Supervisor Patrick Kennedy Updates: Rent Relief, Vaccine Information and Free Rides, Dental Health Month

Sacramento County, California sent this bulletin at 02/25/2021 03:24 PM PST

PK Logo

Dear Friends,

In this latest District 2 newsletter, you will find important information on the County’s latest rental relief program as a response to those suffering economically due to the pandemic. This is an exciting program that will help many of our neighbors in these difficult times. You will also see important information on obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine, how to access SacRT for a free ride to get your vaccine, and transracial adoption training (there are many children looking for a loving home; you can find out more about Sacramento County’s adoption services at https://dcfas.saccounty.net/CPS/Pages/Adoptions/SP-Adoptions.aspx).  I hope you find this helpful, and that you will forward the information on to others who may be interested.

It is also Children’s Dental Health Month. As a member of the Board of Supervisors, I am privileged to sit on the Sacramento County First 5 Commission. One of the priorities of First 5 over the years has been to ensure that all children have access to dental health services, which can have lasting positive impacts throughout one’s life. While we may not be able to see as many smiles as we did pre-COVID-19, protecting the smiles of our children is as important as it has ever been. So, I leave you with this e-smile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY1e_Fa1UcM

Finally, while the staff of District 2 and are often working from home at this time, we are still available should you need us. Please feel free to call me at 916-874-5481 or email supervisorkennedy@saccounty.net if we can be of service. We are honored to serve the people of Sacramento County. Even a pandemic won’t change that.

Be Safe. Be Healthy. Be Happy.

Patrick

Rent Assistance

COVID-19 Rental Assistance

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), in partnership with the City and County of Sacramento, through federal and state funding, is offering emergency rent and utilities assistance for renters living anywhere in Sacramento County who have experienced a reduction in household income or other financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible applicants can receive assistance for past rent and utilities owed from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and may qualify to have a portion of their rent paid for April, May and June 2021. The total assistance amount available will depend on household need. Priority will be given to households that owe rental arrears. 

You can read more details about the program in this Sacramento Bee article.  You can also find more information, see if you qualify, and apply online on SHRA’s rental assistance webpage.


Sac County Covid Update

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

With various vaccine providers and constantly changing information it can be difficult to navigate where to get a vaccine, how to get it, and when one is eligible.  Please see the below FAQ on COVID-19 Vaccines in Sacramento County to provide some clarity.

How are vaccine doses allocated to Sacramento County?

  • The federal government distributes allocations to the state and the state in turn, allocates doses to each county public health office, as well as Multi-County Entities (MCEs) such as Kaiser or Sutter health systems.
  • SCPH then supplies a variety of partners to help vaccinate sub-populations throughout the County.
  • Currently there are not nearly enough doses to meet the demand for vaccination.

Where are vaccination clinics throughout Sacramento County?

  • Health Care Providers such as clinics and hospitals
  • Safeway Pharmacies
  • CVS Pharmacies
  • Rite Aid Pharmacies
  • Cal Expo (Run by Sacramento County Public Health)
  • McClellan Park
  • Cal Northstate
  • Sacramento State
  • Smaller sites such as pop-up clinics run through Dignity Health or Urgent Care

Do I need an appointment? How do I get one?

When will eligibility open up to more people (both work sectors and ages)?

  • Due to the limited supply of vaccine, it will take us a while to get through the different sectors. We ask for patience as we advance through the phases.
  • There are more than 200,000 people in the 65+ population alone, not including all the work-specific sectors eligible.

I’m under 65, but I have a high-risk condition – how do I get vaccinated?

  • On March 15, healthcare providers will have the ability to vaccinate high-risk individuals under the age of 65 based on a diagnosed health condition.
  • A Provider Bulletin was sent to health care providers outlining the specific conditions considered “high risk.”

I’m over 65, how do I get vaccinated?

  • People over the age of 65 should continue to contact their health care providers to see if vaccine is available through them.
  • People may also sign up to receive notifications about vaccine clinic availability on the Sacramento County 65+ COVID-19 Vaccine Website: http://bit.ly/COVIDvax65plus
  • Please note that appointments are first come, first served; walk-ins are not accepted; and you must show your ID.

I don’t have computer access, how do I get an appointment?

  • For those that are 65+ but do not have computer access, they can call 916-875-2400 to receive assistance over the phone.

I’m an essential worker, when do I get a vaccine?

What should I bring with me to the vaccine appointment? 

  • Any form of identification with a name and a birthday.
  • Work ID or other form of employment verification if you qualify due to your job classification.
  • S. Citizenship or legal residency is not required.

How do I schedule my second dose appointment?

  • Depending on the site participants receive their first vaccine, appointments for second doses will be scheduled during their first appointment or a registration link will be emailed to the participant approximately one week prior to needing their second dose.
  • Your second dose can be administered up to six weeks after your first dose, as long as it has met the minimum requirements for time between doses.

In the two-dose series for the vaccines, can I get one from one manufacturer and the second dose from a different manufacturer (Pfizer and Moderna)?

  • No, you must get both vaccine doses from same manufacturer to get full protection from the vaccines.

Do I still need to wear a mask and avoid close contact with others if I received two doses of the vaccine?

  • While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic. These tools include: covering your mouth and nose with a mask, washing hands often, and staying at least 6 feet away from others.

