Sonoma County Human Services Department

08/31/2026

Our Open Doors Mobile Services van will be in Windsor on Tuesday, September 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Stop by to get help with Medi-Cal and CalFresh from our friendly and knowledgeable staff. You can submit documents, manage your case, or ask questions.

Look for our blue van in the parking lot of Calvary Chapel River Fellowship.

No appointment needed -- just drop by!

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Nuestra camioneta de Open Doors Mobile Services estará en Windsor este martes, 1 de septiembre, de 9:00 a.m. a 3:30 p.m.

Visítenos para recibir ayuda con Medi-Cal y CalFresh de parte de nuestro personal amable y capacitado. Puede entregar documentos, manejar su caso o hacer preguntas.

Busque nuestra camioneta azul en el estacionamiento de Calvary Chapel River Fellowship.

No necesita cita -- ¡solo pase!

08/26/2026

Did you know we have two satellite service centers to make it easier for residents in Sonoma Valley and West County to get help with essential services?

➡️East Sonoma County Services Center (Sonoma)
• Walk in assistance for CalFresh and Medi-Cal
• Open Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• 19080 Lomita Avenue, Sonoma

➡️West Sonoma County Services Center (Guerneville)
• Walk in assistance for CalFresh and Medi-Cal
• Open Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Access to a community clothing closet & emergency food pantry
• EBT cards
• 16390 Main Street, Guerneville

These centers are here to help you and make vital services easier to access, right in your community.

Learn more:
➡️East Sonoma County Services Center: https://sonomacounty.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/board-of-supervisors/supervisorial-districts/board-of-supervisors-district-1/east-sonoma-county-services-center
➡️West County Services Center: https://sonomacounty.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/board-of-supervisors/supervisorial-districts/board-of-supervisors-district-5/west-county-services-center

For all our office locations, see https://sonomacounty.gov/health-and-human-services/human-services/call-us-or-visit-us

08/25/2026

Sonoma County urgently needs more foster families to provide safe, stable homes for children who cannot remain with their parents.

In a new episode of the County’s SoCo Chat Podcast, Meg Easter Dawson from Valley of the Moon Children’s Center talks about the realities of foster parenting, the support available to foster families, and the profound difference a caring adult can make in a child’s life.

Learn who can become a foster parent, what to expect from the process, and how you can help create a brighter future for a local child in need.

Watch: https://youtu.be/6g102MSdKBk

08/21/2026

Celebrating opportunity and resilience!

On Aug. 6, the Valley of the Moon Children's Foundation awarded $162,500 in scholarships to 43 current and former Sonoma County foster youth, helping them pursue their college and career dreams.

Founded in 2006 by former Human Services Director Dianne Edwards, the scholarship program has grown through the generosity of donors across Sonoma County, funding 512 scholarships totaling more than $1.8 million over the last two decades.

These scholarships help cover tuition, books, housing, and other expenses so foster youth can pursue trade school, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and even PhDs in fields ranging from engineering to social work. Many recipients later give back by volunteering with the foundation or serving on its board.

One scholarship recipient shared the impact of this support:

“Having this scholarship means I don’t need to decide between my education or having food… To be able to be here today and achieve this opportunity is extraordinary because this doesn’t happen very often with foster youth.”

The Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation continues to support youth connected to the Valley of the Moon Children’s Center (Sonoma County’s only 24-hour emergency shelter for foster youth) helping them build bright, successful futures.

Learn more about the scholarship program at Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation’s website: https://www.vomcf.org/scholarship-program

08/07/2026

[Español abajo] What do older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers need to thrive? Sonoma County wants to hear from you!

The Area Agency on Aging invites community members to take a confidential survey by September 30, 2026. Your feedback will shape funding and services over the next four years.

The survey asks about everyday topics like housing, transportation, food access, caregiving, emergency preparedness and local resources.

It's available in English and Spanish, takes 5 to 10 minutes, and is completely anonymous. After finishing, you can enter a drawing to win a $120 gift card.

➡️ Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JKJY77K
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¿Qué necesitan los adultos mayores, las personas con discapacidades y los cuidadores familiares para prosperar? ¡El condado de Sonoma quiere conocer su opinión!

La Agencia de Área sobre el Envejecimiento (Area Agency on Aging) invita a los miembros de la comunidad a participar en una encuesta confidencial antes del 30 de septiembre de 2026. Sus respuestas influirán en la asignación de fondos y servicios durante los próximos cuatro años.

La encuesta aborda temas cotidianos como vivienda, transporte, acceso a alimentos, cuidado de personas, preparación para emergencias y recursos locales.

Está disponible en inglés y español, toma entre 5 y 10 minutos y es totalmente anónima. Al finalizar, puede participar en un sorteo para ganar una tarjeta de regalo de $120.

➡️ Responde a la encuesta en https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7FTTLRR

08/05/2026

The Sonoma County Human Services Public Data Report for Q3 2026 is now available! This quarterly report highlights the impact of essential HSD programs such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, In-Home Supportive Services, Foster Care, and more. We’re committed to sharing our data transparently so local leaders, nonprofit partners, and community members can better understand how these programs support residents across our county.

