Weekly Update - August 2, 2024

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Carol Mascali is Supervisor Andersen’s newest District Representative for the Town of Danville, the City of San Ramon, the Tassajara Valley and the Blackhawk community.

Prior to joining Supervisor Andersen’s staff, Carol worked for the Lucile Packard Foundation, Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) and in the private sector as a small business owner with her husband, John. She has been a 27-year volunteer in the community including serving as a Parks & Recreation Commissioner for the Town of Danville, Mustang Soccer Board member, Education Fund President at both elementary and high school sites, 32^nd District PTA Committee Chair and Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member. 



Carol shared with Supervisor Andersen, “I am thrilled to continue to use my previous professional and volunteer experiences to support the constituents in District II of Contra Costa County.”

Natalie Aguilar is the new Employment and Human Services (EHSD) Navigator for District 2. Measure X, the 1/2 cent County-wide sales tax is funding navigators for every district.

Natalie's role is to help individuals access needed social services, including those provided by the County or through the State and Federal government. She can also connect individuals and families to faith-based or non-profit organizations which are prepared to assist.

More information about the County's Employment and Human Services Department can be found here. Requests for assistance can be sent to 4ourfamilies@ehsd.cccounty.us.

Natalie has lived in the Bay Area her entire life. She's been working with Contra Costa County for thirteen years now.

She started as an Eligibility Worker with Medi-Cal at the Medi-Cal Service Center. She then moved over to Health Services for seven years with California Children Services. Natalie returned to the County's Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) and was a Social Service Program Assistant with Foster Care before starting as a Navigator.

Before working with Contra Costa County, she was at West Contra Costa Unified School District for seven years and worked with Special Education most of that time.

Natalie is passionate about helping the community connect with resources that are available. When she's not at work, she is the mom to three amazing kids ranging from age 15 to 2.

A particularly infectious strain of the virus, FLiRT, is making the rounds this summer in Contra Costa County and throughout the western United States.

Methods available to measure COVID-19 in our community, such as wastewater testing, show a recent increase in infections in our area. 

Contra Costa has also experienced an increase in hospitalizations due to COVID-19 infection, but case numbers as well as deaths attributed to the virus remain relatively low compared to spikes experienced earlier in the pandemic. 

Remaining up to date on vaccinations remains the most effective way to protect oneself from COVID-19 infection, particularly older adults, people who are immunocompromised, and others at higher risk of serious illness. 

Vaccine and home test kits are available from healthcare providers and pharmacies throughout the county. Many who test positive can reduce their risk of serious illness by contacting their health providers about Paxlovid, an effective treatment for reducing the severity and duration of illness.

Visit cchealth.org for more information.

The official launch of PRESTO Rossmoor, was held on Thursday, August 1, hosted by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, (CCTA). Two PRESTO autonomous shuttles are now being operated along a designated route within Rossmoor, giving residents not only a chance to experience the future of transit firsthand, but a safe way to get around their community.

Pictured on the left, standing in front of a PRESTO shuttle, Walnut Creek Councilmember Cindy Darling, County Supervisor Ken Carlson, Walnut Creek Councilmember Kevin Wilk, CEO of BEEP Joe Moye, Supervisor Candace Andersen, CCTA Chair and Danville Councilmember Newell Arnerich, Walnut Creek Councilmember Cindy Silva, CCTA Executive Director Tim Haile, and Federal Transportation Authority representatives.

Make sure your student is ready to start the new school year safe and healthy. For a list of immunizations your child needs for school or daycare, visit Student Checklist.

In an effort to assist persons interested in a job with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, the district has announced an Application Support Open House event. On Wednesday, August 7th the interested persons can drop in and receive personalized assistance with the application process as well as potentially have onsite interviews. Human Resources personnel will be available to share information on open positions, answer questions, and assist with the online applications.

The deadline to submit a nomination has been extended to FRIDAY, AUGUST 9.

For the second year in a row, the East Bay Leadership Council is teaming up with Diablo magazine to host Threads of Hope, an event honoring volunteers and philanthropic changemakers whose hard work and dedication are making a lasting impact on the East Bay community.

We encourage you to nominate the inspirational volunteers and philanthropists in your life for recognition in Diablo magazine’s December issue and at the 30th Annual Threads of Hope awards.

