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VICTOR VALLEY, CA—- As part of Victor Valley College’s ongoing response to COVID-19, students now have free, immediate, and unlimited access to medical and mental health counseling visits through TimelyMD, a telehealth company that specializes in higher education

TimelyCare, as the program is branded, offers students a complete care solution for campus health, with on-demand and appointment-based medical care and on-demand mental health counseling programs specifically designed for college students.

The program gives students free 24/7 access to licensed physicians and mental health professionals anywhere in the United States. 

“We know that students lead busy, complicated lives. The pandemic has made life, and being a student, even more challenging,” said Vice President of Student Development Dr. Karen Engelsen. “Students, we hope that you’ll utilize TimelyMD and benefit from the 24/7 access to medical, emotional and mental health care providers. It’s free, confidential, and available to all registered VVC students. We care about you and your future. Stay well.”

TimelyMD enhances campus resources by helping limit the spread of illness, reduce the stigma of mental health counseling, and grant peace of mind to students and their families. In fact, a recent survey found the top three things that would boost parents’ confidence in the ability of campuses to support students this fall were 1) on-campus enforcement of social distancing, 2) regular COVID-19 testing and 3) access to 24/7 telehealth resources for physical and mental health – all of which Victor Valley College has implemented.

“The experiences we’ve all gone through during this pandemic have called attention to the need to invest in programs that support mental health and overall well-being,” said Associated Student Body President Bridge Lee. “I’m so appreciative of VVC for bringing care solutions to students at a time when we need it most. I hope that students will take full advantage of this exceptional opportunity and that it will be continued for years to come.”

Seeking care on-demand is as easy as making a video call through TimelyMD. From an app on their phone or other device, students can see the profiles, faces and basic identifying details of a diverse range of medical providers or mental health counselors available to them. They can choose to meet with a specific provider or select the first available. Typically, students are having a video consultation with someone within 5 to 10 minutes. 

“Virtual access to medical and mental health counseling has never been more important, especially for college students who may be learning remotely, need care after hours, and prefer to do so privately on their own devices,” said Luke Hejl, Chief Executive Officer of TimelyMD. “Resuming classes this fall includes anticipating and addressing the concerns, needs and demands of students and their families. TimelyMD is proud to partner with Victor Valley College to take quality medical and mental health care off everyone’s worry list.” 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Committee on School District Organization has one vacancy for an unexpired term in the First District.

The 11-member committee deals with school district organization issues, including the number of trustees, trustee and school district boundary areas, and unification.

Applicants must be registered voters in the First District. County Committee members cannot be employed by a school district in any county, community college district or county superintendent office. School board members are eligible to apply.

Interest forms can be downloaded at www.westsidestorynewspaper.com (look for this story in the newsfeed). The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. May 14. Virtual interviews are planned for Wednesday, May 19, 2021, beginning at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Angel Arrington at 909-386-9615 or email angel.arrington@sbcss.net.

We are looking for the best and brightest to join our team of multi-disciplinary professionals whose standards are of the highest caliber. Kosmont Companies is founded on the pursuit of four pillars of strength: Innovation, Integration, Intelligence, and Integrity. We provide cutting edge municipal real estate products and services to best serve both the public and private sectors, converging traditional consulting with property brokerage and public finance transactions to achieve financial success for our clients.

Kosmont Companies (www.kosmont.com) is a respected advisory services and transaction firm
offering a full range of real estate and economic advisory, project finance, investment and planning
services for both the public and private sectors. Founded in 1986, Kosmont Companies is a nationally
recognized expert in economic development, public finance and real estate development projects
involving government and private sector partnerships.

Kosmont Companies’ headquarters are located at 1230 Rosecrans Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

Job Description
Minimum duties include:

• Contract review and negotiation
• Insurance review and negotiation
• Manage/coordinate virtual office and related technology platforms (using MS 365 Office –
• Teams, Tasks and SharePoint)
• Renewal of various government registrations (i.e., MBE/SBE certs, business license, etc.)
• Annual corporate minutes & filings
• Recruitment, training and retention of employees
• Negotiate and coordinate with various vendors
• Manage the Corporate calendar
• Assist with budget, billing, and accounts receivables
• Consulting activities as designated

Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organizational skills, a strong analytical background, a
proactive attitude, excellent oral and written skills, ability to work independently and the capacity to
distill and use complex information. Candidate must be proficient with MS Office 365 applications
(Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint) and preferably have an understanding about real
estate and local government.

Contract administration experience, understanding of insurance/risk management, and experience with
I.T. will be essential to your success in this position. Experience working for or with California local
government or relevant consulting work is a plus. A degree in Business Administration, law or paralegal
experience is preferred.

Compensation is commensurate with background, education and skills.

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume immediately (open until filled) to: Sabrina Pareja, spareja@kosmont.com.

(NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE)

VA Loma Linda Healthcare System has resumed administration of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine. Single-dose clinics are available by walk-in or appointment. Call (909) 825-7084 ext. 5085 for information.

