County of Ventura: Covid 19 Update April 27, 2021

 “We appreciate the opportunity to provide assistance where it’s needed most. This program is important in supporting Farmworkers who are vital members of our community. This will help those who are struggling from the impacts of the pandemic and those who support us all through the agricultural products they provide throughout the year,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.

The Board of Supervisors approved the first FHAP program design in September 2020, which was a collaboration between the Board and a generous group of private donors comprised of agricultural employers, farmworker advocates and community-based organizations. The program required proof of residency, financial hardship due to COVID, and prioritized eligibility to farmworkers at very low-income levels of 50% or below the Average Median Income. It served 3,461 farmworker households with a $1,000 grant, a distribution that totaled just over $3 million in federal CARES Act funding in conjunction with about $400,000 in private donor funds collected in a Farmworker Household Assistance trust that was managed by VCCF. The Human Services Agency administered the program on behalf of the donor group and distributed all the funds before the end of last year.

Farmworkers have continued to work throughout the pandemic. Many experienced reductions in hours due to decreased demand for certain crops used primarily by restaurants. Others have needed to reduce their hours to care for school-age children, while still others have incurred unexpected expenses, all of which have impacted the ability to meet the most basic needs of housing, food and medical care.

“As the pandemic has continued and these farmworker households continue to struggle and endure financial hardships disproportionately, this funding aims to provide additional relief and stability while the challenges to meet basic needs persists,” said Melissa Livingston, Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency, which is administering the program.

“These farmworker families who continue to struggle will be receiving a second $1,000 grant under the Farmworker Household Assistance Program,” said Ellen Brokaw from Brokaw Ranch Company. “Our county leaders have stepped up again to help these essential workers who also are our neighbors. Private donations currently being raised will provide further help to even more families. The need is huge. The Ventura County community cares.”

For every $0.50 that is donated to the Farmworker Household Assistance Program by private donors, the Ventura County Community Foundation will also donate $1.00 to the fund through a challenge match grant amount of up to $500,000. Every dollar donated will go directly to farmworker families in need. To donate to the FHAP, please visit www.vccf.org/fhap.

“Since day one of the pandemic, farmworker families have been labelled essential. Here in Ventura County, about half of farmworkers come from indigenous communities and many have faced economic stress, housing uncertainty, and other pandemic related burdens. As the pandemic continues, the strain on many of our farmworker families cannot be overstated. Through county leadership on moving this additional funding, our families can tangibly see that help is on the way,” said Genevieve Flores-Haro Associate Director Mixteco Indígena Community Organizing Project.

Supporting the agricultural community was a priority before the pandemic and this commitment allowed for swift action with partners early on and throughout the ongoing pandemic response. The agricultural industry, growers, farmworker advocates, the Farmworker Resource Program, Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, Office of the CEO, Human Services Agency, Logrando Bienestar (the County’s program to connect Latino and Indigenous community members to mental health services), Public Health and community partners have worked together with weekly coordination calls, resource support, resource outreach, health education, COVID-19 testing on site, vaccination events on site, waiving fees at public health clinics, funding extended food pop up sites in partnership with Food Share and providing isolation and quarantine facilities to support farmworkers needing assistance. The FHAP was developed through this partnership with a goal of helping those in need. Learn more about the Farmworker Resource Program at www.vchsa.org/ag. 

Ventura, CA – Today, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the concept of a 3^rd Business Assistance Grant Program to provide $5,000 grants to recipients of the County’s first and second Business Assistance Grant Programs totaling $30,700,000 in additional assistance bringing the total amount to more than $60 million in grants for local businesses. Staff will return to the Board with a final program for approval.

“The coronavirus pandemic has created both a health and economic crisis. Local businesses have been subjected to shutdowns, reduced capacity, and health and safety protocols that have inflicted a significant financial burden,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “The survival of our local businesses, the economy, and jobs they support is essential to the wellbeing of Ventura County. Every business matters. Each one represents owners, workers, jobs and families that are vital to our community. We hope additional support will help these businesses continue to move forward.”

As this pandemic has endured, the impact on our community and businesses has continued to grow, and there is an even greater need for additional assistance. The proposed third County business grant program will include an additional $5,000 grant for successful applicants to the County’s first and second business assistance grant programs. This would mean up to 6,139 businesses could receive a second $5,000 grant check representing approximately $30,700,000 in assistance.

“Given the pandemic’s extreme impact on our local economy our small businesses continue to be impacted. They really need our continued to support to not only survive but thrive as they recover,” said Deputy Executive Officer Paul Stamper.

In order to mitigate the devastating economic impacts of this emergency on our local business community, the Board of Supervisors authorized multiple assistance measures to support businesses. These assistance measures have included tens of millions of dollars in fee waivers, rental assistance, and business assistance grants. The County’s first business grant program resulted in 3,868 local small businesses receiving a $5,000 grant. This represented approximately $19,340,000 in direct assistance. This County’s second business grant program is underway now. There were 2,271 applications submitted and qualified applicants will receive a $5,000 grant for a total amount of up to $11,355,000 in assistance.

The County of Ventura has provided more than $186 million in local assistance which includes 50% of the County’s total COVID spending plan through June 30, 2021 including Project Roomkey, Senior Nutrition Programs, Rental Assistance Program, Business Assistance Programs, City Support, Food Share Support, Farmworker Assistance and non-profit hospital support. Community support has also been provided through $77 million in COVID-19 testing resources and $9 million in vaccine deployment. 

There are 52 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 2,582 new tests performed. There have been 0 additional deaths.

The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .77 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .87 right now.

Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.

Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. Make your appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.

www.venturacountyrecovers.org