Category: Health

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) Partners with DocuPet!

by Community Contributor • October 11, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) is thrilled to announce its partnership with DocuPet, a world-leading pet profile, lost pet, and licensing platform, making pet licensing more accessible and valuable than ever for residents. DocuPet is known for its innovative HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service, offering residents an effective pet identification and reunification program that prioritizes keeping pets out of shelters and reuniting them with their owners.

While pet licensing is mandatory for all dogs in Ventura County (over 4 month) and cats (over 4 months) who live in the cities of Moorpark and Oxnard, many pet owners have not been consistent with this requirement. With the introduction of this exciting partnership, DocuPet and VCAS aim to attract more community pet owners to participate in the program.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2023 • Comments Off

I want to provide an update to you on the potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event under consideration by Southern California Edison that may begin as soon as Wednesday, October 11.

?This event is due to predicted high winds and the increased risk of wildfires in parts of the South Coast. This outage may begin as soon as 10/11/2023, though it may occur earlier or later depending on actual weather conditions. If you live or work in or near this area, you should make preparations for a possible multiple-day power outage.

The current potential PSPS power shutoffs include some areas of Montecito and Santa Barbara. To find out if you may be affected, you can input your address on SCE’s map tool here.

UCSB — The Current — Charmaine Chua is named a 2023 Freedom Scholar

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2023 • Comments Off

Reducing fishing gear could save whales with low impacts to California’s crab fishermen

Find Ways to Save on Heat Pump Water Heaters with 3C-REN’s New Personalized Incentive Finder

by Community Contributor • October 9, 2023 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA AND VENTURA COUNTIES — October is National Energy Awareness Month, which is a national effort to promote awareness and understanding of the importance of energy conservation, sustainability, and efficiency. Locally, 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network), a partnership between the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura that delivers energy-saving programs, is introducing an “Incentives Finder,” a new online tool that helps residents find personalized programs and incentives for saving money and reducing energy usage. This tool is especially helpful in navigating the incentives that can be stacked for residents who upgrade their natural gas furnace or water heaters to high-efficiency, all-electric heat pumps.

“October serves as the perfect time to remind everyone about the opportunities and easy switches we can all make to be more energy wise,” said Marisa Hanson-Lopez, 3C-REN Program Manager. “Our new online tool allows residents to find the programs and incentives that are tailored specifically to them. We’re here to make it easy for the Central Coast to get onboard with electrification and energy savings. While this awareness month comes once a year, we encourage everyone to be energy efficient all year-round.”

Bilingual report — Harvesting All Dads: A Ventura County initiative to foster fatherhood engagement event to be held Oct. 7 in Camarillo

by Community Contributor • October 6, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDSS), in collaboration with First 5 Ventura County, is thrilled to announce the Harvesting All Dads event scheduled for October 7, 2023. This unique gathering aims to celebrate fatherhood and connect with dads in the community, fostering a supportive environment for them to share their insights. The event will take place from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the scenic Camino Real Park in Ventura.

As part of the ongoing commitment to enhancing fatherhood experiences in Ventura County, the Harvesting All Dads event welcomes all dads to participate in a morning filled with food, games, and valuable resources. The event is a crucial component of the county-wide Fatherhood Initiative that VCDSS is currently developing. The primary goal of this event is to better understand the needs of fathers in the community and to tailor services and resources accordingly.

“Father involvement is pivotal for the holistic development of families and communities,” says Director Marcus R. Mitchell. “We, at VCDSS, along with our partners at First 5 Ventura County, recognize the significance of actively engaging fathers in the journey of parenthood. The Harvesting All Dads event is more than just a gathering; it’s an opportunity for us to directly connect with dads, listen to their perspectives, and collaboratively create a fatherhood experience in Ventura County that is inclusive and resourceful. We believe that by understanding the needs of fathers, we can better support them in their role as parents.”

Bilingual report — 3H Custom Farming, Inc. Pays $17,505 and Offers Reinstatement to Farmworkers to Settle Unfair Labor Practice Complaint

by Community Contributor • October 6, 2023 • Comments Off

OXNARD — 3H Custom Farming Inc. in Oxnard has paid $17,505 in lost wages and agreed to reinstate two agricultural workers to resolve a Complaint filed by the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (“ALRB”) that the workers lost their jobs…

Savie Health will receive county grant to serve migrant farmworkers in northern Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • October 4, 2023 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — Savie Health, a nonprofit clinic that offers free physical and behavioral health care to low-income people without health insurance, will be receiving grant funding from the County of Santa Barbara to support the health and wellbeing of migrant farmworkers in the northern part of the county.

