Weekly Update - April 21, 2023 | |
HUD Grant to Address Homelessness in Contra Costa | |
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Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a $5.3 million grant to help address unsheltered homelessness in Contra Costa.
The grant is one of 62, totaling $468 million, awarded since February. The federal program addresses unsheltered and rural homelessness by helping communities implement coordinated approaches that connect outreach, permanent housing and health/supportive services
Contra Costa’s Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) will use the one-time, 3-year grant to bring people who are currently unsheltered in our community into permanent housing.
This grant funding is in addition to the $17.3 million that HUD awarded in March to fund homeless services in the County. That funding, awarded annually, fuels the homeless services provided by the County, community-based organizations, and other service providers in the Continuum of Care. Between the two awards, 50 additional units of permanent supportive housing have been added to Contra Costa County.
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CDC Updates COVID Vaccine Recommendations | |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new simplified recommendations for the unvaccinated, as well as allowing people ages 65+ and the immunocompromised to get a second bivalent booster shot.
The CDC now recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive a single dose of the bivalent mRNA COVID vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) if they haven’t gotten one yet. This includes unvaccinated people, who previously needed to first complete their primary two-dose series before being eligible for the bivalent vaccine, a reformulated version of the original vaccine that protects against Omicron variants. (The original “monovalent” vaccine will no longer be available.)
In addition, people ages 65+ and the immunocompromised – groups who are at higher risk of serious outcomes from a COVID infection – will now be able to get a second dose of the bivalent mRNA vaccine for extra protection.
People who have already gotten their bivalent booster shots do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.
For young children, multiple doses of the pediatric versions of the mRNA vaccines continue to be recommended.
For more information, click on the button below.
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The Lafayette Creeks Committee held a dedication for the First Street Rain Garden on Saturday, April 15 at the corner of First Street and Golden Gate Way.
Beyond its beautiful setting, the First Street Rain Garden also has an important function, city officials said. It captures rainwater runoff from storm drains on Golden Gate Way, then removes pollutants as the water slowly percolates through native vegetation, and layers of compost, sand and soil. The filtered water then helps recharge the groundwater along Lafayette Creek. This process protects aquatic habitats and improves our quality of life.
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National Take Back Initiative Collection Site Search | |
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The 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Inquiries can also be made at 1-800-882-9539.
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
See the list below for a location near you.
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office
Valley Station, 150 Alamo Plaza #C, Alamo
Danville Police Department
510 La Gonda Way, Danville
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office
Blackhawk Station
1092 Eagle Nest Place, Danville
Lafayette Police Department
3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
Orinda Police Department
22 Orinda Way
Orinda
For more information click on the button below:
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San Ramon Rotary Educator of the Year Luncheon | |
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The Rotary Club of San Ramon held its annual Educator of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, April 20th.
Local educators who have demonstrated exemplary contributions to education, in any form and at any level, with an emphasis on personal efforts and active involvement in helping students were honored.
Educators who were honored are; Karen Hoskins, TK Teacher at Bollinger Canyon Elementary School, Tracy Fernandez, School Nurse at Country Club Elementary School, Linda Viera, Resource Specialist at Montevideo Elementary School, Miriam Pecheos, 3rd Grade Teacher at Twin Creeks Elementary School, Coette Winton, 4th/5th Grade Teacher at Golden View Elementary School, Megan Reiss, 4th Grade Teacher at Walt Disney Elementary School, Jennifer Baker, 2nd Grade Teacher at Neil Armstrong Elementary School, Cheyanne Michaelis, School Nurse at Iron Horse Middle School, Amy Meredith, Math Teacher at Pine Valley Middle School, and Cheryl Youngberg, Counseling Chairperson at California High School.
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Celebrate Earth Day This Weekend at an Event Near You | |
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Earth Day is celebrated globally each spring on April 22nd. It’s a day of action and a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the environment. Here are just a few of the many local events where you can enjoy free family fun, learn about sustainability, and get involved.