SacRT Vaccine Rides

SacRT Offering Free Rides to COVID-19 Appointments

Do you need a ride to get to your scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointment? The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), where Supervisor Kennedy serves as Vice Chair, will begin offering free transit rides to vaccine appointments beginning on Monday, March 1, 2021. The free rides include all vaccination sites in Sacramento County within SacRT’s service area, including hospitals, pharmacies, and other immunization locations.

To ride free, customers need to show a COVID-19 vaccine appointment confirmation in the form of an email, text or vaccine card, which will serve as valid fare only on the date noted in the appointment confirmation to ride SacRT for free.

SacRT has an online trip planner to assist with navigating to a vaccine location or customers can call SacRT’s customer service at 916-321-BUSS (2877). To request a ride on SmaRT Ride on-demand microtransit service, download the free SacRT SmaRT Ride app (App Store or Google Play) or call 916-321-BUSS (2877) for assistance. Learn more about SmaRT Ride at sacrt.com/smartride.

For more information on vaccinations, eligibility and appointments, visit Sacramento County’s Coronavirus vaccine website. For those who wish to be notified when they become eligible for the vaccine and schedule their appointment, you can sign up on state’s website My Turn.

SacRT requires anyone waiting at a station or transit center, riding transit, or visiting the SacRT Customer Service and Sales Center located at 1225 R Street, to wear a mask or face covering. Visit sacrt.com/covid19 for more on COVID-19 precautions.

For more information on the free rides to vaccine locations program, visit sacrt.com/vaccines.

Dentist

February is Children’s Dental Health Month

Taking care of your children’s teeth is important! Sacramento County Public Health would like to remind parents about dental coverage options and resources that are available. Sacramento County Oral Health Program makes it their daily mission to increase access to dental care and educate parents about how to prevent dental disease in babies and children so the whole family can live healthier lives without dental pain. Maintaining oral health can lead to improved overall health – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have delayed a regular cleaning during the COVID-19 pandemic, take the time to schedule an appointment for your child this month. Dental offices are taking every precaution to make the experience as safe and seamless as possible for patients.

“Parents who had to cancel their children's dental appointments due to COVID-19 need to get back on track to prevent kids' tooth decay,” said Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer. “Cavities do not heal on their own, and therefore, need intervention by a dentist. Together, we can work to prevent tooth decay, tooth loss and help our children stay healthy.”

To help connect children to needed dental services, the Oral Health Program works with community partners to increase the number of preschool and elementary school students that receive dental assessments. 

The Sacramento County Oral Health Program is pleased to announce the launch of a new Oral Health website. The new site hosts resources for accessing dental care and information on how to stay healthy throughout all life stages In addition, the site provides information on Oral Health Program projects to increase access to dental care for the County’s special needs population, provide guidance training to dental professionals on tobacco-cessation and sugar-sweetened beverages, share educational materials with the community on the benefits of consuming fluoridated tap water, conduct oral health training to medical professionals and service workers that serve pregnant and perinatal women, and so much more. For more information, visit the Oral Health Website.

Facts on Dental Health

  • Cavities are not something that everyone gets - you can prevent cavities and dental disease by brushing twice a day, making healthy food/drink choices and visiting a dentist regularly. 
  • If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, it is important to see your dentist for a checkup. 
  • Baby teeth matter for the development of healthy permanent teeth, speech and proper eating. From day one, protect baby’s dental health.
    • Wipe baby’s gums after feeding with a soft cloth or finger toothbrush
    • Only put water in a baby’s bottle at bedtime (if a bottle is needed and your baby can safely consume water)
    • Make baby’s first dental appointment when their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday
  • 2x2x2 - Brush with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day for two minutes and visit your dentist twice a year.
  • Dental sealants and fluoride varnish greatly reduce the risk for cavities.
  • Make healthy food choices and limit sugary snacks and drinks.​

Looking for Dental Coverage?

If you have Medi-Cal, you have dental benefits. In Sacramento County, approximately 58 percent of children who have Medi-Cal do not regularly visit the dentist even though dental care is a covered benefit. Studies show that children are more likely to visit the dentist if their parents do, too. Be the oral health role model your children need. 

If you don’t have Medi-Cal, call Sacramento Covered at 916-414-8333 to help determine if you qualify for free or low-cost health coverage. If you don’t qualify, Sacramento Covered will provide other options to help you get the dental care you need. The Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance also helps determine eligibility for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and more – call 916-874-3100.

Call the Sacramento County Oral Health Program to learn more about oral health education and resources at 916-875-5869, and be sure to check out the First 5 Sacramento Dental website for dental information specific to 0-5-year-olds and brush up on how you can empower children to succeed with a healthy bright smile by taking the, “Do You Know Your Dental Facts?” Fun Dental Quiz, or watching the parent education videos.  

The Sacramento County Dental Health Program receives funding from the California State Department of Public Health through Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act. As part of this grant, the Oral Health Program undertook a countywide oral health needs assessment to develop projects to support the California Oral Health Plan and to meet the unique needs of county residents.

Stanford Sierra Logo

Transracial Adoption Training from Stanford Sierra Youth and Families

Stanford Sierra Youth and Families is offering Transracial Adoption Training: Affirming and Nurturing Racial Identity in Children.  Families who adopt children from a different racial and cultural background face unique challenges as children, youth, and young adults develop their own identity.

This training explores messages and actions that caregivers can use to assist children in exploring and appreciating their racial identity and ways to maintain their connection to their culture after adoption. 

This zoom virtual training will be held on March 16th from 10am-12pm.

You can find more information on Stanford Sierra Youth and Families on their website and you can click here to register.