Department of Health Services

Protecting the health and well being of individuals and the community is the fundamental responsibility of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services.

Thanks to the hard work of over 550 Health Services staff and our community partners, the Department of Health Services continues to provide a broad range of innovative and creative services designed to protect, promote and achieve healthy individuals, families, and communities. Health Services is here for you and the community.

Pertussis Cases on the Rise

Whooping Cough (also known as Pertussis) cases are on the rise in California and within Sonoma County. This illness is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Infants are at highest risk for severe illness. Vaccination and good infection control are the best prevention strategies. Read More

Latest News

Sonoma Tobacco Independence Instagram Contest for Sonoma County Teens
February 10, 2014
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is launching a new tobacco prevention campaign.
This contest may be of interest to groups such as student clubs, leadership, media, photo, or art classes.
Strengthening Sonoma County’s Mental Health System of Care(PDF)
April 23, 2014
2014 - 2017 Mental Health Services Act Integrated Plan & Anual Update for 2012 - 2013
In the 2004 California election, voters passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), mandating a one percent increase in individual income taxes to expand mental health services. The passage of proposition 63 provided the first opportunity in many years for California to provide increased funding, personnel and other resources to support county mental health programs and monitor progress toward statewide goals for children, transition age youth, adults, older adults and families. MHSA addresses a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention, service needs and the necessary infrastructure, technology and training elements that will effectively support this system. MHSA challenges communities throughout California to utilize MHSA resources to support the transformation of our mental health systems
Request for Qualification - Veterinarian Services
April 23, 2014
Veterinarian services: Provide high-volume spay/neuter services using the County’s Mobile Adoption Center (MAC) van with the Love Me Fix Me program at various locations throughout Sonoma County. Oversee all aspects of veterinary care including physical examination, surgery, pre- and post-operative care, anesthetic administration and monitoring, vaccinations, emergency care, restraint, and treatment. Perform pre-surgery physical examinations on all surgical candidates.
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Press Releases

New Survey Finds Tobacco And Other Unhealthy Products Easily Available And Especially Appealing To Kids In Sonoma County Stores
March 5, 2014
New data reveals that Sonoma County has more stores that sell tobacco products, alcohol and sugary drinks, often placed near the candy at the check-out counter, than most of the other regions in California. This finding is part of new data released today on the availability and marketing of tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy and healthy food products in stores that sell tobacco. The first time all three categories of products have been analyzed together.
St. Pitties Day $25 Adoption Special March 18-22
March 14, 2014
If you seek a loyal, cuddly, active, eager-to-please, and ready-to-train canine companion, a Pit Bull might be your best match. From March 18-22, Sonoma County Animal Care and Control highlights the popular breed with a $25 St. Pitties Day adoption special.
You Wouldn’t Eat 22 Packs of Sugar. Why Are You Drinking Them?
February 27, 2014
In an effort to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes rates, the County of Sonoma Department of Health Services has launched a new campaign about sugary drinks. To increase awareness about how much sugar people drink and the health impacts of drinking even one sugary drink a day, ads around Sonoma County will prompt residents to question why they are drinking so much sugar: "You wouldn’t eat 22 packs of sugar. Why are you drinking them?"
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Featured Topics

Drought in Sonoma County

Several consecutive dry years on top of the driest year on record in 2013 have culminated into drought conditions in the region. Despite recent rain, rainfall and water supply levels in both Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma remain below average.

Responsible Beverage Service

RBS training helps owners and managers ensure alcohol is served responsibly in their establishments.

Going Green Initiative

The Registrar of Voters’ Going Green Initiative outlines three steps to going green and saving green.

For Teen Eyes Only

List of health resources for teens in Sonoma County.

Meaningful Use: Public Health Reporting

Sonoma County Eligible Professionals (EP) and Eligible Hospitals (EH) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) may meet their Public Health Reporting, meaningful use objectives.

The Affordable Care Act

Learn about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Health Care Reform, and its implications for Sonoma County residents.

Community Engagement

The Department of Health Services is committed to improving our ability to engage with, meet the needs of, and learn from our residents.

Mental Health Services Act

Sonoma County’s public planning process for implementation of the MHSA began in the fall of 2004 and continues today.

The CAPE Team

The Crisis Assessment, Prevention, and Education Team intervenes with youth ages 16 to 25, who are at risk of or are experiencing first onset of serious psychiatric illness.

Message from the Director

Rita Scardaci
Director

Welcome to the Sonoma County Department of Health Services website! The Department is proud of the diverse service we provide to our community, and protecting the health and well being of individuals and the community is our preeminent responsibility.

Multiple factors play a role in the health of a community. What we eat; how often we exercise; the design and construction of our communities; the air we breathe; access to a health home, educational attainment, affordable housing, and climate change - all can affect our physical and mental health.

As such, every day our lives are touched by Health Services programs and services. Thanks to the dedicated and skilled work of over 550 Health Services staff and our many community partners, the Department of Health Services continues to provide a broad range of innovative, award-winning, and creative services designed to protect, promote and achieve healthy individuals, families, and communities. We are committed to working collaboratively with the community and our partners to make Sonoma County the healthiest county in the state by 2020.

We are interested in your opinions and views on how we can improve these services and the health of our community and/or this website. Please feel free to send me your feedback at dhsdir@sonoma-county.org.

- Rita Scardaci, Director of Health Services