CenCal Health, the publicly-sponsored health plan for Medi-Cal in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, is offering alternatives for healthcare access in order to support its members during the COVID-19 pandemic. The community-based health care organization is one of 55 Safety Net Health Plans across the country that have pledged to provide necessary treatment at no cost to its members and to reduce other impediments to care.
Category: Health
Southeast Ventura County YMCA Begins Distributing $120,000 in Rapid Response Funds
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA through its disaster-relief program, California Strong, has completed distributing the first round of the $120,000 allocated for direct financial assistance grants to Ventura County residents whose financial situation has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The grants are from the Rapid Response Fund set up by the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF). The VCCF partnered with the YMCA to provide immediate financial assistance, reviewing grant applications, vetting applicants and distributing checks.
Bilingual report: County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 15
The Ventura County Public Health Officer announced that the Stay Well At Home Order will be extended until May 15, 2020. The current Order is set to expire April 19, 2020 at midnight. The Public Health Officer will be modifying the current Order and making an announcement about the details before the current Order expires.
Bilingual report: Agricultural Commissioner Issues Advisory for Agricultural Worker Protection During COVID-19 Crisis
The County of Ventura, in a collaboration with the County Executive Office, the Farmworker Resource Program, Farm Bureau of Ventura County, Ventura County Agricultural Association, Reiter Affiliated Companies, Lideres Campesinas en California, Good Farms, Brokaw Ranch and the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, has issued an Advisory for Agricultural Worker Protection to be used during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) Appointed to Pandemic Emergency Response Committee
Emergency Child Care Initiative (ECCI) Provides Free Child Care Services for Health Care and other Essential Workers in Santa Barbara County
The Emergency Child Care Initiative for Santa Barbara County (ECCI) will offer emergency no-cost child care services for critical health care providers, first-responders and essential food distribution employees during the COVID-19 outbreak. Employers of these workers including hospitals and essential service providers whose staff need child care are encouraged to contact Eileen Monahan, Project Manager for the initiative, at (805) 451-8720 or essentialchildcaresb@gmail.com
UCSB — The Current — Tracking the Spread
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Now for Good News – The Curve Is Flattening
The good news is that physical distancing is working. Our County Public Health Department and the hospitals have worked to increase hospital bed capacity to about 590 countywide, yet our hospitalizations are at 40 (confirmed patients). Lives have been saved by our combined efforts, so please keep it up as the State wrestles with how long the “Shelter in Place” order will last and we wrestle with what we will do if the order is lifted or modified.
Bilingual update: County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 14
Mexican Consulate in Oxnard — 805 UndocuFund reactivated to help undocumented families in Ventura, Santa Barbara counties
We would like to bring to your attention that the 805 UndocuFund has been reactivated to help undocumented families affected by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. …
The 805 UndocuFund is currently fundraising and looking for volunteers to serve our community. This upcoming week, they will start processing application to provide financial assistance. They will need our support to help thousands of families that are facing hardship right now.
Bilingual report: Agricultural Essential Worker Cards Issued to Farmworkers
Port of Hueneme — Del Monte Rises Up to Feed Our Community
Del Monte Fresh Produce (Del Monte), a top fresh fruit and produce customer at the Port of Hueneme, delivered a full truck load of fresh fruit to the City of Oxnard, helping those in need during the COVID-19 crisis.
“The Port couldn’t be more proud to see our customers stepping up to meet the needs of the community in these difficult times,” said Oxnard Harbor District Board President Jess Ramirez. “Del Monte has always invested their resources and energy to help the community, they are committed to our local families and have been since 1979.”
John D. Kim named Chief Operating Officer for Kaiser Permanente’s Woodland Hills and West Ventura Service Areas
Kaiser Permanente announced this week that John D. Kim has been appointed chief operating officer for the Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills and West Ventura service areas. John will be responsible for day-to-day hospital operations, continuing care, capital projects, quality/regulatory services and operations support, as well as provide oversight of our West Ventura market.
United Way of Ventura County COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits Drive extended to June 1
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 13
Today the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth provided an update about COVID-19 Response. School meal service is continuing while schools remain closed. Pick up locations can be found at https://www.vcoe.org/meals. All Ventura County K-12 public school campuses remain closed through the end of the current school year. Colleges and Universities will continue remote instruction through the summer.
EDC BUSINESS ALERT- EDC Business Disaster Loan and Wednesday Webinar Series
We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for our EDC Disaster Loan. Special thanks to Pacific Western Bank for contributing $500,000 to the EDC Disaster Loan Fund. These funds are meant to support small businesses in Ventura and Santa Barbara County only. Due to the volume of requests we anticipate and limited private capital funds we know that we will not be able to serve every small business. However, we do believe that the SBA Disaster Loan Program (EIDL), and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) are the best sources of capital available to small businesses.
