Biweekly Third District Update

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

The County of Riverside is still 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 ages 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 call 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.

Riverside County is also 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.

Supervisor Washington Featured on Award-Winning County Podcast

The Riverside County Department of Child Support Services’ Coffee Break Podcast provides the latest information on useful county programs and services.

This week, Supervisor Washington joined the podcast’s host, Nathan Hartel, to discuss the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and how this elected board serves you.

To listen to Supervisor Washington’s interview, visit https://bit.ly/3AzSG4D.

Nonprofit Seeking Volunteer Counselors for Crisis Hotline

REACH, formerly the Center Against Sexual Assault of Southwest Riverside County, is a nonprofit that provides support to survivors of sexual and domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and human trafficking. REACH is currently seeking volunteer counselors for their crisis hotline.

Are you a night owl or early riser? Looking for an odd-hours or weekend volunteer opportunity in crisis intervention? You’ve found the right place! REACH Crisis Hotline Counselors work remotely from the comfort of their homes!

As a REACH Crisis Hotline Counselor, you can translate your concern for individuals and families in crisis into truly meaningful effort. Volunteer counselors provide support, information, referrals and telephone crisis intervention on a 24/7 hotline. Crisis Hotline Counselors commit to volunteering 8 hours per week for a minimum of six months.

Before you begin as a counselor, you will be provided a 50-hour training to give you all of the expertise you need to successfully and empathetically navigate crisis intervention and support survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse and domestic violence.

Hearing understanding and supportive words after recounting a traumatic experience can make all the difference in a survivor’s path to healing. You can be that voice of hope by becoming a volunteer for REACH.

For more information, please send an email to info@reachus.org or call 951-692-2090.

FCC Offers Temporary Discount on Broadband Bills to Qualifying Families

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program — overseen by the Federal Communications Commission — provides a temporary discount on broadband bills for qualifying low-income household.

Eligible households can receive the following benefits:

• Up to a $50 per month discount on broadband service and associated equipment rentals;
• Up to a $75 per month discount if household is located on qualifying Tribal lands; or
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50);

This program will end once the fund runs out of money or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.

For eligibility and application options, visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org. You may also reach the Emergency Broadband Support Center by calling 833-511-0311 or sending an email to EBBHelp@usac.org.

Housing Authority Offers Incentive Payments to Property Owners

Housing Authority of the County of Riverside (HACR) is offering property owners an incentive payment to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

The following incentive payments are available to new and existing participants in the Housing Choice Voucher Program:

• The HACR will offer a one-time payment of $2,500 to property owners who are new to the Housing Choice Voucher Program or have been inactive for the last 12 months;
• The HACR will offer a $500 per unit payment to existing property owners who lease a unit to a Housing Choice Voucher participant. Please note that the $500 per unit payment does not apply to those that transfer to a new unit owned by the same landlord; and
• The HACR, in some circumstances, may offer a one-time rent affordability payment when rent has to be negotiated down in order for the unit to be affordable for the voucher holder.

The executed lease and contract with all required addendums must be received no later than Dec. 1, 2021. No signing bonus payments will be made after Dec. 15, 2021. Rental units must be located in Riverside County. This offer excludes tax credit properties, Continuum of Care program, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS, project-based vouchers, homeownership and owner-occupied manufactured homes.

For more details, please contact Cindy Hui at 951-343-5428 or Jennifer Graham at 951-343-5437