CONSTITUENT SERVICES UPDATE

Below is a chart showing, by percentage, the issues brought to us by you, the residents of District 4, from January 1 to June 30 of 2022. As part of our mid-year review I wanted share a snap shot of the measures and metrics that matter to me. I use these numbers, along with your input, comments and questions, to determine the direction of our policy and the priorities of our community.

One of the most consistent issues you've brought to my attention is that of blight. We are working closely with City Staff and departments such as BeautifySJ and Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services to clean up our streets, parks and neighborhoods. In conjunction, we're also providing dumpster days, rotating from neighborhood to neighborhood in order to ensure that every resident has an opportunity to take advantage of this service.

I'd like to thank everyone who has has reached out to our office. Your engagement helps us improve and we encourage you to continue working with us to improve our community and city. For those of you who haven't reached out, I encourage you to do so by calling (408) 535-4904 or emailing my office. In case you missed them I encourage you to go back and take a look at our Budget Newsletter and Policy Newsletter. They provide some useful insight into what my office has been working on and I'm excited to continue the work in the second half of this year! 

Sincerely,

• IN-PERSON OFFICE HOURS
• GET HELP WITH MEDICARE
• GET TIPS ON HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF SAN JOSE
• SIGN UP TO HOST A NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT
• JOIN THE NEIGHBORHOODS COMMISSION

Join me on Wednesday, July 27th from 5:30 to 7:00PM for in-person Community Office Hours. You'll get to have a one-to-one conversation with me where you can voice your concerns, provide feedback and ask questions.

Our host on July 27th is Pho San Jose, one of Berryessa’s newest businesses located at 1174 N. Capitol Ave. The owners of Pho San Jose have been gracious enough to lend us some space in their business for our office hours and have offered a 10 percent discount on purchases by those who attend the event that evening.

I invite you to join me for a conversation and enjoy what Pho San Jose has to offer! Please register at the link below if you would like to attend.

MEDICARE PART D "EXTRA HELP" ENROLLMENT EVENT ON JULY 19

This online event is for Santa Clara County residents looking for Extra Help for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) is a program that can help lower your costs for Medicare Part D.

Registration for this event is limited. Register to see if you may be eligible for the Extra Help program and HICAP will help you apply.

Depending on the level of Extra Help that you’re eligible for you’ll receive the following benefits:

- $0 or reduced premium on your prescription drug plan

- $0-$99 deductible on your drug plan

- No coverage gap

- Low co-payments or reduced coinsurance on your medications

- Can change Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan quarterly

Medicare alone can be overwhelming. HICAP Counselors do not sell or endorse and are not affiliated with any insurance companies. Our goal is to inform and educate the community so you can make an informed decision on something as important as your Medicare healthcare insurance. Please join our California certified HICAP Counselors for an objective and unbiased "Extra Help" Enrollment Event online via Zoom. 

SMALL BUSINESSES: LEARN HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH SAN JOSE!

The City of San Jose buys millions of dollars worth of goods and services every year—from janitorial, maintenance and landscaping services, to products such as vehicles, office products and computers.

No matter the size of your business, there may be opportunities for you to serve San Jose's needs and grow your business. 

In this workshop, you will learn about how to find, qualify for, and bid on City contract opportunities. You will gain insight into the process and procedures of Request for Proposals (RFP), including how to register as a vendor, search for RFPs, write effective proposals, and qualify for the local and small business preference. You will also meet and get your questions answered by the City’s program administrators.

Date: July 21, 2022

Time: 3:30-5 p.m.

REGISTER YOUR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT TODAY!

National Night Out is a chance for neighbors to interact with each other and meet other neighbors. If you register your neighborhood, the police department will send some of their officers to your event to join you. Many of our neighborhoods regularly host an event for NNO. hoods to hold a local event fast approaching on Tuesday, August 2^nd and registrations are coming in daily! 

This year, NNO will be held on August 2^nd. There are currently over 50 neighborhoods registered, but many groups have not yet registered. Due to the early date for NNO this year, the deadline for groups to register is This Sunday, July 17.

If you have any neighborhood associations or individuals with questions regarding NNO, along with those that have reached out to you but need verification if they have registered please send them my way at sjpdnno@sanjoseca.gov. 

Also, stay tuned for information about our official District 4 National Night Out event.

