Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District 5

Contra Costa County Health Officer, along with health officers from other Bay Area counties,  extended the Shelter Order to 11:59 PM on May 3, 2020. Major new restrictions in this order include the following:

1.     Social distancing requirements are mandatory. Unless strict compliance is explicitly waived, everyone must comply with the social distancing requirements at all times. 

2.     Before Friday, April 3, 2020, essential businesses that continue to operate facilities in the County must complete, post, and implement a social distancing protocol for each facility that remains open, using the template attached to the Order. 

3.     Essential businesses must maximize the number of employees who work from home, excepting only those employees who cannot perform their job duties from home. 

4.     Essential businesses that continue to operate facilities in the County must scale down operations to their essential component only. 

5.     Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home are no longer essential businesses under the Order, and must cease operations (except minimum basic operations) at facilities in the County.

6.      Use of playgrounds, dog parks, public picnic areas, and similar recreational areas is prohibited. These areas must be closed to public use. 

7.     Use of shared public recreational facilities such as golf courses, tennis and basketball courts, pools, and rock walls is prohibited. These facilities must be closed for recreational use. 

8.     Sports or activities that require use of shared equipment, like frisbees, basketballs, baseballs, and soccer balls, may only be engaged in by members of the same household. 

9.     Most construction—residential and commercial—is prohibited. Exceptions are made for healthcare facility construction directly related to the COVID-19 response; affordable housing; public works projects when designated as essential by the lead governmental agency; shelters and temporary housing; projects necessary to provide critical services to certain vulnerable individuals; construction necessary to secure an existing construction site; and limited essential residential or business repairs.   

As the county continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, many non-essential county functions from across departments have been temporarily suspended to comply with the Bay Area-wide Shelter in Place Order. Please find below a list of closures and service modifications for County Departments:

Animal Services:

The following changes will be in effect by 12:01 am on March 17, 2020, until further notice (UFN)

• Pinole Shelter is closed to the public and to impounds
• Martinez Shelter by appointment only for: Lost/Found, Return to owner cases, transfer partners.
• The following services are CLOSED: Adoptions, Public spay/neuter, Vaccination clinics, Mobile adoptions, Owner surrenders (unless public risk, severe behavior or urgent medical need)
• Following services CONTINUE: Dispatch services (stray aggressive/sick/injured, bite quarantines, etc), Call center, Martinez front lobby for appointments (described above), Auxiliary duties (billing, bite reports, noise ordinances, etc.)
• Licensing will be direct to Pet Data online only.

Assessor:The Assessor’s office is closed from March 16 to April 7, 2020, due to the Shelter in Place Order Regarding the Coronavirus.

Clerk of the Board of Supervisors:Starting March 17, 2020 through April 7, 2020, the Clerk of the Board will operate on a modified schedule and will be open from 10 AM to 2 PM.

During non-public hours, please email clerkoftheboard@cob.cccounty.us and a member of our staff will contact you as soon as possible.

Clerk-Recorder/Elections Division:The Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department remains open to provide essential services, but access to buildings and in-person services is limited. The Department is urging customers to use online services in an effort to help reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission. In-person services are currently limited to transactions that cannot be done online, over the phone or through the mail. For more information on the impact of specific services offered by the Clerk-Recorder’s office, please click here.

Department of Conservation and Development:We continue to process certain applications and permits, and to perform construction inspections for certain projects with active building permits, as consistent with the direction provided in the Health Officer’s Order. We are striving to continue to operate our other programs and services to the extent possible by working remotely, but please be patient with us given the extreme limitations this presents. Please call (925) 674-7200 with questions, to schedule an inspection for an active building permit, or to discuss procedures for submitting new applications.

For additional information on our current operations please click here.

For updated information about COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.cchealth.org

District Attorney:Due to the Contra Costa County Health Officer order all of our offices are closed to the public at this time. As of now, our phone lines remain open - our main line is 925-957-2200.

Employment & Human Services:EHSD will be putting all updates on their website regarding COVID-19.

Foster & Adoptive Parents (March 16, 2020): All Resource Family Approval Orientations canceled until further notice.

The Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging remains operational during the shelter in place order. They are working to meet the needs of senior citizens and connect them with services during this time. See AAA Website

The Contra Costa County Community Services Bureau, part of the Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD), has temporarily closed its childcare centers effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 through Tuesday, April 7, 2020. CSB plans to re-open on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, pending guidance from the local Health Department, Contra Costa County, Office of Head Start and California Department of Education.

EHSD’s public lobbies are closed effective Monday, March 16th, 2020, until further notice. EHSD Public Lobbies Closed Due to COVID-19

The restricted access affects the following locations:

• 400 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill
• 4545 Delta Fair Blvd., Antioch
• 3105 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point
• 151 Sand Creek Road, Brentwood
• 1305 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond
• 1535 Fred Jackson Way, Richmond
• 151 Linus Pauling, Hercules

Health Housing & Homeless Services:The Contra Costa County Health Housing & Homeless Services department remains operational during the COVID-19 shelter in place order. For frequently asked questions regarding how the department is responding to COVID-19 and providing services during the shelter in-place order, please click here for more information.

