Contra Costa Board of Supervisors Holds their Annual Board Reorganization Meeting and Luncheon

Each year the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors gathers for the annual “Board Reorganization,” and this year the luncheon was held at the RYSE Youth Center in Richmond, which does a great deal to serve our youth in West Contra Costa County.

Incoming chair John Gioia hosted the outdoor event, despite a little thunder and lightning, and a few torrential downpours, everyone managed to stay relatively dry.

Ken Carlson was sworn in as the newest Supervisor, elected in November to replace Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, who retired. He is a former Concord police officer and former Pleasant Hill City Councilmember. Carlson serves as the District 4 Supervisor, representing most of Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Clayton, and nearby unincorporated areas.



Pictured above are Supervisor Candace Andersen and her staff; Chief of Staff Gayle Israel, Lauri Byers, Deputy Chief of Staff Jennifer Quallick, Cameron Collins, and Jill Eisenberg-Ray.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Celebration

This Tuesday, January 17th, 11:00 a.m.

Join the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors at 11:00 a.m. on January 17, 2023, for their annual Tribute and Celebration to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event is being held at the Board of Supervisors Chambers located at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez.

San Ramon Valley Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 16th, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Storm Safety Tips and Other Resources

If you live in unincorporated Contra Costa County and are concerned about flooding, you can visit one of the sandbag stations throughout the County. Please note that you'll need to bring a shovel, but bags and sand are available for free. If you live within the boundaries of one of our 19 cities, please get in touch with your city or town for sandbag locations and information about sandbag distribution.

Check your property for clogged drains, fallen trees/limbs, and other trouble spots. To report a clogged catch basin or drainage inlet, please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at 925-313-7000 during work hours, and after hours call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 925-646-2441. You can also report storm damage to Public Works using the Mobile Citizen App: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/7875/Mobile-Citizen.

See the latest road closures in the County due to flooding here. Please avoid unnecessary travel and stay home if possible. If you need to drive, check traffic reports before heading out the door. Slow down, leave extra space between vehicles and watch out for flooding on roadways. Keep both hands on the wheel and leave your headlights on. Stay away from driving through standing water - TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN.

Please stay away from downed power lines and assume they are energized and extremely dangerous. Report downed power lines to 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5002. See PG&E's power outage map for updates.

Register to get emergency alerts via cell phone, email, and landline with the Contra Costa County Community Warning System at https://cwsalerts.com/. On this website, click on "Know Your Zone" to learn in advance what evacuation zone you're in.

If you rely on electric or battery-dependent medical devices, or use medication that must be refrigerated, it’s important to plan for an extended power outage. Find more info: cchealth.org/power-shutoff

With severe weather across the county, make sure you know the proper food safety steps in case you lose power. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed, and when in doubt - throw it out. More info: cchealth.org/power-shutoff

Contra Costa Agencies Expanding Capacity at Homeless Shelters as More Storms Approach

In anticipation of another series of heavy rainstorms, Contra Costa Health (CCH) and community organizations have expanded capacity at shelters in the county for unsheltered homeless individuals and families and have increased outreach to deliver supplies to those who remain outdoors. 

Anyone needing assistance with shelter placement should contact the Contra Costa Crisis Center [crisis-center.org by calling 211.

Expanded shelter and warming center capacity this week includes:

• Concord Service Center overnight Warming Center has increased capacity from 6 slots to 15.
• SHELTER, Inc. has added capacity for 10 families in Martinez and Pittsburg.
• Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) has added capacity for 20 adults and 3 families.
• Trinity Center Winter Program in Walnut Creek has added capacity for up to 50 adults.
• Delta Landing in Pittsburg has expanded by 6 beds.
• Bay Area Rescue Mission has up to 9 beds available for men and up to 14 beds for the Women and Children's Shelter.

CCH has also temporarily expanded hours and staffing for the CORE homeless-outreach program to help facilitate shelter placements and deliver supplies such as tarps, blankets, sleeping bags, gloves, and beanies to unsheltered homeless people who remain outdoors. 

Outreach teams are in need of -- in order of importance -- sleeping bags, gloves and beanies, tarps, and blankets. Donations can be dropped off at 2400 Bisso Lane, Suite D in Concord. 

Community members and organizations that would like to volunteer labor or space should contact the Bay Area chapter of the Red Cross [redcross.org]. 

Homelessness Contractors Request for Proposal

The County is seeking qualified community-based providers to participate as contractors to serve people experiencing homelessness and people at risk of experiencing homelessness. The funding for this RFP includes, but is not limited to, Contra Costa County’s Measure X Housing Fund.

Responses to this RFP may also be considered for other homeless services funding streams in addition to Measure X Housing Fund funding during the application review process. Details about the various funding streams are included in the RFP. 

Responses to the RFP are due no later than March 3, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. Questions regarding this RFP can be directed to MeasureXHousingRFP@focusstrategies.net.

Please follow this link to find important dates, the RFP, and other application materials.

