Sonoma County Human Services Department (HSD) buildings reopen to the public on Monday, July 6, 2020, with limited hours and services. Clients and employees will be required to follow Covid-19 safety procedures.

Every year an estimated 5 million, or 1 in 10 older Americans experience physical, mental, and financial elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The COVID Crisis has increased isolation for older and dependent adults, likely causing unreported instances of concerns from neighbors and others. Individuals and community-wide prevention efforts and supportive services can help keep older adults safe and healthy, helping stop abuse before it happens.   

Cómo COVID-19 puede afectar a los beneficios públicos como CalFresh, Asistencia General, Servicios de Apoyo en el Hogar (IHSS), Medi-Cal y SonomaWORKS? Es importante saber que algunos requisitos de informes estatales y federales se han ajustado para garantizar que usted continúe recibiendo beneficios. 

Learn how the coronavirus emergency may impact your public benefits, such as CalFresh, General Assistance, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Medi-Cal and SonomaWORKS. Some state and federal reporting requirements have been adjusted.

The Sonoma County Health Officer has issued a Health Order directing residents to shelter in place effective midnight on Wednesday March 18, 2020.

 La Oficial de Salud del Condado de Sonoma emitió una orden de salud, efectiva a la media noche del miércoles 18 de marzo, dirigiendo a los residentes del Condado de Sonoma a resguardarse en casa.

County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors’ Upstream Investments initiative to train and support community and government agencies in strategies to boost their impact on societal challenges is 10 years old. 

Older adults can prevent falls, improve balance, flexibility and strength and get helpful tips to make home safer at a free class series, A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls. Classes are held at locations throughout Sonoma County.

According to the 2019 Sonoma County Hunger Index, though more low-income families could afford to buy enough food in 2018, there remained a 14-million-meal shortfall between what poor residents could buy and what local non-profits and government programs could provide.

Learn how to make a difference in a foster child’s life at Explore Foster Parenting, a one-hour talk on Monday, February 24, 6-7 p.m., 2255 Challenger Way, Suite 100, Santa Rosa. To reserve a seat, call (707) 565-4274.

Sign up for a free, four-class, Bingocize series starting Wednesday, February 19, in Petaluma. Classes combine a fun game of Bingo with simple seated and standing exercises and falls prevention education to keep adults safely on their feet. All ability levels are welcome. Santa Rosa, CA.

Older adults and residents with disabilities are invited to discuss how to improve local transportation, adding their input to the Sonoma County Connected Communities Transportation Study. The conversation will be Wednesday, February 19, 2:30-4:30 p.m., at the Petaluma Senior Center, 211 Novak Drive, Petaluma.

Older adults and residents with disabilities are invited to discuss how to improve local transportation and offer input to the Sonoma County Connected Communities Transportation Study. The conversation will be Thursday, January 9, 9–11 a.m., at the Cloverdale Senior Center, 311 North Main Street, Cloverdale. 

Two, free, Bingocize class series in January and February 2020 will teach adults age 60+ how to reduce their risk of falling by increasing strength balance and range of motion. Classes combine a fun game of Bingo with simple seated and standing exercises and falls prevention education to keep adults safely on their feet. All ability levels are welcome.

Older adults and residents with disabilities discuss how to improve local transportation and add their input to the Sonoma County Connected Communities Transportation Study, on Friday, January 10, 1-3 p.m., at the CLSD Bill Platt Training Room, 38901 Ocean Drive, Gualala.

Sonoma County Family, Youth and Children’s Services (FYC) Division Director Nick Honey was named Outstanding Director, LCSW Juana Marquez was named Outstanding Social Worker, and Michelle and Brandon Kelsey were named Outstanding Foster Parents of the Year by the California Department of Social Services.

Sonoma County Human Services Department Director Karen Fies has been named to the Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee for California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Master Plan for Aging.

Join a friendly Bingocize exercise game led by Sister Frances of the Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and learn about helpful local programs and services for adults 60+.

To help current and former Sonoma County foster youth achieve their academic potential and build better futures,The Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundationwill award its annual college and trade school scholarships on Monday, July 29, at a lunch at the Wild Oak Saddle Club, Santa Rosa.

