COVID Vaccine Verification Requirement for First Responders

To better protect the county’s health system from COVID-19 during the pandemic’s current surge, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) has released a new health order requiring first responders to verify they are fully vaccinated or test weekly for the virus. Read More...
CCHS Launches Helping Hands Referral Program
In response to the alarming surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly among communities of color and young people in Contra Costa County, CCHS has launched the Helping Hands Referral Program.

Anyone aged 14 or older can help unvaccinated friends, neighbors, and co-workers get vaccinated at a CCHS vaccination site and they will earn $100 for every person they help get fully vaccinated.

Learn more and sign up for the program at the Helping Hands Referral Program website.
CCHS is Recruiting Volunteer Vaccinators and Contact Tracers

Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, CCHS is once again recruiting volunteers to help administer vaccines and with contact tracing.

People interested in volunteering can sign up here.

CCHS has asked the state for more resources, but they are not able to provide staffing support at this time. We are also bringing back temporary emergency workers and utilizing CCHS nursing staff to help when they’re available. As needed, nurses have been trained to serve as contact tracers, investigators, vaccinators, and other roles.
Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you
Use Vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment.


Walkups are available.
Pittsburg-Based Steel Company Fined $4 Million Dollars Due to Multiple Hazardous Materials/Waste Violations  

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, a $4 million civil settlement with USS-UPI, Inc. to resolve allegations that USS-UPI violated multiple state environmental laws and regulations dating back 4 years.

This case involved numerous violations related to the maintenance, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials/waste. Read More...
Contra Costa County Redistricting
The U.S. Census Bureau has released the first local-level data from the 2020 Census, the once-a-decade count of every person living in the country. This is part of the Census data that will help determine new Supervisorial districts for Contra Costa County during its Redistricting process once every ten years.

The Board of Supervisors held its first Public Hearing for the County’s Redistricting process on August 10, 2021. The Public Hearing provided an overview of the Redistricting process, reviewed the new Redistricting website, provided information about communities of interest, explained how to submit draft maps once U.S. Census data is available, and described robust, planned public outreach and availability of mapping software training. The hearing received input from the public and direction from the Board of Supervisors.
 
The County’s second Redistricting Public Hearing will be held on October 5, 2021, at 9 am. It will be available via Zoom, online, and on Contra Costa Television channels. Learn more, including how you can provide input, at www.CoCoRedistricting.org.
 
Do you work directly with impacted communities?

Grants are available for the following:

  • Outreach: Up to $5,000 to market ERAP to tenants in marginalized communities.
  • Application Assistance: Up to $30,000 to help tenants complete and submit ERAP applications.
  • Housing Stability Services: $75,000 to help tenants with non-participating landlords understand their rights and access additional resources, including free legal aid.

HOW TO APPLY
We encourage all interested organizations to apply! Please feel free to forward this message to other partners who might not know about the opportunity; we especially hope to hear from organizations with a deep connection and trusted relationship with those experiencing the greatest challenges and barriers who could most benefit from the ERAP funding.
 
The Request For Proposals (RFP), which is relatively short, can be completed online in either English or Spanish.

RCF Connects will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. We hope to hear from you soon!
COVID-19 Rent Relief Program

Starting March 15, 2021, Contra Costa County tenants and landlords impacted by COVID-19 can apply for assistance from the COVID-19 Rent Relief program. Over $75 million is Contra Costa County’s allocation of federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which allocated $2.6 billion to Californians in need of rental relief. 

“This funding for COVID-19 relief cannot come any sooner to help provide the hardest-hit individuals and families in Contra Costa with financial assistance with rent and utility payments and help them gain back financial and housing stability,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Diane Burgis. “My colleagues on the Board and I remain committed to helping residents get back on their feet, especially now that we have safe, effective vaccines that will help end this pandemic.”

Check eligibility and apply online for COVID-19 Rental Relief and in Spanish Ayuda con la Renta. Tenants and landlords can contact the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center at 1-833-430-2122 for assistance to apply. To learn more and find state resources, visit HousingisKey.com.

Rent Relief Flyers also available in:
Call 211 for Resources

The nonprofit Contra Costa Crisis Center runs the 211 call center for Contra Costa County, answering calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and suicide prevention counseling, and referrals for disaster assistance, food, health care, and insurance assistance, stable housing and utility payment assistance, employment services, veteran services, and childcare and family services.

The Board supports the Contra Costa Crisis Center’s efforts to broaden awareness about the vital services provided through its 211 call center and encourages residents to utilize the free, confidential services to seek support for themselves and their loved ones.
Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Services will be hosting the Suicide Prevention Community Forum on Youth and Suicide. 
 
The forum will be held via Zoom on Thursday, September 9th, 2021, from 4pm to 7pm. 
 
At this event, participants will learn how to support themselves, a friend, or a loved one; and what to do before, during, and after a crisis. The target audience is youth, young adults, and those who want to help them.

