• “We must take ourselves and political considerations out of the center of the circle and place our children in the middle. Until we do that, we will continue to rob our poor and homeless children from one of the greatest remaining equalizers and catalysts of hope that our nation has, education.” Read Jennifer's Op-Ed Here.

• Most teachers and school staff who are back in the classroom feel comfortable with the return to in-person classes, according to recent polling from the American Federation of Teachers. California schools should reopen to ensure equity for children as the state’s rates of positive COVID-19 cases continues to plummet. 

• Closed schools harm children, especially poor and multiracial children. 45% of California youth between 12 and 17 report having recently struggled with mental health issues. Poor, multiracial, gender-nonconforming and foreign-born young people experience higher rates of mental health distress. While there are numerous causes of this distress, it is clear the pandemic is impacting adolescents’ emotional well-being. It is crucial that we open schools now. 

• For now, the county remains in the most restrictive purple tier, but its metrics have improved for five straight weeks.

• The map was released by state officials on Friday. An interactive version lets viewers see which grade levels are in-person vs. hybrid vs. remote. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal chronicles nationwide feuds between parents and teachers over school reopenings. And, in Northern California, parents chipped in for an Amber Alert-style billboard that says, “Missing: All CA Students, last seen 3/13/20.”

• Feeling anxious about new experiences is normal for kids, just as it is for adults. Sometimes, people need a little extra help managing their anxiety. Our experts have compiled a few helpful tips in a handout designed just for kids and teens.

• Each year, as terms of various members expire, a recruitment process is conducted to fill vacant positions on the Taxpayer Oversight Committee. This recruitment process typically takes place during spring with final selection in June. Recruitment is currently taking place for openings in the First, Second, Fourth, and Fifth Supervisorial Districts. Applications are due by May 2, 2021. Interviews will be held via Zoom. Interviews will be conducted between May 5th – 13th with final selection taking place at the OCTA Board of Directors meeting on June 28, 2021. Learn more!

• A COVID-19 vaccination site is now open at Santa Ana College for residents hit hardest by the pandemic in Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana. All vaccination points of distribution provided by the County are by appointment only. The site will run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Learn more. 

• OC Forum and Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce will host “The Future of Diversity” today at 12:00 p.m. Join this critical discussion of the impacts of racism and the importance of diversity in all aspects of OC’s community, from schools to businesses to nonprofits. Register here. You can also watch live on YouTube or Facebook. 

• On February 18, OC Realtors will host a webinar featuring Lucy Dunn, OCBC President and CEO, providing businesses with information to guide them towards reopening sooner and safer. Find out what strategies will set your business up for success! Register here. 

• Join Anaheim Chamber to learn about Round II of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The Chamber will welcome experts from American Lending Center to discuss updated regulations for new borrowers, changes for existing PPP borrowers and how to apply. The free webinar will be held on Thursday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m. Register here. 

• State leaders announced that they have reached an agreement on an immediate $9.6 billion relief package for Californians experiencing pandemic hardship. The package includes direct, one-time $600 payments to those with incomes below $30,000, allocates more than $2 billion in grants up to $25,000 for small businesses, tax cuts allowing businesses to deduct up to $150,000 in expenses covered by PPP and EIDL funds, and more. Read more. 

• The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)—an incentive for employers to broaden their job applicant pools and hire from certain groups of people who may need assistance finding jobs—has been reauthorized and extended through the end of 2025. Learn more. 

• Santa Ana Chamber and JobzMall are establishing the first job finding platform tailored for the City of Santa Ana. The platform will empower students, job seekers and hiring managers in Santa Ana by connecting them with video resumes, video cover letters and video job ads for the post-COVID economy. This includes a local Talent Pool so that job seekers can directly send resumes to hundreds of companies with one click. Visit the website here. 

• OC Supervisor Doug Chaffee's new Small Business Grant Relief Program for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 serves the cities of Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, parts of Buena Park and unincorporated communities. Grant awards are set at $5,000. To learn more and apply, click here.

• SCE Small Business Resources
• Small Business Development Center
• SBDC Resources for Small Businesses
• Go-BIZ FAQ for Small Businesses
• UCI Free Small Business Toolkit

• With more and more people receiving vaccines, the end of remote learning is in sight. But schools will still need to implement COVID-19 mitigation strategies, according to doctors from UCI Health. In this episode of the UCI Podcast, Dr. Dan Cooper and Dr. Chulie Ulloa discuss school reopenings and the impact of distance learning on children.  

• Orange County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with Orange County Workforce Development Board, launched the OC One-Stop Mobile Unit to provide access to education and training services traditionally offered by the OC One-Stop Center for youth, adults, dislocated workers and businesses while preparing the workforce for post-COVID-19 return. Services range from career training, local hiring events and more. Read more. 

• Anaheim Convention Center Test Site: Appointments Required.
• Testing Basics: COVID-19 Test Options.
• Free testing in OC: How to access.
• DO IT! Where to get tested in OC: Find a testing site near you. 
• OC Testing Sites: Appointment & walk-in resources.
• Public & private sector testing: Contact your provider today.
• COVID-19 Hotline: For general questions & information call: (714)-834-2000.
• OC Health Care Agency: Data Dashboard featuring confirmed COVID-19 cases.

• Southern California Edison invites you and your colleagues to join them for their annual Black History Month Celebration! SCE is planning an exciting morning of entertainment, inspiring speakers and recognition of business leaders. Register for the virtual event here. 

• Coca-Cola Company announced the debut of a 13.2-oz bottle made from 100% recycled PET plastic. This bottle uses less plastic and offers a convenient portion size. This innovation and others will result in a 20% reduction in the company’s use of new plastic in North America and reduce 10,000 metric tons of GHG emissions annually in the U.S. Read more.