Santa Barbara County is home to an estimated 18,000 migrant farmworkers, many of them concentrated in the north. These individuals are essential to the county’s economy, yet they frequently go without health care and many do not have insurance. Savie Health will partner with Proyecto Campesino, a new farmworker resource center and mobile van operated by the county’s Department of Social Services, to do outreach at farm sites about the free health care available through Savie Health’s clinic.

Lumina Alliance Recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

by Community Contributor • October 4, 2023 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance is recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, and inviting all of SLO County to join us this month in shining a light on domestic and intimate partner violence.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched in October of 1987, with the goal of uniting and connecting organizations and people working to end domestic and intimate partner violence across the country. Over 30 years later, DVAM continues to be a time for collaboration, advocacy, and connection with the goal of raising awareness of the impacts of domestic and intimate partner violence. Lumina Alliance is proud to participate in DVAM, and to continue shining a light on intimate partner violence in our community.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s HICAP Available to Help With Medicare Open Enrollment

by Community Contributor • October 3, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — With the Medicare Open Enrollment period about to begin, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) – part of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Human Services Agency – will again be providing countywide resources and help.

Medicare Open Enrollment begins on October 15 and runs through December 7. HICAP provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to the public.

In October, November, and December, HICAP counselors — who are registered with the California Department of Aging — will be all around the county, hosting 37 One-Stops to provide individual counseling sessions, as well as 13 “2024 Medicare Changes” presentations.

UCSB — The Current — From HIV-AIDS to COVID-19, scholar Bishnupriya Ghosh illuminates the complexities of living with viruses and more events, news

by Community Contributor • October 3, 2023 • Comments Off

In “The Virus Touch,” the global studies professor explores relationships between viruses, humans, animals and the environment to show how various forms of media — from news content to lab test results — create our understanding of epidemics.

Cal Lutheran receives $1.2M federal grant to support educators of Deaf/hard of hearing

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2023 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Cal Lutheran a $1,241,679 grant to support the Graduate School of Education’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Credential Program.

The five-year grant will fund Access Teach: Closing the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Educator Gap, a project to support 60 graduate-level students who will leave the program as credentialed teachers of high-need deaf and hard-of-hearing students in public schools. In addition to tuition, financial aid, textbooks and instructional materials, the project will provide mentoring and other support to recruit and retain students.

The grant also allows the program to be restructured to a hybrid format by summer 2024. Classes will be synchronous with some in-person classes on Saturdays. This change will enable the university to accommodate the needs of working professionals across Southern California.

Jiffy Lube, Meals on Wheels Team Up to Support VCAAA’s Meal-Delivery Programs

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Jiffy Lube and Meals on Wheels have created a partnership that will benefit the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s meal-delivery programs to homebound older adults during the month of October.

From now until October 31, Jiffy Lube customers who receive oil changes, tire rotations, or other vehicle maintenance will have the opportunity to donate $1, $3, $5 or more to Meals on Wheels at checkout. Those funds will be used to support the meal-delivery efforts of the VCAAA, which is a division of the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency.

Participating Jiffy Lube locations in Ventura County include:

Guest contribution — Caregivers at 11 Tenet Healthcare Facilities Vote to Strike Over What Union Members Believe to be an Unfair Labor Practice Committed by the Employer

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2023 • Comments Off

“We care deeply about our patients and want to give them the best care possible, and we need more healthcare workers to better deliver that care, just like every other hospital in California,” said Christine Ague, a Respiratory Therapist at Doctors Medical Center Modesto. “We need more support from Tenet. Worker and patient safety are our top priority.

Tens of thousands of healthcare workers have voted to authorize strikes at Tenet Healthcare, Prime Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Fresenius Medical Care, Satellite Healthcare, and other healthcare corporations this fall.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes federal protections for both species of western pond turtle under the Endangered Species Act

by Community Contributor • October 2, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Sept. 29) announced a proposal to list both species of western pond turtle, the northwestern pond turtle and the southwestern pond turtle, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The Service is also proposing a 4(d) rule, that would support conservation of both species.

The northwestern pond turtle occurs in Washington, Oregon, Nevada and throughout much of northern and central California. The southwestern pond turtle occurs in southern California from Monterey County south to Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties into northern Baja California, Mexico. The turtles use rivers, lakes, ponds, streams other water sources and terrestrial habitats throughout their lives.

