Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services Wants You to Know
Free COVID-19 Testing Available
You Are Not Alone
Let's make a Culver City connection and talk soon. We’ll call you!
Do You Need a Volunteer?
1. The Road to Reopening
Today, along with the State’s COVID-19 Report Card, the California Governor announced that he will release new guidelines on May 7. The guidelines will provide a framework to counties and cities to begin moving into the early phases of Stage Two of the four-stage reopening process (i.e., opening of specific lower risk workplaces with modifications and adaptations). Conditions vary widely across California. As Culver City is nestled in a densely populated county, which has seen over half of the COVID-19 deaths in the State, we will continue to monitor and comply with the guidance of local health officials and move in concert with fellow cities in the region. Currently, the local Safer at Home order is set to expire on May 15. We look forward to sharing additional information as it becomes available.
2. Find Child Care Options Near You
Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new portal to help parents, including essential workers and vulnerable families, find safe, reliable and accessible child care options. The new portal is available online and enables parents to enter their location and the type of care they need, instantly receiving a list of local center-based and family child care programs. The list of open licensed child care programs will include health and safety information, age of children accepted, capacity, availability, hours, and contact information for the program and local Child Care Resource and Referral agency. The Child Care Resource and Referral agencies can answer general questions, including those about child care subsidies.
3. Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services Wants You to Know
Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) wants you to know that if you test positive for COVID-19, your children will NOT be removed from your home.
DCFS is committed to working closely with County partners and allies in the child welfare community to ensure the safety of children during this pandemic and beyond. Moreover, the department and its community partners want to dispel misconceptions and make certain that Los Angeles County residents have the most current information.
In some communities, for example, residents mistakenly believe that if parents or guardians are COVID-positive DCFS will remove children from their care, which is incorrect. COVID status does not put your kids in peril. DCFS is only focused on reports of abuse and neglect.
To address this and other concerns, DCFS has been actively engaged in a robust public information campaign. Most recently, the department issued a public service announcement that calls on residents to make an investment into the welfare of families in our communities by reporting neglect or abuse.
The County of Los Angeles is asking County residents to be observant friends, neighbors or relatives—to ensure children in LA County remain in safe and healthy environments during the COVID-19 health crisis. With increasing pressures deriving from school closures, limited childcare options, rising unemployment rates and fewer social connections, LA County's most vulnerable families are feeling unprecedented stress.
DCFS recently announced the Child Protection Hotline has seen a 50% decline in the number of calls received. Prior to COVID-19, it received approximately 1,000 reports on an average day.
Without calls from observant teachers, childcare or medical providers, LA County social workers are unable to initiate contact and investigate suspected neglect or abuse. That is why we urge residents to be attentive and watchful.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please call LA County's Child Protection Hotline at (800) 540-4000.
6. Let's make a Culver City connection and talk soon. We’ll call YOU!
We want you to know that we are here for you. If you or another Culver City resident would like a check-in call for a quick chat, let us know. Our friendly City staff are making weekly phone calls to any residents 18 and older just to say “hi," see how you are doing, or offer information and resources. You don’t need a reason—we’ll call you. If you would like to sign-up for the weekly phone call program, give us a ring at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM).
7. Do You Need a Volunteer?
If you or someone you know has a non-emergency, non-medical need related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and you would like assistance from a volunteer, please email the City or call the City’s Coronavirus Hotline at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM). If you email or leave a message at the Hotline after hours, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and your need. In an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.