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

California Friday Night live Partnership
July 9, 2014
The Friday Night Live (FNL) program is designed for high school-aged young people. It is motivated by youth-adult partnerships that create essential and powerful opportunities that enhance and improve local communities. Community service, social action activities, participation in advocacy for safe and healthy environments, and promotion of healthy policies are organized by youth to appeal to youth.
Local Kids are asking you - Do you remember your Friday nights?
Keep your pet safe while you celebrate!
June 27, 2014
July 4th fireworks are a “blast” for people, but they’re terrifying for pets. Shelters like ours fill up after fireworks events because animals--terrified by the noise--flee in order to try to escape. Confused, they may hide (cats) or be unable to find their way home and end up at the shelter or hit by a car.
A Portrait of Sonoma County
May 27, 2014
A Portrait of Sonoma County, released on May 20, 2014, is an in-depth look at how the residents of Sonoma County are faring in three fundamental areas: life expectancy, education, and income. The report is based on the Human Development approach, which puts people at the center of an analysis to assess the opportunity each of us has to live up to our full potential. The Index is calculated on a range of 0-10 and mapped at the census tract level across Sonoma County.
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Press Releases

Sonoma County Strengthens Protections of the Public’s Health in Revisions to the County’s Smoking Ordinance
June 10, 2014
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors strengthened public health protections today by adopting an amendment to its existing “smoking ordinance” to ban e-cigarettes in certain public places in unincorporated Sonoma County. The amendments will help protect the public from secondhand vapors that are emitted from electronic smoking devices. The ordinance covers places of employment as well as public spaces including dining areas, recreational areas, public events, and service areas.
Sonoma County Appoints New Health Officer
June 10, 2014
The Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of a new Health Officer at its meeting this morning. With the appointment, Karen Milman, MD, MPH, the current Prevention Division Director of Public Health--Seattle & King County...
Animal Services Announces “Spring Fling” Month-long Adoption Special Aimed at Finding Homes for Long-time Shelter Residents
May 18, 2014
From May 20th through June 21st, Animal Services is offering zero-fee adoptions for “long-timers” – any animal who has been available for adoption at the shelter for more than a month.
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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