The 31st District Digest (October 26 to October 30)

October 31, 2020

The 31^st District Digest (October 26 to October 30)

Public Safety Power Shut Offs and Wildfire Safety

This week, our District experienced a series of challenges. A severe wind event led Southern California Edison to initiate targeted Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in Jurupa Valley and Eastvale. As of Thursday morning, Southern California Edison had announced that PSPSs in our area have concluded and that all de-energized county circuits have been deemed safe to re-energize.

As we continue to experience extreme wind, weather, and wildfire events in conjunction with COVID-19 and flu season, I encourage each of us to take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. From home hardening and creating emergency kits, to handwashing and regular testing, our actions can save lives.

To learn more about PSPSs and how you can be prepared, visit prepareforpowerdown.com.
To learn more about Wildfire resources and preparation, visit response.ca.gov
As a reminder, COVID-19 testing is free at county- and state-run testing sites and available to anyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status, or the onset of symptoms.
- To make an appointment for COVID-19 testing through Riverside County, visit gettested.ruhealth.org or call (800) 945-6171.
- To make an appointment for COVID-19 testing through the state, visit lhi.care/covidtesting or call (888) 634-1123.
For the latest information on Riverside County’s COVID-19 Response, visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus
For the latest information on California’s COVID-19 Response, visit www.covid19.ca.gov/

DMV Update

Seniors Now Eligible to Renew Driver’s Licenses Online (link) (Spanish)

Californians age 70 and older are now eligible to renew their noncommercial driver’s licenses online or by mail, further reducing their need to visit a California Dept. of Motor Vehicles office.

For a full summary of CA Driver’s license extensions, click here.

Halloween and Día de los Muertos Weekend

Happy Halloween and Feliz Día de los Muertos! In preparation for today’s festivities, the County of Riverside and the California Department of Public Health have prepared several guidelines to encourage communities to celebrate safely and in ways that reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

For Riverside County’s guidance, click here (Spanish).
For State guidelines, click here.

Local and State Resources

COVERED CALIFORNIA: Get Coverage outside of Open Enrollment (link)

Californians are eligible for coverage through Covered California at any time of the year if they experience a qualifying life event. If you have recently lost your employment or income due to COVID-19; been impacted by wildfire; lost health insurance coverage; turned 26; or returned from active military service, please visit www.coveredca.com or call (800) 300-1506.

Official open enrollment begins Nov. 1.

For a full list of qualifying life events, click here.

CITY OF MORENO VALLEY: Community Learning & Internet Connectivity [CLiC], TECH FOR SUCCESS Program (link) (Spanish)

The City of Moreno Valley has launched their new inclusive digital one-stop-shop to support city residents seeking internet connection and a variety of web-based resources including employment assistance, internet and computer literacy support, business development, and more.

As part of the CLiC program, the city will also be hosting WiFi gardens, public computer access, and loanable hot spot devices for residents to access free WiFi connection.

For WiFi Garden locations, click here.
To check hotspot availability, click here.

Building on its CLiC program, the City of Moreno Valley has also partnered with Riverside County Community Action Partnership to make 50 refurbished desktop PCs available for free to qualifying residents.

To apply or learn more, about the Tech for Success program, click here.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Pathways to Employment Program (link)

The County of Riverside has launched 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, or visit www.capriverside.org/
To fill out an interest form, click here.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Senior Grab & Go Meal Sites (link)

Riverside County maintains an updated list of Grab & Go meal sites throughout its jurisdiction. If you or a loved one is in immediate need of pre-prepared meals, please click here to find the nearest site.

CITY OF MORENO VALLEY: Citywide Food Resources (link)

The City of Moreno Valley has compiled an extensive list of food resources including food pantry locations, restaurants offering curbside or delivery options, and local grocery store priority shopper hours. To learn what resources are near you, 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: 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.

For more information, visit www.RivCoWorkforce.com/youth.aspx or email youthcorps@rivco.org

Renter’s Assistance and Housing Programs

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: 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. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

For more information and FAQs, click here (Spanish)
To apply, click here.

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 work 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.

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Rental Assistance Program (link)

The City of Riverside is partnering with the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County to help households at risk of eviction due to the COVID-19 crisis. Eligible applicants can receive payment for up to three full months of past-due rent. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

To find more information or to apply, click here.

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)

The application deadline for the County of Riverside COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program has been extended from October 30, to November 13^th at 5:00 PM. Eligible businesses can receive $10,000 grants to over cost incurred from payroll/employee retention, Working capital, PPE purchasing, rent or mortgage payments, and more. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information or to view program guidelines, visit rivcobcs.org/covidbizhelp
Apply here before November 13, 2020, at 5:00 PM.

CITY OF NORCO: Small Enterprise Assistance Loan (SEAL) (link)

The City of Norco has created the Small Enterprise Assistance Loan Program, offering low- to no-interest loans of up to $20,000 to eligible Norco businesses and non-profits. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

For program guidelines, click here or contact the City of Norco at (951) 270-5644 or info@ci.norco.ca.us.
For the program application, 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.

Friendly Reminders

Don’t forget to Vote!

We are less than one week away from an election that can change our nation and our communities for generations to come! Do you have a plan for casting your ballot?

Mailing in your Ballot: Be sure to vote down the ballot, sign the envelope and drop it in the mail to be postmarked before Tuesday, November 3!
Voting by Drop Box: Find official ballot drop off locations by visiting caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov or click here. Remember to drop off you ballot by 8:00PM on November 3!
Voting In-Person: Voter assistance centers and Polling locations will be open today to Election Day, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours on Election Day (7:00 AM to 8:00PM). For location, visit www.voteinfo.net
To track your vote-by-mail ballot, visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot/
For the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, visit www.voteinfo.net/index.asp.

2021-2022 Financial Aid Season is here!

The online portals for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the California Dream Act Application, and the Chaffee Grant Application are now live!

LIFESTREAM: Donate Blood Today! (link)

Giving blood is an important way you can become an everyday hero, particularly as LifeStream Blood Bank’s local supply continues towards depletion. With each donation, you can save a life and be tested for COVID-19 antibodies to support our community’s recovery.

To schedule an appointment at a donation center near you, please visit www.lstream.org/.

Community Connect – Dial 2-1-1 (link)
Community Connect is an excellent tool for community members seeking information on a variety of resources. When you dial 2-1-1, you will be connected to a local specialist to learn about housing and utility assistance, transportation, veteran services, community service, professional development, and more.

Further, if you are a nonprofit or agency that seeks to provide such resources to the community, Community Connect also serves as an effective way to share resources with the community. To learn more, visit www.connectriverside.org/ or dial 2-1-1.

Have a safe, healthy, and happy Halloween and Día de los Muertos Weekend!

Very Sincerely,

RICHARD D. ROTH

Senator, 31st District