JOIN THE RESILIENCE CORPS

We are hiring professional, reliable, and passionate people who want to gain experience in the expanded learning field working with students in grades K-8. 

These are part-time positions for the academic year 2022/2023. Financial compensation, training, and professional development opportunities for Resilience Corps Associates will be provided and coordinated by the San José Public Library Foundation.

APPLY TO BE A NEIGHBORHOODS COMMISSIONER

My office is currently looking for residents of District 4 who are interested in applying for the Neighborhoods Commission. The purpose of the Neighborhoods Commission is to integrate the voice of neighborhoods into the City’s decision-making processes; study issues, courses of action, policies, and programs that affect neighborhood quality of life; make recommendations to council and redevelopment agency; and empower neighborhoods. The commission will make regular reports to the San José City Council, City staff, and neighborhood groups.

The Neighborhoods Commission work plan will be developed in coordination with, and approved by, the Neighborhood Services and Education Committee. Annual reports will be provided by commissioners at the yearly Neighborhood Caucus by council district. The Neighborhoods Commission is advisory to the City Council regarding San José neighborhoods and works with both City and, when applicable, Redevelopment Agency staff, and when appropriate, collaborate with other commissions and boards.

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests for Everyone: Every home in the U.S., regardless of their insurance status, is eligible for a third round of EIGHT free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. Orders ship in 7-12 days. Order free at-home tests at www.covidtests.gov.   

Need help placing an order for your at-home tests? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

Avoid Fake COVID-19 Tests: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Division of Consumer and Business Education recently issued guidance on how to avoid purchasing fake COVID-19 tests. For more information, visit the FTC webpage. 

CDC Recommends First Booster for Ages 5-11: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the eligibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to everyone 5 years of age and older. CDC now recommends that this age group receive a booster shot five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.

CDC Recommends COVID-19 Tests Before Flying: The CDC recently updated their COVID-19 guidance to recommend all travelers test for COVID-19 in the days before flying for summer vacations internationally or within the U.S. People traveling outside of the U.S. are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day before returning to the states. Before returning home after traveling within the U.S., the CDC advises getting tested “if your trip involved situations with greater risk of exposure” to COVID-19.

How to Protect Yourself and Others From COVID-19: With COVID-19 cases on the rise, it is important to follow CDC guidelines to prevent illness. Most importantly, stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, wear a well-fitting mask, avoid poorly ventilated areas and crowds, and take precautions when you travel.

Free Masks Available: Each adult can get three free N95 masks at pharmacies and community health centers. For help finding a location, call 800-232-0233.

Resident Resources: The City of San José’s Virtual Local Assistance Center is a one-stop for information on Food Assistance, Housing, Employment, Health & Wellness, Utilities, and Immigrant Resources.

Current Vaccination/Booster Sites: The full list of vaccine sites, and testing sites are available on the County of Santa Clara COVID-19 website. Please note that vaccination sites are a combination of drop-in and by appointment only. Residents are encouraged to make an appointment, where possible. All sites have boosters available.

Vaccination Sites

• North East Medical Services (NEMS) (1870 Lundy Ave., San José 95131) 
• Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Expo Hall (2542 Monterey Hwy., Gate D, San José 95111) 
• Sun Pharmacy (2559 S. King Rd., San José 95122) 
• Advance SJ Pharmacy (2331 Montpelier Dr., Suite A-10, San José 95116) 
• Dan Hopner MD/Rom Romero PA (2060 Aborn Rd., Suite 100, San José 95121) 
• Mexican Consulate (302 Enzo Dr. #200, San José 95138) 

Testing Sites

• Santa Clara County Office of Education (OptumServe) (1290 Ridder Park Dr., San José 95131) 
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (OptumServe) (3990 Zanker Rd., San José 95134) 
• Valley Water (OptumServe/CDPH Bus) (5750 Almaden Expy., San José 95118)  
• County Fairgrounds, Parking Lot A (Across from Gate B) (344 Tully Rd., San José 95111)  
• Costco Business Center (OptumServe/CDPH Bus) (2376 S. Evergreen Loop, San José 95122)  
• Grand Century Mall (OptumServe/CDPH Bus) (1111 Story Rd., San José 95122)  
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (OptumServe) (2240 South 7th St., San José 95112) 
• Central YMCA (1717 The Alameda, San José 95126)