Weekly Update - March 10, 2022 |
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Students in K-12 No Longer Required by the State to Wear Masks |
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Students in K-12 schools and childcare settings in Contra Costa County will no longer be required by the State to wear masks indoors after March 11, although masking will continue to be strongly recommended. State health officials announced the upcoming shift in school masking policy on Monday as COVID case and hospitalization rates continue to rapidly decline.
Contra Costa County Health chose not to impose any stricter restrictions, but school districts can still choose to require indoor masking even though the state and county are not mandating it. School staff and students can also choose to continue wearing masks if they feel safer doing so. People at schools and childcare facilities should wear masks if they were exposed to someone with COVID for up to 10 days.
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COVID Cases Continue to Decline |
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Because so many people are now being diagnosed with home test kits, and those cases are seldom reported, these numbers are likely higher. |
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It is estimated by our Health Officer that approximately 50% of COVID hospitalizations are for patients who have been admitted for COVID, and the other half were admitted for something else and then found to be infected during intake screening. For more data and information about current COVID rates in California, please go to coronavirus.cchealth.org. |
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Free Covid-19 Home Test Kits and
Free Expired N95 Masks Available for Pickup
During Select Hours at Our Danville Office
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We have a supply of Covid-19 home test kits. If you have a need for tests, please come to our Danville office, 309 Diablo Road, Monday - Thursday between 9am and 3pm to pick up test kits. They will be available as long as our supply lasts.
More reliable PCR testing continues to be available for free by appointment only at various County sites. More information about where to get tested can be found here: coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-tested. |
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We also have a large supply of expired N95 masks. They can no longer be used for medical purposes per the FDA but can still be used in non-medical settings as regular disposable masks.
They are available for pick-up from our Danville office, Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. until the current supply is gone. No appointment or reservation is needed.
Please do not park in the spaces marked "Diablo Physical Therapy" and be courteous to our neighbor businesses.
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Federal Government Offering Free Covid-19 Home Test Kits |
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Every home in the U.S. can order eight free COVID-19 home tests (click to order online or call (800) 232-0233. Households can place a total of two separate orders for free, at-home COVID-19 rapid tests (four tests per order). If an order was previously placed for your address, you can place a second order now.
People with private, employer-sponsored, and student health commercial health insurance can request reimbursement for over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022. The cost of home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs).
Each Medi-Cal beneficiary can now go to a Medi-Cal Rx pharmacy, show their Medi-Cal Benefits ID Card, and have up to 8 over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests covered each month. If you have Medi-Cal and purchased over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests between March 11, 2021, and January 31, 2022, call the Department of Healthcare Services at (916) 403-2007 for more information about getting reimbursed.
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Schedule Your Booster Today |
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Everyone should stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination by getting boosted when they are eligible. Boosters give critically important added protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
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Board of Supervisors Elects to Hold Meetings
In-Person Beginning March 29
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At the virtual March 8th Board of Supervisors meeting, the Supervisors voted to return in-person to the Board chambers beginning with the March 29th Board of Supervisors meeting.
The public will be welcome to attend the meetings. However, the call-in or Zoom options will still be available for those who do not wish to attend in person.
You can watch the meetings live via Zoom by going to contra-costa.granicus.com and finding the link on the current meeting agenda, or watching Contra Costa Television (CCTV) online here. Or watch on your television - CCTV broadcasts on channels Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, and WAVE 32.
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Cesar E. Chavez Celebration will be LIVE and In-Person in the Board of Supervisors Chambers |
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Please join the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, for the 28th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Celebration. This year’s theme is Move Our Community Forward – Adelante Por Nuestra Comunidad Avanzando Nuestras Generaciones con Unidad, Advancing our Generations with Unity.
Each year during the ceremony, we honor a group of students as part of the Youth Hall of Fame Awards. Please join us to celebrate this year’s winners.
The celebration can also be viewed on Contra Costa Television (CCTV). CCTV broadcasts on channels Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, and WAVE 32.
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Spring into Gear - Help the Homeless |
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As we move forward past a two-year pandemic, there are increasing numbers in our homeless communities. VESTIA is Springing into Gear to help whenever and wherever they can, with your help of course.
To learn more, or for how to donate go to VESTIA.
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They are in great need of male and female hygiene kits. To order the kits go to Much needed items. |
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Updated Court Masking Policy Effective March 1, 2022 |
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Effective March 1, 2022, members of the public who are fully vaccinated will be permitted to enter and remain in all Court facilities without a mask. “Fully vaccinated” means a person has received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines. Individuals should bring proof of vaccination status with them and must provide it upon request by any Court staff.
