Happy Lunar New Year 2023

Lunar New Year Celebration

Supervisor Andersen, along with other elected officials and a large crowd in attendance, enjoyed the Lunar New Year celebration at San Ramon's City Center on Sunday, January 22nd, the first day of the Lunar New Year’s 15 days of celebration. 

Featured at the event were Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese dancers, a kung fu demonstration, and the always popular lion dancers.

Pictured above, with a group of the tiniest entertainers, are San Ramon Council member Mark Armstrong, the talented Xiaopei Gelb (whose dancers are pictured), Danville Town Council member Dave Fong, Supervisor Andersen, Danville Mayor Robert Storer, Danville Council member Karen Stepper, Community College Trustee Andy Li, SRVFPD President Michelle Lee, SRVUSD Board Member Suzanne Ordway and District 16 State Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.

Contra Costa County Winter Storm Damage Survey

As we recover from the recent severe storms that caused damage across the Bay Area, the Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services is trying to expand the available assistance, but your help is needed. 

In order to qualify for Federal Disaster assistance for private residents, the County must demonstrate exceptional private property and business losses due to the recent severe Winter storms. If you live in an unincorporated community and experienced damage to your property or business, you are invited to fill out the brief County Winter Storm Damage Survey by clicking here. If you live in a city or town, please the appropriate jurisdiction.

The survey results will help the County qualify for State and Federal disaster funds for individual residents. This survey is not an application for assistance but is the first step in the disaster recovery process. Surveys are due by January 27. 

For more information, including individual city contacts and plans for future financial assistance please go to Storm FAQ's.

Seeking Nominations for Contra Costa County

Youth Hall of Fame

Please join the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, for the 29th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration.

Each year, the Supervisors honor a group of students as part of the Youth Hall of Fame Awards. Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2023 Awards.

Click here to access the nomination form and more information about the Youth Hall of Fame Awards. Nominations must be received or postmarked by February 17, 2023. For the full press release, please click here.

San Ramon Valley Street Smarts Program

San Ramon Valley Street Smarts began 19 years ago to help our students (and their parents) be safer while walking, riding, or driving.

Tuesday, January 24th, at California High School in San Ramon, Street Smarts hosted one of their educational but graphic CHP Start Smart programs. This two-hour program is required for any high school student in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District who wants a parking permit at their school.

Pictured above, are Supervisor Andersen and CHP Officer Adam Lane, who delivered the presentation. To read more visit CHP Start Smart.

Getting Better When You're Sick

As COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continue to spread in our community, Contra Costa Health and Kaiser Permanente are partnering to inform you about self-care recovery tips and virtual treatment options.

Tips include:

• Stay home to avoid spreading illness to others
• Get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter medication to relieve fever and discomfort
• Stock your medicine cabinet with items to manage your symptoms such as cold/flu medicine, saline spray or drops, and cough syrups or lozenges
• Learn the symptoms that may require emergency care

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If you have an urgent health concern, start by contacting an advice nurse or doctor’s office. If you are a Contra Costa Health Plan member or don’t have health coverage, call the advice nurse at (877) 661-6230. Kaiser Permanente members can call the advice nurse at (866) 454-8855.

Advice nurses can provide medical advice 24/7 and will guide you to timely, convenient care options – from quick online e-visits to urgent care and other appointments. To make sure our health systems can provide timely responses for true medical emergencies, only call 911 or go to the hospital if your need for care is truly an emergency. Learn more about how to get better when you’re sick.

COVID Cases Continue to Decrease - To Read the Latest Information and Data Summary, Visit COVID-19 updates.

Presidents Day Weekend: Free buses to replace BART service between Lafayette, Orinda and Rockridge Stations

Over Presidents Day weekend, February 18-20, 2023, BART is replacing 7,500 feet of rail and making other system improvements between Lafayette and Rockridge Stations.

Throughout the weekend, free buses will replace train service between Lafayette, Orinda and Rockridge Stations. There will be an express bus between Rockridge and Lafayette Stations, and a local bus with stops at all three stations. Riders using the bus bridge should expect 30-minute delays. 

This work is made possible by Measure RR, approved by BART District voters in 2016. When the project is complete, riders will experience a safer, quieter, and more reliable BART.