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Lafayette Earth Day Festival. Sunday, April 23, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Lafayette Plaza Park. Live music, family activities, and a petting zoo.
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John Muir Birthday – Earth Day. Saturday, April 22, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., John Muir National Historic Site, Martinez. Family fun, live music, and food.
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Recycle Smart Compost Giveaway. Saturday, April 22. Alamo, Diablo, Danville, and Walnut Creek residents can register in advance to pick up free compost at Creekside Community Church in Alamo.
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Free Virtual Home and Worm Composting Workshops | |
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The Contra Costa County Department of Conservation & Development is sponsoring free composting workshops. All Contra Costa County residents are welcome. Make sure to reserve your place today! You can view the details and register via Eventbrite, which is accessible by clicking the date of the workshop below.
April 29 Vermicomposting (Worm)
Virtual via Zoom
June 10 Home Composting
Virtual via Zoom
August 12 Home Composting
Virtual via Zoom
October 14 Vermicomposting (Worm)
Virtual via Zoom
These events will be hosted live online via Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link the week prior to the event.
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Mattress Recycling Program | |
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This Earth Day, there are many easy opportunities to love our planet. One simple way to divert waste from landfills is through the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program.
MRC’s program recycles foam and innerspring mattresses, futon mattresses that can separate from the futon frame or base, as well as box springs. At collection locations, unit limits vary by location, and residency restrictions may apply. It is recommended to contact the location prior to drop-off.
This Earth Day, visit ByeByeMattress by clicking on the button below to learn how to recycle your mattress or share this information with a friend or family member.
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Get Ready for Bike to Work Day | |
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Save the date! Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 18. For maximum fun, prep now for a smooth two-wheeled commute.
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Prep Your Bike. Start with the ABC’s – Air, Brakes, and Chain. Our guide will get you started. Visit a local bike shop if you need help with a complete tune-up.
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Plan Your Ride. The route you drive to work may not be ideal for commuting by bike. Map out your ride using quiet streets, bike lanes, and trails for a more comfortable, safer ride.
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Test Your Plan. Take a test run to explore your route and locate bike racks or lockers at your destination. Practice loading your bike on a bus or taking it on BART. Commit to biking one day a week and you may be eligible for a $20 BikeLink locker card.
- Find a bike buddy. Ask coworkers to join you on May 18. Plan where and when to meet so you can all ride in together. (Bike party!)
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Cash in on an e-bike. If you’ve purchased an e-bike within the last six months, you may be eligible for a $150-$500 cash rebate.
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Street Smarts Video Contest | |
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Our Chief of Staff, Gayle Israel, helped present the finalist videos and winners of the 2022/2023 Street Smarts San Ramon Valley “Be Reel!” Video Contest at the ceremony on April 13th at the Village Theatre in Danville.
This year there were 60 entries, so it was very difficult to pick the top 16 finalists and top 4 winners.
The winners were, 1st Place - When It Rings or Dings.. by Drew Beronilla and David Damian from California High School, 2nd Place - Be Aware and Walk with Care by Riddhiman Rana from Windemere Ranch Middle School, 3rd Place - Heads Up, Phones Down by Maggie Luo from Iron Horse Middle School, and 4th Place - The Boys by Arav Kotach, Daniel Chen, Shawn Thomas and Harshaan Singh from Gale Ranch Middle School. To view all of the video entrants, click on the button below.
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CCC Sheriff Hosts Junior Women's Academy | |
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When: June 13th, 14th and 15th
Time: 9:00am - 2:00pm each day
Where: Law Enforcement Training Center Range
12000 Marsh Creek Road, Clayton, Ca 94517
Transportation will be provided if needed. Pick up/drop off points throughout the County. Lunch and snacks will also be provided.
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Garden Tour for AAUW (Danville Alamo Walnut Creek branch) "Gardens that Inspire" | |
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After a two-year’s hiatus, The Danville Alamo Walnut Creek (DAW) Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is preparing for their Gardens that Inspire Tour on Friday and Saturday, May 12 & 13, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Five homeowners in Danville and Alamo will open their spectacular private gardens through which participants may enjoy self-paced, self-guided walking tours. Each garden space is unique and beautiful.