Unvaccinated individuals must continue to mask in Court facilities. Compliant masks must be clean, completely cover the nose and mouth, and do not include neck gaiters (regardless of double layering), masks with valves or other holes, bandanas, or face shields. The Court will provide compliant masks upon request.
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NorCal FIRST ALARM Girls Fire Camp |
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Veterans' Voices Show Honors Those Taken Prisoner
or Lost in War
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On Monday, March 14th, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., the Veterans’ Voices show on “Prisoners of War and Those Missing in Action Remembered” will feature the stories of prisoners of war (POW) and examine the continuing effort to locate Americans missing in action (MIA). The live panel will include Ann Mills- Griffiths, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the National League of POW/MIA Families, and Robert Certain, the National Commander of American Ex-Prisoners of War. The panel will also feature ex-prisoner of war Obie Wickersham and author Jerry Whiting. There will also be an exclusive interview with Gary Powers Jr., the son of cold war era U2 pilot Gary Powers.
Viewers can share their own experiences or ask a question by calling into the program at 925-313-1170. They can also use the phone number to record a message for the panel any time prior to the show. Leave questions and comments at facebook.com/veteransvoices1 or email [email protected] prior to or during the live television show.
The Veterans’ Voices program is broadcast live on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) on the second Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. It can be seen live online at facebook.com/veteransvoices1. You can find an archive of past shows and show resources at contracosta.ca.gov/Veterans-Voices. The show is re-run multiple times on CCTV on Comcast Channel 27, Wave Channel 32, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99.
Veterans’ Voices is honored to highlight the stories of prisoners of war and remember those still missing. We can never forget the sacrifices of American military men and women. We must never lose our resolve to bring home those who gave everything in service of our country.
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The 2022 East Bay Innovation Awards returns in-person to the historic Fox Theater in Oakland on August 4, 2022. 2022 Now through March 25 you can nominate companies and organizations for the 10th annual ceremony.
The East Bay is a world-class leader when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship. Often referred to as the “Academy Awards of the East Bay,” the East Bay Innovation Awards is the premier program of its kind that celebrates and honors extraordinary companies and organizations that contribute to the region’s legacy of innovation. Here are a few helpful tips for nominations:
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Registration is required. If you nominated last year, your login is the same and you can reset your password.
- Nominations are accepted for any entity or individual with an HQ or operations in the East Bay (Alameda or Contra Costa County).
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You can preview application questions in advance of your online submission.
- Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged.
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Visit the FAQ for additional information.
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Bye Bye Mattress Recycling Program is in Contra Costa County – free drop-off of mattresses and box springs. Visit ByeByeMattress.com.
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Survey - Help Shape the Contra Costa County Office of
Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ)
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Please fill out a survey to help inform the launch of the Contra Costa County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ).
In November 2020, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized the development of ORESJ. The goal of ORESJ is to enact and sustain principles, policies, practices, and investments that are racially just and equitable across all County departments and divisions.
The implementation of the ORESJ is being informed through an engagement process with residents, organizations, and efforts across the County. After an initial phase that engaged over 400 people on their experiences, hopes, needs, concerns, and priorities, the next phase hopes to reach wider and deeper across all our diverse communities.
Your input will inform the recommendations on the structure, staffing, and priorities of the ORESJ. These recommendations will be presented to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors this summer. For your time and contribution, you will receive a $25 gift card for completing the survey. Details are provided in the survey. Please share with others who live or work in Contra Costa in your family, community, and networks.
At this time, you can access the English and Spanish versions of the survey. It is being translated into other languages that include Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese Tagalog, Arabic, Farsi, Punjabi, Hindi, and Russian.
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Contra Costa County Public Works Seeks Input on the Contra Costa County Active Transportation Draft Plan |
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Contra Costa County Public Works Department has been working on its first active transportation plan to address the walking biking, and rolling needs for our unincorporated communities. They have just released the draft Plan and are asking for public input and comments through Monday, March 21, 2022.
They want to know if these recommendations address locations where you’ve experienced concerns and if there are additional infrastructure, or program recommendations you would like to see made. Visit www.activecontracosta.org to learn more about the project and to access the draft Plan. You can use the PDF comment tool to review the DRAFT and leave your comments directly on the PDF. The draft Plan PDF will also be available for download.
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SPRING into the Cleaner Contra Costa CHALLENGE! |
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Sustainable Contra Costa needs your help to reach its goal to save 1,000 tons of C02 (currently at 840 tons) and 2,500 households participating (currently at 2,387) in the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge by May 31st. Each NEW action you complete can earn you one entry into the monthly drawing. Take three new actions, get three entries into the drawing! Encourage a friend to sign up and get two entries! Actions can be as easy as Eating Lower Down the Carbon Chain or getting a Home Energy Check-Up. At the end of each month, five winners will be drawn to win a $20 Ace Hardware gift card*.
