The 31st District Digest (July 13 to July 17)
The 31st District Digest (July 13 to July 17)
Changes to Statewide Re-Opening Efforts (link)
In our statewide and community-wide efforts to respond to the evolving nature of COVID-19, the present circumstances have once again required that we shift our focus and reevaluate how we can ensure a safe and healthy environment for all. On Monday, Governor Newsom announced a series of closures to take effect across the state, with additional requirements for counties that have been placed on a monitoring list due to their rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and the subsequent rise in hospitalization rates, including Riverside County.
- For the full order issued by the CA Public Health Officer order, click here.
- For Riverside County’s release on these requirements, click here (Spanish)
New Statewide School Re-Opening Guidance (link)
On Friday, Governor Newsom and the California Dept. of Public Health (CDPH) issued new guidance on statewide re-opening plans for public and private K-12 schools. The key principles of guidance are as follows:
- Safe in-person instruction will be based on local health data
- Strong mask requirements for anyone in the school
- Physical Distancing requirements and other adaptations
- Regular testing and dedicated contact tracing for outbreaks at schools
- Rigorous distance learning
For information regarding your school district’s reopening plans, please visit their respective websites.
- The full guidance issued by CDPH can be found here.
The health of our community and our loved ones requires compassion and collaboration in the observance of these guidelines. The safety of our children is not something that we can take for granted under any circumstances. Each step we take will be informed by data and science to create an environment where our students can learn safely.
For up-to-date information on California’s COVID-19 Response, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/
For up-to-date information on Riverside County’s COVID-19 Response, visit https://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus
REMINDER: Riverside County offers free COVID-19 testing for its residents. Upon completion of a test, residents may be contacted by the Riverside University Health System as they collect information in order to get federal reimbursement for testing. You will not be billed for the test.
To make an appointment, visit http://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus/testing. Residents can also call 800-945-6171, seven days a week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Agency Updates
1 Year Extension to Senior Drivers with Expiring Licenses (link)
On Monday, the DMV issued the following extensions for Expiring Driver’s Licenses:
- Age 70 & older (noncommercial) with licenses expiring between March and December 2020
- Extended one year from the original expiration date
- Age 69 & younger (noncommercial) with licenses expiring between March and July 2020
- Extended to July 31, 2020, with expanded eligibility to renew online or by mail
- Commercial Licenses for all ages with licenses expiring between March and September 2020
- Extended to September 30, 2020
- Learner’s Permits expiring between March and August 2020
- Extended six months or to a date 24 months from the date of application
Project Homekey Update: $600M now Available for Local Governments to Purchase Housing for Homeless Californians (link)
On Thursday, Governor Newsom announced the availability of $600 million in funding for Project Homekey, the next phase of the state’s response protecting Californians experiencing homelessness who are at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19. This phase will distribute these funds administered by the California Dept. of Housing and Community Development to cities and counties for the acquisition of permanent and long term housing.
Local and State Resources
RTA offers Free Rides to College Students and Youth starting August 1 (link)
Starting August 1, the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) will be offering free bus rides for any youth 18 years or under as well as students at local colleges.
To ride, students at participating colleges will use a free mobile ticketing app. Youth 18 and under will need to show valid ID to the driver. Once aboard, they can ride anywhere RTA buses go, anytime they operate.
Renter’s Assistance Programs
UNITED LIFT: Rental Assistance Program for People impacted by COVID-19 (link) (Spanish)
United Way of the Inland Valleys, Lift to Rise, and the County of Riverside have partnered to provide rental assistance to households impacted by COVID-19. The program will administer $33 million in rental assistance between the months of June and November. This application window with remain open until July 25.
Small Business Resources and Grants
SBA: Paycheck Protection Program has Re-Opened (link)
The Paycheck Protection Program has resumed accepting applications and will continue to do so until August 8, 2020. To learn more about the PPP loan forgiveness program, and other resources, click here.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: COVID-19 Business Grant Program Open with Broader Eligibility (link)
Eligibility for Riverside County’s COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program has been expanded to include sole proprietors, as well as businesses that have received an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan or advance as part of the grant program’s second application round. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 31, 2020 at 6:00pm.
- Eligible businesses may receive up to $10,000 in assistance towards specified uses, including payroll, mortgage, inventory, working capital, and increasing technological capabilities.
- For a full list of requirements for eligibility, applicable uses for grant funding, or to apply, click here.
CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Microenterprise Business Grant Program (link)
Businesses in the City of Riverside are encouraged to apply for the Microenterprise Business Grant Program, which is designed to provide relief during COVID-19. These grants, up to $7,500, are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- To apply, click here.
CITY OF PERRIS: Small Business Assistance Program (link)
The City of Perris has a local Small Business Assistance Program, offering up to $10,000 loans to qualifying businesses. Loans will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
- To apply or to find more information, click here.
CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY: Local Economic Assistance Program (LEAP) (link)
The City of Jurupa Valley has a new program to provide grants to small and micro-enterprise businesses in the city that have been economically impacted by COVID-19. The application period will close at 4:00 PM on July 23, 2020.
CITY OF MORENO VALLEY: Forward MoVal Small Business Grant (link)
The City of Moreno Valley has Forward MoVal Small Business Grant Program to support small businesses and stimulate the local economy through job growth and retention during the pandemic.
- To see if your business qualifies for assistance, click here.
Nonprofit Assistance
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Nonprofit Assistance Fund (link)
The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) was awarded CARES Act funds from the Board of Supervisors to administer the Riverside County Nonprofit Assistance Fund, in partnership with the Riverside County Homeless Solutions and Workforce Department and the Inland Empire Funder’s Alliance. Eligible nonprofits can receive grants of up to $10,000 to assist with their operating expenses and costs associated with loss of revenue due to COVID-19. Applications close Friday, July 31, 2020.
- To get more information or to apply, click here.
Health Resources
Covered CA Special Enrollment Period (link)
If you lack income because your hours were cut or if you are no longer working, you may be eligible for low or no-cost coverage through plans offered through Covered California. A special-enrollment period is underway that allows you to enroll in a health plan until July 31, 2020.
- For more information, click here.
Our collective actions and commitment to the health of our communities flattened the curve once before. While this new set of guidelines presses the pause button on our journey towards re-opening, I am hopeful that we will continue to be resilient in the face of COVID-19 and take all necessary precautions to protect our health and well-being. Even the smallest of actions can save lives.
Thank you for your compassion so far.
Very Sincerely,
RICHARD D. ROTH
Senator, 31st District