Category: Health

‘Cultivating Resilience In Loss and Grief’ Part of Hospice of Santa Barbara’s ‘Coping with COVID-19’ Information Series

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2020 • Comments Off

In response to the growing need for emotional and practical support related to COVID-19 in the Greater Santa Barbara area, HSB now offers a comprehensive resource page called “Coping With COVID-19.” It includes videos and articles by our Community Education staff of dedicated experts, therapists and clergy. Topics include relevant issues we are all facing during the global pandemic. The Coping with COVID-19 Series is comprised of fresh original content. It addresses the many emotional and practical day-to-day challenges coronavirus is having on all of us including schedules, finances, the lives of our children and family, our plans our control over situations.

World ‘No Tobacco’ Day on May 31- #Tobacco Exposed

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2020 • Comments Off

This year on May 31, World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is, calling for a 24-hour abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption. Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) is asking the community to join the effort to go tobacco free by sharing the smoke-free message with friends, family, classmates, co-workers and community members.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — State Action on Salons, Religious Services, and Graduations – With Restrictions

by Community Contributor • May 27, 2020 • Comments Off

Yesterday, in response to Governor Newsom’s announcement, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued a revised Health Officer Order which provides updated guidance for places of worship and providers of religious services and cultural ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, hair salons, and barbershops.The Order states that:

New Car Graduation Protocol Issued by Ventura County Public Health

by Community Contributor • May 27, 2020 • Comments Off

Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) today released a revised protocol regarding vehicle celebrations for graduations and other special observances. The protocol has been modified to allow graduates to briefly exit their vehicles on a timed schedule to receive their diplomas. Diplomas may be distributed using a no-contact pick-up method, maintaining physical distancing of six feet or greater. The protocol allows school personnel to take photos of graduates outside of their vehicles. Family members will be permitted to take photos from inside their vehicles.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 27

by Community Contributor • May 27, 2020 • Comments Off

Residents who visit Ventura County Harbor Department-managed beaches and parks will have improved recreational opportunities and be able sit and lounge while practicing social distancing guidelines.

Harbor Department Director Mark Sandoval said the County is pleased to ease some of the soft closure restrictions –limiting beach and park access to physical activity – put in place in April 2020. The soft closure restrictions will be removed at Kiddie, Silver Strand, and Hollywood beaches and at the Harbor parks, including Peninsula and Harbor View.

Take Care Totes ~ Coming to Members this Thursday from Friendship Center

by Community Contributor • May 27, 2020 • Comments Off

Make a Donation for Take Care Totes

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 26

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2020 • Comments Off

Resources

COVID-19 Testing: Information is attached and included at www.vcemergency.com.
Food: http://foodshare.com/covid19/
Senior Services: https://www.vcaaa.org/covid-19/
Unemployment assistance: https://www.vcemergency.com/resources
Business resources: https://edcollaborative.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/EDC-COVID19-BUSINESS-RESOURCE-GUIDE.pdf
Wellness: https://www.wellnesseveryday.org/coping-during-coronavirus
Coping with stress: https://habits.vcbh.org/
Support resources: https://www.ventura.org/departments/hsa/community-events/coronavirus-remote-resources/remote-resources-during-coronavirus/
Frequently asked questions about the Stay Well VC Order:https://www.vcemergency.com/staywellvc/faqs-general

Section 8 Voucher Program Provides Ray of Hope in Bleak Time

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2020 • Comments Off

As America battles COVID-19, low-income individuals, families, seniors and those with special needs – people considered our most vulnerable citizens – are bearing the brunt of the ensuing economic fallout. The trickle-down effect of unemployment, standing at more than 14.7 % or 36.5 million workers applying for unemployment benefits over the last two months, directly impacts tenants who can’t pay full rent and landlords, many of which have mortgages on their rental properties. This negative trend is hitting home right now in Santa Barbara and elsewhere.

Hair Salons and Barbershops Permitted to Reopen

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2020 • Comments Off

The Governor announced today that hair salons and barbershops in most California counties can reopen as the state moves forward on the path to reopening. The County of Ventura was approved for a state variance last week allowing the County to move faster through California’s reopening phases. This allows for local hair salons and barbershops to reopen.

UCSB — The Current — Fish Feed Foresight

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2020 • Comments Off

May 26, 2020 Top News Fish Feed Foresight A new paper describes how fishmeal and oil alternatives can support aquaculture growth. Read More ? Wired for Marriage For the first time, researchers have explored the neural and genetic connections to…

CSUCI Nursing program’s virtual labs awarded $10,000 Minigrant

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2020 • Comments Off

When CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) went virtual in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nursing program had one of the biggest challenges on campus. The faculty needed to create virtual clinical labs for its students.

“Nursing programs require a certain number of hours of clinical experience in order to meet state requirements,” said Associate Professor of Nursing Jaime Hannans, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E. “We have clinical courses in which students engage in patient-to-student experiences at a hospital, or other healthcare facility. We had to rethink how to deliver hand-on educational experiences virtually.”

United Way of Ventura County — This is the last week for our Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits drive!

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2020 • Comments Off

United Way of Ventura County COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits Drive This is the last week for our Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits drive! We need 132 more care kits to reach our goal! Join United Way of Ventura…

700,000 Masks Being Distributed to Agricultural Community in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2020 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Office of Emergency Services, and the California Departments of Food and Agriculture, and Pesticide Regulations together have provided over 700,000 facemasks to help provide protection to farmworkers and other agricultural operations. The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has been reaching out to growers, farm labor contractors, packer/shippers and pest control businesses to make arrangement to distribute masks from the Commissioner’s offices in Camarillo and Santa Paula.

