Dear County of Ventura Community Members,
Read on for the latest news and to learn ways to connect with services to help keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy into summer.
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Applying for Food, Health and Cash Support
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are encouraged to apply to the County of Ventura Human Services Agency for the following benefits:
Cash aid and services for families with children: CalWORKs
Food assistance: CalFresh
Health insurance: Medi-Cal
You may apply online at vchsa.org/apply, by phone at 888-472-4463, fax at 805-658-4530, mail or drop-off services, and in person.
Remember to routinely check our Community-Based Resources page with links to basic-needs services and other free or low-cost resources.
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Important Reminder: Ventura County has moved from MyBenefitsCalwin to a new system called BenefitsCal.com.
ALL Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs and General Relief clients who wish to maintain access to check benefits status or renew their benefits online, report changes, and upload documents must:
1. Go to BenefitsCal.com and select “log In.”
2. Create a new account using your email address.
3. Link your account to your case.
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Attention Medi-Cal Members! If your contact information or household circumstances have changed, please update your information today. This may help you keep your Medi-Cal coverage. For more details and to learn how to update your contact information, visit: vchsa.org/medi-cal.
Have Medi-Cal questions? Call a health navigator for free assistance completing any Medi-Cal forms. There is no fee for renewing your Medi-Cal benefits.
- INTERFACE Children and Family Services: Call 833-607-2650 to speak with a Medi-Cal Navigator or text “medical” to 211211.
- MICOP: For support in Mixtec, Spanish or English, call 805-215-0730 or visit 135 Magnolia Ave., Oxnard.
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Stay Safe During Summer Heat
July is Heat Safety Month, a reminder to take precautions that can help avoid heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Obesity, high humidity, heart disease, sunburn and alcohol use put you at higher risk for heat-related illness. Plenty of water, air-conditioned spaces, and avoiding exertion can help. Visit weather.gov for weather forecasts by zip code. During an extreme heat event, vcemergency.com will provide information on local cooling centers, which offer air-conditioned areas for public use. Visit readyventuracounty.org for tips to help you prepare for emergencies.
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Don't miss the County's 2023 Career & Resource Expo on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., in the main courtyard of the Government Center (between the Hall of Administration and the Hall of Justice). Learn about careers in administration and support, engineering, environmental protection, planning, agriculture, health care, law enforcement, public safety, public works, recreational services, technology, and many more areas of County service. Visit hr.ventura.org to view County jobs. For questions about this event, please contact us at hrcert@ventura.org. | |
Summer Meals for Kids & Farmers Market Deals
During the summer months, many low-income children lose access to the school breakfasts, lunches, and afterschool snacks and meals they receive during the school year. Summer nutrition programs help fill this gap by providing free meals and snacks to children who might otherwise go hungry.
View the California Department of Education's Summer Meal Site list to see where Ventura County children can access meals and snacks this summer and participation requirements for each site.
Don't forget that you can double your CalFresh dollars at Farmers Markets with Market Match. Visit FMFinder.org to find your local Farmers Market, swipe your EBT card at the information booth and get your Market Match vouchers.
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Take the Community Health Survey!
Please take this 5-minute survey to share your thoughts on behavioral health needs in Ventura County. Your feedback is important and will help Ventura County Health Care Agency services better meet the mental health and substance abuse needs throughout the county.
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Human Services Agency Welcomes AAA
Effective July 1, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) became part of HSA. We are thrilled to work alongside our colleagues at AAA and extend a warm welcome to the team. The natural alignment of AAA and HSA will help move us collectively toward greater service integration and an improved client experience. AAA will continue to offer its full array of programs and services to enable older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers to age optimally and in place and will maintain its offices on County Square Drive. Learn more about AAA at vcaaa.org.
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Suicide Prevention Strategic Planning Workshop
The Ventura County Suicide Prevention Council wants to hear from the community as it develops its new Strategic Plan. You are invited to join them on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, from 2-4 p.m., for a Strategic Plan Workshop (Zoom and in-person). Please see the Workshop Agenda for additional information.
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For more Ventura County Human Services Agency updates, visit the Ventura County Human Services Agency website: vchsa.org | |
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