Oxnard College’s Camarillo-Based Fire Academy Opens New Facility

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2023 • Comments Off

OXNARD — The Oxnard College Fire Academy unveiled its latest multi-use facility on Wednesday; the structure, an apparatus bay, is dedicated to the Academy’s founder, Ed French.Construction began on the $6.4 million state-of-the-art facility in 2019. It provides a learning space for students and cadets to gain hands-on experience with tools and fire science apparatus, helping develop and hone their firefighting skills. The facility also houses the program’s equipment and fleet of firefighting vehicles.

“We are excited to expand our facilities at Oxnard College’s esteemed Fire Academy based in Camarillo,” shared Dr. Oscar Cobian, interim president of Oxnard College. “Our new apparatus bay provides much-needed space for Ventura County’s next generation of firefighting recruits to develop their skills and house the program’s expansive inventory of cutting-edge equipment.”

Adoption Stories Could Win Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) $100K in Lifesaving Grants!

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Petco Love, the esteemed national nonprofit organization, has launched an initiative to offer lifesaving grants to local shelters through the Petco Love Stories campaign. This campaign aims to celebrate the profound connections between pet parents and their adopted pets while spotlighting the significance of pet adoption. Petco Love invites heartwarming adoption story submissions through October 31, 2023.

UCSB — The Current — Cherríe Moraga’s seminal lesbian and Chicana text is expanded and re-released

by Community Contributor • September 26, 2023 • Comments Off

A powerful memoir of poetry and prose, “Loving in the War Years: Lo que nunca pasó por sus labios” explores the author’s interconnected identities as a lesbian and a Chicana, coming of age in a turbulent era of American politics and social change.

Hospice of Santa Barbara shares Important Insights about those who have lost a loved one to suicide

by Community Contributor • September 26, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people in the United States and approximately 1 million people die by suicide globally each year.

Suicide is one of the top ten leading causes of death across all age groups. Worldwide, suicide ranks among the three leading causes of death among adolescents and young adults.

Losing a loved to suicide is one of life’s most painful experiences. The feelings of loss, sadness, and loneliness experienced after any death of a loved one are often magnified in suicide survivors by feelings of guilt, confusion, rejection, shame, anger, and the effects of stigma and trauma.

Furthermore, survivors of suicide loss are at higher risk of developing major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal behaviors, and a prolonged form of grief called complicated grief. Thus, survivors may require unique supportive measures and targeted treatment to cope with their loss.

Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2023 • Comments Off

September 15 – October 15 is recognized as Latino Heritage Month. During this month-long observation, we celebrate the diverse cultures, values and traditions of individuals with Latin American heritage and who self-identify as Latino/a, Latinx and Hispanic.

We will share personal narratives from County employees as they reflect on their own unique experiences.

This national observation was first introduced in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week, under President Lyndon B. Johnson. On August 17, 1988 Congress passed a law to extend it into a 30-day celebration during Ronald Reagan’s presidency.

?Since then, government institutions have been honoring this national month-long celebration.

Ever wondered why the observation is celebrated during this time? The dates coincide with independence day celebrations throughout Latin America.

Don’t miss the special stories from County employees and follow the celebration on our social media channels!

Bilingual report — Ventura County Animal Services — Fee-Waived Pet Adoptions through Sunday (109% Over Capacity!)

by Community Contributor • September 20, 2023 • Comments Off

Dear Friends,

Our shelters are, once again, OVERCAPACITY with cats, kittens, and dogs. To help alleviate the overcrowding we are holding a FEE-WAIVED pet adoption promotion through Sunday, September 24, 2023. This is an urgent call for help from adopters, fosters, and rescue partners. Overcrowding is an ongoing issue despite the success of our recent adoption event, Clear The Shelters, where 115 animals were adopted out.

Pets available for adoption, foster, or waiting to be reclaimed can be found at www.vcas.us/pets, and our adoption process is outlined at www.vcas.us/adopt.

