Blog

The CCBVI board of directors invites you to attend the annual board meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at noon, in-person at CCBVI and via Uberconference. A brief presentation will highlight activities, accomplishments, and services provided during the past year. Additionally, the board will share information on goals and objectives for the upcoming year. After the presentation, community comments will follow for approximately thirty (30) minutes. Individuals are invited to speak for up to two (2) minutes.

Thank you. We look forward to your participation.

CCBVI Annual Board Meeting

Tuesday, May 23, 2023, Noon

In-person: 2453 Grand Canal Boulevard, Suite 5, Stockton, California

Uberconference: (209) 255-2399

OrCam and Sterling Adaptives are excited to be partnering to offer a free demonstration on OrCam devices. OrCam Read and OrCam MyEye help users live independently by assisting with reading, facial recognition, product identification and more.

Join us on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2453 Grand Canal Boulevard, Suite 5, Stockton, California, to learn about the solutions OrCam has available for those with low vision or reading difficulties. After a live demo of OrCam devices, attendees can experience the products hands-on. OrCam experts will be on-site to answer questions and help you decide if the devices are right for you or a loved one.

Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired has provided programs and services since 1949 to residents of San Joaquin County who are blind or visually impaired.

Location: 2453 Grand Canal Boulevard, Suite 5, Stockton, California 95207-8259
When: Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

How To Register
Phone: (415) 878-2922, extension 106
Email: Vicki@SterlingAdaptives.com

Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CCBVI) will host Tacos and Tequila to benefit the Ron Valverde Scholarship on Friday, April 14, 2023. Church of the Presentation, 1515 West Benjamin Holt Drive, Stockton, will serve as the venue for this event to raise revenue to support scholarships for youth who are blind or visually impaired. The agency is the only one in San Joaquin County that offers specialized services that provide the tools to empower and inspire people who are blind or have low vision to achieve their full potential.

Tacos and Tequila remembers Ron Valverde. Ron's selfless service with Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired spanned more than five decades. He did it all: board member, volunteer, staff member, friend. He touched more lives than anyone can count. Ron lives in everyone's heart.

Tickets cost $45.00 per person and include:

• Three tacos (choice of carne asada, carnitas, pollo)
• Chips and Salsa
• Salad
• Rice and Beans
• Bottled Water
• CCBVI shot glass and three tequila shots
• Top shelf tequila with two tastings available for purchase
• Beer and soda available for purchase
• Raffle prizes and a 50/50 raffle

For more information, or to order tickets by phone, contact Sarah at (209) 466-3836, extension 7, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Order tickets online at https://ticketstripe.com/TacosandTequila

Share the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/986143376126324/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Maximilian Cao

PressReleases@sjRTD.com

(209) 467-6628

Effective Sunday, January 22, San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) is continuing its commitment to restoring service to many of its routes and extending service hours for more convenient connections with other routes. 

“The restoration and extension of services are an important step forward as we strive to rebuild a reliable and efficient transit system for our customers in a post-pandemic environment,” said RTD CEO Alex Clifford.  “RTD remains committed to ensuring equitable access to public transit, providing quality service, and addressing the needs of our community.” 

Notable improvements are as follows:

• BRT Express Routes 43, 44, 47, and 49 will extend service hours to approximately 7:30 p.m. to mirror BRT Express 40 on the weekends 
• BRT Express Route 47 will add a new bus stop at Commerce Street and Steamboat Landing. 
• Metro Hopper Routes 1 through 9 will extend service hours to approximately 7:30 p.m. for more convenient connections with other routes 
• Local Routes 510, 515, 520, 525, 545, 555, 578, and 580 will extend services hours to approximately 8:30 p.m. more convenient connections with other routes 
• Local Routes 566, 576, and 578 will extend service hours to approximately 7:30 p.m. with additional service to fill in gaps in the middle of the day 
• County Hopper Routes 90, 91, 93, 95, and 97 service hours will be fully restored to pre-pandemic levels 
• Commuter Routes 150 and 163 service hours will be fully restored to pre-pandemic levels

 A complete list of service changes is available at sjRTD.com/service-changes. 

San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) is the regional transit provider for San Joaquin County.  RTD’s mission is to provide a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system for the region.  For more information visit sjRTD.com, follow RTD on Facebook and Twitter, or call (209) 943-1111.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced $4.5 billion in assistance today to help lower heating costs for American families this winter. Today’s announcement is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to lower costs and give working and middle-class American families more breathing room.

The Biden-Harris Administration has launched a new initiative to expand the availability of at-home tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. The tests work with a compatible Bluetooth-enabled smartphone and a free app to provide users with audible instructions and audible test results. Read more about the tests.

How to get the tests:
Order online or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

• Each order will include two rapid-antigen tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.
• Orders will ship free, while supplies last.  

