The 31st District Digest (April 20 to April 24)
The 31st District Digest (April 20 to April 24)
This week brought a new set of initiatives and updates on California’s response to COVID-19 as well as another series of holidays and celebrations for communities throughout our District.
On Wednesday, we marked the 50th Earth Day in a rather unusual manner, appreciating the beauty of our planet and acknowledging the steps we must take to preserve it for our future generations, all within the safety of our homes.
Thursday marked the beginning of Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for our Muslim community members. While Ramadan is traditionally a time for family and community gatherings, this year, our collective response to COVID-19 implores us all to be physically distanced.
I want to remind us all that though California has made significant progress in flattening the curve, which is due to your efforts, we must continue to be alert and observant in our journey forward. If you must leave your homes, please continue to practice proper social distancing and wear the appropriate protective face coverings in order to keep yourself, your loved ones, and our community safe and healthy.
If you would like additional information or assistance in navigating these or any resources, please feel free to reach out to my office. Our contact information can be found at the conclusion of these updates.
For now, here are the updates that occurred this week:
Support for Schools and Distance Learning
New Partnerships to Support Distance Learning and to Bridge the Digital Divide (link)
On Monday, Governor Newsom announced new “cross-sector” partnerships to address the digital divide by supporting the state’s distance learning efforts. By utilizing commitments from companies, business leaders, philanthropists, and state entities, the state aims to provide internet access and computer devices to students across California. For the full list of commitments from public and private partners, click here.
Executive Order Empowering Schools to Focus on COVID-19 Response and Transparency (link)
On Thursday, Governor Newsom signed an executive order empowering schools to focus on responding to COVID-19 and provide transparency to their communities by extending deadlines for local educational agencies to submit Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP). LCAPs are multi-year budget projection and planning documents developed in collaboration with parents, students, teachers, and community groups. By extending the LCAP deadline, school leaders can focus on managing the immediate needs of their students and families. During this time, local educational agencies are tasked with creating a written report to their communities explaining their response to COVID-19.
The order also waives physical education minutes requirements and annual physical fitness testing that requires on-site instruction.
Riverside County Updates
Riverside County: Golf Courses and Some Outdoor Activities to Reopen with Restrictions (link) (Spanish)
On Monday, Riverside County Public Health officials stated that private and public golf courses, as well as some outdoor activities that were closed in response to COVID-19, would be allowed to operate under certain restrictions as specified in a revised order. “Other outdoor activities” allowed through this order include “hiking, biking, and equestrian activities and other non-contact outdoor activities such as tennis and golf.”
For the full order, click here.
New Riverside County Food Resources Map (link) (Spanish)
On Thursday, Riverside County released Food Access, an online map to connect residents to food resources in their area. In addition to locations, the map lists relevant details such as hours of operation, contact information, and special populations served. Community members can access this new map through the RivCo Mobile App available for both Android and iOS. or by visiting https://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus.
New Online Resource to Provide 24/7 Text Support to Riverside County Residents Coping with Anxiety from COVID-19 (link)
On Thursday, Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health announced TakeMyHand.co, a new online resource for residents experiencing stress and challenges brought about by the effects of COVID-19 to access free live behavioral or emotional peer support from trained specialists via text chat. Specialists can also provide county residents with referrals to community resources or direct them to the comprehensive Riverside County wellness and recovery resources. TakeMyHand.co is confidential and does not require a username, login, or password.
NOTE: This is not a substitute for the care of a licensed clinical professional, but rather a useful outlet to help calm some anxiety. Anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis should immediately contact 2-1-1 or call the behavioral health CARES line at (800) 706-7500. A 24/7 free, confidential crisis or suicide intervention service can be reached at (951) 686-HELP (4357).
Volunteer Opportunities
#CaliforniaForAll Service Initiative (link)
On Tuesday, Governor Newsom announced a new initiative to support the critical need for volunteers across the state. This initiative connects interested volunteers with opportunities based on their interests, locations, and skills. To get involved, please visit californiansforall.ca.gov to fill out the short form and stay tuned for email updates on the opportunities in our area.
Unemployment Insurance Update
EDD Temporarily Suspends Recertification Requirements for Unemployment Insurance (link)
On Thursday, California Labor Secretary Julie Su issued a memorandum to Employment Development Department (EDD) Director Sharon Hilliard directing the EDD to temporarily suspend unemployment certification requirements for the weeks ending March 14 through May 9.
Previously, the EDD required that claimants certify eligibility every two weeks before a payment can be made. Claimants are still required to notify the EDD if they return to work during this time period.
Secretary Su stated the following: “Over the last two days, the benefits system has slowed significantly due to the strain of so many claims, keeping Californians from accessing UI Online to file new claims and to certify for payments. This has threatened the ability of people to apply for benefits and our ability to pay benefits. In order to preserve UI Online and its ability to function to provide UI benefits and additional federal pandemic-related benefits to Californians, we need to take additional temporary emergency action.”
