Category: Health

Following State Audit, Jackson Introduces Bill to Improve Emergency Alerts for Vulnerable Residents and Students

SB 794 expands and improves California’s emergency alerts following deadly wildfires SACRAMENTO – Following the California State Auditor’s Decemberreport, which found that some California counties, including Ventura County, did not adequately alert their most vulnerable residents during recent wildfires, State…

RISE San Luis Obispo County announces new Executive Director

Interim Executive Director takes the helm SAN LUIS OBISPO — The RISE Board of Directors has announced Jane Pomeroy as its new Executive Director. RISE, a non-profit serving San Luis Obispo county, provides crisis intervention and treatment services to survivors of…

Seniors Eligible For Free Memberships At Local YMCAs

VENTURA COUNTY — Beginning in January, seniors 65 and older may be eligible for free access to the exercise programs at the Conejo Valley, Yarrow and Simi Valley YMCAs as part of their health insurance coverage. Seniors must first contact…

Family Service Agency Offers Tips to Help Caregivers Survive the Holidays — and Beyond

SANTA BARBARA — The holidays are busy times, but for those caring for an elderly parent or loved one, the holidays add even more of a challenge. Already feeling overwhelmed with daily caregiving tasks, caregivers may view holiday preparations as more…

Bilingual report: Volunteers needed to assist in annual homeless count in Ventura County

VENTURA —  Community volunteers are needed for the annual count and survey of homeless persons in Ventura County. The 2020 Ventura County Homeless Count has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 29, 2019. The annual Homeless Count is coordinated by the…

Friendship Center Adult Day Services Special Edition

Make a Donation Visit our Website The Best Present is Your Presence Navigating the Holiday Season as a Caregiver By Kathryn Cherkas, Program Manager–Montecito The holiday season can be a joyous time of year where families get together and celebrate.…

Bilingual report: Free Sand and Sandbags Available for Oxnard Residents at City’s Corporate Yard

OXNARD — In advance of the rainy weather being forecast for this week, the City of Oxnard would like to remind residents that free sand and unfilled sandbags are available at the City’s Corporate Yard. Residents will be able to come…

United Way of Ventura County — You Can Make a World of Difference on GivingTuesday (Dec. 3)

In a week, you’ll have the chance to be part of something that’s bigger than yourself. GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity fueled by social media and collective giving. Its impact is felt in Ventura County and in every…

Bilingual commentary: “Fast Food” and Our Health

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David…

Marian Regional Medical Center, French Hospital Receive $11.8 Million in Enhanced Health Care Payments

CenCal Health and Dignity Health Partner to Strengthen Public Safety Net SAN LUIS OBISPO — On October 24, the CEO of CenCal Health hand-delivered a check for $10.5 million dollars to Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria for payment…

Ventura County Medical Center receives national recognition for meritorious outcomes from the American College of Surgeons

VENTURA — The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has recognized Ventura County Medical Center, as one of 88 participating hospitals that have achieved meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care in 2018.  As a participant in the program,…

Maria/Easy Fire Animal Rescue Response

VENTURA COUNTY — On October 30, 2019 at 6:30am, Animal Control Officers at Ventura County Animal Services were activated in response to the “Easy” Fire. They were dispatched alongside the Sheriff’s Posse and our Emergency Volunteer Rescue Team (EVRT) to rescue…

FSA’s Dorothy Jackson Family Resource Center Relocates

Enhanced Facilities Will Support Expanded Services for Lompoc Families LOMPOC — Family Service Agency (FSA) has relocated its Dorothy Jackson Family Resource Center (DJFRC) to 646 North H Street in Lompoc. The new location has larger facilities for its parent and…

United Way of Ventura County — Discover Your Superpowers on GivingTuesday

If you’ve never participated in GivingTuesday, this is your year to discover your superpowers and earn your cape. GivingTuesday is an international movement that harnesses the generosity of millions of people around the world to support the causes they believe…

Gold Coast Health Plan Announces Resignation of CEO

Interim CEO Appointed While Search for Permanent Replacement Begins CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) on Nov. 1 announced that it has accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Dale Villani. The Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission, which…

State of California Presents 2019 Innovation Award to CenCal Health

State of California Presents 2019 Innovation Award to CenCal Health Interactive Technology in Health Clinics Educates Families about HPV Vaccination SANTA BARBARA — California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) this week presented its fifth annual Innovation Award to CenCal Health. The award…

CSUCI Science Carnival postponed until 2020

CAMARILLO  — The annual CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Science Carnival scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2 has been postponed until 2020 due to the fires and air quality.   “With the safety of our local community, students and volunteers in mind and those…

Coastline Equipment was at PVHS to speak to our Ag Mechanics classes about the opportunity to attend school and become a John Deere Technician

SANTA MARIA — John Deere “Green” recently offered Pioneer Valley High School Ag Mechanics students a chance to become an equipment repair technician and join the team. More than 120 Panthers heard a presentation from Coastline Equipment Branch Manager Carl Stolworthy…

California mulls new rules for cancer-causing pesticide 1,3 D or Telone

On heels of chlorpyrifos ban, public health and farmworker advocates call for restrictions on widely-used drift-prone fumigant Sacramento — Dozens of residents from across the state converged on the capital today to weigh in on new restrictions under discussion for the…

Guest commentary: Happy Birthday Xochitl; Mi Sagrada hija, a Community Guerillera, Activist and Role Model

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor My…

Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association Announces Holiday Hours

VENTURA — The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association announces its holiday hours for 2019. The Midtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market held on Wednesdays at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  …

Bilingual report: Ventura County Family Medicine Residency Program named first in the nation

VENTURA —The Family Medicine Residency Program at Ventura County Medical Center has been named the first in the nation in the latest study by Doximity, the professional medical network, and U.S. News & World Report. The family medicine residency-training program…

