The 31st District Digest (November 30 to December 4)
The 31st District Digest (November 30 to December 4)
New Regional Stay-at-Home Order based on ICU Capacity (link)
As COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations continue to rise at an alarming pace and threaten to overwhelm our health care delivery system, California health officials have announced a Regional Stay at Home Order that will be triggered if Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity drops below 15 percent in a given region. The five regions as identified by health officials are as follows: Northern California, Bay Area, Greater Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California. Riverside County falls within the Southern California region. While no regions currently meet this threshold, some regions are projected to fall below the 15% ICU capacity threshold within the next week.
Once a region meets the threshold, the Stay-at-home order will remain in place for 3 weeks. During this time, residents will be required to stay at home as much as possible and minimize mixing to reduce unnecessary exposure. Residents will still be able to do important things like go to the doctor, buy groceries, pick up take out, go on a hike, or worship outdoors. Further, K-12 schools that are already open can remain open and retailers can operate indoors at no more than 20 percent capacity to reduce exposure risk.
With the addition of provisions regarding K-12 schools and a few other variations, the Regional Stay-at-Home order will closely mirror the initial March order.
For the full text of the order, please click here.
As the impact of holiday traveling becomes apparent in our COVID-19 case rates, we must continue taking the necessary measures to protect the health of our region, our frontline workers, and our small businesses. We were able to flatten the curve before and with our collective action, we can do it again.
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.
Additionally, the City of Riverside has partnered with Curative to provide no-cost, self-administered, drive-up tests that are open to all, including those who live outside of the city. Test recipients can expect results within 48 hours by text message or email.
- To make an appointment or to find locations for COVID-19 testing through Curative, visit curative.com
New Assistance for Small Businesses (link)
On Monday, Governor Newsom announced California’s next major step in supporting small businesses that have been critically impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the recommendations made by the Governor’s Taskforce on Business and Jobs Recovery, California will provide temporary tax relief for eligible businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, establish a $500 million COVID Relief Grant; and add an additional $12.5 million to the California Rebuilding Fund established last week.
For more information and eligibility requirements, please read the full release (found here) or visit www.business.ca.gov/
Friendly Reminders
LIFESTREAM: URGENT NEED! 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/.
COVERED CALIFORNIA: Open Enrollment is Underway! (link)
Open Enrollment for Covered California and other health insurance providers is here! For coverage beginning January 1, 2021, Californians are encouraged to apply before December 15.
- Learn more at www.coveredca.com/get-started.
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.
Local Resources
VETERANS: Inland Empire Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program
If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and are seeking employment, the Inland Empire Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) hosted by Goodwill Southern California may be able to help. HVRP offers access to employment opportunities, employment preparation training, education and technical skills classes/certifications, career counseling and more.
For information on eligibility requirements and enrollment, please email HVRP@goodwillsocal.org or call (909) 659-4849.
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.
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: Countywide Food Access Sites (link)
Riverside County has compiled an extensive list of food resources including food pantry locations as well as senior and school Grab & Go meal sites. To learn what resources are near you, click here.
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. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- To apply, click here.
CITY OF MORENO VALLEY: MoVal Rental Rescue Program (link)
The City of Moreno Valley has partnered with Inland SoCal United Way to provide emergency rental and financial assistance to keep Moreno Valley residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic housed. Assistance includes:
- Homelessness Prevention (HP) – Up to $5,000: Rental Assistance / Rental Arrears for current housing Past Due Utility Payments.
- Rapid Re-Housing (RR) Up to $5,000: Rental Assistance to move into permanent housing Advanced Payment of Last Month’s Rent Utility Deposits and Payments Moving Costs, Rental Application Fees, and Security Deposits
- Apply now 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
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.
Have a safe, healthy, and happy weekend!
Very Sincerely,
RICHARD D. ROTH
Senator, 31st District