Thank you,
Ventura County Animal Services

*Please note: Promotions do not guarantee the adoption of a shelter pet. All interested parties must participate in the full adoption process to ensure the best possible matches are made. Promotions do not include the cost of a pet license if applicable. This promotion applies to all animals EXCEPT dogs under one (1) year of age.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Beginning Term as Central Coast Community Energy Chair

by Community Contributor • September 20, 2023 • Comments Off

I am honored to have been elected the Chair of the Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) Policy Board of Directors. For those who don’t know, 3CE formed beginning in 2021 as our new, locally-owned electricity provider. Our reach spans 30 cities and 5 counties, from Carpinteria to the Santa Cruz Mountains. With no investors or shareholders, the revenue generated by 3CE stays local, helps keep rates lower than SCE and PG&E, and provides millions for rebates and incentives that lower greenhouse gas emissions. For example, during last week’s 3CE Policy Board of Directors meeting, we adopted the FY 2022-23 Operating Budget that includes approximately $16M for Energy Programs. During my time as Chair, I am looking forward to increasing the awareness of the important work 3CE is doing.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Children’s drawings illustrate the hurt imparted by policies of family separation’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • September 20, 2023 • Comments Off

“When a child is separated from a parent, it impacts every facet of the child’s life in emotional, physical and financial ways,” said Silvia Rodriguez Vega, an assistant professor of Chicana and Chicano studies, whose new book considers hundreds of drawings by children living on the American side of the U.S.-Mexico border.

11th Annual Heroes of Hospice Luncheon Honored Santa Barbara Foundation, Charlie Zimmer, and HSB’s Patient Care Services Team

by Community Contributor • September 19, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara’s (HSB) 11th Annual Heroes of Hospice (HOH) luncheon was held on Sunday, September 10th at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort. This year, HOH raised a record-breaking $215,000 in funds, which will support the wonderful work of HSB in helping bring programs and services, completely free of charge, to adults, children and seniors who are struggling with grief or life-threatening illness.

The luncheon had a special focus on Celebrating Those We Love and their ongoing impact in our lives, and honored the people and organizations that bring compassion and care, at all levels, to those in need in and near the Santa Barbara community. The demand for HSB’s services continues to grow and fundraisers like HOH allow the organization to reach more community members.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces southern sea otters will retain Endangered Species Act protections

by Community Contributor • September 19, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced (Sept. 19) that southern sea otters will retain their status as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Following an in-depth review of the species’ status, including information provided by species experts, the Service has announced a not-warranted 12-month finding on a petition to remove ESA protection for the southern sea otter.

“While southern sea otters have made strides toward recovery after coming back from the brink of extinction in our recent history, they continue to face significant threats from climate change, shark-bite mortality, and limited range,” said Steve Henry, field supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Ventura. “Based on scientific projections of future conditions for the species, these threats will continue to impact southern sea otter abundance and connectivity between populations in waysthat will most likely reduce the ability of the species to sustainitself in the future.”

Bilingual report — Board of Supervisors appoint Korinne Bell as Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner

by Community Contributor • September 13, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — On Tuesday, September 12, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, through unanimous vote, appointed Korinne Bell to the position of Agricultural Commissioner. Bell’s appointment was made following the retirement of the previous Agricultural Commissioner, Ed Williams, in August.…

Cottage Health to Expand Services with the Grand Opening of Cottage Ob/Gyn Clinic

by Community Contributor • September 12, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health is opening a new Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic to serve the community. The new clinic will create additional access to women’s healthcare, with a strong focus on a high-quality patient experience.

The new Cottage Ob/Gyn Clinic will be centrally located in Santa Barbara at 2416 Castillo Street, Suite A. The outpatient specialty clinic builds on Cottage’s existing services to provide patient-centered care for women at every stage of life.

Cottage Ob/Gyn Clinic is now accepting new patients. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 805- 324-9400.

Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute First in Central Coast to Offer Minimally Invasive Surgical Option for Treatment of Brain Tumors, Lesions and Epilepsy

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health’s Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute (SBNI) is the first healthcare provider on the Central Coast to use the latest image-guided laser technology to treat brain tumors, lesions and epilepsy.

The NeuroBlate® System delivers Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), a minimally invasive surgical technique using MRI-guided laser light to ablate unhealthy brain tissue. It can be an effective treatment option for recurrent and hard to reach brain tumors and lesions. It is also used to treat certain types of epilepsy.

“LITT provides patients with difficult-to-access lesions, recurrent brain tumors and epilepsy with an alternative treatment method,” said Nicole Moayeri, MD, Neurosurgeon affiliated with the Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute. “Being the first in the region to offer LITT is a testament to Cottage’s commitment to staying at the forefront of neurosurgery.”

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Jump On The (New) Bus!

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2023 • Comments Off

Our local transit service Santa Barbara MTD has began a new route serving the Eastside, Carpinteria, and Santa Barbara City College. With only 7 stops in each direction, Line 19X is an express, car-free option to get around.

