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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 (SupervisorChuckWashington.com).
Sincere regards,
Chuck Washington
Reopening Update
We are less than three weeks away from California’s full reopening on June 15. Assuming sufficient vaccine supply for everyone and consistently low and stable COVID-19 hospitalizations, all industries may return to usual operations. There will be exceptions for large-scale, high-risk events. For instance, unless vaccination or testing status is verified, conventions will be capped at 5,000 attendees until Oct. 1. In addition, face coverings will not be required for fully vaccinated individuals except when using public transportation, when required by your workplace or when required by local regulations or businesses. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your single dose of Johnson and Johnson or two weeks after your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna.
In anticipation of the state’s reopening, the state has announced “Vax for the Win,” a new multifaceted vaccine incentive program designed to motivate Californians to get their vaccination. All Californians ages 12 and up who are at least partially vaccinated are automatically eligible for the cash prize drawings taking place in June. Thirty winners in total will be selected for the “$50,000 Fridays” cash prize drawings on June 4 and June 11, totaling $1.5 million. On June 15, $1.5 million will be awarded to 10 lucky Californians – for a grand total of $15 million in cash prizes. Winners must complete their vaccination in order to claim their prize. If someone under 18 wins, the cash will be put in a savings account for them until they turn 18.
Beginning on May 27, the next two million people who begin and complete their COVID-19 vaccination will automatically be eligible to receive a $50 prepaid or grocery card, worth a total of $100 million. Californians will receive a text message with an electronic prepaid card redemption code sent to their mobile phone or email address 7 to 10 days after their two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna, or single dose of Johnson and Johnson. An incentive card will be held for those who start their vaccination at the launch of the program. Those who do not have a mobile phone or email address can receive a physical card by calling 1-833-993-3873, 7-10 days after receiving their final dose. Those without a permanent address can also call to coordinate delivery. For more information on these vaccination incentive programs, visit covid19.ca.gov/vax-for-the-win.
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Riverside County COVID-19 Update
As of Thursday, May 27, 2021, there have been 300,631 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County. There have been 4,608 deaths and 294,910 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.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Currently, the County of Riverside is vaccinating people ages 12 and up. Teenagers who are under the age of 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and go to 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.
All county vaccine clinics are now walk-in sites, but appointments are encouraged. 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. Anyone else who would like to make an appointment by phone should all 2-1-1.
Vaccine appointments are also available at 13 Community Health Centers across Riverside County. To schedule an appointment at a Community Health Center, call 800-945-6171.
Finally, Riverside County is now offering vaccinations to homebound residents. To be added to the list of homebound individuals seeking vaccination, call 833-422-4255, or visit myturn.ca.gov.
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As of May 26, 2021, 48.4 percent of Riverside County residents are partially or fully vaccinated (1,018,831 residents), and 39 percent are fully vaccinated (821,079 residents). To see a larger image, click on the picture.
UnitedLift Still Accepting Applications for Rent Relief
- Applications for United Lift rental assistance are still available to Riverside County residents.
- Qualified renters can receive up to 12 months of past due rent and utilities for free!
- 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.
- To apply, visit Unitedlift.org or call 211, extension 5.
In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Hosts Virtual Job Fair
- If you are interested in becoming an IHSS caregiver, please join the IHSS Countywide Job Fair Tuesday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- In-Home Supportive Services is a home care program in which caregivers help older adults and individuals with disabilities live safely in their own homes.
- Caregivers can choose their own schedule, and benefits are available.
- To register for the job fair, visit https://bit.ly/3bWWbYi. For questions, call 760-863-2503.
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EMWD Offers Multiple Payment Assistance Programs
- Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) customers who have unpaid account balances can reduce a substantial amount of debt and make their accounts current through multiple programs offered by the company.
- Take a look at the payment assistance programs below:
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Help2Others Program: Qualified, low-income customers can receive assistance in paying for their water bill. For more information, visit emwd.org/help2others.
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Payment Extensions: Customers can schedule a payment extension using EMWD’s My Account portal at https://www.emwd.org/pay-my-bill-online.
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Level Payment Program: Qualified customers can pay EMWD bills in equal monthly payments. For more information, contact EMWD’s Customer Service department at 800-426-3693.
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Water Budget Based Rate Structure: EMWD’s rate structure is designed to provide the lowest rates to customers who stay within their water budget. If you need assistance in lowering your water use, please contact Water Use Efficiency staff at conservation@emwd.org or 951-928-3777 ext. 3322.
- For additional information on EMWD’s payment assistance programs, visit emwd.org/payment-assistance-programs.
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Supervisor Washington is Now on LinkedIn!
- Interesting in finding job or volunteer opportunities in the Third District?
- Supervisor Washington now has a public page on LinkedIn!
- This page will be used to post job openings and volunteer positions.
- To see current listings, visit the Activity section using the following link: linkedin.com/in/supervisorchuckwashington.
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Through It All: Foster Families Go the Extra Mile to Reunite Families in Crisis
Story from DPSS News May 2021
When foster parents Derrick and Tami Sanchez receive a child into their home, which can sometimes be in the middle of night, they always assure the child that they are part of their family.
“Each child we receive is different, and we do what we can so they feel comfortable while they are with us,” says Tami, who experienced being placed in a foster home as a youth. “One child’s mother told us he liked beans and white rice, so that is what we cooked for him.”
The Sanchezes, who have one teenage son of their own, are currently fostering four young foster boys, including a newborn. They do whatever it takes to ensure that the four boys stay in contact with their birth families. “We try to be flexible and work around the parents’ schedule to make sure they get to visit their kids every week,” said Derrick, a stay-at-home parent. “Ultimately, the goal is to reunite the family.”
The Sanchezes are “competent, nurturing and protective parents that are always going the extra mile for the foster children in their home,” affirmed the social worker who nominated them for the Caregiver of the Year Award.
The Third District couple is one of three who were selected by Children’s Services in 2021 for the annual award. This is a distinction given during National Foster Care Month, a moment marked by awareness campaigns and recognition of the important role and dedication of foster parents.
Out of the 14 children the Sanchezes have fostered since their certification in 2018, 10 have been successfully returned to their birth parents. The four boys in their care now are also on track for reunification. If there is a child placed with them that is not able to return home, the Sanchez family says they would gladly adopt him or her.
“Each May brings us an opportunity to recognize our resource and kin families who are supporting our children by opening their homes and sharing their love,” noted Bridgette Hernandez, deputy director of Children’s Services. “These parents help our children through a difficult time in their lives, providing comfort, understanding and security while their families work toward reunification, which is the ultimate goal.”
Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent in Riverside County can call 1-800-665-KIDS (5437).
Derrick and Tami Sanchez
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