December 30, 2020
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Vaccine development and testing have proceeded rapidly in the U.S. and two vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use and distribution through a phased approach. Currently, we are in Phase 1a, with vaccines prioritized for first responders and high-risk health care workers.

The COVID-19 vaccine is a very important tool to help end the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit covid19.ca.gov/vaccines for information on the State’s plan for distribution in California. Click here for COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions by the OC Health Care Agency.
Orange County Vaccination Timeline
Social Services Agency to Close Public Assistance Lobbies
Effective December 29, 2020 the County of Orange Social Services Agency
(SSA) will close its four public assistance lobbies as a precautionary measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Instead, it will have SSA eligibility staff stationed in front of the Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana Regional Centers with limited functionality Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will provide critical benefits assistance to individuals who may not have access to telephone or internet services.

Effective December 31, the Aliso Viejo Regional Center (AVRC) will close its doors with staff and services transitioning to the Laguna Hills Regional Center (LHRC), located at 23330 Moulton Parkway, which is scheduled to re-open on January 4, 2021. The LHRC lobby will remain closed. However, eligibility staff will be stationed in front of the office starting on January 4, 2021 to provide the same services as the Regional Centers listed above.

SSA’s other office locations will remain closed and services currently provided by appointment only will continue.

The same services being provided from the regional offices can be done at www.mybenefitscalwin.org or the SSA Call Center at 800-281-9799. SSA urges OC residents to use go online or call, if possible.

Click here to access the press release.
COVID-19 Crisis Counseling Program (CCP)
The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS), is seeking proposals from potential contractors with the experience and expertise to rapidly implement the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) to provide non-clinical emotional and crisis support in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated stressors.

The RFP application will close on January 8, 2021. For more information, click here. 
Help Promote Flu Vaccinations! 
Help promote flu vaccinations and click here  for free educational materials for download for physicians, long-term care providers, local community organizations, and beneficiaries to promote flu vaccinations.
California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program 
The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program provides grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses and nonprofits in California. Nonprofits in either 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) categories with yearly gross revenues of $2.5 million or less may be eligible.
 
Applications will open on December 30, 2020 and will close January 8, 2021.

To learn more about the application process, click here.
Department of Education Offers Mini Grants to Educators to Address Equity and Opportunity Gaps
State Superintendent of Public Instruction announced that California school districts and charter schools can apply for mini grants to address equity and opportunity gaps in student learning.

Announced earlier this month as part of its ongoing efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic’s continued impact on students, the California Department of Education (CDE) will award grants of up to $20,000 each to schools, districts, and charter schools that can demonstrate how they will address equity and opportunity gaps by utilizing the funds to target educators’ or students’ needs in distance learning, in-person instruction, or hybrid models.
The application process and criteria were emailed to all county and district superintendents and charter school administrators in California, and the deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021.

All questions regarding the mini grant process can directed by email to equitygrants@cde.ca.gov.
CalOptima Regulatory Alerts
Due to the rapidly changing situation surrounding COVID-19, CalOptima is posting a roundup of federal/state rules, guidance and news related to COVID-19. It will be updated frequently.
 
Below are the recent COVID-19 Regulatory Highlights:

  • CDPH SNF Conference Call Notification Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 12/21/20)
  • DHCS COVID-19 Vaccine Update (posted 12/18/20)
  • CDPH All Facilities Letter – AFL 20-48.3 Transfers to Low Acuity Alternate Care Sites During COVID-19 (posted 12/17/20)
  • CDPH HCF Conference Call Notification Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 12/16/20)

Providers and other health care professionals with questions can contact CalOptima Provider Relations by phone at 714-246-8600 or email at providerservices@caloptima.org.
How to Contact CalOptima During the COVID-19 Pandemic
CalOptima Customer Service remains ready to respond to member needs. Members can call Customer Service from the safety of their home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak their language.

  • Medi-Cal toll-free: 1-888-587-8088
  • OneCare Connect toll-free: 1-855-705-8823
  • OneCare toll-free: 1-877-412-2734
  • TTY 711
  • PACE: 1-714-468-1100; toll-free: 1-855-785-2584
  • PACE TTY: 1-714-468-1063

Our buildings are closed to members but we are continuing to serve our members through our Customer Service phone lines, as we adhere to guidelines to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.

CalOptima
505 City Parkway West
Orange, CA 92868
 
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
13300 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove, CA 92843
 
County Community Service Center
Limited community partners are providing services on-site. CalOptima services are being provided remotely to ensure the safety of our members and employees.
15496 Magnolia Street, Suite 111
Westminster, CA 92610

For CalOptima specific updates on COVID-19, please visit our home page at www.caloptima.org.

National information can be found on the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.coronavirus.gov and local information can be found at the Orange County Health Care Agency (OC HCA) website at www.occovid19.ochealthinfo.com.
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