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May 2024

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Dear Community Members,


Scroll down for important Medi-Cal renewal information; details on BenefitsCal—the easiest way to apply for and renew benefits; job opportunities; upcoming events; and more!

Young woman smiling and placing food items on grocery checkout belt.

May is CalFresh Awareness Month


CalFresh is a food benefit program that helps Californians by providing extra money each month to buy more groceries. The easy-to-use CalFresh Food benefits EBT debit card works at most grocery stores—in person and online—including your favorite stores like Vons/Safeway, Ralph’s, Amazon, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s. Your CalFresh benefits can also be used at certain farmers markets.


For more information, visit our website or call 888-472-4463.

More Californians Eligible for Food Benefits


Beginning Oct. 1, 2025, the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will expand to cover all income-eligible Californians aged 55 and older, regardless of immigration status. Undocumented immigrants age 55 and older who meet the same income requirements as all other individuals receiving CalFresh or CFAP benefits will be eligible to receive monthly food benefits. These benefits will be available through the same Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card as CalFresh.


Please complete this survey to share information about the food situation in your home and how the CFAP expansion will benefit your household. The best person to complete the survey is an adult from your household who shops for food or prepares meals. This input will greatly help in the expansion process.


For more information, call the CalFresh benefits helpline at 877-847-3663 or email: CFAP@dss.ca.gov

Variety of fruits, vegetables and nuts on white marble table. Button image in foreground reads: Complete the CFAP survey today
Adult male smiling while holding one child in his arms and other on his shoulders

Getting Help Is Easy With BenefitsCal


The BenefitsCal website is an easy way to get the help you need with food, employment, health care, and more!


Visit the site to:


  • Apply for benefits.
  • Upload documents.
  • Report changes.
  • Connect with a caseworker.


BenefitsCal will even send you reminders when it's time to renew your benefits, which you can also do online! Visit BenefitsCal.com to create your account today.

Resource Families Needed


There are many youth in Ventura County ages 16-25 in need of stable, loving homes.

 

A safe place to call home can provide the confidence needed for a successful future. Please consider becoming a resource parent and helping these youth take their first steps toward independence.

 

With a little extra room in your home and a lot of love in your heart, you can change a life! Visit our website or call 805-654-3220 now to learn more about becoming a resource parent and supporting older youth.

Gavel and scale

Fresh Start Legal Clinics


The Ventura County Public Defender invites you to attend one of their upcoming Fresh Start Legal Clinics at 4601 Telephone Rd., Suite 102, in Ventura:


Wednesday, July 24, 4-7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 4-7 p.m.


Volunteer attorneys from the Public Defender's office can help you dismiss misdemeanor convictions that are eligible for expungement. An expungement can help clear your record and help to secure better employment, education and housing opportunities. View the expungement application.


The Public Defender's office also provides access to Homeless Court sessions, which give eligible applicants an alternative option to perform community service or treatment hours in lieu of paying fines/fees owed to the court. View the Homeless Court application.


For more information, call 805-654-2201.

Older Americans Month Art Exhibit Opens May 13


The County of Ventura's Older Americans Month art exhibit opens Monday, May 13, at the County's Hall of Administration Atrium Gallery, 800 S. Victoria Ave. in Ventura.


The exhibit, which features artworks produced by approximately 50 older adults from across the county, is a collaboration between the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA), the Optimal Aging committee of VCAAA’s Advisory Council, the Ventura County Arts Council (VCAC), and the County of Ventura Arts & Culture Division.


You're invited to join us for the opening reception on Wednesday, May 15, from 5-7 p.m. at the Hall of Administration. Come and enjoy the artworks, along with an intergenerational poetry reading, and an opportunity to meet some of the artists. Light refreshments will be served.

 

The Hall of Administration is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artworks will be on display through the end of June.

Photo of person seated on ground outdoors. Text reads: Results Released. 2024 Ventura County Point in Time Homeless Count Shows Noteworthy Increase in Sheltered Persons

There were 2,358 adults and children who were counted as homeless during the point in time count earlier this year. This number represents a decrease of 83 individuals or -3.4% when compared to the 2,441 individuals who were counted as homeless in 2023. The total number of individuals counted as sheltered increased from 808 in 2023 to 927 in 2024, which represents an increase of 119 individuals or 14.7%.