Because supplies are limited, please order the more accessible tests only if you do not have options for using the standard tests. If you have someone you trust who can help you administer the test and interpret results (in person, or through a video platform like FaceTime or Zoom), or can use assistive technology (such as AIRA or Be My Eyes), please order the standard tests.

This initiative complements the Administration’s efforts to expand production of more accessible tests and work with private sector partners on the development of new accessible tests. 

Need more assistance? 
The trained staff at the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) can provide additional assistance with:

• Ordering tests.
• Understanding instructions for test administration and test results.
• Providing alternative instructions for traditional at-home tests for people who are unable to access, read, or understand the manufacturer’s version.
• For those who cannot use an at-home test, DIAL operators can:
  • Assist with ordering “swab and send” kits to collect a sample and mail it back for results.
  • Connect callers to local organizations for assistance locating other testing options in their community, including in-home testing programs or transportation or companion support to visit a community-based testing site.

Call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern) or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.

San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) in partnership with Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) will provide complimentary transit for all 7th – 12th grade SUSD students beginning Wednesday, June 1 just in time for summer school. Students can ride RTD buses at no cost by simply showing their valid student ID to the bus operator and hop aboard.

Beyond trips to school, students can travel to after-school programs, community centers, libraries, summer jobs, and more. Complementary trips are valid within the Stockton Metropolitan area all year round and does not include RTD Van Go! and Commuter services.

“As an agency, RTD is focused on providing equitable access to transportation for all,” said RTD CEO Alex Clifford. “Transportation should not be a barrier to education. As gas prices continue to soar, this is a timely partnership. Not only does this program helps students gain access to transportation, but it will also help our continued efforts in reducing greenhouse gases and carbon footprint from single occupancy vehicles.”

Parents and students can learn more at www.sjRTD.com/SUSD.

San Joaquin County Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park told the Board of Supervisors yesterday that COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths are starting to slowly increase. COVID-19 case rates have risen from 6.5 per 100,000 on April 18th to 22 per 100,000 on May 23rd. This is likely due to the latest Omicron variant, BA.2.12.1, which is more transmissible than its predecessors.

San Joaquin County COVID-19 latest statistics as of May 23, 2022:

• 171,099 total COVID-19 cases; 2,233 deaths; 28 people hospitalized; 5 patients in ICU.

• 64.4% of San Joaquin County’s total population are fully vaccinated.

To view weekly updates of the County’s COVID-19 statistics, visit: San Joaquin County Public COVID Dashboard 

Dr. Park gave an update on the latest Omicron variant stating, “The most recent dominant variant is more contagious than previous versions resulting in an uptick in COVID-19 cases over the past month. However, the current number of cases is most likely much higher because of underreporting by people who are taking rapid antigen tests at home and not sharing the results. We are currently in a surge with rising case rates and hospitalizations, but our hope is that deaths will remain minimal.”

Dr. Park reported that the County’s two OptumServe sites in Lodi and Stockton continue to provide free rapid antigen and PCR tests but are now offering new “test to treat” services at no cost. This means people who visit one of the sites and test positive for COVID-19 would be seen by a nurse or medical assistant, consult with a telehealth doctor who could assess their condition and then prescribe and dispense a COVID-19 treatment. Dr. Park said that a third test to treat site will open at the Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy beginning May 26th and will be open Thursday – Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In addition:

• The County will soon distribute free at-home rapid antigen tests to cities and community-based organizations for countywide distribution. Future sites will open soon where additional free at-home tests will be distributed.

• Up to 8 free at-home COVID-19 tests are available through www.COVIDtests.gov.

• Residents are encouraged to check www.MyTurn.ca.gov or www.SJReady.org for information about testing and vaccine locations and hours of operation.

Dr. Park shared details regarding second COVID-19 booster doses. She said that the CDC recommends the following individuals should get their second booster dose:

• People 12 and older who are immunocompromised and anyone 50 and older at least 4 months after their first.

• People ages 18 and older who received their primary and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

• Children ages 5 through 11 years should receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.

Dr. Park also updated the Board about the new Public Health Services website, newsletter and dashboard which highlight the latest COVID-19 information and community services.

Supervisor Chuck Winn, Chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors stated, “It appears COVID-19 is becoming a manageable condition much like seasonal flu. Moving forward, it will be important to make decisions and take actions based on the most up-to-date information, not on speculation. We need to take it one step at a time and take appropriate action in what we are experiencing at the moment rather than predicting what might happen in the future.”

Families up and down our state are worried about how to put food on the table as prices for food, gas and other necessities spiral out of reach. The economic pain of the pandemic, along with skyrocketing inflation and the high cost of living throughout our state is breaking the bank for many Californians who are already on the brink of poverty.

My food resource map connects residents to critical food resources in every single California county so that anyone in need of assistance can find free, nutritious food. Check it out at https://lacontroller.org/data.../food-for-californians/.