We love our volunteers! Their commitment to helping our neighbors live healthier, longer and more productive lives is one of the things that makes our community great. We’ll be highlighting our incredible volunteer efforts all week through our social media channels in celebration of International Volunteer Appreciation Week April 17-23, so share, comment on and like your favorites! Thank you to our volunteers! |
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Welcome to Volunteer Appreciation Week! |
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Thank You to Our Volunteers! |
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Random Acts of Kindness
In April, we celebrate volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in their communities. Giving your time and heart to others in this way is the ultimate act of kindness. Please share your story of how volunteering has made a difference in your life or the lives of others here.
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Beach Cities Health District Receives $1 million from Congress for allcove Beach Cities
BCHD received good news when President Joe Biden signed the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package into law earlier this month, which includes $1 million for the allcove Beach Cities center. Funding for the integrated youth mental health center is one of ten community projects that were requested and championed by Congressman Ted Lieu to serve California’s 33rd Congressional District.
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Apply for a Micro-Enrichment Grant
BCHD's micro-enrichment grants provide small, one-time project-based health initiatives up to $5,000 of funding. Micro-enrichment grants are intended to support small community projects that may otherwise not be funded by other means. Community organizations and groups, non-profit organizations and individuals are eligible to apply. Applications are due by noon on Friday, April 29. Learn more.
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Apply for a BCHD Advisory Committee
BCHD Board of Directors is seeking qualified residents of the cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach to serve on its advisory committees. Committee members have a direct impact on the health and wellness programs and services BCHD provides to the community. Applications are due by noon on Monday, May 2. Learn more.
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Celebrate a World of Flavors:
Mediterranean Cuisine
“Celebrate a World of Flavors” is a chance to learn more about your own food culture and those around you. Learn how to eat a well-balanced meal with lots of flavors!
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California Mosquito Awareness Week is April 17 - 23
Protect yourself from mosquito-borne viruses by preventing mosquito bites:
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Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents that contain 5-30% DEET, picaridin, IR3535, citronella or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read and follow label instructions. Find the right insect repellent for you by using EPA’s search tool.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks when outside.
- Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.
For more tips and information on West Nile Virus, click here.
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Update on the BA.2 Variant in Los Angeles County
As BA.2 is now the predominant subvariant in Los Angeles County and across the world, getting boosted and following all safety measures are critical to protecting residents at elevated risk. The BA.2 subvariant now accounts for 67% of sequenced specimens in the County for the week ending March 26. This highly infectious subvariant has also been identified in 86% of cases across the U.S., according to the CDC, and it accounts for 92% of global cases.
With BA.2 now the predominant subvariant, over the past week, Los Angeles County continued to see the same pattern as last week, with cases increasing, and hospitalizations and deaths remaining stable.
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CDC Recommends Additional Boosters for Certain Individuals
Following FDA’s regulatory action on March 29, CDC is updating its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Separately and in addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
These updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations including those who are elderly or over the age of 50 with multiple underlying conditions, along with the currently available data on vaccine and booster effectiveness. Read more.
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Los Angeles County Post Surge Response Plan
The Los Angeles County Post Surge Response Plan, which aims to protect the most vulnerable residents, keep hospitals and the healthcare system functioning, prevent unconstrained spread and significant illness, and prepare for future challenges presented by the evolving conditions of the virus, uses several metrics to assess risk. These metrics are tied to associated community prevention strategies and early alert signals that trigger a review of contributing factors and potential changes to community and sector-specific prevention strategies.
The County recognizes that post-surge does not imply that the pandemic is over or that there will not be additional unpredictable waves of surges that will require different monitoring metrics and approaches to meet changing mitigation needs.
Los Angeles County’s Early Alert Signals allow the County to quickly determine any concerning trends that can result in future higher rates of transmission and/or increased illness severity. These signals include three community-wide measures: variants of concern (or VOCs), Emergency Department COVID-19 visits and cumulative crude case rate in high poverty communities. The signals also include four sector-specific measures, which are: new outbreaks at Skilled Nursing Facilities, new outbreaks at TK-12 schools, new outbreaks at settings with Persons Experiencing Homelessness and clusters at worksites.
If there are alerts in two or more sectors, which reach the threshold for moderate or high concern, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will conduct an in-depth review of contributing factors and consider changes to community prevention strategies. Sector-specific alerts that reach the threshold for moderate or high concern will result in mitigation measures that are tailored to that setting.
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AdventurePlex
Where kids and families play their way to good health
- Summer camp
- Drop-in play
- Birthday parties
- Supervised weekend play so parents can have a night out
- Special events
- ToddlerTown play area
- 5-level play structure
- Programs for ages 0-12
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Center for Health & Fitness
Our comprehensive fitness center in Redondo Beach
- Cycling, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, strength & other exercise classes
- Online exercise classes
- Classes for older adults
- Programs for chronic conditions
- Access to trainers
- Massage
- Nutrition consultation
- Access to state-of-the-art gym equipment
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Virtual Families Connected Parent Chat
A free parent support group led by a licensed professional from the Thelma McMillen Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment at Torrance Memorial Medical Center held in partnership with South Bay Families Connected. Open to all parents.
Tuesdays
10 – 10:50 a.m.
Upcoming Topics
April 19: Getting Your Child to Open Up About Drug and Alcohol Use
April 26: Helping Youth De-Stress in Healthy Ways
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Virtual Social Hour with BCHD Care Manager Charlotte Barnett
We want to provide a space for people to talk, ask questions and share their experience during COVID-19. Join us if you want to learn more about community resources or BCHD, or if you just want to connect! Open to all.
First & Third Tuesday of the Month
(April 19)
Now 10 – 11 a.m.
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Virtual BCHD Board Meeting
BCHD holds public board meetings at 6:30 p.m. every month (except Aug. and Dec.). Details about the meeting and agenda can be found online.
Wednesday, April 27
6:30 p.m.
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Virtual Peer 2 Peer Talk with Dane and Bruna Zaun
This engaging discussion, facilitated by Kevin Sousa, MFT, will cover mental health and the challenges both Dane and Bruna have faced in their personal lives as well as the pressures of being a professional surfer and evolving in their careers. Additional topics will cover mental health, feelings, thoughts, anxiety, depression, emotional crisis and how to navigate all this as an adolescent and young adult.
Thursday, April 28
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Submit questions for presenters here.
These questions will be addressed anonymously during the Q&A portion of the presentation.
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Virtual Mindfulness Drop-In
Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques. The guided session will be led by a trained Beach Cities Health District instructor.
First Wednesday of the Month
(May 4)
4 – 4:30 p.m.
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Virtual Happiness Chats
This is a casual discussion group with light-hearted activities to spark conversation. Share ideas, tips, resources, jokes, quotes – anything that supports our happiness!
Second Tuesday of the Month
(May 10)
12:30 – 1 p.m.
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