Biweekly Third District Update

County of Riverside California - External sent this bulletin at 04/15/2021 11:06 PM PDT
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Supervisor Washington

From the Desk of

Chuck Washington

Dear Third District Resident,

The Riverside County Third District Supervisor’s Office is working remotely to answer questions about property taxes, COVID-19 restrictions and testing, social-service benefits and other County-related matters. Staff members are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call 951-955-1030 or send an email to d3email@rivco.org, and someone will be in touch with you promptly. You may also visit our Facebook and Instagram pages (@supervisorchuckwashington), Twitter page (@SupWashington), and website (www.SupervisorChuckWashington.com).

Sincere regards,

Chuck Washington

A woman holds pink cotton candy and looks up at a Ferris wheel.

Tier Update

Riverside County is currently in the State’s orange tier. To advance to the yellow tier, we need to have a case rate of fewer than two cases per 100,000, a positivity rate of less than two percent, and a positivity rate of less than 2.3 percent in our most disadvantaged communities. Riverside County will need to remain in the orange tier for a minimum of three weeks and meet the yellow tier metrics for two of those weeks before advancing further.

As of Tuesday, April 13, 2021, our adjusted case rate per 100,000 residents is 3.6, our positivity rate is 2.0 percent, and the positivity rate in our most disadvantaged communities is 2.3.

California plans on moving beyond the colored tier system soon. On June 15, California will fully reopen its economy across the state if:

  • There is enough vaccine supply for Californians 16 years and older to be vaccinated; and
  • Hospitalizations rates remain stable and low, especially among fully vaccinated Californians.

Common sense health measures, including wearing masks, will continue. Testing and vaccination requirements will remain for some businesses and industries.

 
County of Riverside Seal

Riverside County COVID-19 Update

As of Thursday, April 15, 2021, there have been 297,078 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County. There have been 4,519 deaths and 290,356 recoveries. For more detailed data on the County’s COVID-19 cases, visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus. For state updates, visit www.cdph.ca.gov, and for national updates, visit www.cdc.gov.

The County of Riverside is still conducting COVID-19 tests! If you would like to make an appointment to receive a COVID-19 test, visit https://gettested.ruhealth.org/home.
A closeup of a microscopic viral organism.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

The County of Riverside has temporarily placed a “pause” on the administration of Johnson and Johnson vaccines at its clinics, following a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Riverside County health officials said there have been no reports of the rare, severe illness like those described in the CDC guidance among the 19,424 doses of Johnson and Johnson that have been administered in the county. There are no warnings of similar issues with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine that is also available for use.

Currently, the County of Riverside is vaccinating everyone ages 16 and up. Teenagers who are 16 and 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and register for a vaccination clinic that offers the Pfizer vaccine. At this time, the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines have only been approved for individuals age 18 years and older.

To make an appointment, visit www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine. Seniors who need assistance making an appointment can call 951-867-3895. Press one for English or two for Spanish, then press one for vaccine assistance.
1,114,720 vaccine doses received; 1,321,789 vaccine doses administered; 230 state-approved providers with vaccine

 

As of April 13, 2021, 39.7 percent of Riverside County residents are partially or fully vaccinated (773,990 residents), and 22.6 percent are fully vaccinated (440,377). To see a larger image, click on the picture.

A syringe draws liquid out of a small glass vial.

Two Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Planned for the Third District

  • In an effort to bring COVID-19 vaccines to every community in Riverside County, Public Health continues to schedule mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout the Third District.
  • The times, dates and locations of upcoming Third District vaccine clinics are listed below.
    • Idyllwild – The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at Idyllwild Elementary School (26700 State Highway 243, Idyllwild). There are still appointments available! To register for an appointment, visit https://tinyurl.com/ywskcn7d or call 2-1-1. Seniors can call 951-867-3895. **This vaccine clinic was originally scheduled to distribute the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, but due to federal recommendations, Riverside County has temporarily paused the distribution of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.**
    • Winchester – The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 20 at the Francis Domenigoni Community Center (32665 Haddock Street, Winchester). No appointments necessary! If you have questions, you can call 2-1-1. Seniors can call 951-867-3895.
NextDoor

Supervisor Washington is Now on Nextdoor!