Taking public transit is not only convenient, but it’s an important step we can all take to address climate change. Across Santa Barbara County, we are not on track to meet our climate goals, solely due to gas-powered car usage.

What we need is more of us “choice” transit riders — folks who usually commute by car, but occasionally choose alternative transportation — to get back on the bus. The experience of being shuttled to your destination, rather than sitting behind the wheel wrestling with bumper-to-bumper traffic, is much more enjoyable. Plus, you can reclaim travel time to do some homework, answer that email, or catch up on your favorite book.

If you drive a car, join me in taking a pledge to ride the bus at least one day a week.

UCSB — The Current — ‘When the brain leaves the body, does identity move with it? Depends on who you ask,’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • September 6, 2023 • Comments Off

For answers, John Protzko and his team looked to philosophers, professionals and laypersons. Their conclusions could help answer moral and legal questions if scenarios in today’s science fiction ever become reality.

MICOP — Health Equity Bill That Would Disaggregate Data for Latinx and Indigenous Mesoamericans Passes Critical Vote in the Legislature

by Community Contributor • September 5, 2023 • Comments Off

SACRAMENTO — On September 1st, 2023, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee voted in favor of the Latinx and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act. The bill now heads to its final legislative vote on the Assembly Floor before heading to Governor Newsom’s desk to be signed. The bill, which collects and disaggregates more detailed data for Latinx subgroups and Indigenous Mesoamerican nations to improve health outcomes, makes it past this critical vote amidst rising COVID-19 cases and the threat of new variants – in addition to experiencing impacts from recent climate change-related flooding.

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Celebrating Local Workers as Labor Day Approaches

by Community Contributor • August 30, 2023 • Comments Off

This Labor Day I am especially excited to announce that the County of Santa Barbara Community Workforce Agreement is 100% signed by Labor. This is the first-ever local-hire opportunity for workers on County public works projects. Residents across our county — from newly graduated high school students to our veterans returning home, the misplaced workers, or someone who just needs a second chance will benefit tremendously from this agreement. I want to thank the Tri-Counties Building and Construction Trades Council and our County Public Works Department for working diligently to get this agreement across the finish line, and my colleague Supervisor Joan Hartmann and former colleague Assemblymember Gregg Hart for championing these huge opportunities for local workers.
Paying workers and providing good benefits is good, but to truly honor American workers, we must support unionization – the only way to create an equal platform between employer and employees and the only way to empower the American worker. To do this, please buy Union. Here is a list of union products you can buy for your Labor Day BBQ.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Unite to Light sends solar lamps and chargers to Lahaina’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • August 30, 2023 • Comments Off

The nonprofit co-founded at UC Santa Barbara teams with Direct Relief to provide efficient and clean sources of light and electricity to the Maui community left decimated by wildfires.

Ventura County Animal Services — 50 Animals Safely Transported to VC Animal Services from Flooded Shelter

by Community Contributor • August 30, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — On Monday, August 28th, 2023, five (5) dedicated members of our Ventura County Animal Services’ Animal Care Team embarked on a compassionate journey 170 miles to Coachella Valley Animal Services in Riverside County. Their mission was to provide mutual aid to Coachella Valley Animal Shelter, whose facility was landlocked by flood waters amidst the aftermath of Cyclone Hilary.

The devastating flooding had rendered their shelter inaccessible, forcing their staff to rely on shuttle rides via 4-wheeled vehicles, trekking over submerged terrain just to reach the shelter. The primary access road, once solid ground, now lay submerged under several feet of water, causing the shelter to close their facility to the public.

Santa Barbara City College — THE BRIDGE Community e-Newsletter – August 2023

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2023 • Comments Off

Erika Endrijonas, Ph.D., began her new role as SBCC Superintendent/President on Tuesday, Aug. 1, marking her return to SBCC (she was the Dean of Career and Technical Services from 2000 to 2009). Most recently she served as Superintendent/ President of Pasadena City College since January 2019.

“My first week back at SBCC has been wonderful,” said Dr. Endrijonas. “I had my sights set on returning to SBCC for over a decade, and I am still pinching myself that my dream became a reality. I have started to meet folks here on campus — some for the first time, some I haven’t seen in 14 years — and it does feel like I have come home. I look forward to the next few weeks on campus as we launch our Fall 2023 semester and as I start to meet members of our local community who hold a special place in their hearts for SBCC.”

