January 2024

Dear Community Members,

Happy new year! Please scroll down to view our 2022-23 annual report video, photos from last month's holiday toy drive, free career services available, upcoming events, and more.

2022-23 Annual Report Video

The County of Ventura Human Services Agency (HSA) works together in every community to offer support, hope and opportunity for improved well-being. Take a look at this video to view highlights from the past year and what our team is focused on in the months ahead.

For more information about our programs, services and results, visit: VCHSA.org

Annual Toy Drive Serves Hundreds of Local Youth

Each year, HSA's Children & Family Services (CFS) department partners with Ventura County Fire Department, Spark of Love, and the County's General Services Agency (GSA) to coordinate the annual Holiday Toy Store, where families caring for youth in out-of-home care can shop for free. Gifts are donated by community members and local businesses.

This year, the toy store served 700 children and teens! HSA extends a huge thank you to Newbury Park-based nonprofit James Storehouse, who brought in volunteers to assist families during their shopping experience.

Mass Care & Shelter Supports Fire and Rainstorm Response

When disaster strikes, HSA's Mass Care & Shelter (MCS) team works with local emergency response agencies to ensure that evacuees in need of shelter are matched with the most appropriate resources.

On the morning of Dec. 9, a wind-driven brush fire, named the South Fire, broke out near Somis. Our MCS team partnered with The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and Ventura County Community College District to set up a temporary evacuation post at Ventura College and provide food and shelter to evacuated households. During the shelter's activation, which was just under 24 hours, two separate families were provided emergency shelter.

Less than two weeks later, on Dec. 21, heavy rains prompted the evacuation of dozens of homes in the senior community of Hueneme Bay. About 20 residents received emergency shelter at Oxnard College, along with several cats and dogs. During the shelter's 12-hour operating period, HSA's MCS team managed overall shelter coordination while other agencies, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Medical Reserve Corps, American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, managed the dormitory, medical care, and food distribution.

Special thanks to all of the HSA team members and community volunteers who staffed the shelters to provide care and comfort to those temporarily displaced by these events.

Remember to visit VCemergency.com for incident news and updates, including evacuation information. Please also sign up for VCalert to receive emergency alerts by phone, text or email.

Free Transportation Available for Older Adults and People with Disabilities

The Ventura County Human Services Agency Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) ElderHelp transportation program provides free tickets to help Ventura County's older adults and people with disabilities get around. The program provides VCbuspass passes to anyone 60 or older or with a valid ADA card, and Dial-A-Ride (aka paratransit) tickets to anyone 65 or older or with a valid ADA card.

Additionally, frail older adults and people with disabilities may be eligible to receive door-through-door transportation to medical appointments from ElderHelp Medi-Rides. This service is for individuals who are in the greatest need and who are unable to take regular bus or Dial-A-Ride transport to their appointments. Clients must be living at home to utilize this service. Rides are limited to two per month and require a minimum of five days advance notice.

Visit VCAAA's website for more information about the ElderHelp transportation program. To request tickets or a ride, call VCAAA at (805) 477-7300 or email LOIS.VCAAA@ventura.org.

Career Coaching To Be Offered at Ojai and Piru Libraries

Starting this month, Ventura County WORKS will offer free one-on-one career coaching at the Ojai and Piru Libraries. Registration is not required, and drop-ins are welcome. Coaching sessions include the following workshops essential for job seekers in the 21st century:

• Brand Called You - Learn about professional branding and how to define your experiences, skills, and values to promote yourself in the workplace.
• Digital Literacy - Learn how to find, evaluate, and communicate information online and through digital media platforms.
• Edge Up - Learn about the free Career EDGE platform to develop your career.
• Emotional Intelligence - Explore emotional intelligence to manage your own emotions and better understand those around you.
• Power of Networking - Explore ways to connect with colleagues and build professional relationships.
• Which Way? - Get help identifying your strengths, interests and values to find career paths that align with your goals.
• Winning the Interview - Explore best practices and practice fresh ways to win crucial conversations in job interviews.

Ojai Library coaching session dates and times:

Piru Library coaching session dates and times:

For more information about this program, contact Ventura County Library Education, Literacy, and Outreach Manager Antonio Apodaca at Antonio.Apodaca@ventura.org or (805) 677-7159. 

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, Jan. 16, 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

Please call (805) 288-8400 for additional information and the Zoom meeting link.

Sign Up for the Affordable Connectivity Program

If you’re struggling with the high cost of internet service, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) can help by offering discounts on internet service and devices:

• Up to a $30 per month discount on high-speed internet service through participating internet providers.
• Up to a $75 per month discount on high-speed internet service for those on qualifying Tribal lands through participating internet providers.
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer when purchasing from a participating provider.

In many cases, combining the ACP discount with the right plan means FREE internet service for your family.

***A sign-up event is being held on Saturday, Jan. 27, between noon and 5 p.m. at the Avenue Library, 606 N. Ventura Ave., in Ventura. There will be opportunities to win a FREE device during the event!***

Note: You can auto-qualify for the ACP if you're currently enrolled in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, Lifeline, Veterans Pension, and/or Survivors Benefits.

To sign up for the ACP at the Jan. 27 event, you must bring:

One of the following forms of identification:

• U.S driver’s license
• Government ID: state or U.S. military ID
• Passport (current from any country)
• Individual taxpayer ID number
• Matricula or visa consular card
• Birth certificate (any country) for the minor that is the Benefit Qualifying Person (BQP)

AND

One of the following eligibility documents:

• Monthly statement from Medi-Cal, CalFresh or WIC
• Proof of participation in National School Lunch Program (NSLP) at CEP designated school
• Pell Grant award letter

You’ll also need a valid email address (a representative can help you set up an email on site if you don’t have one).

For more information about the program, call 888-821-0739.

The CAPSLO Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) program provides high quality, no-cost child care and preschool services to eligible families. The program offers services in a center base setting or in a family child care option close to where families live and work, with schedules that accommodate the long hours associated with agricultural work.

To be eligible, families’ income must primarily be earned from the agricultural industry. The program serves families with children ages 0-5, with some additional services for pregnant women.

For more information, call 805-895-6108 or 888-633-6747.

Medi-Cal helps you and your family stay healthy.

Medi-Cal is now available to more adults age 26-49. Immigration status does not matter. Applying will not affect your immigration status.

Even if you’ve been denied for full Medi-Cal recently, see if you’re eligible now. 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.