Bonus: Anyone who participates in the Spring Challenge can pick up a free yard of mulch at EcoMulch! Complete at least one new action and show your completed action picture to the EcoMulch staff. Get your garden in shape for the spring!
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Town of Danville Launches Housing Site Suggestion Tool for the Housing Element Update |
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Residents are invited to help identify and suggest sites that they believe should be considered for housing development using the interactive Housing Site Suggestion Tool.
All recommended parcels will be evaluated against State Department of Housing and Community Development (State HCD) parameters and local considerations to determine their viability as a suitable site for potential development.
Danville has been assigned the task of planning for at least 2,241 new homes in the next eight-year Housing Element cycle (2023-2031). To do so, the Town, along with all other California communities, must identify the locations that could accommodate new housing development.
How Can I Get Involved?
Contribute your ideas on the most appropriate locations for new housing development by simply dropping a pin on the sites you recommend. You're welcome to suggest any sites. All sites will be evaluated against criteria defined by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (State HCD) to determine if a site is viable for development.
You can also join us for one of the workshops to learn how to use the Housing Site Suggestion Map.
Wednesday, March 9 @ 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Thursday, March 17 @ 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Saturday, March 26, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon (In-person at the Veterans Memorial Building)
Monday, March 28, 12:00 noon (Zoom), designed for the business community and co-hosted with the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Community Invited to Lend-A-Hand
Spend a day helping Danville seniors with home projects
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Community volunteers are being sought for the 18th annual Lend-A-Hand Day on Saturday, April 23, 2022. This event is designed to help local Danville seniors with basic yard clean-up, such as mowing, raking, and weeding.
The Town of Danville, along with an estimated 150 volunteers, will join forces to provide this service and help neighbors in need. Volunteers ages 13 years and older are encouraged to register at www.danville.ca.gov/volunteer.
Community members not able to volunteer on Lend-A-Hand Day can still get involved with other upcoming volunteer opportunities. The Town is also seeking volunteers for upcoming special events, including Eggstravaganza, May 4 Be with You, Kids Night Out, or ongoing programs at the Danville Senior Center or the Village Theatre & Art Gallery. It’s a great chance to serve your community and get involved.
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Contra Costa Crisis Center is Offering
Suicide Prevention Presentations
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Would You Like to Serve on the County's
Treasury Oversight Committee?
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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking individuals with sound knowledge and experience in the field of public and private finance, to serve on the Treasury Oversight Committee (Committee) for the Alternate seat representing the County Board of Supervisors and two Public Representative Seats for terms May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2026. To be considered, candidates must be County residents, may not be employed by an entity that has contributed to the reelection campaign of the County Treasurer or a member of the Board of Supervisors in the previous three years, may not directly or indirectly raise money for the County Treasurer or a member of the Board of Supervisors while a member of the Committee and may not work for bond underwriters, bond counsel, security brokerages or dealers, or financial services firms with whom the county treasurer does business, either during his or her tenure on the committee or for one year after leaving the Committee. (Government Code §27132.3).
The Committee meets at 3:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month following each quarter at 625 Court St, Room B001, Martinez, CA 94553. Each meeting lasts approximately one hour. Currently, meetings are conducted via teleconference per Government Code section 54953(e). The Committee’s duties include reviewing and monitoring the County Treasurer’s annual investment policy, and ensuring an annual audit is conducted to determine the County Treasurer is in compliance with Government Code §§27130-27137. The annual audits, meeting agendas and minutes of the Committee are available online: contracosta.ca.gov/690/Treasury-Oversight-Committee. Members of the Committee receive no compensation for their service.
Application forms can be obtained from the Contra Costa County Clerk of the Board by calling (925) 655-2000 or by clicking on the following link: Submit an Application Online. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board, County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553 no later than Wednesday, March 23, 2022 by 5 p.m. Interviews will be held at the Internal Operations Committee (IOC) meeting, which will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on April 11, 2022. More information about the Treasury Oversight Committee can be obtained by visiting the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/690/Treasury-Oversight-Committee.
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Contra Costa County Juvenile Justice
Commission Seeks Members
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Are you interested in being involved in your community by providing citizen oversight for youth who are caught up in the juvenile justice system or placed in congregate care (i.e., group homes)? Joining the all-volunteer Contra Costa County Justice Commission is a rewarding opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth!
PURPOSE: The Commission’s purpose, as defined by state law, is to be a public conscience in the best interest of justice for youth in the county.