Library Services:The Contra Costa County Library system is closed until further notice. Book drops will remain open, but as materials can carry viruses for several days, patrons are encouraged to keep items until the libraries reopen. The Library will automatically extend due dates on all materials. All overdue fines were eliminated in 2019 and no other negative consequences will result from late items during this closure.

Probation Department:Until further notice, Probation field offices in Antioch, Martinez and Richmond will not be accessible beyond the public lobbies. Deputy probation officers are on duty and available for contact via telephone.

• Personal visitation has been suspended until until further notice at the County Juvenile Hall and at the Boy’s Ranch, however essential professional visits will continue with proper health screening beforehand
• A health screening tool is being implemented for individuals who are booked into custody at either of these facilities.

Public Defender:The office of the public defender will remain open during the Shelter In Place Order and court closure. Contra Costa Public Defenders understand that this abrupt court closure will cause confusion and hardship for our clients and their loved ones. For a list of Public Defender FAQs, please click here.

Sheriff Department:Sheriff’s Office has temporarily canceled all professional, official, and social visits at the Martinez, West County, and Marsh Creek jails. However, attorney visits will continue with access to non-contact visit rooms only. The cancellation will be reassessed as conditions change.

Superior Court:The Contra Costa County Superior Court will be closed at all locations for approximately two weeks beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. Court locations hope to re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020.

The Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court has issued an emergency order providing that, at least until April 1, 2020, the court closure will have the effect of being a public holiday as far as statutory or other timelines are concerned. For more information, please click here.

Treasurer Tax-Collector:In response to the Order of the Health Officer of the County, our office will be closed to the public until further notice. To communicate with the office, please email us at taxinfo@tax.cccounty.us. A representative will reply as soon as possible. Property tax payments can only be accepted by U.S. postal services, through our automated phone system at (925) 957-5280 or online here. If you need a receipt for proof of payment, a copy of your tax bill with the installment payment date is available in View Bill under Account Lookup. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We wish you and your household peace and protection during this time of uncertainty.

STATEMENT FROM RUSSELL V. WATTS, TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR, REGARDING COVID-19 AND THE APRIL 10 PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE

Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

For the most up-to-date information on Food Bank, including holidays, income guidelines, and other resources visit foodbankccs.org/getfood or call 855-309-FOOD (3663).

WIC provides healthy foods and support services to families. If your income has been affected by recent events, and you are pregnant, recently had a baby, or have an infant or child under the age of five, you may be qualified to receive WIC services. 

Applying is easy and quick. You will receive your food benefits within a few days. 

You can apply online at cchealth.org/wic or call 1 (800) 414-4WIC.

WIC food benefits are considered an essential service. We will strive to continue to serve our community during this time under the governor’s and local Health Officer’s order. Currently, we are providing all WIC services over the phone, including new enrollments. To protect you and our WIC staff, all in-person appointments are suspended at this time. Please stay at home. The new WIC Card and WIC app make it easy for you to access your benefits electronically. 

Community members should call their local WIC offices to enroll or certify, obtain future food benefits, reschedule, get breastfeeding help, or to get questions answered.

• Concord & Crossroad WIC: (925) 646-5370
• Brentwood WIC: (925) 513-6880 
• Pittsburg WIC: (925) 431-2460
• San Pablo WIC: (510) 942-4000

Please note that California WIC started monthly auto issuance of benefits and extended some certifications for those who were eligible. This means if you have a WIC card, you may already have your benefits pre-loaded. You can check your California WIC app for benefits. 

If you have any additional questions, please contact your local WIC program at 1 (800) 414-4WIC. For further Covid-19-related information, please visit the county website at: cchealth.org or CDPH website.

Please note that WIC is safe to use and does not affect immigration status for anyone who is currently in the U.S. WIC is not considered a part of public charge. We are here to help!

Community Produce Program

We provide 15-20 pounds of FREE fresh produce to low-income families and individuals twice a month. Please bring two bags with handles. Choose ONE location:

• Immaculate Heart of Mary, 500 Fairview Ave, Brentwood, 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 12:00-1:00pm
• The Commons, 53 Carol Ln, Oakley, 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 2:00-3:00pm
• Brentwood Community UMC, 218 Pine St, Brentwood, 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 4:00-5:00pm
• New Covenant Church, 6080 Bethel Island Rd, Bethel Island, 1st & 3rd Sunday, 1:00-2:00pm
• The Dwelling Place Church, 90 Village Dr, Brentwood, 1st & 3rd Sunday, 3:00-4:00pm

Food Assistance Program

FREE groceries once a month for low-income individuals and families. Bring a picture ID and proof of address (PG&E bill, for example), if you have it.

• Brentwood Community UMC, 218 Pine St, Brentwood
• Monday & Wednesday, 9:00am-12:00pm

Food for Children

Boxes of FREE healthy food every month for children ages 4-6 years old. Bring a picture ID and proof of address (PG&E bill, for example), as well as proof of child’s birthday.