The event will also include self-care sessions, sharing of personal stories, and opportunities to discuss how to best support youth in our community. Information and resources on the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and crisis supports in Contra Costa County will be shared as well. 
This event is free and open to the community. Registration is required. Please see the attached flyers for further details. The agenda will be sent out in the coming weeks.
 
Anyone interested in attending, please register by clicking the link HERE or in the attached flyers. Once you register, you will receive an automated email with your registration information and the link to access the forum.
 
If you have questions about the forum, please contact the MHSA Office at MHSA@cchealth.org or (925) 313-9525.
CCHS
Measure X Community Advisory Board Meetings

Measure X, Contra Costa’s new countywide, half-cent sales tax, is expected to raise $112 million for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.

The Measure X Community Advisory Board was formed to identify unmet community needs and recommend spending priorities to the county Board of Supervisors.

The Advisory Board meetings are currently scheduled for:
  • August 20th at noon
  • August 25th at 5:00 PM
Meetings held via Zoom: https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/81176769191.
District 3 Commission Openings
 

County Service Area, P-2A Citizen Advisory Committee (Blackhawk)
2 seats
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
 
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 board.
 
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.
 
Mental Health Commission
1 Consumer seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
 
To review and assess the community’s mental health needs, services, facilities, and special problems to advise the Board of Supervisors concerning local mental health services and programs.
 
The Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. located at 550 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill.
 
Countywide Bicycle Committee
1 Seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
 
The Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee provides input to the County and the cities of the County on bicycle projects for Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds to construct bicycle/pedestrian projects and also provides advice to cities and the County on bicycle planning matters.
 
Assessment Appeals Board
1 Alternate seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
 
The Assessment Appeals Board conducts impartial hearings on property assessment disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. Based on the evidence presented at these hearings, the appeals board determined the value of the disputed property or determines other matters of property tax assessment within the board’s jurisdiction.
 
Qualifications:
Applicants should possess five or more years of professional experience in California as one of the following: licensed real estate broker, attorney, certified public accountant (CPA) or public accountant, property appraiser accredited by a nationally-recognized professional organization, property appraiser certified by the Office of Real Estate Appraisers, or property appraiser certified by the State Board of Equalization.
 
Compensation:
This is a volunteer position. Assessment Appeals Board members are compensated for their time at hearings and reimbursed for their mileage to attend assessment appeals hearings.
 
The Assessment Appeals Board meets every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. located at 651 Pine Street, Room 107 in Martinez.
  
Commission for Women and Girls
1 seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
 
The Contra Costa Commission for Women (the CCCW) was formed to educate the community and advise the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on issues relating to the changing social and economic conditions of women in the County, with particular emphasis on the economically disadvantaged. The CCCW’s mission is, “to improve the economic status, social welfare, and overall quality of life for women in Contra Costa County.”
 
Meetings are held monthly, generally on the third Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at Gayle B. Uilkema Memorial Board Room, County Connection, 2477 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord. CA 94520.

Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee
1 seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Contra Costa County Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee is looking to fill an existing vacancy. The purpose of the Contra Costa County Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee (HLAC) is to advise the Board of Supervisors on matters relating to the identification and preservation of historical resources within the County, including identifying eligible sites and places to be listed in the County's Historic Resources Inventory (HRI). The committee meets 4 times a year. ECCHS member, Carol Jensen, presently chairs the committee.
To apply, candidates must reside or work in Contra Costa County and file an initial application for appointment to the Committee with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. The website address for the Committee is https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/4318/Historical-Landmarks-Advisory-Committee. For more details, interested applicants should contact Ms. Dominique Vogelpohl at 925-655-2880 or by email at dominique.vogelpohl@dcd.cccounty.us. Alternatively, contact Mike McCarron, Executive Director, Contra Costa County Historical Society at email: Director@cocohistory.org or telephone: 925-229-1042.

Library Commission
1 Alternate seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
 
The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian; provides a forum for the community to provide input concerning Library operations, and recommends proposals to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian which may improve the Library.
 
The Commission meets on the 4th Thursday of every other month at 7 pm located at 777 Arnold Drive in Martinez.

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Background: The Board of Supervisors receives valuable input and community participation from numerous citizen advisory boards on a range of issues. Boards usually meet monthly regularly.
 
Candidates for these positions must live in District 3 or any specified boundary area for special districts. District 3 is comprised of the cities of Antioch, Oakley, and Brentwood, and the unincorporated communities of Blackhawk, Diablo, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen, and Discovery Bay. Find out more by visiting the Board of Supervisors Appointed Bodies, Committees & Commissions webpage.
 
Download an application here:

Applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board’s office located at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553 or by email clerkoftheboard@cob.cccounty.us

 
For more information, including on how to apply, you may contact Supervisor Burgis’ Deputy Chief of Staff, Lea Castleberry at 925-252-4500 or Lea.Castleberry@bos.cccounty.us