September 21, 2022

In This Issue

CalOptima Health News


Light Up Hope OC for Suicide Prevention Awareness 


CalOptima Health Is a Top

Medi-Cal Plan in California


COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for Kids and the Community


PACE Senior Health and Wellness Event


COVID-19 News


Find a COVID-19 Vaccine


Updated Requirement for K-12 Staff to Test for COVID-19 


Community News

Virtual Presentation on Aging and Homelessness Among Seniors 


Student Bus Pass Program Expands to All OC Community Colleges


Smile California Benefit Presentation


Elder Care Webinar


Self-Advocate Workshop 


Local Car Seat Inspection


Healthcare Transitions for Medicare and Medi-Cal Beneficiaries 

Light Up Hope OC for Suicide Prevention Awareness 

In observance of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, CalOptima Health joins Orange County Health Care Agency and other community partners for Light Up Hope OC from September 19–23, a campaign to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children 10–14 and adults 25–34. Throughout the week-long campaign, more than a dozen locations across Orange County, including CalOptima Health’s main building in the City of Orange, will be lit up with purple and teal spotlights, the colors of suicide prevention awareness. The campaign will also feature video public service announcements from local leaders as well as online resources for the community at LightUpHopeOC.com.

CalOptima Health News

CalOptima Health Is a Top Medi-Cal Plan in California

For eight years in a row, CalOptima Health is proud to be recognized as a top Medi-Cal plan in California by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The agency received a rating of 4 out of 5 in the NCQA Medicaid Health Plan Ratings 2022, reflecting quality in terms of preventive care, treatments and customer satisfaction. No other Medi-Cal plan in California earned higher than 4 out of 5. As Orange County’s largest health plan, serving 1 in 4 residents, our community is healthier thanks to the outstanding care from our providers and partners.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for Kids and the Community

Coronavirus Immunization_ Covid-19 Vaccine. Doctor vaccinating child at clinic. Little girl getting flu shot. Pediatrician examining kid and giving injection. Corona virus prevention. Health care

Protect your children and family before the winter COVID-19 season. CalOptima Health invites community members age three years and older to get their vaccine or booster on the following dates:


• Wednesday, September 21, from 2–6 p.m.

Pio Pico Elementary School

931 W. Highland St. Santa Ana, CA 92703

• Saturday, October 8, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Villa Fundamental Intermediate School

1441 E. Chestnut Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92701


CalOptima will be on-site to check CalOptima Medi-Cal eligibility, give $25 Member Health Rewards to eligible members and host a resource table. View the event flyers in English/Spanish and English/Vietnamese. Register at 1-714-834-2000 or www.othena.com. Registration is highly encouraged


Medi-Cal and CalFresh enrollment will be available on-site.

PACE Senior Health and Wellness Event

Join CalOptima Health PACE for a Senior Health and Wellness event on Saturday, October 1, from 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. The event will provide information about the PACE program and offer facility tours to prospective participants and their families.

COVID-19 Updates
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine
Collage of portraits of an ethnically diverse and mixed age group of people showing their shoulders with band-aids on after getting a vaccine.

The Orange County Health Care Agency makes it easy for individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine. There are several ways to find an appointment.


Vaccinations are also available for anyone who is homebound, and transportation services are available for those who need a ride to a vaccination site. If you need help scheduling a vaccination appointment, call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at 714-834-2000.

Updated Requirement for K-12 Staff to Test for COVID-19 

Happy school teacher or psychologist and two girls listening to schoolboy idea

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that school employees who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer have to undergo weekly testing as of September 17. The requirement for K-12 staff to show proof of their vaccination status or get tested weekly had been in place since August 2021, based on a public health order issued by CDPH. 

Community News

Virtual Presentation on Aging and Homelessness Among Older Adults

A virtual presentation on “Aging and Homelessness: A Local Perspective” will be held on Thursday, September 22, from Noon–12:45 p.m. This event is part of the United Way’s Community Chat series and will cover the issue of homelessness in the senior and older adult population, what this growing trend means for the Orange County community and what is being done to address it. 


Guest speakers include:


• Kelly Bruno-Nelson, CalOptima Health Executive Director, Medi-Cal/CalAIM 

• Santa Bob, Lived Experience Advisory Committee Member, Orange County Continuum of Care 

Student Bus Pass Program Expands to All OC Community Colleges

Youth Lifestyle. Positive asian guy standing in public transportation_ wearing headphones holding takeout cup and handle_ drinking coffee_ riding to university looking out of window_ banner_ panorama

All nine community colleges in Orange County are now on board for the College Pass Program, a shared-cost program allowing enrolled community-college students to travel free on any OC Bus fixed route. The program helps students access higher education, employment and recreational opportunities across Orange County.

Smile California Benefit Presentation

White healthy tooth_ different tools for dental care. Dental background.

Join Smile California for a Medi-Cal dental benefit presentation via Facebook Live at 1 p.m. The English presentation will be held on September 28 and a Spanish presentation will be held on September 30. Smile California will discuss Medi-Cal dental benefits and answer questions about the program. Individuals who stay for the full presentation will be entered into an opportunity drawing to win a $50 gift card.

Elder Care Webinar

Video Conference Work Webinar Online At Home

Join the Women Transitional Living Center (WTLC) as they host an online webinar on the signs of elder abuse and tackle barriers to health care access. The webinar will take place on Thursday,

October 13, from 1:30–3 p.m. See the event flyer and register for the webinar.

Self-Advocate Workshop 

Webinar Online Internet Website Web Page Concept

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is hosting a series of online training for adults, youth, self-advocates and their families. The next training session will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 11 a.m.–Noon and will include a discussion on emergency preparedness. To learn more about the sessions, view the workshop flyer.

Local Car Seat Inspection

Community members are encouraged to participate in a local car seat inspection on September 24, from 9:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m., at the Bonita Canyon Sports Park. Technicians will help with child safety seat installations and inspections. This event is by appointment only with limited registration times available.

little cute girl in cap sitting in the car in child safety seat and smiling

Healthcare Transitions for Medicare and Medi-Cal Beneficiaries 

Save the date for the Healthcare Transitions for Medicare and Medi-Cal Beneficiaries information session, on October 25, from 9–10:30 a.m. Registration and meeting link will be made available later.

How to Contact CalOptima Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
CalOptima Health Customer Service remains ready to respond to member needs as we adhere to guidelines to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. Our building is closed to visitors. 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. Members can also visit www.caloptima.org and access their member portal.
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