BCHD Receives $1.13 Million for Pandemic Efforts
Jan 26, 2022 12:41PM ● By Mb News Staff
A volunteer delivers a vaccination at one of Beach Cities Health District's vaccine clinics at Adventureplex in Manhattan Beach.
The Beach Cities Health District (BCHD), which covers Manhattan Beach as well as Hermosa and Redondo, has received $1.13 million in funding to cover unanticipated costs and loss of revenue associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The funding was made available from a $100 million allocation provided by the California State Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom in the 2021-2022 state budget.
This funding arrives after special districts across California, such as BCHD, experienced budget and staff cuts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout 2020 and 2021, these special districts continued serving communities but initially received none of the COVID-19 relief funding available to cities and counties.
Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, BCHD has provided more than 155,000 COVID-19 tests and supported 74 vaccine clinics with more than 23,100 vaccine doses administered.
BCHD continued to support the community by completing 2,616 errands for residents and delivering 4,712 meals for those who remained “safer at home” during the 2020-21 fiscal year.
Altogether, more than 500 BCHD volunteers participated in these service activities for Beach Cities residents.
“Special districts are addressing our biggest statewide challenges, all at the local level,” said Neil McCormick, CEO of the California Special Districts Association, in a statement. We applaud Governor Newsom and our legislature for recognizing this and responding to our requests for partnership. Special districts make a difference throughout California and this funding will make a difference in the communities special districts serve.”
Statewide, more than 2,000 independent special districts across the state serve the needs of all 40 million Californians at some level, and more than 60 percent of these local agencies provide specialized services to a disadvantaged community.
BCHD is a healthcare district focused on preventative health and serves the communities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. Established in 1955 as a public
agency, it offers health and wellness programs as well as services and facilities to promote health and prevent diseases across the lifespan. BCHD also operates AdventurePlex, a health and fitness facility in Manhattan Beach, and the Center for Health & Fitness, a comprehensive fitness center that is the only Medical Fitness Association-certified facility in California. BCHD was named the 2021 “Special District of the Year” by the Association of California Healthcare Districts.
BCHD’s budgetary practices are available to the public online and the budget is reviewed by the
District’s resident advisory Finance Committee and discussed at public Board meetings. An annual report with an overview is also mailed to Beach Cities households each year.