Clinicas del Camino Real Receives Four Quality Improvement Awards by the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration

CAMARILLO — “It is my hope that the health care community in Ventura County and elected officials will recognize that Clinicas del Camino Real (CDCR) is firmly committed to providing the highest quality medical care to every single patient we serve”…

Friendship Center — This Fall, find out how to take a LEAP! and WISE UP Hollywood style

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   About Us Programs For Caregivers Calendar of Activities Events Donate Contact Us Train Your Brain! CONNECTIONS NOW Mondays & Wednesdays in Montecito as well as Mondays & Thursdays in Goleta: GOLETA 805-845-7442 Persons…

Bilingual report: Ventura County WIC Program wins USDA breastfeeding award

OXNARD — The Ventura County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program on Sept. 30 was presented with the nationally recognized, “Gold Level, Loving Support Award of Excellence” by the United States Department of Agriculture. Ventura County WIC received this award…

Governor Signs Jackson Bill To Ensure Emergency Plans Address Diverse Population Needs

SB 160 directs emergency planners to consider cultural and linguistic differences of residents SACRAMENTO – As California continues to face the threat of devastating wildfires, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (Santa Barbara) to ensure counties address…

Jackson statement on Study Showing Handgun Purchasers with a Prior DUI Have a Greater Risk for Serious Violence

B 55 (Jackson) Would Restrict Gun Ownership Among Californians with Repeat DUI Convictions SACRAMENTO — State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (Santa Barbara) released the following statement today on a study published in the Sept. 30 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine showing that legal purchasers of handguns…

United by a common ingredient for a common cause, chefs, bars, bakers and makers team up for Food Forward’s ‘Harvest Change’ campaign in Ventura, Los Angeles counties

Harvest Change Kick-Off Party to be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at Topa Topa Brewing Co. in Ojai. 20 notable SoCal food leaders will feature pomegranates in a month of dishes, drinks, desserts supporting Food Forward’s mission to rescue…

United Way of Ventura County’s 30th Annual Day of Caring to be held on Sept. 28

VENTURA COUNTY – Each year for the past 29 years, United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Day of Caring (DOC) has connected hundreds of volunteers to community organizations throughout Ventura County. By engaging people in volunteerism, UWVC works to create…

United Way of Ventura County — A Day of Caring (Sept. 28) & a Lifetime of Inspiration

Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message  Dear Friends, Next week, on Saturday, September 28, we celebrate our 30th Annual Day of Caring. Volunteers from across the community  will spend a selfless Saturday morning helping others. It’s one of my…

Bilingual commentary: Jackson Bills To Address the Needs of Aging Californians Pass off Assembly Floor

SACRAMENTO –Two bills authored by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (Santa Barbara)  to address the needs of California’s growing senior population have passed off the Assembly floor. Senate Bill 280, which passed with a bipartisan, 66-0 vote, addresses home building standards to help aging…

Bilingual report: CenCal Health Launches Multiple Campaigns to Help Increase Vaccination Rates in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties

Unique Concepts Employed to Deliver Facts on Disease Prevention to the Public SANTA BARBARA — Vaccination is a hot topic in the national news, on social media platforms and at dinner tables across America. More recently it has become a…

7th Annual Gold Ribbon Campaign Shines in September to Help Families of Children Battling Cancer

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Holds September Campaign Across Tri-Counties CENTRAL COAST —  Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) proudly announces its 7th Annual Gold Ribbon Campaign, held in recognition of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. The Campaign aims to increase…

Bilingual report: Public Health reports vaping-associated pulmonary injuries in Ventura County

OXNARD — Ventura County public health officials are reporting two Ventura County residents as suspected of having vaping-associated pulmonary injuries.  The cases were reported to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).  CDPH is currently investigating whether these two cases…

2019 RISE Up Award Winners Announced

To be presented at 5th Annual Wine Women & Shoes Event SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The RISE Up Awards recognize excellence in community service supporting RISE’s sexual abuse, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence programs; the 2019RISE Up Award…

Bilingual report: Ventura County to launch mass shooting awareness and education initiative

VENTURA — Ventura County is one of the safest places in the United States, but the recent tragedy at the Borderline Bar, and incidents in Gilroy, El Paso, Dayton and other communities across the country, serve as a stark reminder…

Farmworker communities applaud California chlorpyrifos cancelation proceedings, alternatives work group

Community members relieved, urge speedy process VENTURA — The Newsom administration on Aug. 14 sent notices to Dow and other manufacturers of its intention to cancel all registrations of the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos, the formal start of proceedings to cancel…

Bilingual report: County provides options for parents to safely surrender newborns

VENTURA — Occasionally parents face difficult and desperate circumstances and find they are not ready or able to raise a newborn. These parents have the option under the Safely Surrendered Baby Law to legally and safely surrender their newborn baby within…

Ventura County Health Care Agency achieves a net income of $6 million for the year, closes budget gap

VENTURA — In an unaudited, year-end projected financial report set to be released on August 7, 2019, the Ventura County Health Care Agency is reporting a $6 million net income for Fiscal Year 2019. The Health Care Agency initially projected that…

Giving Wings to Children with Disabilities at Camp Mariposas

Speech and Occupational Therapy Program Funded by CenCal Health SANTA BARBARA — Every week day this Summer, in a small nondescript office building on Santa Barbara’s Westside, young lives are transformed. Camp Mariposas provides speech, language and occupational therapies to…

Bilingual report: Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. Celebrates National Health Center Week 2019 throughout Ventura County Aug. 4-10

VENTURA COUNTY — August 4th-10th, Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. will host events in honor of National Health Center Week (NHCW)! Clinicas invites community members to join them for a Health Fair at Del Sol Park, in Oxnard, on Sunday August…