Here are some of the latest updates on important news for our community.
Included in this week’s Westside Bulletin: COVID-19 Updates, Free Tax Prep Information, Business Relief, a Department of Cultural Affairs Survey, Youth Opportunities, and Upcoming Community Events
COVID-19 UPDATES
Here are the facts you need to know:
- STAY INFORMED: It can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing vaccine news. Get key information by signing up for email updates from the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Tell your friends and family to sign up for this VaxFacts newsletter or follow us at @MayorOfLA on Twitter. You can check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
- NOTIFY LA: The City has also sent targeted text updates to communities with high cases of COVID-19. In just the first three weeks of these joint vaccine equity efforts, appointments booked by Black Angelenos increased by nearly a third. To receive text updates, sign up for Notify LA.
- ‘MOVE’ VACCINE EQUITY PROGRAM: Our new MOVE initiative is deploying mobile vaccination clinics to the most vulnerable parts of Los Angeles. So far, mobile teams have administered over 5,351 doses across sites in South and East L.A., and each clinic has the capacity to vaccinate 200 people per day. This week, MOVE expanded operations to include two additional mobile teams –– and we administered doses across locations in Vermont Square, Pico-Union, Chinatown, Van Nuys, and Boyle Heights.
- VACCINE ACCESS FOR ALL ABILITIES: This week we’re opening an express lane at Dodger Stadium for customers of Access Services, the agency that provides transportation to Angelenos with disabilities. Access riders can book their vaccination appointment pending availability and a round-trip ride to Dodger Stadium by calling (626) 532-1616.
- BY THE NUMBERS: The City of Los Angeles has administered 367,206 vaccine doses at our six City-run vaccination sites, skilled nursing facilities, and fire stations. Since last Monday, our centers have provided 40,107 life-saving vaccinations despite supply and weather challenges.
- ELIGIBLE NOW: All L.A. residents 65 and older are eligible for the vaccine in L.A. County, in addition to healthcare workers, certain essential frontline workers, and residents and staff of skilled nursing facilities.
- UP NEXT: L.A. County announced those who are in Phase 1B, Tier 1 –– including teachers and workers in education and childcare, food and agriculture, and emergency service and law enforcement –– will become eligible for vaccination on March 1st. In addition, the State announced that vaccinations will open to residents between 16 and 64 years old who have certain disabilities or severe underlying medical conditions on March 15th. Sign up to be automatically notified when you become eligible for the vaccine. You can also check what phase you’ll be in.
- VACCINATION SITES: More than 488 locations are currently vaccinating people in L.A. County. As more doses become available in the coming months, more sites and providers will administer shots. When your turn arrives, you can make an appointment through the County hub and bring your ID to the site. If you are 65 or older, have a disability, or do not have access to the internet and need assistance making your vaccination appointment, you can contact the County’s Call Center –– open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. –– at (833) 540-0473. You can also talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated.
FREE TAX PREP L.A.
The 2021 tax-filing season is here, and Los Angeles is excited to launch its fifth year of the Free Tax Prep LA program at FamilySource Centers and other locations across the city. The idea is simple: every Angeleno deserves the chance to access any tax credits available to working families, even if you can’t afford to hire an accountant. So, we have experts and volunteers ready to offer free tax help to individuals and households who make less than $57,000 a year and qualify for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit. For a list of locations and hours, visit FreeTaxPrepLA.com. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Persian, Armenian, and Korean.
BUSINESS RELIEF
U.S. SBA Paycheck Protection Program
President Joe Biden announced changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. In order to reach the smallest businesses, SBA will offer PPP loans to businesses with fewer than 20 employees and sole proprietors only from Wednesday, February 24 through Wednesday, March 10, 2021. President Biden has also announced additional program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable and borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. More information can be found here.
Small Business Stabilization Loan Program
Los Angeles County has launched the Small Business Stabilization Loan Program designed to provide eligible businesses with a competitive interest rate for loans ranging from $50,000 to $3 million. The Small Business Stabilization Loan Program application portal will remain open indefinitely. The Program offers technical assistance from partners who offer complementary online webinars, one-on-one financial consultations, application assistance, and an evaluation of a business’ readiness to submit an LACDA loan application. For more information on the requirements to apply for the Small Business Stabilization Loan Program, please visit BizStabilization.lacda.org.
Technical assistance is available in various languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), and Korean.
Free PPE for Small Businesses
The PPE Unite™ program is a joint effort to give small business owners and their employees access to much-needed personal protective gear. This public and private partnership program creates access to PPE, promotes PPE use, and provides additional resources for businesses. We need to work together to safely reopen our local economy for the health of our businesses and the general public. Get your 30 day supply of free Personal Protective Equipment to keep your business compliant and employees safe. Sign up now to get PPE while supplies last.
City of Los Angeles Business Tax Renewal Season
The Office of Finance is currently in the midst of its Business Tax Renewal season. Customers must renew by March 1 to avoid penalties and take advantage of possible EXEMPTIONS. All businesses are required to file an annual tax renewal regardless of whether or not the business generated revenue for that tax year. Filing the renewals timely avoids late penalties and fees and also ensures that businesses can take advantage of all available tax credits and incentives.