Bilingual report — Ventura County Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Report

by Community Contributor • August 28, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Ocean water quality results for samples collected this week indicate ocean water quality at the following Ventura County beach sampling location failed to meet State standards for bacteria:

Bilingual report — Santa Paula Parks & Recreation Department and School District Collaborate to Expand Youth Sports Access

by Community Contributor • August 21, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Parks & Recreation Department and the Santa Paula Unified School District are proud to announce a transformative partnership focused on increasing access to youth sports in the community. This collaboration aims to overcome barriers and provide a comprehensive range of sports opportunities for students in 3rd to 8th grade.

Recognizing the importance of youth sports in fostering physical activity, teamwork, and personal growth, the Parks & Recreation Department and the School District have come together to develop a program that addresses existing challenges. The goal is to ensure that all interested youth have the chance to participate, regardless of financial constraints or logistical hurdles.

Bilingual report — Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Hurricane Hilary Impacts Possible Across Santa Barbara County

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2023 • Comments Off

The National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center are forecasting the potential for Hurricane Hilary to impact central and southern California counties, including any area within Santa Barbara County. Moderate to heavy rain, strong winds, coastal storm surge and erosion, and hazardous sea conditions are possible. These conditions may start locally as early as Sunday afternoon (August 20).

The National Weather Service has also issued a FLOOD WATCH for the foothills above Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland, and Carpinteria and the Eastern Santa Ynez mountain range due to the potential for heavy rainfall from Hurricane Hilary. The FLOOD WATCH is in effect from Sunday (August 20) at 4pm through Monday (August 21) at 11pm.

Here are some resources you can use to get the latest information:

Port of Hueneme hosts Countywide effort to prepare for potential Tsunami weather events

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2023 • Comments Off

PORT HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme’s operations team joined by security partners, NAVSEA, Amergent Tech, Oxnard Emergency Services, VCFD, ILWU Local 46, City of Port Hueneme, Ventura County OES, California OES, ocean shipping customers, and port operators, led a full day of training at the Port today to highlight the importance of successful and timely incident management during a possible tsunami wave to the US West Coast. This year’s exercise program, an integral part of “August Wave”, was born out of a grassroots effort amongst regional partners throughout the County following the Tonga volcano-spurred tsunami of January 2022. “August Wave” consists of several training events in August and finalizes on August 30. Yesterday the port ran its exercise as part of the series that was coined “August Wave” based on the shared tsunami exercise scenarios all taking place in August.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Dogs can detect COVID-19 infections faster and more accurately than conventional technology’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • August 16, 2023 • Comments Off

The idea has gained scientific consensus: Dogs can be just as good — and sometimes better — than our best tests at detecting the stealthy virus and its variants, even when they are obscured by other viruses, like colds and flu.

Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter – August 15, 2023

by Community Contributor • August 15, 2023 • Comments Off

This quarter’s Livable Communities Newsletter offers three fascinating articles pulled together by the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU). This edition is designed to give you a quick summary that entices you to click on the link for each full article:

U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley — Attention Veterans! Deadline Extended to File Toxic-Exposure Claims

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2023 • Comments Off

This week marked one year since President Biden signed the PACT Act, the largest and most comprehensive expansion of care and benefits for toxic-exposed veterans and their families in more than three decades.

This historic law created presumptions for many respiratory illnesses and cancers, making care and benefits easier and more accessible. The law also streamlined VA’s presumption decision-making process, so that veterans don’t have to wait decades for help that they need today, and the law ensures future generations of veterans are better protected.

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan Appoints Chief Innovation Officer

by Community Contributor • August 11, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced the appointment of Eve Gelb as its new Chief Innovation Officer. With a proven track record of success, Eve will serve in a critical role, helping drive excellence, innovation, and quality care for GCHP’s more than 250,000 Medi-Cal members.

“As part of Gold Coast Health Plan’s mission to continue to build and improve equity and access across the Medi-Cal system of services and supports in Ventura County, we thoughtfully added a Chief Innovation Officer position to our Executive Team – which itself is an innovation for the organization,” said Nick Liguori, GCHP’s Chief Executive Officer. “Eve will lead the way as we improve the execution and integration of complex, mission-critical and strategic initiatives that will ultimately lead to better outcomes for our members, greater access to quality care, and a superior member experience.”

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Progress to Finish the 101 Project

by Community Contributor • August 8, 2023 • Comments Off

Good news! We just got closer to finishing the 101 freeway project. Recently we celebrated the award of $132.4 million to finish the Montecito segment of the project. This funding comes from the State SB1 gas tax and is also some of the first funding from the Biden infrastructure bill. Receiving this funding so quickly means we will avoid the project timeline being drawn out and just get it done. The best part is this funding will also go towards new electric buses for Santa Barbara MTD, more electric vehicle chargers, and pedestrian/bike path connectivity in Summerland and Montecito.

