Michael Gomez has joined CalOptima as Executive Director, Network Operations. He is responsible for the development, expansion, and support of CalOptima’s provider delivery system to support the operation of all lines of business and programs. He brings more than 34 years of experience in executive leadership roles in hospitals and hospital systems, medical groups and health plans.

Prior to joining CalOptima, Gomez was a business development consultant with several large hospitals and health systems including Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, and Fountain Valley Medical Development Corporation. Other previous executive positions included Vice President, Business and Strategic Development at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Long Beach. With a lifelong passion to help underserved populations, Gomez has a proven record of addressing social and economic inequities in the communities he’s worked in through addressing health disparities in his work with health plans, hospitals, physician organizations, unions and FQHC provider environments.

On June 14, CalOptima hosted a virtual InfoSeries session on a Local and National Snapshot on Homelessness with an overview of Transitional Age Youth (TAY) experiencing homelessness. Attendees learned why the TAY population is particularly vulnerable to homelessness and received an update on CalAIM and the new Community Supports being added no sooner than July 1. The recording can be found here and the event materials can be found here.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Federal Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old. The state is operationally ready to immediately begin administering vaccines for infants and toddlers aged 6 months and older. To find a vaccine, visit the My Turn webpage or call 1-833-422-4255.

The California Department of Public Health developed a flyer for families having a difficult time finding baby formula, which can be found here. California’s Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program now has over 100 different baby formula options to purchase with the California WIC card. For more information on local resources, individuals can visit everywomanoc.org or call the Health Referral Line at 1-800-564-8448.

In response to several recent tragedies occurring in our county and throughout the U.S., the OC Health Care Agency’s Mental Health and Recovery Services office encourages Orange County residents with mental health and emotional challenges to seek support. Individuals can access free and confidential emotional support and resources by calling or texting the OC WarmLine at 714-991-6412. Individuals can also contact OC Links at 855-625-4657 to speak, chat or text 24 hours a day with a supportive navigator trained to connect individuals with appropriate mental health services. Additional resources can be found by visiting ocnavigator.org.

Join the California MTSS 2022 Professional Learning Institute conference from July 12–14 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The 2022 Professional Learning Institute will offer a variety of options for in-person sessions with some streaming and recorded content. The conference theme is “Hear Us, Together We Rise,” and the goal is to inspire and uplift educators. Attendees will hear from various speakers and join interactive breakout sessions that focus on supporting adults in the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) system and leveraging the California MTSS framework to meet the academic, behavioral and social-emotional and mental health needs of our youth. For more information on the conference, including schedules, accommodation options, registration links and frequently asked questions, click here.

CalOptima Customer Service remains ready to respond to member needs as we adhere to guidelines to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. Our building is closed to visitors. Members can call Customer Service from the safety of their home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak their language. Members can also visit www.caloptima.org and access their member portal.