City of Oxnard: Coronavirus – Ventura County Resource List
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 11
Ventura County Public Health Officer Issues New Stay Well At Home Order Protecting Seniors in Long-Term Care Facilities, Placing Further Limitations on Gatherings, Adding to the List of Essential Businesses and Enacting Social Distancing Protocols
Ventura County Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin has enhanced the Stay Well At Home Order to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 in the County of Ventura. The Order supplements the Health Officer’s Orders dated March 17, 20 and 31, 2020. All prior Orders issued by the Health Officer remain in effect except where modified by the provisions of the latest Order.
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Holiday Celebrations During COVID-19
As we enter the weekend, many are feeling the disappointment of not being able to celebrate religiously significant holidays in close physical proximity to friends and loved ones. However, virtual hugs, decorated homes, recipe swaps, special meals and your best holiday attire can make Passover, Easter, and Ramadan feel special while practicing physical distancing. Here are some ways you can practice physical distancing during the Holidays:
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 10
Bilingual report: City of Oxnard Public Access Programming Updates | Actualizaciones de programación de acceso público
The City of Oxnard updated the local public access stations (Spectrum channel 10 and Frontier channel 35) with coronavirus content from the City, County, State and the CDC. Please see the broadcast schedule below.
Additionally, Ventura County hosts live press conferences everyday at 1 p.m. on News Channel 3 and ABC 7. Please be sure to tune in! These broadcasts from the County will also be shared online at https://vimeo.com/capsmediacenter.
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 9
Tune in for live update at 1 p.m. Friday, April 10, live streamed on www.vcemergency.com. Speakers will include Supervisor Kelly Long, Rigoberto Vargas, Public Health Director, Patrick Maynard, Director Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Steve Carroll, Administrator, Ventura County Emergency Medical Services Agency, Vanessa Bechtel, Executive Director, Ventura County Community Foundation, Monica White, President and CEO, Food Share Ventura County, Mike Powers, County of Ventura CEO.
Bilingual report: Coronavirus – Oxnard beaches and parks closed April 11 & 12, 2020 | Los parques y las playas estan cerradas 11 de abril y 12 de abril
Requests for Senior Meals Up 30% in Santa Barbara County Due to COVID-19 Outbreak
Museum of Ventura County — The Mammoths of Ventura County, Get Art Smart quizlet, and more…
Greetings from 16 MVC team members, from 16 different home offices!
Last week, after 10 days of working from home, we on the Museum staff team realized that we actually like each other quite a bit, so we got together for an hour of idea sharing and recharging. Here we all are, in our “working from home” best.
Bilingual report: Spring Break No Cost Breakfast, Lunch Meals ‚ April 13-17) for Santa Maria Valley Children
Bilingual report: Ventura County District Attorney Investigating Price Gouging Complaints
Community Market at Oxnard College to Close Until Further Notice
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 8
UCSB — Your Wednesday News Briefing — Stay in Place, Maintain Your Space, Cover Your Face
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 7
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 6
Resources for Immigrants During Coronavirus/Recursos para inmigrantes durante Coronavirus
UWVC’s United to End Homelessness COVID-19 Rapid Response
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — County by County Covid Stats & Resources for Businesses Impacted by the Crisis
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 5
Santa Paula Art Museum — Let’s Stay Inspired While We All Stay Home
Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort, Oxnard — Onsite Coastal Grill Restaurant Offers ‘To Go’ Menus
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 4
Working remotely CSUCI pulls together to print 3-D protective face shields
CSU Channel Islands may be operating in a virtual environment right now, but CSUCI faculty, staff and students from several different academic programs have mobilized and fired up 3-D printers to print badly-needed protective face shields.
So far, 51 printers are humming away in University members’ garages, kitchens, bedrooms and dens across the region in an effort to help medical personnel protect themselves as they treat patients diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.
County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 3
Registration Open for SBCC Scheinfeld (VIRTUAL) New Venture Challenge
Bilingual report: Santa Maria Joint Union High School District to update breakfast, lunch meal program next week
Bilingual report: Vulnerable Artists in the Age of Coronavirus
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — A Call to Take Responsibility & Updated Numbers
We are together facing yet another time of crisis, and how we behave in it will define and test our community and our humanity. Many have lost jobs or income, seen their products rot without customers, their businesses close, and some are even now seeing their loved ones sick. We must be a community where individuals take it upon themselves to shorten the economic crisis and save lives, by practicing social distancing without the need for Big Brother government or well-meaning neighbors to tell you how to behave.
County of Ventura issues New public health comments about masks
Ventura County Public Health Officer changes position on face masks, no longer advising against wearing them in public. Instead, he supports those residents who wish to cover their nose and mouth when leaving home for essential travel to doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits. The face coverings should not be hospital grade at this time because there is a shortage and our health professionals need them.