To assist business owners with renewals, the Office of Finance has created a Business Tax Renewals FAQ found here: English or Spanish. It provides information regarding our public counter hours, making appointments and completing the renewals. For more information please visit: City of Los Angeles Office of Finance
L.A. Optimized
LA Optimized provides individualized tech support to help small businesses adapt to the digital marketplace. The program helps businesses create or optimize websites, increase online sales, create business listings, and access branding and marketing help.
Open For Business
Open For Business is designed to support local restaurants and stimulate economic activity in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. Open For Business provides Los Angeles restaurants commission-free digital ordering tools to expand contactless options for customers, as well as access to an over $1 million marketing budget to incentivize customers to order.
BusinessSource Centers
Technical assistance for COVID-19-related business loans and grants. Click here for more information.
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS SURVEY
The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is launching a survey to assess the demand for arts and cultural experiences in our city during this pandemic and beyond. This survey is only for those who reside within the geographic limits of the City of Los Angeles. The survey is available in English and Spanish and will inform a comprehensive report on access and the need for cultural services in communities throughout the city. We invite you to join this effort. The survey will be available until March 5.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES
USC Annenberg Youth Academy for Media & Civic Engagement
The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is accepting applications for the Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA), a three-week online summer intensive academy for 28 talented high school students from Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and San Diego County. Students are exposed to the equivalent of first-year college-level courses and develop a rich conceptual understanding and practice of the necessary role that media communications and journalism play in fashioning civic-minded thought leaders and innovators. AYA strengthens students’ skills in writing, critical thought, public speech and debate, multimedia production, interviewing and ethnography — all essential competencies required for excellence in and out of the classroom in the 21st century. For more information please visit this website. To complete the application click here. Application closes on Friday, March 19, 2021.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Youth Advisory Council
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking dedicated, enthusiastic and motivated youth to join its 3rd cohort of the Youth Advisory Council. The DPH Youth Advisory Council will serve as an advisory board to identify, discuss, and inform DPH leadership on youth issues and programming. The mission of the DPH Youth Advisory Council is to raise awareness of health issues affecting our communities, while working in collaboration with DPH leadership to advise on public health solutions that improve the health and well-being of youth in Los Angeles County. The application for the DPH Youth Advisory Council is attached. You may also visit the MCAH website and download an application here. Submit application to [email protected] by Friday, April 2, 2021.
EVENTS
3rd Annual Westside Safety and Preparedness Fair
Sunday, March 7th, 2021 from 11am-3pm
The Westside Neighborhood Council is excited to be a sponsor of the 3rd Annual Westside Safety and Preparedness Fair which is an important and highly informative community preparedness event. There will be a terrific line-up of keynote speakers, presentations and training such as Hands-Only CPR, Stop the Bleed, and Pet First Aid and CPR. With this event being entirely virtual, you can learn important safety and disaster preparedness topics from the comfort of your own living room. Bring the kids too — there will be presentations just for them! See attached flyer for more details and register via the Event page.
Brentwood Community Council Food Drive
Saturday, March 27th from 10am-2pm
The Brentwood Community Council is hosting a food drive benefiting the Westside Food Bank. Westside Food Bank has specifically requested non-perishable items including canned goods, dry foods, pasta, peanut butter, etc. Folks can drop off these items on Saturday, March 27th from 10am-2pm in front of the Brentwood Science Magnet School, located at 740 S Gretna Green Way, Los Angeles, CA 90049. See attached flyer.
RESOURCES
RENTER PROTECTIONS
HCIDLA: COVID-19 Renter Protections
FREE LEGAL SERVICES
INFO: LA Represents
COVID-19 Testing
SIGN UP: Free COVID-19 Testing
HOMELESS SERVICES
GET HELP:
PARKING CITATION ASSISTANCE
LADOT: Payment Relief Options
Please forward this along to anyone who may find it useful. As always, if you have questions about anything mentioned in this email––or if the Mayor’s Office can help you with something else––please don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Best,
Brad
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| Brad Fingard West Area Representative Mayor’s Office of Legislative & External Affairs p. (213) 309-2116 | e. [email protected] coronavirus.lacity.org |
Scheduling Requests: [email protected]
Certificates: [email protected]
Website: lamayor.org
If this issue is a public safety matter, please use one of the following numbers to contact first responders and other City personnel:
· General City Services: 3-1-1
· LA Dept. of Mental Health (including mental health emergency): 800-854-7771
· To assist with outreach services for people experiencing homelessness: LA HOP or 2-1-1
· Center for Conflict Resolution: 818-705-1090
· CA Coalition Against Sexual Assault: 661-327-1091
· National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
· Parking enforcement (blocked driveway, parking violation, etc): 213-485-4184
· Traffic control (signal light out): 213-485-4184
· Dept. of Water & Power: 800-342-5397
· Police non-emergency: 877-ASK-LAPD (877-275-5273)
· Immediate life threatening emergency: 9-1-1
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