LOS ANGELES COUNTY CONFRONTING COVID-19 WITH ONGOING VITAL RESOURCES
More than six months into the pandemic, Los Angeles County continues to respond to the COVID-19 emergency with multiple essential services for residents and businesses ranging from food and monetary support to mental health and free or low-cost healthcare.
COMBATING HUNGER: Food insecurity remains one of the County’s highest areas of need as affirmed by the recent study from USC Dornsife Public Exchange in coordination with the Los Angeles County Emergency Food Security Branch. That study confirmed 1 in 4 L.A. County households experienced food insecurity between March and July of this year, representing an estimated 873,000 households, making current levels of food insecurity in the County higher than pre-pandemic levels. In response, L.A. County has provided 2,388 tons of food at public food-box distribution events since March, which is the equivalent of 4 million meals provided to 68,498 households. “Los Angeles County understands the economic hardships and burdens many families are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we continue to respond with urgently needed, essential tangible resources to support our communities and businesses,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. As the need for assistance continues, L.A. County encourages residents to access the available support and reminds residents that these assistance programs are available regardless of insurance or immigration status. For any questions or language assistance to access resources from L.A. County, call or text 211. FOOD INSECURITY: 211 LA FOOD FINDER #LetsFeedLACounty is now hosting drive-thru food distribution events three times a week in locations across the County. For the latest information including distribution dates, times and locations, visit https://covid19.lacounty.gov/ Additionally, 211 LA has partnered with Slingshot Aerospace to create a mapping tool that makes locating food resources near you easier than ever. Add your location and filter by type of resource, then click to see detailed information about the resource and how to access it. CAL FRESH: L.A. County is helping enroll low-income residents in the CalFresh Program, which issues monthly electronic EBT benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. Hundreds of thousands of County residents are now newly eligible for assistance because of the pandemic but have not accessed services. Click here to enroll today. |
POWERING L.A. COUNTY:
Los Angeles County utilities are providing resources and relief to eligible residents.
UTILITY BILL RELIEF:
Please visit this web page for future updates.
HELPING BUSINESSES STAY SAFE FROM COVID-19:
L.A. County is training businesses on the implementation of COVID-19 safety protocols through a no-cost, online training course called the COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certification Program (CSCCP). Once completed, business owners receive a certificate and window seal to display on their storefront, which can reassure employees and customers alike that the business is following COVID-19 infection control and physical distancing requirements.
If you have not yet completed the CSCCP course or want to learn more about it, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/
FREE COVID-19 TESTING:
If you think you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, call your primary care provider to schedule a COVID-19 test. COVID-19 symptoms include: fever, cough, difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and/or new loss of taste or smell.
Wherever possible, you should receive testing in consultation with your healthcare provider to ensure continuity of care & optimal follow-up. If you do not have insurance and need help connecting to a healthcare provider, dial 2-1-1.
To check availability or make a COVID-19 test appointment, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.
FREE FLU SHOTS:
Beginning this October, L.A. County’s Department of Public Health (DPH) and L.A. County Library will be offering free flu vaccines to those 6 months of age and older at select Library locations across the County. Flu shot clinic dates and locations for October and November 2020 are being finalized and will be announced here, once available. Health insurance will not be a requirement.
If you’re thinking of getting a flu vaccine, L.A. County recommends calling your regular health care provider to see what other shots you may need. If you don’t have a regular provider, dial 2-1-1 (the free L.A. County Information Line) or visit publichealth.lacounty.gov for a list of no cost or low-cost vaccine providers.
FREE HEALTHCARE:
My Health LA is a no-cost health care program for people who live in LA County that is free to individuals and families who do not have and cannot get health insurance, such as Full-Scope Medi-Cal.
Health care services are provided by non-profit clinics called “Community Partners.” There are over 200 Community Partner clinics in My Health LA. Click here to find a clinic near you. Please call the clinic to make an enrollment appointment and to make sure the clinic is taking new patients at this time.
FREE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT:
With stress, anxiety, and depression on the rise in light of the ongoing challenge of the pandemic, the L.A. County Department of Mental Health’s (LACDMH) 24/7 Helpline at (800) 854-7771 is available to provide mental health support, resources and referrals (LACDMH facility updates are available here).
LACDMH has partnered with Headspace to offer a collection of mindfulness and meditation resources – for free – to all L.A. County residents. The free Headspace Plus subscription includes access to hundreds of science-backed guided meditations in English and Spanish, as well as movement and sleep exercises to help manage stress, fear and anxiety related to COVID-19.
LACDMH is also a part of PsychHub’s COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub, which is dedicated to providing free resources to help people address their mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
