Director's Message

Director's Message

Colleagues:

Since the onset of the pandemic, Contra Costa County has led the nation's fight against COVID-19 with meaningful health efforts that have protected our communities.

If our county performed in line with the U.S. average, we would have had 1,700 more deaths, 71,000 more cases, and we would have administered 390,000 fewer vaccine doses. Together, we have saved countless lives and there is not a day that goes by that I'm not in awe of all the work you've done.

The pandemic is not over, and our response is evolving as it has been throughout the last 2 1/2 years. In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to integrate ongoing COVID activities into Contra Costa Health's (CCH) regular operations.

On Oct. 1, we will close our COVID testing location in San Ramon and transition the Richmond Auditorium to offer vaccine only. Testing demand has significantly decreased and there are many places throughout the county where tests are available, including health care providers and pharmacies. Free at-home tests are available throughout the county as well, including locations like libraries and community-based organizations. Please check before going to any location to determine that tests are available.

We've seen the same decrease in demand for vaccination as more and more people visit their health care provider. We anticipate closing our COVID vaccination sites at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center in Antioch, the Oak Grove site in Concord, and the Richmond Auditorium in Richmond in 2023, although the timing for that is still to be determined.

In the meantime, we are focused on providing the new Omicron booster, which we started administering on Sept. 9. Getting this new booster is a great way to upgrade your protection as we head into fall and winter.

Throughout this transition, we remain committed to prioritizing equitable access to COVID care for people who are uninsured and our most vulnerable residents.

I appreciate all the work each and every one of you have done and will continue to do throughout the pandemic. Our dedicated temporary employees have provided valuable service and I know you are an excellent fit for this organization. CCH is hiring for many permanent positions and I encourage you to apply. You can find more information on the CCH website.

As we restructure our COVID response, I understand there will be questions. This is a transitional time and I encourage you to stay in touch with your managers. You can also reach out to Dora Regalado, who is supporting staff throughout the next few months, by emailing her at dora.regalado@cchealth.org.

On behalf of the leadership team, Contra Costa County, and all the lives you have touched – thank you. Our community is a better, healthier place because of your care and commitment.

Thank you for all you do,

Anna M. Roth RN, MS, MPH
Health Director, Contra Costa County

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Every September, Contra Costa Health observes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It's a time to raise awareness about suicide as a serious public health problem and to highlight the role everyone plays in preventing suicide.

Many of us have in some way been impacted by the tragedy of suicide, yet often, the topic of suicide is stigmatized. Let's use this month to shift perceptions, spread hope and share vital information.

Linking people to the appropriate resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and seek help can make a difference. Please remember, if you or someone you know are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, it is ok to get help.

Community Resources

• A3
  833-443-2672
• Contra Costa Crisis Center
  Call 211 or 800-833-2900
  Text 'Hope' to 20121
• Seneca (for youth 17 and younger)
  877-441-1089
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  988
  800-273-8255

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.

Additional Resources

• Tips to cope with stress
• Take Action for Mental Health
• The Trevor Project

Contra Costa County Secures $6 Million Grant to Expand Holistic Intervention Partnership

Contra Costa Health (CCH) is partnering with the Contra Costa County Office of the Public Defender on a three-year project to expand the Holistic Intervention Partnership (HIP).

HIP supports those involved in the criminal legal system to improve outcomes for indigent Contra Costa County residents who live with mental illness, substance use, housing insecurity and homelessness. This funding provides more than $2.6 million for housing – both permanent and short-term solutions – for those impacted by the local criminal legal system.

HIP has proven to be an effective tool to support our county's most vulnerable residents, while at the same time reducing incarceration and increasing public safety. With this new award, HIP will expand and deepen its resources.

The award is funded through revenues generated by Proposition 47, a 2014 voter-approved initiative that reduced the penalties for some nonviolent crimes and directed the state incarceration savings to be used to create community-based resources in jurisdictions throughout the state.

To refer clients, call or text 925-378-0058 or email the HIP program at help@pd.cccounty.us.

Reminder: Register for the CCH Equity Assessment Webinar

Thank you for your participation and your leadership during our organizational equity assessment.

A reminder that CCH staff are invited to a 90-minute report by our equity consultant, The Justice Collective (TJC) on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

We hope you can join us during the next phase of our work to eliminate disparities within Contra Costa Health.

TJC will review what they learned from the staff equity survey, listening sessions, focus groups and interviews done over the past few months - and they will discuss what CCH is doing well and where have opportunities to improve.

Please reach out to the Equity Team at equityteam@cchealth.org if you have any questions.

Congratulations to the 2022 SPIRIT Graduates

On July 27, family, friends and mentors celebrated this years' Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training (SPIRIT) Program graduates.

Nearly 50 people received certificates after completing six months of classes and an internship taught in collaboration with our Behavioral Health program and Contra Costa College.

For many graduates, this is a first step in a path to making behavioral health part of their career. People with lived behavioral health experience can apply for the SPIRIT Program. The course teaches students core skills to support people on the path to recovery and their loved ones, as well work on their own recovery and wellbeing.

After graduation, students often work in the behavioral health field as advocates or peer providers.

The SPIRIT Program is now accepting applications for the 2023 cohort. Applications are available online and due by Friday, Oct. 7.

CA Clean Air Day October 5, 2022

Oct. 5 marks Clean Air Day in California, a reminder that when it comes to air pollution, we can all do our part. Contra Costa Health (CCH) is joining hundreds of other organizations across the state to take the Clean Air Pledge.

CCH is committed to doing our part to clear the air, through actions big and small. By taking the pledge, our goal is to spread the message about air pollution and how it directly impacts the health of our communities. During October, we will post on our social media platforms different ways people can help clear the air through actions big and small.

There are many ways CCH has been working to address climate change, and we look forward to sharing more about this important work. Dan Peddycord, Climate and Health Policy Officer, is available to provide presentations to your staff. Please reach out to him by emailing daniel.peddycord@cchealth.org if you're interested in learning more.

Service Excellence Awards

Service Excellence Awards acknowledge the care, skill and compassion Contra Costa Health employees bring to work each day.

I am excited to recognize the incredible work being done at CCH and acknowledge employees who have gone above and beyond for each other and our communities.

Please join me in celebrating and thanking each person who has been nominated. As you receive your Service Excellence Award, I hope you feel as much pride and gratitude as I do for our team at CCH.

See all the nominees

Nominate a Coworker