  • Supervisor Washington now has an active NextDoor account.
  • The account will be used to provide timely information about County programs and events in your neighborhood.
  • Please note that the account cannot access your information or see any posts made by you or your neighbors. It is limited to distributing information only, and the comment section will be turned off.
  • This account will be run by Third District Communications Director Sarah Rodriguez.
  • Want to know what's going on in your neighborhood? Visit Nextdoor.com or get the Nextdoor app, available on iOS and Android.
A woman takes an online survey using a laptop.

Riverside County Launches Survey for Vaccine Feedback

  • Riverside County has launched an online survey that seeks input from residents regarding their views about the COVID vaccine.
  • The survey is part of an effort to better understand the public’s feelings about vaccination and the experiences they have had with coronavirus to this point.
  • Online questionnaires are often used by health officials to assess communities’ health needs by analyzing trends and sentiments among residents, allowing for the distribution of resources and services.
  • The brief survey may be completed online in just five minutes and poses questions that gauge residents’ level of information about vaccination and whom they consider the most trusted voices when deciding matters related to the pandemic.
  • The survey is available in both English and Spanish, and all answers are confidential.
  • The community survey may be accessed using the following link: https://bit.ly/2OKLuj4.

Through It All: DPSS and Partners Collaborate to Prevent Child Abuse/Neglect and Bring Help to Victims

Riverside County has joined counties across the nation in recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, emphasizing the vital role community partnerships play in preventing abuse and neglect before it starts.

More than 3 million cases of suspected abuse and neglect are reported annually nationwide Nationally, about three of every four cases reported are due to neglect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the annual cost of treating victims of abuse rivals other high-profile public health conditions such as stroke and diabetes.

Despite the statistics, advocates say abuse and neglect can be prevented. DPSS has forged partnerships with civic, nonprofit and faith-based agencies to prevent abuse and end generational trauma and violence. The partners bring resources to help at-risk families learn new solutions and help victims find healing and new paths forward when abuse and neglect occur.

“Each child deserves to live in a healthy and supportive community that is committed to acting and safeguarding against emotional, physical and sexual abuse,” said Charity Douglas, assistant director of Children’s Services. “We are that community.”

Dr. Sophia Grant, medical director for the Riverside County Child Assessment and Sexual Assault and Forensic Examination teams at Riverside University Health System Medical Center, said every child deserves to be respected and to be believed.

Grant likened the interdisciplinary work of partners who prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect to that of a puzzle.

“Nobody is more important. Without one person, we are incomplete,” she said.  “Together, we form a complete picture.”

Report suspected case of child abuse or neglect by calling the 24-hour Riverside County Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-442-4918. Outside of Riverside County, please call the National ChildHelp Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

 

Five woman stand outside of a building. One holds an official-looking framed document.

 

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, recognized by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (March 30). Key partners in the effort to raise awareness and prevent  child abuse and neglect are pictured from left: Tammi Graham, executive director First 5 Riverside; Dr. Sophia Grant, chief of medical services for Riverside County Child Assessment Team at RUHS Medical Center; Charity Douglas, assistant director Children’s Services; Sayori Baldwin DPSS director and assistant county executive officer; Dariana Ortiz, program services administrator

A smiling man and a woman hold their daughter between them. They hold cardboard boxes and stand in an empty apartment.

REMINDER: Riverside County Offers $1,000 per Unit to Property Owners Who Help Families

  • Property owners in Riverside County who rent their units to families participating in the CalWORKS Housing Support Program may qualify for a $1,000 incentive.
  • The Housing Support Program helps families with children find stable housing while receiving workforce training and supportive services during the pandemic.
  • Officials say they want to house at least 200 families before the program expires at the end of June.
  • Property owners and/or CalWORKS customers interested in the incentives and supportive services should contact the CalWORKS Housing Support Program by calling 833-391-0506 or emailing hsp@rivco.org.
A row of pastel apartments with neatly lined plants decorating their exteriors.

REMINDER: Rental Assistance Now Available Through United Lift

  • Applications for United Lift rental assistance are now available to Riverside County residents.
  • Eligibility is limited to renters in Riverside County with a current lease agreement who are earning 80 percent or below of the area’s median income and can document a loss of income due to COVID-19 economic impacts that leave them unable to make their rent.
  • The program will continue until funds are depleted, or until December 31, 2021, whichever happens first. More information on eligibility guidelines and the application portal can be found at UnitedLift.org.