COVID-19 Case Rate and California’s Diversity — Patterns in Coronavirus Exposure

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2020 • Comments Off

Every case of COVID-19 is the result of someone having been exposed to the coronavirus. Here in California, as elsewhere, different people experience different exposures to the virus. Some individuals and families—those with work that can be done remotely, robust health insurance, and relatively easy access to a physician—have been able to reduce their coronavirus exposure by sheltering at home for the past eight weeks.

Bilingual report — NO Cost breakfast and lunch meals provided for Santa Maria Valley Children 18 & Under Week of May 27-29

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2020 • Comments Off

NO Cost breakfast and lunch meals provided for Santa Maria Valley Children 18 & Under — MAY 27- MAY 29, 2020

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Late Stage 2 Businesses Can Now Open; State Just Approved Our County Attestation

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

I am very pleased to announce the State Department of Public Health approved Santa Barbara County’s attestation to move further into Stage 2, which allows in-dining restaurants and retail stores to open as long as they follow safety guidance provided by the state and complete a self-certification of safe practices. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued this Health Officer Order, which provides local guidance.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 21

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Good Evening, Here’s your COVID-19 Update from the County of Ventura. 25 new cases 883 total cases 680 recovered cases 21 hospitalized 12 ICU 174 under quarantine 29 deaths 18,673 people tested www.vcemergency.com Business Information: www.vcreopens.com…

County of Ventura Approved by State for Accelerated Reopening

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

Largest County in the State to be approved VENTURA — The County of Ventura is the first and largest Southern California County to receive approval from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to move forward on an accelerated Stage…

Two Santa Maria public high schools will celebrate academic excellence during separate drive-thru events

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

Two Santa Maria public high schools will celebrate academic excellence during separate drive-thru events today (Thursday, May 21).

Righetti High School’s senior awards are scheduled to be given out from 10 a.m. to noon in the bus-loading zone. About 190 students are involved, according to Daniel Solis, College and Career Specialist.

Fifteen global shipping companies slowed cargo ships for 99,000 nautical miles in 2019 program off California coast to protect blue whales and blue skies

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

The partners in an initiative to cut air pollution and protect endangered whales announced results from the 2019 program and recognized the 15 shipping companies that participated, reducing speeds to 10 knots or less in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Santa Barbara Channel region. The voluntary incentive program ran May 15, 2019 through November 15, 2019. Partners hope to further recognize the companies at a ceremony at the Port of Hueneme later this year, depending on public health guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

EDC NEWS- New Funding Opportunity for Laid Off or Furloughed Workers

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

In partnership with America’s Jobs Center, the Human Services Agency is offering supportive services funds for individuals up to $800 if your hours have been reduced or eliminated due to the economic impact of covid-19. Additional eligibility requirements apply. Priority will be given to English language learners, low income individuals and those with barriers to employment.

Please see flyer below for more detail or call 805.204.5186 for more information. Due to a high volume of calls, please allow up to 48 hours for staff to contact you.

United Way of Ventura County Rapid Response Kits

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

We have 12 more days for the Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits drive!

We need 250 more care kits to reach our goal!

Join United Way of Ventura County in honoring the homeless veterans in Ventura County this Memorial Day by joining our COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits campaign, which aims to provide essential hygiene supplies for our unsheltered veterans and individuals. These vital kits will be distributed by our county’s Healthcare for the Homeless Backpack Medicine team.

UCSB — The Current — (COVID-19) Sewage Surveillance

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

May 21, 2020 Top News Sewage Surveillance Researchers are developing methods to monitor the COVID-19 virus through the community’s wastewater. Read More ? A Boon to Research Four graduate students have been awarded Fulbright Fellowships to pursue projects abroad. Read…

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 20

by Community Contributor • May 20, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here’s your COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.

21 new cases

858 total cases

661 recovered cases

28 hospitalized

13 in the ICU

168 under quarantine

29 deaths

17,962 people tested

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 19 — COVID-19 Response Information: Testing

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2020 • Comments Off

Testing: The County of Ventura has expanded testing throughout the county for residents who have the slightest suspicion of having COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with it. You will not be charged for the test, and you don’t need to have health insurance. You may be asked for insurance information if you have it. Three new drive up testing sites will be open Wednesday. 1) Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road in Ventura 2) Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd. Moorpark 3) Ford Dealership 128 S. Hallock Drive, Santa Paula. More information about the state testing sites and county clinics can be found in the attached pdf and at www.vcemergency.com.

CSUCI announces first positive COVID-19 case

by Community Contributor • May 18, 2020 • Comments Off

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) announced today that an employee had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The employee was physically on the campus within the last 14 days and has been in self-isolation at their residence.

COVID-19 Notice — Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office Open by Appointment Only

by Community Contributor • May 18, 2020 • Comments Off

The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office is committed to public service and even during this challenging time, for complicated cases, we want to offer taxpayers the opportunity to speak directly to our staff while our office is closed.

Beginning Tuesday, May 19th, 2020, our office will be available by appointment only for cases requiring in-person assistance. In order to keep both the public and our staff safe during this COVID-19 Pandemic, we are able to provide appointments under the following requirements: