Give a virtual wave and say hello to our new cohort of volunteers and staff just completing their call center training! (partial group in photo-great smiles!)
They started their journey with the Crisis Center in January, and are starting in the call center just in time to experience the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter-in-place order. Wish them all the best!
We are so incredibly thankful for all of our call center team during this unprecedented situation! Some volunteers are working remotely, too, and we appreciate all the ways everyone on the team is adapting to keep providing services.
Here are some tips on dealing with Coronavirus anxiety. As communities nationwide respond to the COVID- 19 pandemic, Americans face unparalleled levels of uncertainty.
To help individuals reestablish a sense of normalcy, Psychology.org partnered with three mental health experts. These experts share five ways individuals and families can manage corona virus-related anxiety. From monitoring social media consumption to establishing a routine, we hope these tips can help as we get through this pandemic.
John Muir Health has Safety, Food Distribution, and Health Care resource lists for needs during this #COVID19 outbreak. If you have questions about any of these, you can call us @211 or text HOPE to 20121 if you need assistance with safety, food, or health care.
https://www.crisis-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/here-for-you.jpg960960Elizabeth Valadezhttps://www.crisis-center.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgElizabeth Valadez2020-04-13 23:20:232020-04-13 23:20:23Safety, Food Distribution, and Health Care resource lists
Staying up to date with current factual information can help ease any anxiety or stress about the situation. Text “coronavirus” or “covid19” to 211211 for information on how the illness spreads, prevention & treatment, symptoms and more. Texters may share their zip code to be directed toward websites with local information where available. If you are unable to text, call 211 or 800.833.2900
Contra Costa Health Services is updating a webpage with information here. This page is updated with new information as it becomes available.
The CDC is updating a robust site with information and answers to commonly asked questionshere.
March 16, 2020
Today the Bay Area Health Directors will issue a Joint Order that will significantly impact all of the Bay Area. The Order will require:
ALL PERSONS TO SHELTER AT THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE OTHER THAN TO PROVIDE OR RECEIVE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
DIRECTING ALL BUSINESSES TO CEASE NON-EXEMPT OPERATIONS AT PHYSICAL LOCATIONS.
PROHIBITING ALL NON-ESSENTIAL GATHERINGS OF ANY NUMBER OF PERSONS.
ORDERING CESSATION OF ALL NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL
While the Order is mandatory, the expectation is that most people and business will comply to ensure the safety of everyone.
Keep in mind that the outcome desired is to “flatten the curve” of the virus so as not to overwhelm health care systems and facilities.
There are numerous Definitions and Exemptions to the Order to allow for “essential activities” for individuals and business to insure the health and safety of our communities.
Bay Area Health Departments are drafting FAQs to cover as many of the most immediate questions as possible, but we know that there will be many questions that we can’t answer initially.
The Order will be effective at midnight March 16, 2020, and remain in effect until April 7, 2020, but may be extended.
What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The virus spreading from Wuhan, China currently is known as a “novel coronavirus” meaning it is a strain of virus not previously seen in humans. This virus presents as an upper respiratory illness with symptoms similar to the common flu and is spreading person-to-person. The virus has caused death but cases have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness depending on a variety of factors that are not yet fully known.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Because of the similarity to flu symptoms, the CDC is recommending that people who have recently traveled or been in contact with someone who has recently traveled outside of the U.S. and starts experiencing these symptoms to contact a health professional for guidance.
What does CDC recommend people do to prevent spreading the virus?
The CDC recommends taking steps extreme precautions to prevent illness. Wash your hands regularly, avoid contact with people who have recently traveled outside of the country, and follow directions of local health departments.
See Press Release: Bay Area Health Officers Issue Updated Stay-at-Home Order with New Restrictions to Last Through May 3, 2020. According to the release, more time and additional restrictions are needed to slow the spread and reduce future impact on local hospitals from COVID-19.
THIS POST FROM ECO-ENCLOSE is shared with permission. What follows is a great summary of small businesses resources during COVID-19 outbreak. Please visit their website to learn more about Eco-Enclose.
COVID-19 Resources: Summary of Funding Opportunities For Small Businesses
Mar 23rd 2020
This piece was written on March 23, 2020. New funding opportunities are being announced and changed every day, so please check out our Google Doc out for more up to date information and email me at saloni@ecoenclose.com to share new funding options that we don’t have listed.