Data reports help us understand who utilizes our services and ensure we remain responsive to the community’s needs.

➡Download the full report here:https://sonomacounty.gov/Main%20County%20Site/Health%20and%20Human%20Services/Human%20Services/Home%20Page/Documents/HSD%20Public%20Data%20Report%20-%202026%20Q3-a_138626.pdf

07/31/2026

[Español abajo] : Sharing more information on where to find clean and cool air and N95 masks.
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: Compartimos más información sobre dónde encontrar aire limpio y fresco, así como mascarillas N95.

[Español abajo] Seeking clean and cool air — and N95 masks — while the Woodside Fire is pushing smoke over Sonoma County? The Department of Health Services is providing these two clean air centers in West County at which you can also pick up masks:

Occidental Community Center
3920 Bohemian Highway, Occidental
Friday, July 31, 8am–8pm

West County Services Center
16390 Main Street, Guerneville, CA
Friday, July 31, 8am–8pm
Saturday, Aug 1, 8am–8pm

Other organizations may also be operating clean air centers around the county. Call 211 for more information.

Public spaces like shopping centers, libraries and movie theaters are also good spots for taking a break from the smoky air and heat.

Remember, if you can see or smell the smoky air, it’s best to stay inside.

¿Buscas aire limpio y fresco —y mascarillas N95— mientras el incendio de Woodside está extendiendo el humo por el condado de Sonoma? El Departamento de Servicios Sanitarios pone a tu disposición estos dos centros de aire limpio en el oeste del condado, donde también puedes recoger mascarillas:

Centro Comunitario de Occidental
3920 Bohemian Highway, Occidental
Viernes, 31 de julio, de 8:00 a 20:00

Centro de Servicios del Oeste del Condado
16390 Main Street, Guerneville, CA
Viernes, 31 de julio, de 8:00 a 20:00
Sábado, 1 de agosto, de 8:00 a 20:00

Es posible que otras organizaciones también gestionen centros de aire limpio en todo el condado. Llama al 211 para obtener más información.

Los espacios públicos, como centros comerciales, bibliotecas y cines, también son buenos lugares para tomarse un respiro del aire lleno de humo y del calor.

Recuerda: si ves o hueles el aire cargado de humo, lo mejor es quedarte en casa.

07/31/2026

If you have been evacuated due to the and need assistance with your animals, please read this post.
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Si ha sido evacuado debido al incendio de Woodside y necesita ayuda con sus animales, por favor lea esta publicación.

07/31/2026

Sharing this location as a clean‑air space for anyone in and nearby areas who wants to avoid the smoke.

Take a look at this PurpleAir map. The dark purple and maroon areas are showing some of the worst air quality levels being reported right now due to wildfire smoke.

If you’re in or near Jenner, Timber Cove, Fort Ross, Cazadero, Guerneville, Monte Rio, Occidental, Forestville, Windsor, western Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Penngrove, and parts of Sonoma Valley, air quality has reached Very Unhealthy to Hazardous levels in many locations. At these levels, the air can be harmful for everyone, not just people with asthma or other health conditions.

What does that mean?

🟢 Good (0–50): Safe for outdoor activities.
🟡 Moderate (51–100): Most people are fine, but unusually sensitive individuals may notice symptoms.
🟠 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101–150): Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung disease should reduce time outdoors.
🔴 Unhealthy (151–200): Everyone should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
🟣 Very Unhealthy (201–300): Health effects become more likely for everyone. Stay indoors when possible and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
🟤 Hazardous (301+): This is considered toxic air. Everyone should remain indoors as much as possible with doors and windows closed. If you must go outside, wear a well-fitting N95 respirator. Running a HEPA air purifier can also help reduce smoke particles indoors.

Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles called PM2.5 that are small enough to travel deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream. Exposure can cause coughing, sore throat, burning eyes, headaches, shortness of breath, worsen asthma, and increase the risk of heart and lung complications.

Smoke conditions can change rapidly as winds shift, so check air quality before spending time outside. Even if you can’t smell smoke, unhealthy levels may still be present.

Stay informed, protect your lungs, and check on neighbors, older adults, and anyone with respiratory conditions who may need extra help during poor air quality events.

07/31/2026

If you have been evacuated due to the and need a safe place to go, please come to Laguna High School (formerly El Molino) at 7050 Covey Rd, Forestville, CA 95436.

This location is a Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) where you can regroup, get information, and plan your next steps. Charging stations and Wi‑Fi are available.

[Image: Temporary Evacuation Point sign at the high school parking lot from last night]
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Si ha sido evacuado debido al incendio de Woodside y necesita un lugar seguro, diríjase a la preparatoria Laguna (antes El Molino), ubicada en 7050 Covey Rd, Forestville, CA 95436.

Este lugar es un Punto de Evacuación Temporal (PET) donde podrá reagruparse, obtener información y planificar sus próximos pasos. Hay estaciones de carga y Wi-Fi disponibles.

[Imagen: Letrero del Punto de Evacuación Temporal en el estacionamiento de la preparatoria, de anoche]