WHAT WE DO: The Commission reports to the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court for the county and makes recommendations to the Probation Department related to public policy regarding in-custody and at-risk youth. Our primary responsibility is to provide citizen oversight of the juvenile justice system, which includes inspecting juvenile hall, police departments holding youth, and group homes in the county.
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMMITMENT: You must be a Contra Costa County resident to be considered for appointment to the Commission, and you cannot be a current employee of the County. Commissioners must be willing to attend a monthly Commission meeting and will be expected to help conduct between four to six weekday inspections of juvenile institutions throughout the year with another Commissioner.
HOW TO APPLY OR LEARN MORE: The Commission meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6 PM at the Walnut Creek Superior Court, Department 38, 640 Ygnacio Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek, CA. Feel free to come and observe our public meetings.
Applications are always accepted for Commissioner vacancies. To apply, please visit www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/2335/Juvenile-Justice-Commission. Following a successful interview with members of the Commission, qualified candidates will be reviewed by the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge for an appointment to the Commission.
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Contra Costa County
Hazardous Materials Commission Seeks Applicants
Do Hazardous Materials Policy Issues Interest You?
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The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission is seeking applicants to fill a General Public Alternate Seat.
You may apply if you …
- live or work in Contra Costa County;
- have demonstrated interest in hazardous materials issues;
- have an awareness of, and interest in, the principles of Environmental Justice as defined in County policy;
- can periodically attend regular Commission meetings and a monthly Committee meeting when needed.
The Commission is a voluntary body appointed by the Board of Supervisors and makes policy recommendations to the Board and County staff on issues concerning hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
The Commission’s 14 members and alternates serve four-year terms and include representatives of industry, labor, civic groups, environmental organizations, environmental engineers, the general public, and the Mayors Conference.
To obtain an application form, or for further information, contact Michael Kent, Executive Assistant to the Commission, at (925) 250-3227 or [email protected]. Applications may also be obtained from the Clerk of the Board located at 1025 Escobar Street 1st Floor, Martinez CA 94553.
You may also submit an application by mail, e-mail, or online:
Applications must be received by May 1, 2022, and if mailed, mailed to the Clerk of the Board.
Interviews for qualified applicants will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on May 13, 2022, via Zoom unless otherwise notified.
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Opportunity to Serve on the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Advisory Committee
IHSS Public Authority Poised to Fill Several Vacancies
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The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority Advisory Committee currently has four (4) volunteer vacancies for individuals who are current or past users of IHSS or Personal Attendant Services. Individuals who are in the following categories can fill the vacancies:
- Consumer 60 or Older - Two (2) vacancies
- Consumer Any Age - Two (2) vacancies
Additionally, there are two (2) District volunteer vacancies representing Districts II (Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Danville, and Canyon), and District V (Hercules, Martinez Pittsburg, Antioch). Individuals residing or working in either of these two (2) Districts, with professional experience in the following categories, may apply:
- Senior Advocate
- Advocate for Younger Persons with Disabilities
- Representative from the Developmental Disability Community
- Social Worker
- Nurse
- Representative from a Community Based Organization
- Representative from a Home Health Agency
- Current or Previous IHSS Provider
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors established the IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee in March 1999. The IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee provides advice and assistance to the Board of Supervisors and the staff of the IHSS Public Authority regarding the IHSS program and policies of the IHSS Public Authority. The Public Authority recruits and screens home care providers, maintains a registry of providers, refers providers to consumers and enrolls all IHSS providers on the State Payroll.
The Advisory Committee is comprised of eleven (11) members, six (6) who use, or have used, IHSS or Personnel Attendant Services, and five (5) who have professional experience in the health and human services fields.
Individuals who reside or work in Contra Costa County who are interested in applying for these Volunteer Vacancies on the IHSS Public Authority Committee can obtain an application from Monique Rodriguez by calling (925) 363-6670 or emailing [email protected].
Applications should be returned to the IHSS Public Authority as soon as possible. All applicants will receive acknowledgement in writing. Following the review of applications, the review committee will forward recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for appointment.
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District 2 Volunteer Opportunities |
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Now is a great time to consider ways you might want to give back to your community. 2020 saw our advisory bodies pivot to virtual meetings, which has continued throughout 2021 and into 2022. The benefit of these meeting platforms is that more people can participate than ever before.
If you are interested in participating in government, then perhaps one of these volunteer opportunities are of interest to you:
Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B/APSAC)
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.
2 Alternate Seats
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo community for police services.
County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only. One alternate seat available)
The P-5 Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.
In-Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee (IHSS)
1 Seat
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