Reminder: August 25 Weekly Update

Weekly Update - August 25, 2023

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Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

Nominate Those Working to Address Homelessness

Every November, for Homelessness Awareness Month, the Council on Homelessness recognizes outstanding individuals, groups and projects for their work addressing homelessness in Contra Costa. Please nominate from your community!

Nominations are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023

People may nominate themselves or their own projects/programs for any of these categories.
Recipients will be publicly recognized in the Homelessness Awareness Month toolkit and potentially in other public venues.

Email contracostacoc@cchealth.org or text or call 925-464-0152 with any questions.

Calling All Contra Costa County Artists

Applications are now open for the California Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowships Program in northern California, including Contra Costa County.

Deadline is September 30. Awards range from $5,000 to $50,000.

California-based artists and culture bearers, 18 years of age and older, working in any artistic discipline, whose residential address is in the area designated as Region IV, are eligible to apply. Artists residing in or primarily working in other areas of California are eligible to apply for the Individual Artist Fellowship Program in their region. For more information, please visit https://arts.ca.gov/.

August Everyday Adoptions!

Join the Contra Costa Animal Shelter for this limited-time opportunity to adopt from Animal Services every single day of the week, through the end of August. In addition to their regular business hours (Tues-Sat), they’re providing special adoption-only hours on Sundays and Mondays through the end of the month at the Martinez shelter, located at 4800 Imhoff Place.

Hours:

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.

*These hours are for the month of August only.

To view animals available for adoption, please visit the Available Animals Page.

Adopted animals may be sent home at the time of adoption, or they may be required to stay for pickup at a later date.

This is an adoption-only event, there will be no animal intake on Sunday or Monday.

Contra Costa County Seeks Applicants for

African American Holistic Wellness Hub Steering Committee

Contra Costa County is undertaking a process to develop a Feasibility Study for an African American Holistic Wellness Hub. The findings and recommendations of the Feasibility Study will provide guidance to the Board of Supervisors in their decisions regarding next steps in the development of an African American Holistic Wellness Hub for Contra Costa County. The Hub, which may include multiple sites, is intended to provide space for culturally appropriate and community-defined services that will welcome, support, heal, and empower the African American community in Contra Costa County.

As part of this process, Contra Costa County will establish a 13-member ad hoc African American Holistic Wellness Hub Steering Committee to guide the Feasibility Study planning effort through a representative, inclusive, and extensive community engagement process. The Steering Committee will provide input and collaboration to County staff and the contracted Feasibility Study developer, ensuring the community voice is represented through the process and the outcomes.

We welcome your application to serve on the Steering Committee. We are recruiting individuals with direct experience of system harms and inequities who are committed to eliminating racial disparities and improving outcomes for everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, the faith community, transition-aged-youth, and the formerly incarcerated.

The deadline to submit applications for consideration is September 8, 2023. Applications will be considered by the Board of Supervisors Equity Committee composed of Supervisors Federal Glover and John Gioia. To submit online applications, an application form is available at: contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter. Applications can also be emailed to clerkoftheboard@cob.cccouty.us or mailed to the Clerk of the Office of the Board of Supervisors at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553.

Contra Costa Office of the Sheriff Accepting Applications for the Fall 2023 Citizens Academy

15th Annual Sustainability Awards Gala

Sustainable Contra Costa will present the Leadership in Sustainability Awards at the 15th Annual Awards Gala on September 19th. This fun and inspiring event supports and celebrates local individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions and commitment to a healthy environment, economy, and society - so that Contra Costa remains a wonderful place for generations to come.

Early Bird tickets on sale now! Save $15 each if you purchase by September 4th.

The event at the beautiful Pleasant Hill Community Center will begin with a reception where guests will enjoy food, wine, and beer from local, sustainable Partners, as well as a silent auction featuring local goods and services. Cocktail attire. The reception is followed by dessert and the presentation of awards. REGISTER HERE.

SRVUSD Seeks Parcel Tax Oversight Committee Members

San Ramon Valley Unified School District is seeking members for its Parcel Tax Oversight Committee.

The nine-member (plus one alternate) committee provides oversight for the Board of Education to ensure that the funds are spent as intended by the voters of the parcel tax. The committee meets at least twice per year and reports on an annual basis to the Board and community on how the funds have been spent. All meetings are open to the public.

Currently there are openings for three member positions and one alternate to be appointed by the Board of Education at their regular meeting on October 10, 2023. Parcel Tax committee members serve a two-year term. They cannot be compensated and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. Members must reside within the boundaries of the SRVUSD and must be registered voters. SRVUSD employees or officials of the district, as well as vendors, contractors and consultants are not eligible to serve as members.

Applications are available on their Parcel Tax Committee webpage. The deadline for submitting the application is 3:00 p.m. on September 11, 2023. For additional information, please contact Sandra Corsetti in the Business Office, at scorsetti@srvusd.net.

Save The Date!

Walnut Creek Recruiting for Measure O Citizens'

Oversight Committee

The City of Walnut Creek is establishing a committee to provide oversight of spending for Measure O. This measure was passed by voters last November to raise the sales tax by one half-cent for ten years to fund important community projects and services.