• Brentwood Community UMC, 218 Pine St, Brentwood, 
• Monday & Wednesday, 9:00am-12:00pm

Senior Food Programs

• St. Anthony’s Church, 971 O’Hara Ave, Oakley, 2nd & 4th Thursday, 9:30-10:30am
• Brentwood Senior Center, 193 Griffith Ln, Brentwood, 2nd & 4th Thursday, 10:00-11:00am
• Oakley Senior Center, 215 Second St, Oakley, Fridays 9am-11am. Bring own bag.

Other Options

• Call the Food Bank (925) 676-7543 to learn about other available food resources.
• CalFresh (the Food Bank can help you apply for this government program)
• Our partner pantries and soup kitchens (for emergency food)
• WIC (for pregnant women and mothers with children 0-5 years old) (see above)

Loaves and Fishes of CC:

Our dining rooms are partially closed. No communal dining; they are serving "to go" meals outside from the doors of our dining rooms with groceries. They are serving at the dining rooms located in Oakley, Martinez, Antioch and Pittsburg and serving to our partner Trinity Center in Walnut Creek. 

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region:

Home delivered meals are continuing uninterrupted. MOW Café’s are transferring to a weekly frozen delivery of 7 meals every Tuesday. They have to sign up by the Monday afternoon before to receive meals.  

• Meal deliveries remain uninterrupted. In fact, we are serving more seniors now than before. We have increased staff hours to ensure meals are delivered to those in need. We are providing additional protective supplies to our drivers and instructing them to leave the meal on the senior’s porch, to ring the doorbell, and then to back away and watch the client get the meal.
• Clients that previously attended our Cafés will be receiving 7 frozen meals delivered every week.
• Our Friendly Visitors program is providing all their services over the phone. We are planning to ramp up calling services for seniors who find themselves newly isolated during this time when social isolation is necessary but can be negative for so many.
• Our Fall Prevention and Health and Exercise classes are temporarily suspended. Seniors attend our classes for both the health and social benefits. We are reaching out to them to ensure they are not isolated during this time.
• Our Care Management department is still providing case management and crisis management services. They are doing this over the phone and are ramping up service to help seniors process this crisis.

We have received an outpouring of support from the community wanting to volunteer. Our existing volunteers have stepped up to help and we will reach out to new interested volunteers as the need increases. If you are interested in volunteering, please apply online.

Raley’s- Senior Essentials Bay ($20) 

Intended for seniors and at-risk customers in self-isolation or quarantine, team members will build as many Senior Essentials Bags as they can each night and put them in the front of their sores each day at 7 am. They will be available to customers each day depending on inventory levels and while supplies last. Items included in bags will be a mix of fresh items and pantry staples. 

Senior Nutrition Program

Due to the high demand in senior meals the caterer of these meals has needed to stagger the delivery schedule.  Prior to the COVID 19 shelter in place the Senior Nutrition Program was serving 2,200 meals per day; today they served 3,400.  We expect the demand to increase and we are fortunate that we can accommodate these increases.  However, starting April 6th all meals- both congregate pick-up and home delivered meals will be provided as 7 day packs of frozen meals.  This is to enforce social distancing between meal recipients and volunteer drivers to prevent infection. 

In addition to the frozen meals dropped off during the week of April 6^than additional emergency pack consisting of six (6) shelf stable meals (requiring no refrigeration) will be distributed to every meal recipient.  Which means, each meal recipient will receive a total 13 meals. The emergency packs are a one- time only distribution to ensure that folks have a back –up meal if needed. 

Meal Pick-up Schedule by site:

• Bay Point Brentwood Crockett Concord
• Martinez Hercules El Cerrito
• Pleasant Hill* North Richmond Walnut Creek
• Pittsburg 
• Richmond Civic
• Rodeo 
• San Pablo 
• San Ramon

PLEASE call the Senior Center directly to preorder the meals for pick-up at the senior centers.  See attached Senior Center Locations.  If folks have not registered for the congregate nutrition program in the past they can fill out a NAPIS form at the senior center in their area.

Café Manager have been asked to identify those most in need who need meals delivered in lieu of their café meals. 

Contra Costa Ombudsman Program

Intake will be working from home, they will not be going into any facilities, every facility will be asked a set of questions including- what are the discharge plans this week? Enough supplies? Hospice?  Calls will be collected and returned every 30 minutes- complaints and all matters of business.  

District 5 Office Closure

Dear Community Members:The Contra Costa County health authorities have issued an order for all individuals and households to shelter-in-place in order to limit the spread of coronavirus, therefore, I have closed my District 5 office to all visitors starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The closure will remain until the shelter-in-place is lifted. My staff are working remotely and will be able to retrieve voice messages and access emails. You may call us at 925-608-4200 or send an email to district5@bos.cccounty.us and a member of my staff will respond as soon as possible.

Thank you for your Patience and Understanding, Stay Safe