During each shutdown weekend, neighbors or riders with immediate concerns should email constructionquestions@BART.gov or call (510) 464-6178. 

Resource Families Can Change a Child’s Life

Our children and youth are our most precious resource. Unfortunately, in Contra Costa County, we have more than 500 children and youth in foster care who are dealing with the harsh reality of abuse, neglect or lost family connections.

More resource families (also known as foster families) can be part of the solution to help fill the County’s immediate need for caregivers. You have the opportunity to offer a loving home to a child or youth who may be feeling confused, alone and unloved because, by no fault of their own, they were born into difficult circumstances.

Like many aspiring foster parents, Ramon and Diana Viscarra did not think they had what it takes to accommodate a teen in need of a place to call home. Their home was modest, and they didn’t have the resources for lavish trips and experiences. Still, this Pittsburg family stepped up to care for Javier, Ramon’s younger cousin, and soon found out the only thing he wanted was a safe and stable environment with someone who loved him.

“He came to us with the hoodie on. Very withdrawn,” says Diana. “Eventually, the hoodie came off. He’s a completely different kid. He’s outspoken. He’s engaged. He’s smiling. He jokes.”

Foster parenting is a calling heeded by people who make a commitment to offer love and understanding. The caregivers often find out that the blessing is all theirs. Resource families – whether or not related to the child or youth they take in – can change a child’s life and their own.

“This has turned out to be the most rewarding experience of my life,” says Ramon. “My only regret is that I didn’t step up sooner.”

Javier continues to make strides, and decided during his first semester at college to change his major so he can become a social worker who can help other kids in need.

“He wants a career that allows him to use what he's been through to make an impact in a young person’s life,” explains Ramon. “His story is a special one, and I couldn't be more proud!”

Currently, our community is looking for foster parents who have the ability to understand and accommodate teens, LGBTQIA+ youth, and children with developmental and medical needs.

While Contra Costa County’s priority is to reunify foster youth with their biological families when it is safe and in the child’s best interest, some cases may result in adoption. If you believe you have the unique and loving skills to become a foster parent, simply attend a Resource Family Orientation by clicking here to sign up for a free virtual orientation (in English and Spanish) and learn how you can be a part of the solution.

Homelessness Contractors Request for Proposal

Supervisor Andersen attended the Open House event at the recently opened Danville Town Offices and Police Department on January 23rd.

During the Open House, staff led tours of the Town Offices and Police Department, as well as shared information about Town departments. 

The Town Offices and Police Department moved from 510 to 500 La Gonda Way in November 2022. The move from the outdated office space allows the Town to expand operations to suit growing needs for services, and to have a dedicated space for the Police Department operations. 

Pictured above are, Supervisor Andersen, Auggie, the Town mascot, and Danville Mayor Robert Storer.

The new Danville Town Offices at 500 La Gonda Way.

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.

Do Hazardous Materials Policy Issues Interest You?

The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission is seeking applicants to fill an Environmental Justice Alternate Seat.

You may apply if you …

• Have an understanding of, and a commitment to, the principles of Environmental Justice, as defined in County policy;

• are a layperson from a community in Contra Costa County that is highly impacted and burdened by hazardous materials facilities and releases, and will be able to represent community interests;

• have an interest in hazardous materials issues; and

• can attend monthly Commission and committee meetings when needed.

The Commission is a voluntary body appointed by the Board of Supervisors and makes policy recommendations to the Board and County staff on issues concerning hazardous materials and hazardous waste.

The Commission’s 14 members and alternates serve four-year terms and include representatives of industry, labor, civic groups, environmental organizations, environmental engineers, the general public, cities and Environmental Justice communities.

To obtain an application form, or for further information, contact Michael Kent, Executive Assistant to the Commission, at (925) 250-3227 or mkent@cchealth.org. Applications may also be obtained from the Clerk of the Board located at 1025 Escobar Street 1^st Floor, Martinez CA 94553.

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You may also submit an application by mail, e-mail or on-line:

https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418/Appointed-Bodies-Committees-Commissions

Applications must be received by March 1, 2023 and, if mailed, mailed to the Clerk of the Board.

Interviews for qualified applicants will take place from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on March 10, 2023.

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/.