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

Order Free COVID Test Kits from the County

People can order up to 4 free at-home test kits per household by filling out this online form or by calling 833-829-2626. There are two tests in each kit. CCHS will mail the kits directly to people’s homes within approximately 5-7 business days. You must be a Contra Costa County resident to be eligible. 

The County’s mail-order program will run through the holidays and perhaps longer depending on our supply of at-home test kits. 

California Health and Human Services

Emergency Resource Guide

The California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) released an Emergency Resource Guide which details best practices and services available to ensure vulnerable populations in California remain safe and connected throughout the weather system, with a focus on those with physical and developmental disabilities, elderly, children, low-income, and unhoused neighbors.

To see the full Emergency Resource Guide visit calhhs-emergency-resource-guide.

Probation Department Launches Mobile Services 

Contra Costa County’s Probation Department launched one of the first comprehensive mobile probation services programs in the state. The program will enable the Department to provide pretrial services, conduct client interviews and better engage with the community.

In May 2022, through a partnership with Contra Costa Superior Court, the Probation Department purchased three sprinter-style recreation vans that serve as mobile offices for our Probation and Pretrial Services programs and enhance the Department’s community outreach efforts. Vans are equipped with fully functioning workstations, allowing deputy probation officers the ability to deliver services traditionally conducted in an office setting. On weekdays, one of the vans is stationed in front of the A.F. Bray Court Building in downtown Martinez, providing clients the opportunity to check in with probation personnel immediately following their court appearance. This innovative approach eliminates clients’ need to travel to their local probation office to satisfy a court requirement or receive needed services. Mobile service delivery can potentially engage clients effectively and efficiently, saving them money, time, and other resources.

“Delivering services in the community allows Probation to better engage with clients, which reduces barriers and ultimately increases their chances for success,” said Chief Probation Officer Esa Ehmen- Krause.

Providing mobile services also upholds the Probation Department’s commitment to robust community engagement. The vans have quickly become a recognized presence at community events, allowing probation personnel to partner with community-based organizations and provide care packages to the people we serve. Additionally, Probation can provide services in real-time to clients who face hardships navigating the justice system and accessing community resources.

Probation is also planning outreach to the County’s unsheltered residents and those who may be facing housing instability, visiting clients at their location to provide a multitude of services. 

Cleaner Contra Costa January Actions

2023 is the year to join the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge if you haven’t already done so. Now is the time to get sustainable! This free website provides a list of actionable steps you can take to save water, energy, waste, and money. When we work together as a community, we can hit some impressive goals, like saving over 1100 tons of CO2 to date! Bonus - you can also earn prizes along the way.

To kick off the year, try the January Actions of the Month: 

• Carpool - With gas prices being so high, why not save money and extend the life of your car by carpooling? Better yet, join the 511cc.org Winter Walk Challenge before Jan 17th. Each week, 10 participants will be selected to win $20 Amazon gift cards. Plus, your name will be entered in the iPad Grand Prize Drawing just by signing up.

• Catch the rain - Take advantage of this great rain we are getting and capture the rain now to use later in your garden. Check out this “how to” video.

• Build your Emergency Kit - start the year off by building an emergency preparedness kit! This page gives an awesome step-by-step guide to make it easy for you.

Be sure to check off any action that you have completed on Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge in order to have your points, water savings, and CO2 reduction count for Contra Costa. 

Seeking Nominations for Contra Costa County

Youth Hall of Fame

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards. These awards are presented annually to outstanding Contra Costa County residents between 12 and 18 years old. The students will be recognized at the 29th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez. Community members can also join the event live on Contra Costa Television channels and the County’s website.

Nominees should demonstrate exemplary behavior in one of five categories:

• Good Samaritan: Goes out of their way to do for others without seeking recognition

• Volunteerism: Lends a helping hand for the good of the community; Gives their time and energy to a worthy cause or organization

• Teamwork: Works unselfishly for the good of the team

• Leadership and Civic Engagement: A natural leader who inspires others and works to make a difference in school and the community

• Perseverance: Has worked hard to overcome obstacles and achieve success

For more information and the application form to nominate youth in our community, visit the website.

Please submit your nomination by completing the form and uploading it to the County website or emailing the application and your letter of recommendation to Lia Bristol at YouthNomination@dcd.cccounty.us.

Nominations must be received or postmarked by February 17, 2023. Recipients will be recognized on April 4th at the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ César E. Chávez Celebration.

Community Advisory Board on Public Safety Realignment

Where is CAB's application?

Applications are on the CAB website at CAB-Member-Application. APPLY NOW as applications are continuously reviewed. 

Refer your questions to CAB's Outreach & Community Engagement Subcommittee: (925) 335-6440 • CAB.OCEC@gmail.com.

Alamo Residents Interested in Serving on a Contra Costa County Committee, Commission, or Board 

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.

You must reside in the P2B area of Alamo to serve on this committee.

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.

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/.