Learn how to make a difference in a foster child’s life at an Explore Foster Parenting introductory talk, held each month online in English or, new this year, in Spanish. The first monthly talk will be on January 25 for English speakers and February 8 for Spanish speakers, starting at 6 p.m. To see the 2021 monthly Explore Foster Parenting schedule, visit sonomafostercare.org/Connect-With-Us/.

The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) honored Third District Supervisor Shirlee Zane on December 16, 2020, with its annual Marge Ling Leadership Award to recognize her dedication to improving the quality of life for older adults in Sonoma County.

Attendance at preschool, parental income and early learning opportunities affect Sonoma County children’s readiness for kindergarten, according to a four-year report by the Road to Early Achievement and Development for Youth (READY) program.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will be asked to confirm the County Administrator’s appointment of Angela Struckmann as Director of Human Services for Sonoma County at the Oct. 6, 2020 Board Meeting.

Las oficinas del Departamento de Servicios Humanos del Condado de Sonoma (HSD) abren sus puertas al publico el lunes, 6 de julio 2020, con horas reducidas y servicios limitados. Clientes y empleados aun serán requeridos seguir las medidas de seguridad del Covid-19.

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.