August 2023 E-Newsletter

Meet Our Newest Board Members

Reinaldi Gilder 

Reinaldi is a Training Instructor based in Oakland with a deep passion and strong commitment to helping others. He has a wealth of experience in the mental health field, from providing peer support to consumers to providing training and education to mental health professionals. He recently passed the exam for California's Mental Health Services Authority's Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification and also has certifications in Violence Prevention Strategies and Community Inclusion, among others.

Outside of work, Reinaldi enjoys volunteering with local organizations and participates in community events to raise awareness around mental health issues and promote mental wellness.

Brian Berry

Brian is a dedicated professional with a robust operations background, specializing in facilitating meaningful connections between individuals in need and service providers. Having worked for a for-profit organization, he was instrumental in training and deploying social service outreach specialists to guide and support those seeking assistance.

Hailing from the East Bay, Brian's lifelong residency in the region has given him a deep understanding of its unique challenges and opportunities. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is an engaged community member and finds fulfillment in giving back. As an involved volunteer in public education, he actively contributes his time and efforts to support the growth and development of students at his child's school.

Lola Allen

Lola is passionate about giving back to her community. She's worked with the underserved community as a Community Outreach Coordinator throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and as a Peer-to-Peer Advisor with Alameda County, as well as a Berkeley Community College Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Ambassador. Previously, she has served as an In-Home Supportive Services Facilitator/Trainer with Alameda County Public Authority and Care Partners where she participated in the team that was awarded the CSAC Challenge Award.

Lola is an Army Military Veteran and understands the unique challenges of Veterans. In addition to peer-to-peer work, Lola has done extensive advocacy and outreach about Advanced Care Directives. Lola is also a California Notary Public and a distinguished Toastmaster.

If you are interested in board service, please contact Eden I&R’s Executive Director, Alison DeJung, at adejung@edenir.org. You can read more about the volunteer role here.

Highlights from Landlord Appreciation Day

Members from Eden I&R/211 Alameda County's Housing team recently represented the agency at the Oakland Housing Authority's Landlord Appreciation Day. You can see some photos of the event below!

Visit our website here if you're a landlord who would like to list with us. For more housing resources, visit achousingchoices.org and housing.acgov.org.

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Ending

LIHWAP is a temporary, federally-funded COVID-relief program to help low-income households with a one-time payment on their water or sewage bill, which may have accrued during any time frame. Assistance is in the form of direct payment to the participating water or wastewater service. Eligibility is based on the household’s total monthly income. Applicants can apply simultaneously to LIHWAP and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program ends on December 31, 2023, or when federal funds have been depleted, whichever comes first. Learn more here.

Countywide Area Plan for Older Adults Survey

Every four years, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) prepares a Countywide Area Plan for older adults to determine current and future needs for residents aged 55+ and bring Alameda County closer to its goals as an Age-Friendly Community. The AAA provides the services and a community partner network, including the Advisory Commission on Aging, community-based organizations, public agencies, and the private sector. Taking the survey can help create an area plan that reflects seniors' unique needs, visions, and perspectives.

Hayward Operated Paratransit (HOP) Survey

The City of Hayward and Nelson\Nygaard are evaluating the HOP program through a new survey, and they want to hear from you! Your response will help them understand and improve mobility options for people with disabilities and older adults in Hayward. They aim to bring together targeted residents, community organizations, and transportation/city staff to identify transportation challenges and develop key strategies to overcome them. The survey is quick, easy to complete, and available in multiple languages.

Mobile Crisis Services Survey

Our partners at the Crisis Support Services of Alameda County are doing a Community Feedback Survey regarding mobile crisis services in Alameda County, and they need your input! They are seeking feedback on experiences people have had with mobile crises as a consumer, family member, or provider. They also want to hear from those without direct experience and capture their hopes and vision for this vital service.

Job & Volunteer Openings

We are pleased to announce a new job link on our website where you can see and apply for any postings Eden I&R is directly hiring for. You can also register to be notified of any future openings as well! Check out our open roles here and below.

211 Caller Resource Specialist (CRS): Under the direct supervision of 211 Contact Center Managers, the CRS will address clients' concerns over the phone and through text and provide needs assessment and referral. Learn more.

Senior Accountant: The Senior Accountant will oversee the contracts and grants invoicing, accounts payable, reconciliations, and financial statements. This position reports to the Director of Finance and Administration and supervises the Bookkeeper. Learn more.

Volunteers: As an Eden I&R / 2-1-1 Alameda County volunteer, you can help connect people to valuable resources in the community. Get involved.

Community & Event News

Team 211 at Congreso Familiar

Gracias to Congreso Familiar for having us at their in-person conference for families with a child, children, or a family member with an intellectual or developmental disability. The conference is entirely in Spanish and holds workshops on special education, regional center services, In-Home Supportive Services, and many more.

Two Eden I&R / 211 Alameda County staff members were at this event, tabling at the resource fair and presenting a workshop on disaster preparedness. We were happy to be able to support this event, helping the Access and Functional Needs community know where to find resources more efficiently and how to become prepared for any emergency.

To have our Outreach Team attend your next community event, please get in touch with Bridget at bschultz@edenir.org.

A woman called 211 looking for housing resources. She told 211 staff that she’s been sleeping in a tent in Fremont for several months. She also said she had already enrolled with Abode Services but had not gotten an update. 211 staff helped her reconnect with Abode Services. Further, since she had previously been incarcerated, staff provided a warm handoff to Sister to Sister 2, Inc., which offers reentry programs for women. 211 staff also provided several referrals to her via text, including a referral to Destiny Builders – Renovating Within for transitional housing.



Read more 211 call examples.

211 By the Numbers - July 2023

211 Alameda County:

5,606 conversations handled

11,734 referrals provided

Additional July & Year-To-Date 211 stats

Demographics:

73% female

28% single mothers with minor children

52% living with disabilities

Average Call Length:

6:38 minutes

Average Wait Time:

2:03 minutes

Services Database:

80 agency record updates

193 program record updates

Housing Database:

228 units added

1,697 records updated

Website page views:

49,048

Website Sessions/visitors:

14,753

AHIP (AIDS Housing Information Project)

AHIP (AIDS Housing Information Project) offers housing and human services resource referrals to People Living with HIV/AIDS via a designated phone line and through one-on-one, in-person assistance at clinics and AIDS Service Organizations.

Last month, AHIP provided 47 housing referrals and 30 referrals to services. AHIP completed 1 permanent housing placement. Year to date, AHIP has provided assistance to 13 unduplicated clients.

"I received great service, and 211 answered all of my questions that I needed. Your team referred me to somebody who can help me out. I do appreciate the help."

Partner Spotlight - The American Indian Child Resource Center

August is American Indian Heritage Month, and we are highlighting The American Indian Child Resource Center (AICRC) as our partner spotlight. AICRC is an American Indian-led, American Indian-serving, 501(c)3 non-profit community service organization focusing on American Indian foster care, mental health, education & cultural protective factors. AICRC was founded in 1974 and is an established leading organization in American Indian youth services and delivering best practice programs for positive cultural identity and belonging. You can learn more about them by visiting their website.

www.edenir.org