?RIVERSIDE, CA— Burlington Stores, the national retailer delivering amazing deals to customers every time they shop, is growing with the addition of their newest distribution center in Riverside opening May 17. ? 

They’re hiring more than 100 full-time positions, and new hires can expect a base wage of?$16 $18/hour. The available positions include first and second shifts, full-time warehouse associates and supervisors. Perks include health benefits, a 401(k), flexible shift choices, and opportunities for performance-based bonuses. And what’s more, this new distribution center will be equipped with the latest pallet technology and will be one of the largest distribution centers for Burlington – measuring at close to 900,000 square feet.?? 

For Interested candidates looking to schedule an interview, they can select a time that works?best for?them. Job offers are often made on the spot. Additionally, Burlington will have Spanish-speaking associates available to assist with relevant interviews.  

To start filling the open positions, there will be a hiring event on Thursday, May 13 from 9 AM to 1 PM PST. Location address can be found below.  

Burlington Stores: Riverside Distribution Center  
21600 Cactus Avenue Riverside, CA 92518 

The deadline to get a travel-compliant Real ID driver’s license has been extended another 19 months by the Department of Homeland Security. Instead of Oct. 1, 2021, residents will have until May 3, 2023 to get their Real ID in order to board domestic flights and enter some federal buildings. If you choose not to get a Real ID, a U.S. passport or DHS trusted traveler card are also travel compliant. The Transportation Security Administration does not require IDs for children younger than 18 if they are traveling with an adult within the United States.

To apply for a REAL ID card, you must present ONE identity document that includes your date of birth and your true full name (first, middle, and last). You can complete the application online, and then go to the DMV to finish the process.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, Mr. Joseph G. Paulino, Chief of Police for San Bernardino City Unified School District Police Department spent time on Saturday, April 24, speaking virtually to youth and others of the Social Lites, Inc. 54th Beautillion program on leadership. Chief Paulino came across as an inspirational and influential leader sharing words of wisdom on how important to motivate others to be their best.  Chahan JhuMaani Chess stated what he learned was “A leader is someone who helps build others up and not only do they help prevent the chaos and malice of the present, but they also help build the fundamentals and encourage others for the possibilities and greatness of the future.”

The 54th Beautillion program is sponsored by The Social Lites, Inc. of San Bernardino under the leadership of Lisa Blacksher Owens, president, and Tina Darling Beautillion Chair. This past year, due to COVID-19 did not prevent this program from moving forward.  This year the Beautillion program continued to be an extracurricular virtual program which included the signature involvement with civic engagement, academics, and virtual cultural awareness through the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and virtual workshops that included Dr. Samuel Gibbs who spoke on life skills and health.

The 54th Beautillion program will commence virtually on Saturday, May 22, 2021.  For more information, please contact: knight.beautillion@gmail.com

VICTORVILLE, CA— The City of Victorville announced Tuesday that it will award more than $3.2 million in federal grant money from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to local service organizations and programs designed to increase economic opportunities, improve living conditions, expand affordable housing, and assist with Coronavirus response and recovery for Victorville residents.

The recipients include High Desert Homeless Services, High Desert Second Chance (pictured above), Victor Valley Family Resource Center, Community Health Action Network, Victor Valley Domestic Violence, and San Bernardino Sexual Assault Services. Additionally, monies were awarded to various City programs such as the Library, graffiti abatement program, Senior Home Repair Program, Wellness Center Campus, and the homeless shelter at Westwinds Sports Center.

San Bernardino County continues to make great progress in the fight against COVID-19 and has now administered 1,209,066 doses to our residents.

On Tuesday, the County’s adjusted case rate was 2.9/100,000 with an overall positivity rate of 1.7 percent and an equity positivity rate of 1.8 percent. In order to move into the less restrictive yellow tier, the County’s overall positivity needs to be below 2 percent and equity positivity below 2.3% for at least two weeks. 

“We continue to make progress toward the yellow tier and want to thank our staff, entire community, network of trusted communicators and vaccine providers for that progress,” said County Chief Operating Officer Leonard X. Hernandez.

Hernandez said that Pfizer is currently working on approval with the FDA to administer vaccines to youth ages 12-16, and that the state may be releasing new guidance regarding a “green tier” shortly. As soon as that happens, we’ll be sure to share the information in our newsletter and social media sites.

New Vaccination Sites Will Provide Equitable Access to Latinx, Black and Other Communities Disproportionately Affected by Pandemic

Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties (PPOSBC) has opened two new COVID-19 vaccination sites, in their San Bernardino and Victorville health centers, dedicated to eliminating barriers to vaccine access for Latinx and other diverse communities. PPOSBC’s patient population in San Bernardino — 81% of whom identify as Black, Latinx and people of color — have been disproportionately affected by both the virus and the pandemic’s economic fallout. PPOSBC has capacity to vaccinate up to 180 community members a week at the centers and offers both weekday and weekend appointments. The new vaccination sites are dedicated to making it as easy as possible to schedule an appointment, as well as providing accurate information and answering any questions a patient might have about the vaccine.

