The 31st District Digest (January 11 to January 15)

January 16, 2021

The 31st District Digest (January 11 to January 15)

 

Seniors, Age 65+ Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine: More Riverside County Vaccine Clinics on the way (link)

Following new state and federal guidance, Riverside County has expanded its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include individuals age 65 and older. Registration for several Riverside County COVID-19 vaccine clinics are now available on a first-come, first-served basis for those in qualified tiers - Phase 1A (all tiers) and Phase 1B (tier 1).
 
These clinics will provide vaccines free of charge, but require an appointment and proof of eligibility (badge, business identification, letter of proof from employer). Those 65 and older must have proof of age, such as a driver’s license.  Seniors who need help registering can call 2-1-1 or call the Riverside County Office of Aging at (800) 510-2020. Residents can also contact their primary care physical, urgent care, and local pharmacies for vaccination appointment availability.
 

More dates and appointments will be available in the near future so please check Riverside County’s Vaccine Dashboard regularly to stay informed when new options become available.

 

 
 

New CA Safe Schools for All Hub:
A One-Stop Shop for the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction (link)

On Thursday, Governor Newsom announced the launch of the Safe Schools for All Hub, a centralized source of information for safe in-person instruction. The hub will also serve as a uniform platform for parents, school administrators, and staff to interact with the Safe Schools team to submit requests and share their feedback and concerns.
 
 

Martin Luther King Day of Service (link)

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of service, compassion, and advocacy, California Volunteers and volunteer organizations across our state are celebrating the Martin Luther King Day of Service. While this year’s service may take different forms than in years past, there are still opportunities for each of us to support our community and all who call it home. From volunteering at our local food banks or donating blood, to connecting with isolated seniors and neighbors to make sure they have access to food and necessary supplies, there are many ways you can serve this weekend and beyond.  For more information, visit the Cal Volunteer website and join the Californians for All Service Movement (link)!
 
 

SBA: Paycheck Protection Program Re-Opens (link)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the Payment Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw Loan applications and has opened Second Draw PPP Loans applications until March 31, 2021. The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll. PPP Loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, including benefits, and may also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, certain uninsured property damage costs, and certain supplier costs and expenses for operations.

  • For more information on the application process and new guidance, click here.

 
 

Friendly Reminders

CA STUDENT AID COMMISSION: RSVP today for free Cash for College Webinars (link)
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will be hosting free webinars to provide students and families support as they complete their FAFSA and California Dream Act applications.

  • To sign up for upcoming webinars, click here.
    • Thursday, January 21, 2021 – Bilingual/Spanish - 5:30pm-8:00pm
    • Saturday, January 30, 2021 – 10:00am-12:30pm

 
 

FREE COVID-19 Testing

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 Cities of Riverside and Corona have 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 as early as 24 hours by text message or email.

  • To make an appointment or to find locations for COVID-19 testing through Curative, visit curative.com

 
NOTE: It is important to remember that a negative test result does not absolve us of the need to wear a mask, practice safe social distancing, and stay home, especially if we exhibit symptoms similar to COVID-19. Consulting your doctor can help ensure that your symptoms can be managed or if another test may be recommended. If you are uninsured or have Medi-Cal but do not have a primary care doctor, California has launched an advice line that can connect you with a nurse, day or night, to talk about COVID-19 symptoms and can help you connect with local resources in our community. 

  • Call the Medi-Nurse Line at (877) 409-9052 or click here for more information

 
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/.


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

RIVERSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY: Outdoor WI-FI Access
Outdoor WiFi Access has been extended to library parking lots, Monday – Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm at the following libraries: Arlington, Arlanza, SSGT. Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library, La Sierra, Marcy, and Orange Terrace.
How to connect:

  1. Connect to "Riv-Guest" (no password needed)
  2. Open a browser, accept terms and conditions.
  3. Start browsing!

 
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: We’ve Got You Covered Program
The City of Moreno Valley is providing free masks and hand sanitizers to residents at the Business and Employment Resource Center (BERC) located at 12625 Frederick St., and at any of the City’s three library branches during business hours.

 
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 refurbished desktop PCs available for free to qualifying residents.

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

  • Note – Senior Meal Pick up offered by the Moreno Valley Senior Center are now available on Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 11 am

 
 

Renter’s Assistance and Housing Programs

 

To find help for renters, homeowners, and small landlords, click here or visit HousingIsKey.com.

 

For local rental assistance programs, please see below:

 
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 JURUPA VALLEY: Rental, Utility, and Short Term Emergency Assistance (link)
In partnership with Path of Life Ministries, the City of Jurupa Valley is helping to facilitate short term emergency financial assistance to struggling City residents. Eligible uses include rent and utility payments, vehicle repairs, and employment- related licensing and training fees.

  • For information on eligibility and more, contact Path of Life’s at rapidresolution@thepathoflife.com or call Path of Life Ministries’ hotline at (951)786-9048 ext.31

 
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.

 
CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Emergency Recovery Assistance Program (ERAP) (link)
Riverside Public Utilities offers a one-time $400 utility bill credit to eligible residential customers who have experienced reduced income due to loss of employment or reduced hours as a result of COVID-19.

  • To apply or learn more, click here.

 
CITY OF MORENO VALLEY: Extra Time and Discounts for Moreno Valley Utility Customers (link)
The Mayor and City Council have unanimously approved a new COVID-19 Utility Assistance program for Moreno Valley Utility (MVU) electricity customers that includes a Covid-19 discount for qualifying customers.

  • Small Businesses on the General Service Rate (20kW or less) that are having trouble paying their bill can set up flexible payment arrangements for up to 24 months.
  • Residents can apply for an extended payment plan with up to 12 months to pay the outstanding balance accrued since March 2020. Income-qualified residents may qualify for the new discount savings program.
  • For more information, click here.


RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Housing for the Harvest Program (link)
In partnership with Riverside County and the State of California, TODEC Legal Center is 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 require support, you may be eligible for lodging and other resources.

  • To learn more, 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

 

To learn about California’s small business resources, click here.
 

California Competes Tax Credit (link)
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region. Applications for the current period will be accepted until January 25, 2021.

  • For more information, or to sign up for an informational webinar, click here.

 
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: Coming Soon – Small Business Utility Relief
The Riverside City Council has recently approved a measure to temporarily small businesses with 50 or fewer workers to apply utility deposits toward unpaid Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) bills or their next payment for service between now and March 31. A designated page is currently in development but in the meantime, small business owners are encouraged to call RPU’s Call Center at 951-782-0330 or send an email to callcenter@riversideca.gov for more information.
 


CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY: Local Economic Assistance Program (LEAP) (link)
The City of Jurupa Valley is currently accepting applications for LEAP funding. Eligible small businesses (6 - 50 employees) and micro-enterprises (5 employees or less) can qualify for up to $10,000 and $7,000 grants, respectively.

  • 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 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

 
Have a safe, healthy, and happy Dr. Martin Luther King weekend!
 
Very Sincerely,
 
RICHARD D. ROTH
Senator, 31st District