Contributing to these improvements include investments in both congregate and non-congregate emergency shelter beds. The decrease in unsheltered individuals can also be attributed to the influx of Emergency Housing Vouchers, resulting in more permanent housing placements. View the homeless count executive summary for additional information.


If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, please call 805-385-1800, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or email hsa-hsp@ventura.org. Our Homeless Services Program team is here to connect you with a network of agencies that can help secure housing and provide health care, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, mental health services, and other benefits.

Computer screen featuring wheelchair icon, along with a green checkmark and red x icon. Text reads: ADA Public Input Survey

Complete Survey to Help Identify and Address Accessibility Needs


The County wants to hear from community members and organizations assisting persons with disabilities. Your feedback will help the County prioritize and address the accessibility of County facilities, programs, services, activities and events offered to the public.


Please complete this online survey by May 31, 2024.


You also have the option to complete this hard copy survey to return by email/mail.


Questions or comments regarding the survey should be directed to County of Ventura ADA Coordinator Dani Anderson, 805-654-2862.

Photo of older woman dancing in large room among other men and women. Image text reads: Apply Now. Fall Prevention Summer Internship For High School and College Students
Ventura County NextGen job preparation program for youth ages 14-24
HSA job openings
Close-up of clipboard in person's hands

How to Apply for a County of Ventura Job


Join the County of Ventura recruitment staff for a FREE workshop, where you'll learn:


  • About the application process.
  • How to review a job bulletin to help you understand what recruiters are looking for.
  • How to complete an application.
  • Application do’s and don’ts.


Upcoming workshop dates:

Wednesday, June 26 | 10-11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 10-11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 11 | 10-11:30 a.m.


Location:

America’s Job Center of California

2901 N. Ventura Rd., 3rd Floor

Oxnard


Individuals who require a disability accommodation (including interpreter, sign language translation, alternate document format, or other auxiliary aid) should contact the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) staff at 805-477-5306 at least 5 business days prior to the meeting in order to ensure the availability of the requested accommodation.


If you have questions about the workshop, please contact HSA-Info.WDB@ventura.org. For information about the WDBVC, visit: WorkforceVenturaCounty.org

Image of computer screen featuring silhouettes of four people in separate rectangles

Virtual Veteran Services Orientation


The Employment Development Department and America's Job Center of California (AJCC) invites veterans and their family members to attend an orientation of services available to veterans. This event will take place on Zoom, Tuesday, May 14, from 10-11:30 a.m. and will include information about:


  • AJCC employment and training programs.
  • Counseling and rehabilitation to get back to work and civilian life.
  • VA education and medical benefits as well as federal and local benefits.


Call 805-288-8400 to register and receive the Zoom meeting link.

Military-themed image. Text reads: Remember Honor Support. May is Military Appreciation Month.

Please join us in recognizing and honoring the contributions and sacrifices of servicemembers and their families. HSA's Veteran Services Office is here to help Ventura County veterans and their families access the benefits they've earned, including financial assistance and medical treatment. Visit our website for more information.

Dementia Friendly event flyer. Wed., June 5, 2024, 2-4 p.m., Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks

Is It Time to Renew Your Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal members: Be sure to check your mail for important Medi-Cal renewal information. If you’ve moved in the last three years, make sure to update your contact information.


Renewing Medi-Cal coverage is FREE and can be done by mail, phone, in person or online to avoid a gap in health coverage.


For additional information, including instructions on how to complete your renewal form, visit: KeepMedicalCoverage.org

If Applying for or Renewing Your Medi-Cal ...


Watch this video to learn about the income questions on the Medi-Cal application or renewal form and how to answer them. For more information, visit the Medi-Cal website.

Ventura County Fatherhood Summit flyer. June 1, 2024, 1:30 p.m., 3100 N. Rose Ave, in Oxnard
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For more updates, visit the Ventura County Human Services Agency website: VCHSA.org

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