Dear Colleagues:
The events of the past week have left our community and greater Los Angeles deeply shaken. Many of us are experiencing overwhelming emotions and uncertainty as we assess the impact of the wildfires across Los Angeles County. During this difficult time, it is important to remember that you and your family are not alone.
You have our full support as we look to recover from this traumatic experience. It is critical to take time to care for ourselves and our loved ones, especially children who process traumatic events in unique ways. We understand that it may be challenging speaking with your children about the fires, or that you may have difficulty finding childcare due to school closures. The following resources have been gathered to support families during this crisis.
CHILDCARE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY
The YMCA is offering free child care for children of first responders, essential workers and families who have been displaced, evacuated or who have otherwise experienced loss. Spaces are limited so please contact your local YMCA to inquire about availability. You can search for locations closest to you HERE. Children must be at least 4 years and 9 months old to attend a program.
Boys & Girls Clubs, ages and hours vary across the clubs so please reach out to the local clubs to confirm childcare availability. For additional club locations, please visit the following: https://www.bgca.org/get-involved/find-a-club/.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Pasadena (ages 4-18 years old)
3230 E Del Mar Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
Phone: (626) 449-1953
Mon-Fri: 8am-5:30pm for week of 1/10 (subject to change)
No membership needed, on arrival-register for a free daypass
As of 1/10, available next week and do not need to call ahead; subject to change based on demand/availability
Harbor Hills Boys & Girls Club
(middle school + high school)
1874 Palos Verdes Drive N.
Lomita, CA 90717
310-534-0056
Contact: Jacob, Site Director
For non-members that have been impacted by the fires:
If LAUSD is closed, then it will be open 8am-6pm (K-12)
If LAUSD is open, then only middle school and high school after-school program available starting at 3pm
Our DoM Community member Allison Guzman, a Child Life Specialist at UCLA Health, curated a list of resources that can help you support your children during these incredibly traumatic times. Our child life department is also actively working on additional resources and will share these when they are available.
TEMPORARY HOUSING
In addition to the hotel resources shared this WEEK, this is a reminder that our DoM community members have generously offered temporary housing options to host their department colleagues. If you are a DoM employee, and need temporary housing, please fill out the form below and we will try our best to connect you with available resources.
The UCLA housing services are readying a limited number of units in our faculty housing facilities in South Bay for employees who have lost their homes to the fires. Please reach out to UCLAHousing@housing.ucla.edu to learn more You will need to send in this completed form.
If you are aware of resources or units available for temporary housing 1+ months, please reach out to us at DoMWellness@mednet.ucla.edu.
GROWING LIST OF RESOURCES
These resources join the growing list of resources collected from campus and the health system. You can access additional mental health resources, housing support, essential supplies, and other support by clicking on the links below.
A consolidated list of resources from UCLA Health System is available here: https://mednet.uclahealth.org/u-news/resources-for-evacuees/.
OPERATIONAL UPDATES:
Get the latest operation updates from UCLA Health, campus, and the UCLA Department of Medicine (DoM Connect).
While we look towards recovery, we hope that you will take a moment to rest, take care of yourself and your loved ones as we all take the next step forward.
Sincerely,
E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD
William S. Adams Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Chair and Executive Medical Director
Department of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and UCLA Health
Tisha Wang, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Senior Executive Clinical Vice Chair
UCLA Department of Medicine
Sun Mi Yoo, MD, MPH
Chief Wellness Officer, Department of Medicine
Section Chief, Extensivist and Palliative Care Services
UCLA Department of Medicine