Please reach out to Mark Orcutt mark@eblcmail.org with any questions about nominations.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Discover & Go is a program that offers free and discounted passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theaters, and other cultural destinations. Explore places like the Bay Area Discovery Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Chabot Space and Science Center, Exploratorium, The Marine Mammal Center, The Oakland Zoo and so many more.

The Library is now offering free Clipper cards for use with Discover & Go reservations to select museums and cultural destinations, while supplies last. County residents who are library card holders and are 18 or older can submit a one-time request for up to two Clipper cards by clicking on the banner ad on their Discover & Go pass for a qualifying attraction.

Visit ccclib.discoverandgo to get started.

Join a presentation from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Lafayette Library on Thursday, August 22 for an eye-opening discussion of the impact of misinformation and disinformation on elections. 

Learn how to spot fake news, fact-check sources and navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape to become a more informed voter and citizen. The presentation by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley will take place in the Homework Center, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.

Register at LAF-misinfo

Contact programs@lwvdv.org for more information.

The Alamo Women's Club (AWC) is having a Jewelry Fundraiser, and proceeds will benefit the AWC and scholarships as they continue their efforts to support the community.

Stop by on Thursday, August 22nd between 10am and 7pm, or Friday, August 23^rd between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Alamo Women's Club is located at 1401 Danville Blvd., in Alamo.

All beautiful costume jewelry starting at $5. Designer jewelry 50% OFF (unless marked “priced as marked”).

First 5 Contra Costa is leading a community planning process to develop a plan to make early childhood education (ECE) services in our county more inclusive for ALL children birth to age 5 with disabilities (diagnosed or undiagnosed), developmental delays, and/or social-emotional concerns. 

Who should attend?

Parents/caregivers with children prenatal to age 5, in addition to other groups such as ECE and early intervention providers, and those who advocate for or have lived experience with inclusion in early care & education, are invited to this community meeting.

Join us and share your insights on this important topic and feedback on the draft recommendations for our county. Input will help guide future investments to address inclusion for young children in ECE settings. At the event:

• attendees will receive a $50 gift card*
• resources to take back to your program
• an opportunity to win raffle prizes 
• dinner, childcare, and interpretation available 

*For the first 100 participants to check in on-site on August 7, 2024

August 7 from 6:30-8:30pm

Pleasant Hill Senior Center

233 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Click Here To Register 



Not available August 7? Join the virtual session on August 15 from 12-1:30pm

Sunday, August 11, from 1 - 3 PM at La Casita Hacienda, 2100 Donald Drive in Moraga

The Moraga Historical Society is doing an outstanding job in sharing pieces of Moraga's fascinating history in this 50th Anniversary Year. Through Speaker Mark Harrigan's stories and videos, you'll learn about the Rheem Bowl, Moraga Barn, Lafayette's Round Up Saloon, Valle Vista, the Moraga Adobe, and the railroad that ran through Orinda. 

Registration is Required, the sooner the better, as these events fill up fast.

The deadline is Sunday, July 28.

• Town of Danville Concerts can be found here.
• The Town of Moraga’s Concert Series Information can be found here.
• City of Orinda Concerts can be found here.
• San Ramon concerts can be found here.
• Walnut Creek concerts can be found here.

Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Public Safety Realignment

Central County Residents Preferred

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Public Safety Realignment was established by the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) Executive Committee in December 2012 to provide input on community needs; assess implementation of the realignment plan; review data on realignment outcomes; advise the CCP on community engagement strategies; offer recommendations for ongoing realignment planning; advise County agencies regarding programs for implementation in the County; and encourage outcomes that are consistent with the County’s Reentry Strategic Plan. 

Submit an Application Online here. Questions? Contact: The Office of Reentry & Justice, by phone at (925) 313-4087.

For more information on CAB membership duties and activities, please visit their website contracosta.ca.gov/4165/Community-Advisory-Board-CAB. 

Mental Health Commission - https://cchealth.org/mentalhealth/mhc/

The primary purpose of the Commission is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and to the Mental Health Division and its staff. Mission Statement: To influence the County's Mental Health System to ensure the delivery of quality services that are effective, efficient, culturally relevant, and responsive to the needs and desires of the clients it serves with dignity and respect; and to be the advocate with the Board of Supervisors, the Mental Health Division, and the community on behalf of all Contra Costa County residents who need mental health services.

Find out more information about volunteering for an advisory body here co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418.