December 2023

Dear Community Members,

Please scroll down for important information on how to keep you and your loved ones healthy this holiday season; how you can make a lasting impact on a child's life by serving as a resource parent; full Medi-Cal health coverage benefits now available to eligible individuals, regardless of immigration status; and more!

Resource Families Needed

We're currently in need of resource families to provide stable homes for children ages 0-17 while their biological families receive the support they need to get back on their feet. Resource (aka foster) families provide nurturing support to children while building collaborative co-parenting relationships with their birth parents, with the goal of reunification when safely possible.

Responsibilities of a resource parent include ensuring children have adequate living and sleeping space; scheduling doctors' visits and checkups to ensure they remain healthy and up to date on vaccinations; and making sure they attend school.

If you have extra room in your home and extra love in your heart, please consider becoming a resource parent.

Visit StrengtheningVCFamilies.org today to learn more about becoming a resource parent and view additional opportunities to make a positive impact in a child's life.

Volunteer for the 2024 Homeless Count

The Ventura County Continuum of Care is looking for volunteers to assist with the 2024 Homeless Point In Time Count on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The purpose of the count is to obtain a snapshot census of people experiencing homelessness in Ventura County in a designated 24-hour period. This count is critical in demonstrating the need for homeless services and funding in the county. Your help is needed to ensure everyone gets counted.

All registered volunteers must attend a live training in mid-January. For more details and to register, visit: ventura.pointintime.info

Are You Up to Date On Your Vaccinations?

Getting vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 is a safe and powerful tool to help prevent severe illness and hospitalization—and you can get both updated vaccines at the same time!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone ages 6 months and older, and an updated dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.

Contact your health care provider or make an appointment for both vaccines at: MyTurn.ca.gov

Spread Joy Not COVID-19

Take a COVID-19 test before in-person holiday gatherings and stay home if you're positive or have symptoms.

Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order an additional FOUR FREE at-⁠home tests.

If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of EIGHT tests. Order your tests now at: covid.gov/tests

Protect Loved Ones With Project Lifesaver

The VC Found Project Lifesaver program is designed to protect and, when necessary, quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering.

Project Lifesaver bracelets—which are available for free—are intended for individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. If your loved one goes missing, simply call 911. The Project Lifesaver bracelet device works by emitting a radio frequency that can be used by law enforcement to assist in locating your loved one.

For more information and to submit an application for a Project Lifesaver bracelet, visit our Area Agency on Aging website.

Project Lifesaver is currently available in Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, and Thousand Oaks.

If you are interested in Project Lifesaver but live in an area of Ventura County where Project Lifesaver is not currently available, please feel free to submit an application. If and when the coverage area expands, your information will be on our waiting list.

Join us Wednesday, Dec. 6, between 2-4 p.m. at Oxnard Family Circle (2100 Outlet Center Dr.) to meet various local providers who can assist with dementia-related issues, including adult day centers, adult protective services, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregiver resources, financial resources, in-home care, health insurance counseling and advocacy, legal and advanced planning, long-term care ombudsman, neurology, and public benefit programs.

For more information, email lois.vcaaa@ventura.org or call (805) 477-7300.

Complete the Community Emergency Access Survey

Please complete this brief survey to help us better understand the barriers faced by residents with disabilities and other functional needs in accessing emergency information and/or services. These barriers may include language, age, a low income, lack of housing or transportation, chronic illness or disability.

Your responses will help us identify gaps in our disaster planning, response and recovery efforts, and help ensure everyone in our community has equal access to emergency information and services.

Visit our website for more information.

If you are struggling to put food on the table, please take a look at Food Share of Ventura County’s Find Food Now Map, where you can find hot meals and pick up a food box at participating locations throughout the county.

Individuals age 60 and older are welcome to visit any of our Area Agency on Aging's congregate meal sites for a nutritious meal. Additionally, homebound seniors can apply to receive home-delivered meals at no cost. View full details.

For more food resources available to qualified individuals, visit vchsa.org/calfresh.

Medi-Cal helps you and your family stay healthy. Even if you’ve been denied for full Medi-Cal recently, see if you’re eligible now.

Immigration status does not matter. Applying will not affect your immigration status.

Learn more at:

GetMedi-CalCoverage.dhcs.ca.gov

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

For more updates, visit the Ventura County Human Services Agency website: VCHSA.org

Follow us on social media to stay up to date on important programs and services that may benefit you, your family, and your neighbors.