Wishing Everyone a Safe, Healthy and Happy 2023

Storm Safety Tips and Other Resources

Stay safe as severe weather covers the Bay Area. Heavy rain and high wind could mean power outages.

If you rely on electric or battery-dependent medical devices, or use medication that must be refrigerated, it’s important to plan for an extended power outage. Find more info: cchealth.org/power-shutoff

With severe weather across the county, make sure you know the proper food safety steps in case you lose power. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed, and when in doubt - throw it out. More info: cchealth.org/power-shutoff

Due to flooding, mudslides, and other issues caused by the recent storms, Contra Costa County Public Works has closed the following roads until further notice:

• Highland Road is closed between Collier Canyon Road and Camino Tassajara due to rock/mudslides. Only local traffic is allowed through the area as crews work to clear the road.
• Marsh Creek Road is closed between Deer Valley Road & Morgan Territory Road due to continued rock and mudslides. Only residents are allowed in the area. Please take alternate routes to avoid this area.
• Morgan Territory Road is closed between 5477 Morgan Territory Road-5649 Morgan Territory Road due to mudslides. Only residents are allowed in the area.
• Deer Valley Road is closed to all traffic in both directions between Briones Valley Road and Marsh Creek Road due to a sinkhole. Please take alternate routes to avoid this area.

Signs have been posted to alert drivers of road closures. Current road closure information is located under the news section of the Public Works Department’s webpage at: www.cccpublicworks.org. Drivers are asked to avoid these areas and limit travel during stormy weather. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. If the power is out, treat ALL traffic signals like stop signs. 

Republic Services Tree Collection Schedule

Homeless Point in Time Count Seeking Volunteers

Contra Costa Health Services is seeking volunteers to help identify people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 for the 2023 homeless Point in Time Count.

Mandatory volunteer trainings will take place next week (week of 1/9) so Sign Up now!

Volunteers will:

• Be asked to participate in a drive-through canvassing to identify and count the unsheltered population across the entire geography of Contra Costa County between 5:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., Wednesday 1/25.
• Be able to select the area they canvas (with some limitations)
• Be asked to sign up with a partner (if you do not have a partner to do the PIT with, one will be assigned to you)
• Be required to complete a volunteer training the week of January 9th or a virtual training the week of January 16th.
• Not be engaging directly with individuals experiencing homelessness during the count.

In Person:

Monday, 1/9 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. in Concord

Thursday, 1/12 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in Brentwood

Friday, 1/13 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in San Pablo

Virtual:

Thursday, 1/18 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Not be engaging directly with individuals experiencing homelessness during the count.

Also seeking volunteers for in the weeks leading up to January 25th to: 

• Collect or prepare hygiene kits that may be distributed during the PIT surveys
• Seek donations for coffee/food for kick-off events the day of the Count: 
• Pick up coffee and food for kick-off sites the morning of the PIT Count observations (Wednesday, January 25th, between 5:00 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.)
• Take high-quality photos, with consent, of the PIT Count at the kick-off sites and/or at sheltered and unsheltered locations

To register as a volunteer, please fill out the short survey using the "Register" button below. More information about safety considerations, training materials, and your route assignment will be included as part of the registration process.

For the most up-to-date information about the Point in Time Count, go to the website by clicking here. This website will be updated at least weekly, so be sure to click "follow" at the bottom of the page to get emails with new information.

We appreciate your support! Please consider participating and encourage your colleagues, staff, and friends to register as a volunteer.

For questions about volunteer participation, please contact contracostacoc@cchealth.org.

REGISTER

Join the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors at 11:00 a.m. on January 17, 2023, for their annual Tribute and Celebration to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event is being held at the Board of Supervisors Chambers located at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez.

Contra Costa Residents Urged to Only Use 911 for Emergencies

To ensure continued timely response to true medical emergencies, Contra Costa Health (CCH) encourages residents to call 911 only if the need for care is truly an emergency.

Contra Costa County’s emergency medical system traditionally serves higher-than-usual numbers of patients this time of year, and this month healthcare providers and the agencies providing emergency ambulance service are especially impacted because of COVID, flu and other respiratory viruses.

When many people seek care through 911 at the same time, it reduces the number of emergency ambulances in circulation, ready to respond when someone in the county needs lifesaving care.

Based on a paramedic’s assessment of a patient’s condition and if the number of available emergency ambulances is very low, the paramedic may suggest a patient visit an urgent care on their own or call an advice nurse.