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital Earn Five-Star Rating for Quality Care & Patient Safety

by Community Contributor • August 8, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital (GVCH) have earned a five-star rating, the highest rating possible, on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2023 quality star rating report.

SBCH and GVCH are among 10 percent of surveyed U.S. hospitals that received five stars, the highest rating.

American Indian Health & Services in Santa Barbara Celebrates National Health Center Week (NHCW) August 6th-August 12

by Community Contributor • August 3, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — American Indian Health & Services (AIH&S), at 3227 State St. Santa Barbara, will be celebrating National Health Center Week (NHCW) with other community clinics across the country.

Health centers provide preventive and primary care services to over 30 million people and are the first to respond with wrap around care during disasters and health emergencies. Community Health Centers lower health care costs to the tune of $24 billion a year reducing the rate of chronic diseases and stimulating local economies.

For nearly 30 years, American Indian Health & Services has been serving the Central-Coast’s healthcare needs. At AIH&S we provide medical, dental, optometric, behavioral health, and community cultural services to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and members of the community.

Cottage Health Nationally Recognized for Its Commitment to High-Quality Stroke Care

by Community Contributor • August 3, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA – Cottage Health has received two American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice bringing back Life Story Volunteer Program

by Community Contributor • August 3, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice is bringing back their beloved Life Story program. This program is designed to provide both community members and hospice patients the opportunity to record their personal memoirs.

Bilingual report — Department of Child Support Services celebrates August as Child Support Awareness Month

by Community Contributor • August 3, 2023 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS) proudly joins all 50 states in commemorating August as Child Support Awareness Month, celebrating exemplary parents and families who play a vital role in their children’s lives.

Child Support Awareness Month, observed annually, reaffirms the inherent right of every child to receive emotional and financial support from both parents. VCDCSS remains steadfastly dedicated to nurturing supportive relationships between parents and their children, encouraging co-parents to fulfill their child support obligations consistently and promptly.

Local nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for $275,000 in funding to advance clean energy goals

by Community Contributor • August 2, 2023 • Comments Off

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 Community Benefits Grant Program. Now in its third year, the program, which is a partnership between CPA and Calpine Energy Solutions, has once again increased funding to support nonprofit organizations working to advance clean energy goals. Eligible nonprofits must be working in the 35 communities CPA serves throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The program’s application period opens today and runs through Sept. 15.

A total of $275,000 in funding is being made available this year, to an anticipated 12 recipients. In 2022, nearly $204,000 in funding was distributed to 10 organizations throughout both counties. In the program’s inaugural year, eight organizations were awarded $75,000 in grant funding.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Groundbreaking work of four prominent Black psychologists featured for the first time in American Psychologist’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • August 2, 2023 • Comments Off

Using an Afrocentric and critical race theoretical framework, lead author Sharon Tettegah and co-authors Alison Cerezo, Terrance Wooten and DeLeon Gray review the works of four prominent Black psychologists.

California Ramps Up Wildfire Prevention Work with projects in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties

by Community Contributor • July 27, 2023 • Comments Off

SACRAMENTO – California continues to prepare communities against the devastating impacts of wildfires, with Governor Gavin Newsom announcing new investments today that will ramp up defenses around homes, reduce overgrown vegetation, improve evacuation routes for rural communities and more.
The $113 million in new funding, made possible by the $52 billion California Climate Commitment budget, will support 96 wildfire prevention projects across the state – with more than 8 in 10 grants directed towards vulnerable or underserved communities.

(Grants awarded to Wildland Resisidents Association (WRA), Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council, City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department and Fire Department (applicant); California State Parks-San Luis Obispo Coast District, City of Pismo Beach, City of Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council; Central Ventura County Fire Safe Council, Inc. and Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. See full grant description HERE.)

Santa Paula City Council Allocates Funding for Spirit of Santa Paula Harvard Shelter in Collaboration with the County Board of Supervisors and the City of Fillmore

by Community Contributor • July 27, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA PAULA — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on July 25 voted to approve $1.62 million in funding over the next two years to support efforts to provide housing for homeless individuals in the Santa Clara Valley – serving individuals experiencing homelessness in the cities of Santa Paula, Fillmore, and the unincorporated area of Piru. The funding from the County will match funding provided by the City of Santa Paula and City of Fillmore.

