Healthy Living Campus Takes Steps Forward
The transformation of our aging 11-acre campus in Redondo Beach into a modern, intergenerational Healthy Living Campus has taken some major steps in recent months.
Specifically, a 1,178-page Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which assessed the potential environmental impacts of the proposed campus and mitigations to reduce them, was certified by the BCHD Board of Directors in September. In November, following 3 ½ hours of presentations, public comments and deliberations, the Board approved the campus project.
Both actions received 5-0 votes by the publicly-elected BCHD Board of Directors.
Next steps include the selection of an operator for the Residential Care of the Elderly facility and awarding a design-build construction contract, with a tentative start for construction in 2023.
The approved project features:
- A Youth Wellness Center (for ages 12 – 25)
- At least two acres of active open green space
- Residential Care for the Elderly (reduced from 420 units to 217, including memory care)
- Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, an out-patient program that includes medical care, medication management and adult day health care services.
- A new energy-efficient, seismically compliant facility
- Bike and pedestrian paths
- Programmable space for community services and activities, creating greater access to BCHD’s robust preventive health benefits
- Building height limited to 83 feet and under (the tallest building on the current campus is 76 feet)
- Buildings shifted to the north behind the Vons center and away from the Torrance-facing east side of the campus
- Minimized construction time: five years in two phases (originally nine years in three phases)
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How to Celebrate the Holidays Safely
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends if you're gathering with anyone at higher risk of severe illness or who is not fully vaccinated, celebrate safely outdoors as much as possible, wear masks when indoors and keep your distance while eating/drinking, or even consider getting together virtually. In addition to gathering safely, avoid crowded places and wear your mask when in crowded outdoor settings. If you are traveling, follow all local and national public health vaccination, testing and quarantine guidelines.
Guidance for People who are Unvaccinated
Unvaccinated people are at higher risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 to others, creating additional risk for holiday gatherings where not all attendees are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and plan to visit family or friends during this winter season, here are ways to layer on protection for yourself and your family and friends:
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Get vaccinated now or as soon as possible. (For all COVID-19 vaccines, you are only considered fully protected two weeks after all doses are complete.)
- Avoid crowded or poorly ventilated areas.
- Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth when gathering with others, especially if you or they are not fully vaccinated or are at increased risk of severe illness if they get infected (older adults or have underlying health conditions).
- Keep distance while eating unless everyone is fully vaccinated.
- Take a COVID-19 viral test before joining others if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or have been in crowded indoor places in the past two weeks.
- Stay home if you are sick, have symptoms or test positive.
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Preparing for the Omicron Variant
While the Delta variant remains the dominate variant detected among Los Angeles County residents and continues to account for 100% of cases sequenced, the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) identified by the World Health Organization in South Africa as a “variant of concern” is being closely monitored. The first confirmed case of the Omicron variant was detected in California on December 1.
Although more studies are needed to determine whether the Omicron variant is more contagious, more deadly or resistant to vaccine and treatments than other COVID-19 strains, as with any variant of concern that is found in other countries, there are important steps we all need to take to protect ourselves from COVID-19 and from emerging variants of concern.
The most important strategy remains making sure that everyone 5 years and older gets fully vaccinated or receives their booster dose as quickly as possible to reduce transmission of the virus currently dominating across the county. The vaccines are effective against the Delta variant and earlier strains of the virus which allows us to remain hopeful that the approved vaccines will also provide some protection against Omicron.
However, given that there continues to be substantial transmission of COVID-19 and we have uncertainty about the level of vaccine efficacy against this new variant of concern, all residents across the County need to be sure to adhere to the masking requirements and wear a mask when indoors or at large outdoor mega events regardless of vaccination status. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) continues to strongly recommend that individuals wear a mask when at any crowded indoor or outdoor events. Residents are reminded that they are legally required to isolate if they have a positive COVID-19 test result and that vaccinated close contacts with symptoms and unvaccinated close contacts need to quarantine. Testing is an important tool in early detection of infection to reduce spread and Public Health encourages residents who have traveled for the holidays to get tested if they traveled internationally or to locations in this country with high transmission rates, or they participated at gatherings and events with large numbers of people, some of which may be unvaccinated.
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Single Dose Vaccine Appointments for Children Ages 5-11 Available through December 9
Walk-ins are also accepted.
Please note, if you are receiving your first dose at a clinic from now through Dec. 9, you will need to schedule your second dose at another location.
There is no group/family registration. If registering more than one child, please make an appointment for each child. These clinics are only for children ages 5-11. Vaccines for 12+ will not be offered at these clinics.
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Percent (%) of population 5+ vaccinated with at least 1 dose
As of November 21, 2021
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Service Enterprise Recertification
BCHD was awarded Service Enterprise Recertification from Points of Light Institute. BCHD was originally certified with the agency in 2017. A Service Enterprise is an organization that fundamentally leverages volunteers and their skills across all levels of the organization to successfully deliver on its social mission.
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Covered California Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment for Covered California is open! If you're in need of health insurance, make sure to sign up before the Jan. 31 deadline. BCHD is also available to help and offering FREE enrollment appointments.
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Kindness Counts
Join City of Manhattan Beach Mayor Hildy Stern and BCHD for Kindness Counts. Submit your kindness story and help to build a kinder world, one story at a time.
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Center for Health & Fitness
- Indoor Gym Floor Exercise Equipment Reservations
- Indoor/Outdoor Group Exercise Classes
- Virtual Classes
- Yoga & Pilates
- Massage
- Personal Training
- Small Group Training
- 65+ Programs
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AdventurePlex
- Drop-in Play
- Seasonal Camps
- Weekend Camps
- ToddlerTown
- 5-level play structure
- Birthday Parties
- Special Events
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Virtual Social Hour with BCHD Care Manager Charlotte Barnett
With many senior centers closed and many older adults unable to socialize, 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
(December 7)
11 a.m. – 12 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
(December 14)
12:30 – 1 p.m.
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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 – 11 a.m.
*No session on December 21 & 28
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Need Help?
If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs help with health-related information and referrals, please call our Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, and press option 1, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit us online at bchd.org/resources.
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