During the winter virus season, patients visiting emergency departments at hospitals in the county may also need to wait longer depending on circumstances at the time they arrive and the severity of their illness or injury.

To Read the Latest Contra Costa Covid-19 Information and To See the Data Summary, Visit COVID-19 updates.

Order Free COVID Test Kits from the County

People can order up to 4 free at-home test kits per household by filling out this online form or by calling 833-829-2626. There are two tests in each kit. CCHS will mail the kits directly to people’s homes within approximately 5-7 business days. You must be a Contra Costa County resident to be eligible. 

The County’s mail-order program will run through the holidays and perhaps longer depending on our supply of at-home test kits. 

San Ramon Valley Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cleaner Contra Costa January Actions

2023 is the year to join the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge if you haven’t already done so. Now is the time to get sustainable! This free website provides a list of actionable steps you can take to save water, energy, waste, and money. When we work together as a community, we can hit some impressive goals, like saving over 1100 tons of CO2 to date! Bonus - you can also earn prizes along the way.

To kick off the year, try the January Actions of the Month: 

• Carpool - With gas prices being so high, why not save money and extend the life of your car by carpooling? Better yet, join the 511cc.org Winter Walk Challenge before Jan 17th. Each week, 10 participants will be selected to win $20 Amazon gift cards. Plus, your name will be entered in the iPad Grand Prize Drawing just by signing up.

• Catch the rain - Take advantage of this great rain we are getting and capture the rain now to use later in your garden. Check out this “how to” video.

• Build your Emergency Kit - start the year off by building an emergency preparedness kit! This page gives an awesome step-by-step guide to make it easy for you.

Be sure to check off any action that you have completed on Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge in order to have your points, water savings, and CO2 reduction count for Contra Costa. 

Seeking Nominations for Contra Costa County

Youth Hall of Fame

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards. These awards are presented annually to outstanding Contra Costa County residents between 12 and 18 years old. The students will be recognized at the 29th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez. Community members can also join the event live on Contra Costa Television channels and the County’s website.

Nominees should demonstrate exemplary behavior in one of five categories:

• Good Samaritan: Goes out of their way to do for others without seeking recognition

• Volunteerism: Lends a helping hand for the good of the community; Gives their time and energy to a worthy cause or organization

• Teamwork: Works unselfishly for the good of the team

• Leadership and Civic Engagement: A natural leader who inspires others and works to make a difference in school and the community

• Perseverance: Has worked hard to overcome obstacles and achieve success

For more information and the application form to nominate youth in our community, visit the website.

Please submit your nomination by completing the form and uploading it to the County website or emailing the application and your letter of recommendation to Lia Bristol at YouthNomination@dcd.cccounty.us.

Nominations must be received or postmarked by February 17, 2023. Recipients will be recognized on April 4th at the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ César E. Chávez Celebration.

Apply to Join the County's

Sustainability Commission by January 15th

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications from individuals to fill three at-large seats on the Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission. Applications are due by Sunday, January 15, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.

The Sustainability Commission advises the Board of Supervisors and staff on the design and implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan, including opportunities to realize equity and fairness across the diverse communities of Contra Costa County and how to better engage County residents and businesses on climate issues.

At this time, applications are being accepted for the following seats:

1. One member representing community groups whose mission includes sustainability and/or environmental issues
2. One member representing commercial groups or organizations whose business focuses on sustainability and/or environmental issues
3. One member representing environmental justice issues and who lives in a frontline, or “disadvantaged,” community, and who reflects the geographic diversity of the County
4. 

Applications are available online. More information is available here.

Would You Like to Serve on a Contra Costa County Committee, Commission, or Board? There are Opportunities Available

District 2 Volunteer Opportunities 

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.

The Measure X Community Advisory Board - Supervisor Andersen is seeking an individual that represents broad and diverse voices, and perspectives. To be considered for this seat, candidates must either live or work in District 2. The Community Advisory Board currently meets monthly. Currently, the meetings are via online conferencing. For more information about Measure X, please click here.

County Service Area, P-2A Citizen Advisory Committee (Blackhawk)

Expiring Seats - incumbents should reapply

The County Services Area, P-2A Citizens Advisory Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Blackhawk community for extended police services which shall include, but not be limited to, enforcement of the State Vehicle Code, crime prevention, litter control, and other issues.

You must reside within the Blackhawk community to serve on this committee

Police Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public and are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM, at the Blackhawk Police Service District Office at 1092 Eagle Nest Pl.

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/.