In tandem, the Santa Paula City Council held a special meeting on July 19 to approve an agreement that will contribute $24,000 per month for two years to support the operations of the nonprofit Spirit of Santa Paula Harvard Shelter for the unhoused. The shelter, located at 1498 E. Harvard Blvd., has been providing essential services to 49 individuals, including 19 children, in need of assistance.

Community Environmental Council Launches Campaign to Prepare Central Coast Residents for Extreme Heat Impacts

by Community Contributor • July 26, 2023 • Comments Off

“As a Climate leader for California’s Central Coast, we recognize that without community resilience, extreme heat will continue to exacerbate the underlying inequalities within our region,” said CEC Director of Climate Resilience Em Johnson. “Leading a regional coalition of over fifteen government agencies, grassroots organizations and community-based organizations, our vision as an EHRA partner is to reduce our region’s economic and health disparities related to the prevalence of extreme heat.”

California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Announces Grant Recipients of $5M in Women’s Recovery Response Funding

by Community Contributor • July 26, 2023 • Comments Off

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Lumina Alliance is honored to announce that it has received $70k in funding from the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls as part of the highly competitive Women’s Recovery Response Grant Program.

This dedicated investment of state funding into organizations serving women and girls locally across the state represents a unique investment in the economic health and well-being of nearly half of California’s citizens.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Paranormal experiences, among other extraordinary feelings, provide tools for cross-cultural study’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • July 26, 2023 • Comments Off

“The culture in which a person grows up can impact the interpretation of the event,” said UC Santa Barbara professor emeritus Ann Taves. “And certain cultures can encourage people to watch out for and expect to experience these things.”

July News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • July 25, 2023 • Comments Off

We are in the midst of a Summer of Celebration here at People’s!

Last week saw the Grand Opening of Templeton Place II – 36 units of truly permanently affordable housing for seniors and veterans, some of whom have come directly out of homelessness. $17M of investment went in this development, substantial amounts of which were injected straight into the local economy through construction subcontracting, including with a designated Disabled Veteran Enterprise. Though many challenges and obstacles showed up along the way, partnerships with multiple federal and state agencies and stakeholders from around the local community, made it happen!

District216 — Dosage Dialogues (July 24), Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia Screening (July 26)

by Community Contributor • July 24, 2023 • Comments Off

Topic: “Dosage Dialogues: From Micro to Mega & Everything in Between”

When: Monday, July 24th; 5:30pm to 7pm Conversation

Where: LoDo Studios, 216 E. Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(Please only park across the street on the Office Max side of the lot.)

FREE for Members (check email for Eventbrite RSVP Code).
Guests Welcome to purchase $15 tickets.

N?OTE: We will *not* be filming this event. Refreshments provided.

Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Earns Two National Mature Media Awards

by Community Contributor • July 24, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a department of the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency, was honored twice in the 32nd annual National Mature Media Awards.

The 2022 edition of LIVEWell received Gold honors in the magazine category. It’s the fourth consecutive year that the publication has been recognized, but the first time it has received Gold status after being Bronze in 2021 and 2022 and Silver in 2020. LIVEWell, an annual publication that provides articles and resource listings, is the premier resource guide in Ventura County for individuals 60 and older, caregivers, and people with disabilities.

Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Staff and Board Members

by Community Contributor • July 20, 2023 • Comments Off

CEC Expands Capacity for Critical Climate Programs Work With New Staff & Board Member SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) welcomed three new staff members and one new board member to its growing roster, as the organization continues…

Bilingual report — Covered California to Launch State-Enhanced Cost-Sharing Reduction Program in 2024 to Improve Health Care Affordability for Enrollees

by Community Contributor • July 20, 2023 • Comments Off

SACRAMENTO — California is set to continue its legacy of building upon and strengthening the Affordable Care Act, as its Board of Directors approved enhanced benefit designs that will ensure over 600,000 Covered California enrollees see reduced out-of-pocket costs in 2024.

“Covered California is proud to be a part of another visionary program that strengthens the Affordable Care Act,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “California made history with the State Premium Subsidy program in 2021, and we appreciate the continued leadership from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature to make health care access and affordability a priority in our state.”

The new budget package passed by the state Legislature and enacted by Gov. Newsom appropriates $82.5 million of the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund (HCARF) to Covered California to support a program of financial assistance for coverage year 2024. Per the budget agreement, funding for the program is planned to increase to $165 million starting in coverage year 2025.

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