CalOptima Health Community Update

November 16, 2022

In This Issue

CalOptima Health News

CalFresh Enrollment Event and Resource Fair for the Community

Community Alliances Forum

CalOptima Health Leaders Welcome Senator Newman for PACE Center Tour

Scholarship Winner Wins National Contest

COVID-19 News

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine

Community News

Medi-Cal Rx and Costco Partnership

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Medi-Cal Dental Outreach Team Available for Collaboration

Safety Planning for Survivors Experiencing Homelessness

Breastfeeding Recommendations

Districts Required to Have Students Submit College Financial Aid Applications

Father And Daughter Enjoying Multi-Generation Family Meal At Home

CalOptima Health News

CalFresh Enrollment Event and Resource Fair for the Community

CalOptima Health is working in collaboration with the County of Orange Social Services Agency and the City of Huntington Beach to host an event to raise awareness about the CalFresh program on Saturday, November 19, from 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. The event will take place at Murdy Park, 7000 Norma Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92647, and will offer on-site CalFresh enrollment, food distribution, diaper distribution (while supplies last), community resources and activities for the whole family, including face painting, balloons, and more. Flyers are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Community Alliances Forum

The virtual Community Alliances Forum on Understanding and Supporting the Needs of Orange County’s Justice-Involved Populations will take place Tuesday, December 13 from 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Learn about:

The unique health and transition needs of justice-involved populations with substance use disorder (SUD)
Challenges and successes in achieving access to SUD treatment for this population
How Orange County is mobilizing community resources to address the needs of this population through CalAIM

Click here to register for this virtual event.

CalOptima Health Leaders Welcome Senator Newman for PACE Tour

CalOptima Health welcomed California State Senator Josh Newman for a tour of the agency’s PACE Center. Senator Newman joined CalOptima Health CEO Michael Hunn, COO Yunkyung Kim and PACE Director Monica Macias for a first-hand look at the clinical operations and daily activities at the center that keep participants healthy, active and engaged.

CalOptima Health’s PACE Center helps older adults stay independent and supports them with complete health care, including home care, home-delivered medications and meals. Watch a virtual tour of the PACE Center, and find out if PACE is right for you or your loved one at 1-844-999-PACE (TTY 7223) or caloptima.org/pace.

CalOptima Health Scholarship Winner Wins National Contest

The winner of CalOptima Health’s sixth annual Health Care and Social Services Student Scholarship contest, Marina Esquivel Cisneros, has also won the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) national scholarship contest. An aspiring nurse, Maria received a $2,500 scholarship from CalOptima Health for her nursing school education and she will receive a $5,000 scholarship from ACAP for winning the national contest.

“Marina’s story exemplifies the passion that the ACAP scholarship celebrates,” said CalOptima Health CEO Michael Hunn. “Her enthusiasm for giving back to her community is an inspiration. CalOptima Health is proud of her successes thus far, and we look forward to her many future accomplishments.”

COVID-19 Updates

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine

Collage of portraits of an ethnically diverse and mixed age group of people showing their shoulders with band-aids on after getting a vaccine.

The Orange County Health Care Agency makes it easy for individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine. There are several ways to find an appointment.

Vaccinations are also available for anyone who is homebound, and transportation services are available for those who need a ride to a vaccination site. If you need help scheduling a vaccination appointment, call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at 714-834-2000.

Community News

Medi-Cal Rx and Costco Partnership

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced a new partnership

with Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) and Medi-Cal members who can now fill their prescriptions at one of Costco's 122 pharmacies in California. A Costco membership is not required for Medi-Cal members wishing to access pharmacy services.

Closeup hand of woman pharmacist with prescription and medicine at drugstore

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Join United to End Homelessness for the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week on November 12-20. Help spread the word or attend an event. Click here to learn more.

Medi-Cal Dental Outreach Team Available for Collaboration

Smile California, the Medi-Cal Dental Outreach team, can travel for events, meetings, and presentations upon request. Please contact Carmen Rangel, if you would like to schedule an in person or virtual presentation for your agency and members or to participate in upcoming events.

Safety Planning for Survivors Experiencing Homelessness

The Office of Care Coordination, on behalf of the Orange County Continuum of Care (CoC), is hosting a training opportunity on Safety Planning for Survivors Experiencing Homelessness. The virtual training will take place on Friday, November 18 from 9-11 a.m. and is intended for advocates, survivors, housing and homeless service providers, victim service providers, and program administrators. Through this training, attendees will learn safety planning based on housing status and best practices.

Breastfeeding Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately six months after birth. Furthermore, the AAP supports continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods introduced at about 6 months, as long as mutually desired by mother and child for two years or beyond. This recommendation is consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) and that of many other countries.

Districts Required to Have Students Submit College Financial Aid Applications

Financial aid is shown on a business photo using the text

Assembly Bill 469, signed by Governor Newsom in October 2021 makes it a requirement for every graduating senior in California to submit an application for college financial aid or take steps to opt out beginning in the 2022-23 school year. Grants and low-interest loans have long been available at the federal and state levels as a way to make college more accessible and affordable. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the main form that most students will use to apply for college financial aid.

How to Contact CalOptima Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CalOptima Health 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.

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