Weekly Update - March 29, 2024

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The Board of Supervisors held their annual Cesar Chavez Celebration on March 26th. At the celebration, the county presented the Youth Hall of Fame Awards to several youth for their accomplishments in serving their community. Pictured on the left, Supervisor Andersen stands with one of the youths from District 2, Aditya Narayan, a Dougherty Valley High School Junior.

Aditya turned a chronic medical condition into a calling. Aditya has spent his own time and money doing extensive research on gastroenterology and developing a support system for others. He interns at Crohn's and Colitis Foundation as a support group facilitator for children ages 11-18, and he has contributed to several gastroenterology research studies, including one published in a medical journal. He is the youngest person to ever be invited to participate in two high level conferences to share his research. Aditya has shown remarkable determination in persevering through the challenges of his medical condition, while also exemplifying empathy for others who face the same challenges.

Other District 2 Youth Hall of Fame Awardees include:

For Teamwork: Neil Chandran, a junior at Monte Vista High School. Neil has a keen interest in being involved in both the community and his school. Neil recently received the Presidential Service Volunteer Gold Award for his work with ACEing Autism.

For Good Samaritan: Nitya Varanasi, a freshman at California High School, Nitya seeks out ways she can volunteer and bring care and comfort to others.

For Innovation and Empowerment: Alice Zhou, a junior at Miramonte High School. Alice founded Finclusion, a non-profit organization that provides fellowships to low income high school students.

Middle School Rising Stars:

For Volunteerism Samhita Chikoti, a 7th grader at Gale Ranch Middle School, has demonstrated exceptional commitment to community through diverse volunteer activities.

For Leadership & Civic Engagement, Dhruv Subramanian, an 8th grader at Windermere Ranch Middle School, is active on his school student council and has pushed for many changes.

Other Contra Costa County High School Awardees:

Volunteerism: Mariella Cajina, Carondelet High School 

Leadership & Civic Engagement: Morelia Gil-Cubillo, Antioch High School

The annual Video Contest, sponsored by Street Smarts San Ramon Valley, was held on March 25th at the Danville Village Theater. The contest offers 6th through 12th grade students the opportunity to create and educate the community on traffic safety issues through videos that are shared online and presented at San Ramon Valley Elementary and Middle School Traffic Safety Education Assemblies.

Supervisor Andersen attended the ceremony as a Street Smarts Advisory Committee Member to recognize and thank all the participants for their submissions.

The Supervisors recognized April as Alcohol and Other Drugs Awareness Month at their March 26th Board of Supervisors meeting. Alcohol and Other Drugs Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase outreach and education regarding the dangers of alcoholism and substance abuse and issues related to alcohol and drugs.

County partners have been reimbursed by FEMA for Covid-19 vaccination clinics administered during the Covid shutdown. FEMA approved 100% of the costs requested from each entity.

Moraga-Orinda Fire District was reimbursed by FEMA, through the county, $17,485.72 for staffing and management of Covid vaccination clinics.

San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District was reimbursed $345,507.29 for the establishment, management and staffing of several Covid vaccination clinics in San Ramon and for staffing throughout the county.

Supervisor Andersen presented the reimbursement check to the San Ramon Valley Fire Governing Board of Directors and management at their March 27 board meeting and retreat in San Ramon.

The City of Walnut Creek, the City of Richmond, El Cerrito Fire, and Rodeo Hercules Fire also received Covid-19 Vaccination reimbursements.

In the photo above with Supervisor Andersen are, left to right, Deputy Chief Dave Garcia, Chief Paige Meyer, Director Donald Parker, Director Ryan Crean, President H. Jay Kerr, Director Matthew Stamey, Director Michelle Lee, Deputy Chief Jonas Aguilar and Fire Marshal Roy Wendel.

The Walnut Creek Watershed Council, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and Contra Costa Resource Conservation District are working together to create a Watershed Restoration Plan for the Walnut Creek Watershed. This Plan will identify restoration opportunities in and near creeks and wetlands to improve natural habitats for fish and wildlife, improve water quality, reduce fire risk, and minimize maintenance.

They are looking for ideas to improve the health of the Walnut Creek Watershed and its habitats. For example, you might know of a location that could be planted with native California plants, or perhaps you know of an area that is having erosion problems. Please complete this brief survey to share your ideas.

The East Bay Innovation Awards is a premier program of its kind that celebrates and honors the extraordinary companies and organizations that contribute to the East Bay’s legacy of innovation. The annual awards ceremony showcases outstanding organizations that embrace innovation in manufacturing, products, services, design, and information.

