It’s not easy being a parent or caregiver, especially during these challenging times. That’s why United Parents is offering FREE Crisis Counseling sessions to the people who are caring for the next generation. United Parents/CalHope is a non-profit organization funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and run by California Department of Health Care Services. The goal is to assist individuals, families, and communities recovering from the effects of COVID-19. To do this, the group provides free emotional and crisis support sessions for up to six contacts by phone, videoconferencing, smart device and/or computer chat. Along with emotional support, resources and support group sessions are also offered. If you are a parent or caregiver in need of support, please call (888) 384-1120 Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. There are also support groups via Zoom every Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. (English) and Thursday at 6:00 p.m. (Spanish).

Tips to Manage Stress:

• Take a break from the news if it’s causing you to feel overwhelmed.
• Maintain social contact by phone, text, or email with those who support you.
• Treat your body kindly: eat healthy foods, avoid excessive alcohol, and exercise as you are able.
• Focus on what you can control and let go of the rest.

For more information visit https://www.calhope.org/.

Do you need help with rent or utilities? You may be eligible for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program.

Financial assistance is available from the State of California for income eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19 and have past due rent or utilities, or who need help with upcoming rent or utilities.

Both renters and landlords are encouraged to apply.

Assistance is available for unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020, as well as for future rent.

Assistance is also available for unpaid utility payments dating back to April 1, 2020, or for future utility payments, which will both be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months, and paid directly to the utility provider.

Assistance from the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program does not count as earned income and will not affect eligibility for any other state benefit assistance programs. All applicant information is kept private and will not be shared. Income eligible applicants may qualify regardless of immigration status and will not be required to show proof of citizenship.

How do I apply?

To check eligibility and apply, visit HousingIsKey.com or call 833-430-2122.

For in-language assistance, to get help with eligibility requirements or filling out an application, schedule an appointment with a local organization near you by calling 833-687-0967.

The California Department of Public Health and California Department of Technology announced a new Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record for Californians, available at myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov. The tool is a convenient option for Californians who received a COVID-19 vaccination to access their record from the state’s immunization registry systems.

“While CDPH recommends that vaccinated Californians keep their paper CDC card in a safe and secure place, we recognize that some people might prefer an electronic version,” said California State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan. “And if one of the state’s nearly 20 million vaccinated Californians misplaces their paper card, the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record provides a convenient backup.”

California’s Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record follows national standards for security and privacy, is built by the state, and provides Californians a way to view and save their vaccine record.

The Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record is easy to use: a person enters their name, date of birth, and an email or mobile phone number associated with their vaccine record. After creating a 4-digit PIN, the user receives a link to their vaccine record that will open upon re-entry of the PIN.

The record shows the same information as the paper CDC vaccine card: name, date of birth, date of vaccinations, and vaccine manufacturer. It also includes a QR code that makes these same details readable by a QR scanner. Once the digital record is received, individuals are encouraged to screenshot the information and save it to their phone files or camera roll.

For more information about the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record, visit covid19.ca.gov. Californians can correct or update their immunization record at cdph.ca.gov/covidvaccinerecord.

California may be fully open, but face coverings are still required in some settings per CDC guidelines. Please read the full masking guidance from the California Department of Public Health.

Everyone Must Wear a Mask on Public Transportation and in Other Limited Settings
Everyone must wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose on public transportation (airports, planes, trains, buses, stations, etc.). Masks are also required for everyone working/attending/living in healthcare settings (including long term care facilities), k-12 schools, childcare, and other youth settings, state and local correctional facilities and detention centers, homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers.

Fully Vaccinated¹ People May Go Unmasked in Most Settings²
Fully vaccinated Californians may go unmasked in most settings, except on public transportation and the places listed above. (Workers must follow Cal/OSHA rules.)

People Who Are NOT Fully Vaccinated…
Must wear masks in all indoor public settings (such as, but not limited to, the grocery store and the movie theatre) and should wear masks in outdoor crowded settings when that region is experiencing high covid transmission.

Businesses and Venues May Ask for Vaccination Status and May Also Require Masks
Businesses, venue operators or hosts may require all patrons to wear masks, or may implement vaccine verification (which can include self-attestation of vaccination status). (Doing so would not violate HIPAA rules.)

People Cannot Be Denied Service for Wearing a Mask No business or venue may deny service to a person who chooses to wear a mask.

Some People Are Exempt from Mask Wearing
Children younger than two years old and people with certain medical conditions are not required to wear a mask. Please read our full masking guidance for more details.

For more information on when to where face coverings, view the California Department of Public Health Face Coverings Q&A here.

¹Someone is considered fully vaccinated two weeks or more after their second dose of Pfizer/Moderna or two weeks after receiving the single dose J&J vaccine.

²Local health jurisdictions may impose stricter criteria. In workplaces, employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) or in some workplaces the CalOSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard, and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.