CalFresh Emergency Allotment
Some households will see an increase in their CalFresh benefit allotments. The emergency allotments will be automatically loaded onto their EBT cards sometime in April. Applications for CalFresh can be done online through GetCalFresh.org.

CalFresh Semi-Annual Reports & Re-Determinations
CalFresh participants who have a Semi-Annual Reports (SAR7) due in March, April or May will have their eligibility extended to their next re-determination. Most CalFresh participants who had a re-determination due in March, April or May will have their eligibility extended by 6 months. Participants are still required to report changes to eligibility, such as income increasing over their IRT (Income Reporting Threshold). Always report a decrease in income, it may benefit the household. They can report these changes by calling Social Services.   

Customers can receive application assistance over the phone.
Locally 1-707-882-2189 x 124
Toll-Free Lines:
Fort Bragg 1-877-327-1677
Ukiah 1-877-327-1711
For more information on free application assistance through RCMS click here.

PLEASE CALL BEFORE YOU COME (707-884-4005) for Urgent or Primary Care
 
COVID-19 Testing
Given the shortage of test kits, we are following the Public Health Department protocol and guidelines regarding who will be tested. Not everyone is tested. Given the current lab turnaround time, it could take 7+ days for us to get the results.
 
If you are tested, you will be instructed to follow the Public Health Department’s self-isolation guidelines that are provided to us
 
Urgent Care
Main Gualala Building, for the time being, is converted into an Urgent Care only facility.
 
While our focus is those with respiratory issues, Urgent Care is still seeing all other urgent/emergent medical conditions. We have divided Urgent Care into respiratory and non-respiratory zones in an effort to keep patients safe. 
 
PLEASE CALL FIRST so that we can direct you to the appropriate clinic for your care.   Once you arrive at the facility, you will be received at the Triage tent outside and the nurse there will guide you to the appropriate location in our facility.
 
Primary Care
We are also available, think it is important, and want to continue to provide access to Primary Care services
 
This can be done in couple of ways.
 
If you are able to come into the clinic:  

• Sea Watch in Gualala and the RCMS Point Arena Medical Clinic are open for Primary Care to patients without infectious respiratory symptoms.

• We have providers available for well child visits and vaccinations (important not to get behind), lab/blood draws ordered by your PCP and outside providers, INR’s, A1c’s, MAT rx and med refills, and chronic and other health care maintenance issues.

 
 
If you are not able to come to the clinic:

• Over age 65, chronic medical issues: copd, emphysema, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, other lung issues, or are immunocompromised; or due to transportation or other challenges cannot get into the clinic, you can set up a Telehealth visit.

• One of our providers can call you at home and/or connect with you on a video platform (requires a smart phone with a camera or a computer) and address your medical concerns.

 
Please note that a clinic visit for getting medical care is not restricted under shelter in place guidelines.  You are still allowed to visit your medical provider.
 
Our providers and support staff are following appropriate guidelines regarding wearing protection gear. All our facilities are regularly disinfected as required
 
 
RCMS Contingency Plan
We continue to update our contingency plan as COVID-19 related situation evolves. These include, but are not limited to:

• Convert the  Gualala main building into an urgent care only facility, if needed
• Rotation plan for our providers and clinic support staff for extended coverage to care for patients
• Additional facilities (tents) in case of surge in Urgent Care patients
• Coordination with CLSD, local Fire departments
• Constant communication with County Public Health Department for help and coordination
• Putting together a list of volunteers, both medical and non-medical, for need during a surge
• Having adequate medical supplies

 
We, at RCMS, are focused on keeping our community safe and healthy during this stressful time. And we very much appreciate all the help and support we are getting from the community.
 
PLEASE FOLLOW ALL THE GUIDELINES GIVEN TO US BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS
​

The Dental Office will be closed, except Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for emergency treatment. For the health and safety of our staff and our community, non-urgent dental treatments have been postponed until an unknown date.  This determination will be done on a case by case basis in order to decide whether the dental facility is an appropriate setting to provide the necessary services needed. Please call our dental facility at (707) 882-2189 before coming in. ​

Urgent Care
Focus has been on taking care of urgent care patients , especially those with respiratory issues.  Urgent Care is still seeing all other urgent/emergent medical conditions, and we have divided the clinic into respiratory and non-respiratory zones in an effort to keep patients safe.  PLEASE CALL BEFORE YOU COME.
 
Primary Care
We are also available, think it is important, and want to continue to provide access to Primary Care services. This can be done in a few ways.
If you are worried about leaving your home and are sheltering in place:

• Over age 65, chronic medical issues: copd, emphysema, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, other lung issues, or are immune compromised; or due to transportation or other challenges cannot get into the clinic, you can set up a Telehealth visit.
• One of our providers can call you at home and/or connect with you on a video platform(requires a smart phone with a camera or a computer) and address your medical concerns.
• Telehealth visits can be scheduled by calling 884-4005/882-1704

 
If you are able to come into the clinic:  

• Sea Watch in Gualala and the RCMS Point Arena Medical Clinic are still up and running.
• We are only seeing asymptomatic patients at these two sites. No one who is sick with fevers or respiratory issues!
• (The main Gualala clinic is reserved for Urgent Care and patients with symptoms).
• We have providers available for well child visits and vaccinations(important not to get behind), lab/blood draws ordered by your PCP and outside providers, INR’s, A1c’s, MAT rx and med refills, and chronic and other health care maintenance issues.
• Call 884-4005 or 882-1704 and we will get you scheduled

 
We also will be looking through our medical records and you may get a call from us if your provider thinks it is important to have either a Telehealth or in person visit.
 
We want to keep you and our community healthy!
 
Thank you.
​Ara Chakrabarti, CEO

Both Mendocino and Sonoma Counties have been ordered to shelter in place. Get the officel details from the county sites at:
Mendocino County: https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/novel-coronavirus
Sonoma County: http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CAO/Press-Releases/Health-Officer-Orders-County-Residents-Shelter-in-Place/

Ara Chakrabarti, CEO will be a guest on Peggy's Place on KGUA 88.3 FM on Wednesday March 25. Tune into 88.3 FM at 9:00 am for the live show, replay at 1:00 pm and you can stream online from their website at KGUA.org. If you missed the interview you can catch it here ​https://soundcloud.com/kgua/ara-caharabarti-and-barb-britell-rcms-covid-19-update-32520

All upcoming gatherings have been cancelled in accordance with the recommendations from the CDC on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) including the upcoming Board of Directors meeting, Hospice Talk, and Healthy Habits course. We will post notice when this changes.