Each year, an independent auditor will complete a public audit report of the revenue raised and how it is spent. The Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee will review the revenues and expenditures and report publicly regarding the accuracy of the auditors’ findings. The Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee will prepare a written report annually that will be presented to the City Council at a public meeting.

The Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee will consist of five members who are Walnut Creek residents or represent a business located within the City limits if they are not residents of the City themselves. At least one member of the Committee will need to have a financial or accounting background. The Committee will be appointed by the City Council and will meet in public at least twice per year. For full details, please click here.

To be considered for this volunteer position, a completed application must be submitted no later than the deadline date of 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults -

Your Voice Matters

The first-ever statewide needs assessment for Californians aged 55 years and older just launched. The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA) is not just another survey; it's your chance to shape the future. Designed by experts and backed by solid statistical validity, CASOA empowers you to voice your needs and preferences. We're committed to improving programs, supports, and services that cater to your unique requirements.

CASOA isn't just another survey – it's a gateway for you to shape the path ahead. Meticulously crafted by experts and underpinned by unwavering statistical rigor, CASOA empowers you to share your needs and preferences. Tell us what you need today and in the years ahead so that CDA can enhance or develop programs, supports, and services to help you and the millions of other Californians over the age of 55.

We understand that surveys can sometimes feel complicated or intrusive. We respect your privacy and ensure that your responses remain confidential. This survey is also a significant opportunity to gather information about sexual orientation and gender identity, ensuring that healthcare remains patient-centered and of the highest quality across California.

Your insights matter. To participate in the survey, follow this link:

Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults

CASOA is available online in multiple languages - English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, and Arabic. If you need any technical support in accessing the survey, please email us at: casoa@polco.us. For any other questions about the survey, please call 916-970-9948.

Join the Annual Orinda Celebration Honoring Volunteers

Fish and Wildlife Accepting Grant Applications

The Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee is now accepting applications from individuals and groups interested in enhancing the fish and wildlife resources of the County. Grant applications must be received by September 27, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.

During the 2023 grant cycle, a total of $71,045 was awarded to 10 projects. The awards ranged from $1,015 to $15,100.

Application materials may be obtained on the Fish and Wildlife Committee website or by contacting Maureen Parkes of the Contra Costa County Conservation and Development Department by phone at 925‐655‐2909 or by e‐mail at maureen.parkes@dcd.cccounty.us.

Opportunities to Serve on Contra Costa County

Boards and Commissions

Alamo Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC)

Youth Representative Seat

To advise on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within Alamo, which includes parks & recreation, lighting & landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation.

Find out more information about volunteering for an advisory body here co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418. To apply online go to www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/.

Affordable Housing Finance Committee (AHFC)

The Contra Costa County Internal Operations Committee (IOC) of the Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications from individuals to fill vacant positions for the AHFC:

Central County (Unincorporated) Representative,
At-Large/Community Representative.

Applicants must:

Be a resident of Contra Costa County in one of the above vacant residency membership categories.
Have professional experience in the field of affordable housing finance, design, development, or property management.

To obtain an application for or further information, contact Kristin Sherk, staff liaison to the AHFC, at 925-655-2889 or Kristin.Sherk@dcd.cccounty.us. Applications may also be obtained from the Clerk of the Board located at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553.

For more information, visit contracosta.ca.gov/AHFC. A fillable application is available on the website for your convenience.

Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Public Safety Realignment

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Public Safety Realignment was established by the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) Executive Committee in December 2012 to provide input on community needs; assess implementation of the realignment plan; review data on realignment outcomes; advise the CCP on community engagement strategies; offer recommendations for ongoing realignment planning; advise County agencies regarding programs for implementation in the County; and encourage outcomes that are consistent with the County’s Reentry Strategic Plan.

The Community Corrections Partnership is seeking applications for (1) Voting Member and up to (3) Alternate Member seats on the CAB.

For more information on CAB membership duties and activities, please visit their website contracosta.ca.gov/4165/Community-Advisory-Board-CAB.

Submit an Application Online here. Questions? Contact: The Office of Reentry & Justice, by phone at (925) 313-4087.

Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Commission

The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission seeks applicants for two open alternate seats.

The commission is a voluntary body appointed by the county Board of Supervisors that makes policy recommendations to the board and county staff regarding hazardous materials and hazardous waste. The commission’s 14 members and alternates serve 4-year terms and include representatives from industry, labor, civic groups, environmental organizations, environmental engineers, the public and elected officials.

Open seats include the General Public Alternate and Environmental Organization Alternate seats. Alternates must be prepared to fill in as needed when commission members are not available to attend or vote.

Applicants must live or work in Contra Costa, have a demonstrated interest in hazardous materials issues, an understanding and commitment to the principles of environmental justice as defined in county policy, and be able to attend monthly meetings as needed. Candidates for the Environmental Organization Alternate seat should represent an environmental organization to which they belong.

Applications are available from Michael Kent, the executive assistant to the commission, at 925-250-3227 or mkent@cchealth.or g, or from the Clerk of the Board at 1025 Escobar St., First Floor, in Martinez.

Applications may be submitted by email or by mailing them to the clerk of the board. An online application form is also available at contracosta.ca.gov/3418/Appointed-Bodies-Committees-Commissions.

The deadline to apply is August 31. Interviews for qualified applicants will take place between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on September 8.