The DAW AAUW Garden Tour 2023 is the principal branch fundraiser and supports local scholarships for women and girls. This tour marks the twenty-first year of the organization’s garden event. DAW AAUW has awarded over $121,000 in scholarships over the last ten years to help local college women complete their degree programs.
Tickets are $40.00 per person. Registrants will receive a link to an online Gardens that Inspire detailed ticket, guide, and map. Children must be over 12. No pets, please.
To learn more and to purchase tickets, click on the button below.
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AANHPI Celebration - May 9, 2023 | |
Operation Documentation for Veterans | |
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Veterans are invited to bring their DD 214 (discharge paperwork) to the County Clerk-Recorder's office and they will record it at no charge for safekeeping and peace of mind. Whenever the Veteran needs a certified copy of the form, they can get one from the office at no charge.
The Veteran Service Office will be on hand to meet with Veterans who need additional assistance, and additional agencies will also have information and resource tables.
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People Who Make A Difference Awards - Deadline to Submit Nomination April 28th | |
The CASA Tutor Program Needs Your Help | |
The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Tutor Program, which supports Contra Costa Children in foster care, is in great need of additional volunteers. | |
Would You Like To Serve on the Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity? | |
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The Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity (ACEEO) has one (1) vacant Disability seat open to applicants. The successful candidate must reside or work within Contra Costa County, be an active participant in the disabled community, and have an interest in equal employment matters. The ACEEO meets the fourth Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. except for holidays.
The ACEEO assists with the implementation of the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Contracting Programs and serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Supervisors. The ACEEO reviews the Equal Employment Opportunities Program and recommends actions to facilitate the attainment of the County’s goals for equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, and race/ethnicity.
The Board of Supervisors established the ACEEO on July 9, 1991. The Council has 13 seats representing the following groups: 4 Community seats; 2 Labor seats; 2 Management seats; 1 Educational seat; 1 Disability seat; 1 Business seat; 1 Veteran seat; and 1 Labor/Trade seat.
Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655- 2000 or by clicking on the button below. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 1025 Escobar St., 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553. Applications can also be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.
Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews. For further information about the ACEEO, please contact Antoine Wilson at antoine.wilson@riskm.cccounty.us or (925) 335-1455. See past agendas or find out more about the Council by clicking on the button below.
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Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association (CCCERA) Board of Trustees is seeking individuals with a sound business background, experience in pension fund investment or administration, or in equity investments or banking, to serve on the Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association Board of Trustees. To be considered, candidates must be County residents, must not be Retirement System members or retirees, and may not market any investment, consulting, or related service to the Contra Costa County Retirement Board or any other 1937 Act Retirement Board.
Regular meetings of the Retirement Board are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month beginning at 9:00 a.m. and sometimes extending into the afternoon. There may also be additional meetings on special topics that arise from time to time.
Further information about the Retirement Board can be obtained by calling CCCERA CEO Gail Strohl at (925) 521-3960 or by visiting their website www.cccera.org.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board- https://cchealth.org/aod/board/
District 2 Seat Term is expiring. To advise the Board of Supervisors in collaboration with the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, providing input and recommendations as they pertain to alcohol and other drugs prevention, intervention, and treatment services.
Measure X Community Advisory Body - Measure X Information
An individual who represents broad and diverse voices and perspectives is needed to fill the District 2 Alternate Seat. To be considered for this seat, candidates must either live or work in District 2. The Measure X Community Advisory Board currently meets monthly. Please contact our office at (925) 655-2300 if you are interested in applying.
Measure X is a countywide 20-year, ½ cent sales tax approved by Contra Costa County voters on November 3, 2020. Collection of the tax began on April 1, 2021. The ballot measure language stated that the intent of Measure X is “to keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers, emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential county services.”
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