Over the next two weeks, Eco-Enclose will be sharing resources to help small businesses during this uncertain time.
Today’s piece is focused on cash flow and financing. Read on for a summary of funding options that could help cover expenses such as rent, utilities, payroll and working capital if sales have slowed or halted altogether as a result of coronavirus protection measures.
We’ve also created a more searchable spreadsheet of funding opportunities. We will do our best to update the spreadsheet every few days as new funding sources become available. Please share anything we are missing so we can include these on our list by emailing information to saloni@ecoenclose.com.
https://www.crisis-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/covid-CDC.jpg250500Elizabeth Valadezhttps://www.crisis-center.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgElizabeth Valadez2020-03-24 15:53:432020-03-24 15:53:43Small Business Resources During COVID-19
https://www.crisis-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/EKS-2-e1582744756857b.jpg299800Elizabeth Valadezhttps://www.crisis-center.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgElizabeth Valadez2020-02-26 19:27:022020-02-26 21:35:27Tax Prep help is available – call 211
This includes food distribution, site closures, shelter information, tax preparation information, and more. Search resources here! or text your zip code to 898211, call 211 (or 800.833.2900) for 24/7 assistance.
We recommend checking the following for additional information:
Contra Costa Health Services is updating a webpage with information here. This page is updated with new information as it becomes available, daily at 10 am and 2 pm.
Center for Disease Control (CDC) is updating a robust site with information and answers to commonly asked questionshere.
Contra Costa County is offering free drive-through testing – if you are experiencing symptoms: fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms. You must call 1-844-421-4084 to be screened before coming for Coronavirus test. Free for all Contra Costa residents, no insurance required! Details here: COVID-19 Community Testing SPANISHCOVID19 Community Testing English
Please stay home as much as possible, wash your hands frequently, practice self-care, call your physician if you have any symptoms, and stay informed and patient. We are all in this together.
Keep in mind that the outcome desired is to “flatten the curve” of the virus so as not to overwhelm health care systems and facilities.
Call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 for free and confidential conversation about #Census2020.
Here are some quick answers for FAQ’s re: Census 2020:
Easy: The census questionnaire is short. Depending on your household, it only takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Safe: By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including federal and local law enforcement agencies. Census Bureau workers take an oath to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.
Important: Census Data helps determine our political representation and funding for local roads, schools, and community improvement. So many programs are dependent on this source of funding!
Please call us at 211 for info, or text your zip code to 898211 to text with us. We can confidentially answer any of your questions about Census 2020! Here are some helpful links for more information and to sign up for updates.
We are pleased to announce that we have been re-accredited by the American Association of Suicidology for another five years!
Crisis Centers across the nation seek accreditation as a validation of high quality service delivery according to nationally recognized standards, a model of program excellence, and a commitment to systematic, ongoing self-evaluation and improvement of suicide prevention and crisis intervention services.
We are proud and thankful for the hard work and dedication of all of our volunteers and staff in continuing to help people in times of crisis. With help comes hope.
To learn more about AAS Accreditation, click the link to the AAS site below.
~211 helps in Contra Costa County and all over the USA
Here is more on how we at 211 provide help:
211 provides expert, caring help
–No matter the situation, the specialists at 211 listen and identify underlying problems. Then we connect people in need with resources and services in their community that improve their lives.
211 meets real needs in real time
–In 2018 alone, 211s in the US answered more than 11 million calls and almost 1 million texts, chats and emails, helping millions with life-changing support. There is no other network in the country that has a similar pulse on America’s needs.
211 provides unmatched, critical services
–211 is a vital service leveraged by millions of people across North America. Every day, clients contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utilities payment assistance, employment services, veteran services and childcare and family services.
Need more information – Call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 anytime, day or night. We are here to help!
https://www.crisis-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/COMM-0419-211-UNITED-WAY-OF-ANYTOWN-Social-Cards_LinkedIn5.jpg6281200Elizabeth Valadezhttps://www.crisis-center.org/wp-content/uploads/logo.svgElizabeth Valadez2020-02-11 18:12:412020-02-26 19:11:102/11 is 211 Day!
Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
We are pleased to announce that we have been re-accredited by the American Association of Suicidology for another five years!
