The 31st District Digest (March 8 to March 12)

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March 13, 2021


The 31st District Digest (March 8 to March 12)

As we pass the one year mark since the beginning of the pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccine represents a light at the end of this dark tunnel. While California continues to work towards securing vaccine doses, I invite you to join Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, Assemblymember Jose Medina, a group of distinguished county public health officials, and myself for an update about vaccine distribution in Riverside County.

 

Saturday, March 20, 2021, from 11 AM to 12 PM (RSVP here)

 

This update will cover some of the most pressing topics on the COVID-19 vaccine to help Riverside County community members gain a better understanding of the timeline and guidelines for distribution to the public.

 

If you have a question about the COVID-19 vaccine or distribution that you would like to ask our guest speakers, please follow the RSVP link and submit them before March 17.
 

…
 

With 2 Million Vaccine Doses Delivered to the Hardest-Hit Communities, CA Updates its Reopening Plan (link)

On Friday, the CA Dept. of Public Health announced that the state had distributed 2 million vaccine doses to its hardest-hit communities, increasing immunity where the state's transmission rates and disease burden have been the highest during the pandemic. The meeting of this important equity metric triggered a reassessment of thresholds for the statewide Blueprint for a Safer Reopening. Notably, starting Tuesday, Riverside County is likely to be among the 13 counties permitted to shift from the Purple Tier to the Red Tier, allowing a broader designation of businesses and activities to reopen.

 

Among the new business sector that will be permitted under the adjusted guidance are breweries, wineries, and distilleries that do not serve meals.

 

  • For more information on the new tier thresholds, click here.
  • To read Riverside County’s announcement on the opening of breweries, wineries, and distilleries, click here. (Spanish)

 
 

Riverside County: Outdoor Entertainment and Sports with Spectators may resume April 1 (link) (Spanish)

 

This week, Riverside County health officials announced that starting April 1, live outdoor events such as outdoor sporting events and live performances may resume with limited spectators in accordance with new state guidance. The number of spectators allowed at each event will be based on Riverside County’s status and tier location within California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

  • To see the California Department of Public Health’s Activity and Business Tiers Table, click here.
  • To learn more about Riverside County’s Progress through the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy, click here.

 
 

Friendly Reminders

Riverside County’s Vaccine Rollout is Underway


COVID-19 Vaccines are available to Riverside County residents and to those who work in Riverside County in the following sectors:

Phase 1A

Phase 1B
  • Health Care Workers
  • Individuals 65 and older
  • Long-Term Care Residents

Sector Populations

 
  • Agriculture and Food

 
  • Education and Child Care

For an expanded list of eligible professions, click here.
  • Emergency Services

 

Once you are eligible, please visit the Riverside County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Page to make an appointment. If you have received your first dose, you will be notified by the County’s public health team and will be able to schedule your second dose appointment at any of the RUHS-Public Health Clinics or Curative Clinics. For more information on second doses, 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.

  • To visit Riverside County’s COVID-19 Vaccine Page, click here.
  • If you are a senior and need assistance to schedule an appointment, please call the Riverside County Office of Aging at 1-800-510-2020 or call 2-1-1.
  • For more on California’s Vaccine Plan, click here or call California’s Vaccine Hotline at (833) 422-4255.

 

VETERANS: VA Loma Linda is Administering Moderna and Janssen COVID-19 Vaccines
VA Loma Linda is administrating Moderna and Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans enrolled in VA health care at VA Loma Linda that are:

  • Veterans ages 50 years and older
  • Veteran essential workers per CDC guidelines
  • Caregivers currently enrolled in VA’s official caregiver program

For more information visit https://www.lomalinda.va.gov/.
If you are eligible, please call (909) 825-7084 ext. 6212 or 5085 to make an appointment.

 

 

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, 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.

  • 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.



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. 

  • To visit the Form 1099G Information Center, click here.
  • For answers to frequently asked questions about the Form 1099G, click here.

 

New Resources

United Lift: Riverside County Rental Assistance Partnership Reopens Applications (link)

United Lift– Riverside County’s partnership with Lift to Rise and Inland SoCal United Way– is now 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.

 
 

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program

The City of Riverside is offering emergency rental and utilities assistance to eligible city residents who may have accrued rental debt due to COVID-19 related loss of income.

 

 

Local Resources

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:

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

 
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.

  • For information on eligibility requirements and enrollment, please email HVRP@goodwillsocal.org or call (909) 659-4849.


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 and information for renters, homeowners, and small landlords, click here or visit HousingIsKey.com.

For local rental and housing assistance programs, please see below:

 
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.

  • 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.
  • To apply, click 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)
Moreno Valley Utility (MVU) now offers discounts for qualifying electricity customers through its COVID-19 Utility Assistance program.

  • 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.

 
 
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.

  • To view the program guidelines and application for renters, click here.
  • To view the program guidelines and application for mortgages, click here.
  • For frequently asked questions, click here.

 

 

Small Business Resources and Grants

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


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.

 
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: 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.

  • 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 weekend!
 
Very Sincerely,
 
RICHARD D. ROTH
Senator, 31st District