Ensuring the health and well-being of our patients always has been our greatest concern, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made that all the more important. Venice Family Clinic remains open to serve our community, largely through telehealth and in-person when necessary. We also continue to adapt to address the current surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths and the need to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine efficiently and equitably. Below are some of the updates to our current operations:

• Since the COVID-19 vaccine first became available for health care workers in December, we have made sure all our clinicians and staff have had the opportunity to receive the vaccine, through our partnership with UCLA Health.
• We have also begun to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to personnel with our community partners, such as homeless and substance use service agencies.
• Clinic administration is preparing a plan to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to our patients, in compliance with state and local guidelines.
• We have established a dedicated area in our parking lot at Simms/Mann Health and Wellness Center for COVID-19 activities, including testing and eventually vaccinations for patients. This follows the creation of a similar space at our Rose Avenue location that we have had since April 2020.
• Except to help with urgent matters, we have temporarily suspended dental and vision services until further notice. Our pharmacy will stay open and continues to offer delivery of prescriptions. Our integrative medicine program remains closed.
• The Clinic has redeployed some of its clinicians and staff to maximize COVID-19 testing capacity.
• While most group visits and classes are on hold, some – including those in our health education and substance use programs – have resumed via video conferencing technology.
• Our Health Insurance Enrollment department continues to be available by phone to help patients with Medi-Cal, Covered California, CalFresh and other programs.
• We are setting up memorials at all sites to honor people, including our patients and family of staff, who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

We will continue to review and adjust our operations as the pandemic evolves to safely provide care to our patients. Venice Family Clinic is doing its part to slow the spread of COVID-19, while making sure we continue to make good on our promise to provide quality health care to people who need it.