The 31st District Digest (September 14 to September 18)

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September 19, 2020

 

The 31st District Digest (September 14 to September 18)

 

This week brought forth a new series of actions and legislation aimed at supporting Californians through our COVID-19 recovery:

 

Local and State Resources

CONNECT IE: One-Stop Source for Resources in the Inland Empire (link)

Connect IE is a one-stop searchable website to connect community members in need with local service organizations throughout Inland Southern California.

 

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Youth Community Corps Project (link)

Riverside County residents ages 16 to 24 are encouraged to apply to the Youth Community Corps, a paid internship program seeking to provide members with opportunities to support local non-profits, food pantries, school lunch programs, and municipal social service departments. Participants will receive mentorship, training, and a paid stipend during their term.

 

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Pathways to Employment Program (link)

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The County of Riverside will soon be launching their Pathways to Employment Program providing adults who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with a living wage stipend of $20 per hour; training and mentoring from non-profit and government partners; supportive services, including transportation, clothing, counseling and technological assistance.

  • For more information, please call the Housing, Homelessness Prevention and Workforce Solutions Department at (951) 955-1161.
  • To fill out an interest form, click here.

 

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Supportive Services Program for Workers Impacted by the effects of COVID-19

Riverside County residents whose employment has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may receive up to $800 in assistance as part of a state grant received by the Riverside County Workforce Development Division. This assistance can be used to pay for costs associated with returning to work (such as teleworking equipment, child care, or transportation), housing expenses, or utility expenses.

  • To learn more or to apply, contact Stephanie Macias at (951) 955-0513 or stmacias@rivco.org

 

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Housing for the Harvest Program (link)

In partnership with Riverside County and the State of California, TODEC Legal Center has begun coordinating outreach, housing services, wellness checks, and ancillary supportive services for essential farmworkers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. If you or a loved one works in agriculture or food processing, have tested positive for COVID-19, and are in need of support, you may be eligible for lodging and other resources.

To learn more, click here.

 


Renter’s Assistance and Housing Programs

CITY OF CORONA: Emergency Housing Needs Assistance Program (link)

Funds are still available for the City of Corona’s Emergency Housing Needs Assistance Program (EHNAP) that provides rental and utility assistance to eligible Corona renters.

  • To view the program application, click here.
  • To view Program Guidelines, click here.
  • For frequently asked questions, click here.

 


Small Business Resources and Grants

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program (link)

Applications for Round 3 of the County of Riverside COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program are now being accepted. Eligibility has been further expanded to include Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recipients of $75,000 or less. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply here before October 30, 2020, at 5 PM.

 

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Business Ambassador Program (link)

If your business has questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 readiness and reopening, Riverside County is here to help. A Riverside County Business Ambassador is available to visit your business, at no cost, to conduct an individualized assessment to help your business run safely and efficiently.

  • To request a consultation or learn more, click here.

 

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Riverside CARES Small Business Grant (link) 

The Riverside Small Business Assistance Program is a new grant intended to cover fixed expenses specifically associated with losses and hardships endured during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Applications will be accepted on a first-received, first-reviewed basis through October 1, subject to availability of funds.

  • 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 designed to provide relief during COVID-19. These grants of 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.

 

 

Non-Profit Resources

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Non-Profit Assistance Program and Food Pantry Support (link)

The Riverside City Council has approved a portion of federal CARES Act funding to assist non-profit organizations and food banks with eligible COVID-19 related expenditures. The Food Pantry Support Program will provide grants of up to $8,000 to eligible applicants and the Non-Profit Assistance Program will award amounts ranging from $1,500 to $24,000. The deadline to apply is September 28, 2020.

The City of Riverside will also be offering several application assistance meetings. For meeting dates, click here.

 

New Workforce Protections and Support

New: Legislation to Protect California’s Workforce (link) as we work towards a safe reopening of our economy:

On Thursday, Governor Newsom signed into law two bills as a larger package of bills to provide expanded worker protections amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

  • SB 1159 expands access to workers’ compensation and makes it easier for first responders, health care workers, and people who test positive due to an outbreak at work to get the support they need, including necessary medical care and wage replacement benefits.
  • AB 685 ensures timely notification to employees and local and state public health officials of COVID-19 cases at workplaces. This notification will help workers take necessary precautions such as seeking testing, getting medical help or complying with quarantine directives.

 

 

California’s Path Forward

Project Homekey Update: $76 Million Awarded in First Round (link)

On Wednesday, Governor Newsom provided an update on Project Homekey, the long-term next step of Project Roomkey announced earlier this year. As part of the first round of awards, the City of Lake Elsinore has been awarded $3,136,000 to acquire, rehab, and operate a former hotel to provide 14 interim transitional housing units for up to 28 residents within 90 days. This project will help the city achieve a goal of functional zero for chronic homelessness within the next two years.

For more information on Project Homekey, click here


Western States Pact Participates in Google and Apple Exposure Notification Technology Pilot Program (link)

On Wednesday, Governor Newsom announced that the Western States Pact would be participating in a pilot project to test the Exposure Notification Express mobile application pioneered by Google and Apple. The app confidentially notifies individuals who may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus. Privacy and security are central to the design of the technology, which does not collect location data from any device and never shares user identities. Users must opt-in to the technology and participation is voluntary.

To learn more about the pilot program, click here.

 

 

Friendly Reminders

Riverside County COVID-19 Testing

Testing is available and free for all county residents, regardless of immigration status, insurance, or the presence of symptoms. To make an appointment at any of Riverside County’s 13 testing sites, visit https://gettested.ruhealth.org/.

 

2020 Census: If you haven’t completed the Census, now is the perfect time

The 2020 Census effort will be coming to a close at the end of this month. This means that we have 18 days left to do our part to secure crucial federal funding for our region! Our District has surpassed our 2010 Self Response Rate, but there is still more to be done to ensure a complete count! If you haven’t had a chance to fill out the survey, visit www.my2020census.gov/ or complete your census over the phone:

  • English: 844-330-2020
  • Spanish: 844-468-2020
  • TDD (Telephone Display Device): 844-467-2020

In addition to English and Spanish, you can also complete your Census in 12 non-English languages (found here), with language support in 59 languages (found here).

 

Are you registered to vote? Check your status today

The last day to register is Monday, October 19, 2020! 

 

Have a safe, healthy, and happy weekend!

 

Very Sincerely,

RICHARD D. ROTH

Senator, 31st District