To see the EDD’s notice of this change, click here (Spanish).
Health Updates
Plan to Resume Health Care and Procedures Delayed or Deferred due to COVID-19 (link)
On Wednesday, Governor Newsom announced the state’s plans to begin allowing hospitals and health systems to resume delayed medical care and procedures that were deferred or delayed in preparation for California’s surge on the health care delivery system. These procedures include “heart valve replacements, angioplasty and tumor removals, and key preventive care services, such as colonoscopies.” Governor Newsom shared the following: “Thanks to the work our health care delivery system has done expanding hospital capacity and reducing the rate of spread of COVID-19, hospitals and health systems can consider resuming medical care that residents have delayed during this crisis, such as heart valve replacements, angioplasty, and tumor removals, when such care can be delivered safely and with appropriate protections for health care workers.”
This action aligns with the six critical indicators for a modified stay-at-home order as outlined in the Governor’s Press Release last week.
Flexibility to Medi-Cal Providers and the Dept. of Health Care Services for Continuity of Service (link)
On Thursday, Governor Newsom issued an executive order granting flexibility to the Dept. of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Medi-Cal providers on a number of deadlines and requirements to ensure the continuity of service is not interrupted or impacted by COVID-19. The changes include the following:
- Allow California Children’s Services to continue fair hearings on grievances and appeals via phone or video conference;
- Ensuring flexibility for DHCS and the Dept. of Social Services to continue providing mental healthcare services and programs;
- Temporarily suspend requirements for in-person signatures for people to obtain certain prescription drugs covered by Medi-Cal; and
- Allow a 90-day extension for providers on cost reporting, change of scope of service, and administrative hearings
For the full order, click here.
Support for Seniors
New Initiatives to Support California’s Seniors (link)
On Friday, Governor Newsom announced a series of new initiatives to support vulnerable older Californians who are isolating at home in compliance with the statewide stay-at-home order. These initiatives include:
- Restaurants Deliver: Home Meals for Seniors – the nation’s first program to enlist community restaurants to prepare meals to be delivered on a regular basis to older Californians isolating at home who are ineligible for other nutrition programs. This program also seeks to support local restaurants that have experienced a reduction in business due to COVID-19.
- Social Bridging Project – a project mobilizing more than 1,000 callers to proactively reach out to older Californians who are isolating at home. This collaborative effort between Listos California, the CA Dept. of Aging, United Airlines, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and Sacramento State University aims to establish direct one-on-one communication to help combat the effects of social isolation while also connecting older Californians to resources.
- Friendship Line California: 1 (888) 670-1360 – expanding the existing toll-free line to provide emotional support to older Californians facing loneliness, isolation, and anxiety.
Census 2020
Don’t Forget to Take Part in the 2020 Census!
The 2020 Census is your opportunity to help secure crucial federal funding. COVID-19 has shown us the importance of adequately funded public health and education systems among others so make sure you do your part to ensure that California is properly supported.
While you still have the option of filling out the nine-question survey online at my2020census.gov using a code provided to you through the mail, paper forms for the Census will begin to be mailed to those who have not yet participated. So be on the lookout!
Loan Repayment Updates
Relief for Californians with Certain Debts Impacted by COVID-19 (link)
On Thursday, Governor Newsom announced that most private student loan servicers agreed to provide payment relief and other forms of relief to borrowers. These actions bring private student loan providers closer in alignment with the existing federal student loan forbearance established through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Additionally, the Governor signed an executive order to stop debt collectors from garnishing COVID-19 related financial assistance. Funds may still be garnished for child support, family support, spousal support or criminal restitution for victims.
Agency Updates
Executive Order on DMV, CEQA, and CalRecycle (link)
On Thursday, Governor Newsom signed an executive order addressing a variety of issues to aid California’s response to COVID-19. The issues include:
- CA Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV): granting a 60-day extension for customers on several DMV deadlines including for recently expired driver’s licenses and ID cards and suspending late fees from being applied to expired vehicle registrations.
- CA Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): allowing certain posting, filling, and notice requirements under CEQA to be satisfied through electronic means.
- Dept. of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle): temporarily allowing retailers, particularly grocery stores to provide bags to consumers without charge and pause the redemption of beverage containers in store to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the order temporarily suspends requirements for operating hours at recycling centers.
For the full order, click here.
Thank you all again for your patience and compassion during these difficult times. My office will continue to serve and advocate on behalf of our district and all who call it home. We are all in this together.
Until next time, I wish you all a healthy and safe weekend, and a happy Ramadan to all of our Muslim community members!
Very Sincerely,
Richard D. Roth
Senator, 31st District