“At Planned Parenthood, we understand the only way to end this deadly pandemic is with COVID-19 vaccines, and we are proud to be part of the solution by offering these safe, effective vaccines to the communities we serve,” said Dr. Janet Jacobson, medical director of Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties. “We are dedicated to being a trusted health care provider and that includes helping those facing inequitable access to comprehensive medical care and resources. We trust the vaccines to help make our future stronger and having them readily available at our health centers is key to increasing confidence that the best thing to do to keep you and the ones your loved ones safe is to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.”

As the vaccine rollout accelerates across the country, and officials focus on ensuring the hardest-hit communities get access to shots, PPOSBC has launched an educational campaign including social media and digital ads to help build public confidence around the vaccines in these areas with a special emphasis on vaccinations in the Latinx community. Both health centers offering COVID-19 vaccines are located in zip codes that have been heavily impacted by the coronavirus. PPOSBC staff accurately reflect the populations in the communities they serve, and most of the support staff working at both sites are official translators and can provide care in multiple languages.

The organization will be offering the Moderna vaccine and will be a part of BlueShield’s “MyTurn” web appointment system. Anyone who is eligible (currently, any Californian aged 18 and up) can choose to get vaccinated at a PPOSBC location through the MyTurn scheduling system. The vaccine is free and available to all eligible people, regardless of citizenship status. Insurance is accepted, but not required.

Vaccination Sites

PPOSBC’s vaccination sites are located at:

  San Bernardino Health Center

1873 S. Commercenter Dr. W., San Bernardino, Calif. 92408

Vaccines offered on Thursday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please check the MyTurn website for most up-to-date information. Vaccination walk-ins are currently being accepted on the days and times above only, but advance appointments are encouraged.

Victorville Health Center

15403 Park Ave. E., Victorville, Calif. 92392

Vaccines offered on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please check the MyTurn website for most up-to-date information. Vaccination walk-ins are currently being accepted on the day and time above only, but advance appointments are encouraged.

To Make an Appointment

?      Visit www.MyTurn.CA.gov or call (833) 422-4255

?      Register and check your eligibility on the website

?      Enter your address or zip code after confirming eligibility

?      Scroll down to look for a Planned Parenthood location. In addition to the new locations in San Bernardino and Victorville, vaccines are also available in Orange County at Planned Parenthood’s Anaheim location, located at 801 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, Calif. 92805

?      Appointment slots are limited, so if you don’t see one of the Planned Parenthood locations, it means the appointments are full for that day. But you can check back later. 

Helping Hesitant Family and Friends 

For those with family or friends who are hesitant or have questions about the vaccine, Dr. Jacobson offers three helpful tips for handling conversations about why they should get their shots: 

1. Listen to their concerns with empathy. “These vaccines, while remarkably effective, are still very new. It’s natural for people to have questions about them. The sheer amount of information—and misinformation—about COVID-19 vaccines out there can be overwhelming for anyone. That’s why it’s so important to listen without judgement when a family member or friend expresses fear about getting vaccinated and identify the root of their apprehension.

“Acknowledge their emotions so they know they have been heard. For example, you can say something like, ‘It sounds like you’re stressed both at work and at home, and concerns about the vaccine are another source of stress. That’s really tough.'” 

1. Ask open-ended questions to explore those concerns. “Open-ended questions are meant to get more than a “yes” or “no” response. Asking open-ended questions can help you understand what a person is worried about, where they learned any troubling information, and what they have done to get answers to their questions. For example, you can ask, “How did watching that news report make you feel? What did you do next?” 

“As difficult as it may be when you are passionate about making sure everyone is vaccinated, do not be judgmental. Respectfully ask open-ended questions that help you understand their fears, and avoid saying things like, ‘That’s silly to think that,’ or ‘why would you be worried about that?'”

1. Once you understand their concern, ask their permission to share information with them. “Once you feel you understand where they are coming from, even if you do not agree, ask if you can provide some information. Tell them where you get information you trust and be careful not to push information on them. You can find answers to common questions they may have from reputable sources, including the CDC, San Bernardino County of Public Health, or other trusted sources such as the person’s doctor, nurse or pharmacist. 

“Sometimes, simply sharing quick, accurate answers to common concerns your friends or family members can go a long way toward moving someone from worry to confidence to empowerment. If you don’t know the answers to their questions, offer to help them look for information. Remember that the overwhelming data regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines may not be enough to change someone’s mind about getting vaccinated right away. It may take a while for the idea to grow so be patient and kind.” 

“We are always here for every patient who walks through our doors, helping them make informed decisions about their health,” said Dr. Jacobson. “We will never let up on our commitment to giving everyone who uses our services high quality essential care, the most up-to-date information and the resources available to help them live the life they envision for themselves.” 

To book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, please visit www.MyTurn.CA.gov or call (833) 422-4255. 

For more information about Planned Parenthood’s COVID-19 vaccination sites, and for answers to frequently asked questions, please visit: www.pposbc.org