Pictured on the right, Danville Councilmember Newell Arnerich, Supervisor Andersen and Awardee Tim Haile, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority.

To learn more about the event and learn more about the awardees, go here.

The Draft Contra Costa County 2045 General Plan is the County’s primary policy tool to guide physical changes in the unincorporated areas of the county over the next 20 years. It serves as the basis for planning and infrastructure-related decisions made by County staff and decision-makers. It is built around the themes of environmental justice, community health, economic development, and sustainability.



To learn more, check out the video and then visit envisioncontracosta.

Contra Costa Animal Services is now accepting proposals from qualified organizations for Measure X funding. There is $750,000 in available funding to be utilized over a 36-month period. For more information, please review the Request for Qualifications.

The deadline to receive proposals is April 12, 2024. There will be an online Zoom conference for any groups interested in applying on March 29, 2023, where interested applicants can learn more about the program and ask questions about the proposal process. 

Registration:

Please click here to view the registration portal.

If your organization has previously received funding through the Animal Benefit Fund, click “Login” and provide your login credentials.

For first time applicants, click “Register now” and follow the instructions in this registration guide to register. 

If you have questions or need help registering or logging in, please email S2G@periscopeholdings.com or call (800) 990-9339.

Holi, the vibrant and joyous festival celebrated by millions of people around the world, holds profound cultural significance that is deeply rooted in the traditions of Hinduism. This annual event, often referred to as the “Festival of Colors,” transcends geographical and religious boundaries, embodying the spirit of unity and togetherness. Beyond its religious origins, Holi has evolved into a symbol of inclusivity, bringing together diverse communities in a colorful celebration of life.

You can enjoy the Holi celebration at City Center Bishop Ranch on Apr 7, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., in San Ramon. 

The Contra Costa County Consortium, which includes the cities of Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, and the County of Contra Costa (on behalf of all the other towns and cities in Contra Costa) receive federal HOME, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding every year. Over a five- year-period these funds will total over $50 million!



These federal funds, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can be used to build new affordable housing, rehabilitate homes for lower-income and senior homeowners, improve or construct public facilities and parks, improve infrastructure in lower-income neighborhoods, provide employment training and assistance to small business owners, provide a wide variety of services for lower-income families and individuals, and homeless persons, and much more.

Every five years, the community has the opportunity to help identify its greatest needs and determine how these funds are spent to help address those needs. 

Please take a few moments to complete an online survey. This survey will take approximately 15 minutes, so please be prepared to give it your thoughtful consideration.

Housing & Homelessness Survey

Affordable Housing Supplemental Information (PDF)

Non-Housing Survey

The surveys will be translated in Spanish, Tagalog, and Simplified Chinese. 

In addition, make sure you attend one of several public meetings. Your feedback is part of the process to create the Consortium’s 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan for the use of the funds received from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

South County (San Ramon)

Monday, April 22, 2024 6:00 PM

City of San Ramon - San Ramon Community Center, Fountain Room

12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon, CA

For more information, please call Daniel Davis at (925) 655-2884

East County (Brentwood)

Thursday, April 04, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

City of Brentwood – Community Center

35 Oak St, Brentwood, CA 94513; Room A/B

For more information, please call Daniel Davis at (925) 655-2884

For more information on the five-year planning process and other opportunities to participate, please contact the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development at (925) 655-7208 or visit us on the web at www.cccounty.us/conplan.

The AAUW DAW Branch is pleased to offer three categories of local scholarships to students who are enrolled in an accredited college, university, or technical school. Each scholarship will be an award of $2,000 or more. Applications are reviewed with consideration given to financial need, special circumstances, academic record, work and community activities, along with educational and career goals. 

AAUW DAW Community Local Scholarships – Open to women who will be juniors, seniors, or graduate students for the 2024-2025 school year. Applicants must have attended high school in Danville, Alamo or Walnut Creek, CA, or currently reside in these communities. Applications are due April 30, 2024.

AAUW DAW Renaissance Scholarships – Open to women enrolled at Cal State East Bay and who participate in the Renaissance Scholars Program. They will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the 2024-2025 school year or will graduate from CSUEB and enter graduate school in the 2024-2025 school year. Application is due April 30, 2024.

AAUW DAW Single Parent Scholarship – Open to any student who is a single parent enrolled at Diablo Valley College (DVC) and who has completed at least 12 units.



More information and Application instructions provided at the branch webpage: 

daw-ca.aauw.net/local-scholarships/.

Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Public Safety Realignment

Central County Residents Preferred

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.

Find out more information about volunteering for an advisory body here co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418.