The 31st District Digest (March 1 to March 5)

 

This week, Governor Newsom signed a budget package to accelerate the safe return to in-person instruction across California.  This bill requires all public schools to offer in-person instruction to grades K-2 for all students and high-needs students in all grades by the end of the month, losing 1 percent of eligible funds every day thereafter if they do not. Further, schools in counties that have progressed to California’s Red Tier or better are required to offer in-person instruction to all students in all elementary grades and at least one middle or high school grade, or risk the same penalty.

Additionally, the $6.6 billion allocation directs $2 billion to fund safety measures such as personal protective equipment, ventilation upgrades, and COVID-19 testing, and $4.6 billion to fund Expanded Learning Opportunity Grants for supports like summer school, tutoring, and mental health services.

California has been granted federal approval to utilize Medicaid/Medi-Cal funding to provide voluntary COVID-19 testing to low-income students covered by the program, further supporting schools in underserved communities to reopen for in-person instruction.

 
 

On Monday, Riverside County health officials announced a series of changes intended to better serve County residents and expand vaccine opportunities. Per the County’s release, the following changes will be effective next week:

If you received your first dose from a county-administered vaccine clinic, including the Corona High School clinic, county health officials will contact you to set up an appointment for your second dose. To see which groups have already been notified, click here.

REMINDER:  CDC guidelines allow up to 42 days for a second dose with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and due in part to the limited vaccine supply, it may not be possible to get a second dose at the 21- or 28-day mark originally recommended. Guidelines also recommend that your second dose should be from the same manufacturer as the first. For example, if your first dose was a Pfizer vaccine, then your second dose should also be a Pfizer vaccine.
 

 
With the first shipment of Johnson & Johnson vaccines arriving in Riverside County this week, the month of March brings promising signs of progress to our region.

 
 

Beginning Monday, March 8, United Lift– Riverside County’s partnership with Lift to Rise and Inland SoCal United Way– will begin accepting applications for the next round of rental assistance. This year, the program will provide one-time rental assistance support to cover up to 12 months of unpaid rent during the period between March 13, 2020, until the time of application, plus an additional three months of future rent.

 

New Funding Rounds for the CA Relief Grant (link)

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate announced it would be hosting additional funding rounds for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant. Eligible businesses can receive grant awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to cover expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new rounds are as follows:

 

 

 

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.

Additionally, the Cities of Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley, and Jurupa Valley 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.

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. 

 
EDD: 1099G Tax Information (link)
The CA Employment Development Dept. (EDD) has launched a Form 1099G Information Center to help Californians prepare their tax returns for the 2020 filing year. 

LIFESTREAM: URGENT NEED! Donate Blood Today! (link)
Giving blood is a simple way to 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.

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.

 

 

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:

 
CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Little Free Pantry
The City of Riverside is establishing 26 free community pantries across Riverside to help address food insecurity brought about by COVID-19 and the broader concern of hunger in our region. There, community members can place unexpired food, hygiene, or paper items for community members to take what they need.

 
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.

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 CONTINUUM OF CARE: HomeConnect (link)
If you or a loved one are experiencing homelessness, Riverside County’s HomeConnect program may be able to help. HomeConnect is a coordinated entry system established by Riverside County’s Continuum of Care that can help connect you to federally-funded, state-funded, and locally-funded homeless services in Riverside County. 

 
 
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.

 

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:

 
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.

 
CITY OF MORENO VALLEY: Extra Time and Discounts for Moreno Valley Utility Customers (link)
Moreno Valley Utility (MVU) now offers discounts for qualifying electricity customers through its COVID-19 Utility Assistance program.

 
 
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, mortgage, and utility assistance to eligible Corona renters.

 

 

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.

 
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.

 
CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Small Business Utility Relief (link)
The Riverside City Council has 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. 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.

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.

 
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.

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