deputy Chief of Staff to Supervisor Andersen, and Deputy Chief Brian Helmick.

Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior

Contra Costa Health Services Student Internship Jobs

Hazardous Materials Commission is Looking for

2 Student Interns

Seeking Applicants for Arts Council Steering Committee 

Volunteers Needed for New Court Appointed

Special Advocates for Children (CASA) Program

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) is filling its first tutor training cohort and is looking for volunteers who want to make a lasting difference in the lives of local children who have been abused or neglected. 

Children and youth in foster care face many additional academic hurdles. Finding ongoing, quality academic support at no cost can be a challenge, so CASA is taking a big step to help fill that need. CASA Tutors will provide consistent and accessible educational support to local children in grades TK-12 who are already working with a CASA Volunteer Advocate. CASA volunteers advocate for abused and neglected children and youth in foster care to make sure they do not get lost in the over-burdened legal system or languish in an inappropriate placement.

If you have a background in teaching, tutoring, or as a paraeducator, have approximately 6-12 hours a month to give, and are interested in learning more about the CASA Tutor Program, they invite you to contact CASA. 

For more information click here to E-MAIL CASA

Racial Justice Oversight Body (RJOB)

Applications Due Monday, October 10th, 2022 by 5:00 P.M.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants who are interested in serving on the Racial Justice Oversight Body's (RJOB) nine (9) Community-based Representatives Seats. 

The RJOB is an 18-member multi-agency advisory body established by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to oversee the implementation of the recommendations made by the Racial Justice Task Force to reduce racial disparities in the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

The Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants who qualify for the following nine community-based representative seats: 

• Two (2) members of the Contra Costa Racial Justice Coalition (Seat 1 & 2);
• Two (2) individuals with prior personal criminal or juvenile justice system involvement (Seat 3 & 4);
• Two (2) representatives from community-based organizations that work with justice-involved populations, of any age (Seat 5 & 6);
• One (1) representative from a community-based organization that works with justice-involved youth (Seat 7);
• One (1) representative of a faith-based organization serving in a leadership/decision-making role (Seat 8);
• One (1) representative that is either a school-age young person or from a community-based organization that provides services to school-age youth (Seat 9) 

Appointments to the RJOB will be for a term of two (2) years beginning January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2024.

**Please identify the seat you would like to represent AND are qualified for on the application.** 

Below is a complete timeline of this recruitment process:

• October 10: Deadline for application, due by 5:00 p.m.
• October 24: Public Protection Committee Meeting: Interviews
• November 8: Board of Supervisors Meeting for Appointments

For more information on RJOB membership duties and activities, please visit their website - here

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or by clicking the button below.

Completed applications or questions regarding the application process 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.

Online application

Would You Like to Serve on a Contra Costa County Committee, Commission or Board?  There are Many Opportunities Available

Please read through the volunteer opportunities below to see if you are qualified or if any are of interest to you.

Contra Costa County Public Law Library Board of Trustees - The Board of Trustees is the governing body for the Law Library with the authority to determine personnel, fiscal, and administrative policies to fulfill the legal information needs of the community. County residents who are members of the State Bar are encouraged to apply. Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board by calling (925) 655-2000, or the application can be completed on-line Law Library application. Applications are due no later than 5PM on Friday, October 21, 2022.

East Bay Regional Parks District Park Advisory Committee - Applicants must be interested in Park Land Use to represent the County on the East Bay Regional Parks District Park Advisory Committee (PAC). The advisory group studies issues and makes recommendations and comments on several policy issues, such as grazing, dogs, horses and bikes in parks, the District budget, naming of park facilities, park land use plans, new concessions and more. Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board by calling (925) 655-2000, or the application can be completed EBRP District Park Advisory Committee. Applications are due no later than 5PM on Friday, October 21, 2022.

In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Advisory Committee - The IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee provides advice and assistance to the Board of Supervisors and the staff of the IHSS Public Authority regarding the IHSS program and policies of the IHSS Public Authority. The Public Authority recruits and screens home care providers, maintains a registry of providers, refers providers to consumers and enrolls all IHSS providers on the State Payroll.

Individuals who reside or work in Contra Costa County who are interested in applying for a Volunteer Vacancy on the IHSS Public Authority Committee can obtain an application from Monique Rodriguez by calling (925) 655-4017 or emailing drodriguez-Redd@ehsd.cccounty.us. Applications should be returned to the IHSS Public Authority as soon as possible. All applicants will receive acknowledgment in writing. Following the review of applications, the review committee will forward recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for appointment.

The Measure X Community Advisory Board - Supervisor Andersen is seeking an individual from District 2 that represents broad and diverse voices, perspectives, and expertise, including but not exclusive to: children’s services, community health, consumer budgets, advocacy, faith leadership, senior services, fire and public safety protection, housing and homelessness, employment, legal advocacy, local businesses, mental health services, non-partisan civic organizations, policy organizations, public health, racial justice and equity, safety net services, substance abuse services, taxpayers, and youth services.

To be considered for this seat, candidates must either live or work in District 2. The Community Advisory Board currently meets monthly. Currently, the meetings are via online conferencing.

Members of the Community Advisory Board will receive no compensation for their service and must complete State required ethics training as well as County training on the open meeting laws, including the Ralph M. Brown Act and Better Government Ordinance. Initial members of the Committee shall serve staggered terms of two or three years, with subsequent appointments serving three-year terms, with a maximum of six years served consecutively by any member. Currently elected or appointed public officials, including, but not limited to, Mayors, City Council Members, City Managers, and Fire Chiefs are not eligible for appointment.

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/.

District 2 Volunteer Opportunities in Alamo

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.

1 Regular Seat

1 Alternate Seat

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo community for police services.

Alamo Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC)

Alternate Seat

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

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/.