Protect yourself from injuries from harmful falls -- the #1 reason older adults and seniors end up at the emergency room. Sign up for a free, eight class series, A Matter of Balance, Managing Concerns About Falls.

Register for a free workshop for adults age 60+ on how to make an affordable housing application stand out on Friday, July 19, 1-3:30 p.m., at the Department of Human Services Employment and Training Division, 2227 Capricorn Way, Suite 100, Santa Rosa.

Veteranos Americanos con discapacidades y sus cónyuges sobrevivientes pueden recibir información detallada acerca de los beneficios gubernamentales en los seminarios mensuales conducidos en la oficina de Servicios para Veteranos del Condado de Sonoma (VSO) 3725 Westwind Blvd., 1 piso, Santa Rosa.

June 30 marks the final day that Sonoma County residents can offer input on future programs and services for older adults, seniors, persons with disabilities and caregivers by completing the Senior Needs Assessment Survey in English or Spanish. 

Sobre los siguientes meses, el Departamento de Servicios Humanos para el Condado de Sonoma estarán consolidando todos los servicios en persona a su oficina en 2550 Paulin Drive, Santa Rosa, y en la oficina al Sur del Condado, 5350 Old Redwood Highway, Norte, Suite 100, Petaluma. La tercera oficina, en 520 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, estará cerrando sus puertas para servicios en persona para Medi-Cal, CalFresh, Asistencia General el lunes, 23 de septiembre, 2019.

U.S. military veterans with disabilities and veterans' surviving spouses can get in-depth information about how to claim government benefits at free monthly seminars held at the Sonoma County Veterans Service Office (VS). Santa Rosa, CA.

Learn about whether foster parenting is right for you at Explore Foster Parenting, a one-hour discussion held monthly, 6-7 p.m., at 2255 Challenger Way, Suite 100, Santa Rosa.

Elder abuse reports in Sonoma County continued to rise in 2018, even though it’s one of the most under-reported crimes in the U.S. To increase awareness, the Elder Justice Coalition, a group of community partners, has organized several activities to honor Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June 2019.

Elder abuse reports in Sonoma County continued to rise in 2018, even though it’s one of the most under-reported crimes in the U.S. To increase awareness, the Elder Justice Coalition, a group of community partners, has organized several activities to honor Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June 2019.

Over the next few months, the Sonoma County Human Services Department Economic Assistance Division will consolidate all in-person client services at its main office at 2550 Paulin Drive, Santa Rosa, and the Human Services Department’s South County Center, 5350 Old Redwood Highway, North, Suite 100, Petaluma.

Asistencia preescolar, ingresos y el nivel de educación de los padres y el lenguaje que se habla en casa afecta la habilidad de estar  listos para aprender cuando empiezan el kínder, según la encuesta del programa El Camino hacia el Éxito Temprano y Desarrollo de la Juventud (READY-Road to Early Achievement and Development for Youth) –para año 2018/2019. De los 1, 505 niños que se estudiaron este ano, siete de cada diez niños de kínder estaban listos o casi listos para empezar la escuela. Ellos tenían las habilidades sociales, para el desarrollo y académicas necesitadas para estar listos.

According to the 2018-19 survey by the Road to Early Achievement and Development for Youth (READY) program of the 1,505 children in this year's study, seven out of 10 local kindergartners were ready or almost ready to start school. 

El Cuerpo de Ecología Juvenil para el Condado de Sonoma (Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps – SC YEC) está aceptando aplicaciones hasta el 22 de mayo para su programa de trabajos de verano por ocho semanas, para jóvenes de entre 16 a 24 años de edad.

En el 1 de junio, adultos de mayor edad y personas con discapacidades que reciben Seguro Social (SSI) o el Suplemento de Seguro Social (SSP) son recientemente elegibles para recibir beneficios del programa gubernamental, CalFresh, que puede ayudar a aumentar su presupuesto mensual para comprar comida. SSI o SSP beneficios se quedara igual para estos nuevos clientes de CalFresh.

Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps (SEYEC) is taking applications through May 22 for its eight-week, summer job program for 16- to 24-year-olds. Forty youth will be hired to work outside from June 17-August 8 on environmental and land conservation projects throughout the county. Pay is $13.80 per hour. Youth will also receive career and environmental education and job training, plus enjoy fun events with other workers. 

Sonoma County caregivers of older adults can improve their skills in working with LGBT+ seniors at a free training on May 16 or June 6. 

On June 1, seniors and persons with disabilities on <a>Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Supplemental Payment (SSP) are newly eligible for CalFresh government food benefits that can help increase their monthly food budgets.

The 2019 Senior Art Show, a display of original artwork by Sonoma County residents age 60+, runs May 21-July 11, at Finley Community Center, 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. The Opening Reception is Thurs., May 23, 1-4 p.m., at the Finley Center. Santa Rosa, California.

Empezando el 1 de mayo, adultos de 60 años o mayor pueden hablar con trabajadores sociales con experiencia de la Agencia de Adultos y Envejecimiento del Condado de Sonoma al llamar al nuevo numera de información y asistencia 707-565-INFO (707-565-4636) para responder a preguntas acerca de los muchos problemas que se enfrentan los adultos de mayor edad y para recibir referencias a servicios ofrecidos por agencias en la comunidad o por el gobierno. La asistencia gratis por teléfono se ofrece de lunes a viernes, 9AM a 4PM en inglés o en español. (Interpretes para otros lenguajes o asistencia alternativa para la comunicación pueden ser solicitados).

Los departamentos del Condado y otras agencias no comerciales los invita a celebrar el mes de CalFresh en el mes de mayo al regalar fruto saludable, bolsas para el mercado hechas de tela, recetas y libros de cocinar, adicionalmente giras de los mercados de agricultores y descuentos “Market Match”, eventos para la educación de nutrición y para inscribirse o recibir más información sobre el programa CalFresh en localidades en Santa Rosa, Petaluma y Healdsburg.

County departments and local nonprofits invite the community to celebrate CalFresh Month throughout May at free giveaways of healthy produce, cloth market bags, recipe cards and cookbooks, plus farmers market tours and Market Match discounts, nutrition education events and CalFresh eligibility and enrollment information at locations in Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Healdsburg.

Starting May 1, 2019 older adults can talk with experienced Sonoma County Adult & Aging Division social workers by calling a new information and assistance line at (707) 565-INFO for answers to questions about a host of aging issues and get referrals to helpful community and government services.

La Agencia de Envejecimiento (AAA) invita a los residentes del Condado de Sonoma de toda edad a contribuir sus opiniones acerca de los programas y servicios futuros para adultos, adultos de mayor edad, personas con discapacidades, y a los proveedores (personas que proveen cuidado en casa para personas mayores de edad o con discapacidades) al completar la encuesta Evaluación para las Necesidades de la Comunidad a más tardar el 30 de junio.

Sonoma County caregivers can earn $25 and become certified to care for older and disabled adults at free, LGBT+ Awareness Trainings in May and June. The four-hour classes help improve caregivers’ skills when working with two often hidden and underserved populations, LGBT+ older adults and LGBT+ adults with disabilities.

Sonoma County residents of all ages are invited to offer input on future programs and services for older adults, seniors, persons with disabilities, and local caregivers by completing its countywide Senior Needs Assessment Survey by June 30. 

Los Beneficios de CalFresh llegan el 1 de mayo; Los beneficios de abril fueron añadidos en marzo. Santa Rosa, CA.

The State of California will issue May CalFresh benefits in a single day on May 1. April benefits were added early, on March 22.

Los cuidadores están invitados a mejorar sus habilidades asistiendo a una de las ocho capacitaciones gratuitas de Concientización Sobre LGBT+ hasta noviembre. Los programas gratuitos capacitarán y certificarán a 180 proveedores de atención médica sobre cómo mejorar los servicios para adultos mayores LGBT+ del Condado de Sonoma y adultos con discapacidades LGBT+. Santa Rosa, California