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.

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.

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

Caregivers are invited to improve their skills by attending one of eight, free, LGBT+ Awareness Trainings through November hosted by the IHSS Public Authority, Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging, SAGECare and LGBTQ Connections. The free programs will train and certify 180 care providers about the needs of LGBT+ older adults and LGBT+ adults with disabilities. Santa Rosa, California.

Volunteers can help older adult increase their safety, balance, strength and confidence on their feet by training as a certified coach on June 3 with the nationally acclaimed program, A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls.

Lo invitamos a asistir a una serie de 8 clases basadas en el programa reconocido nacionalmente, A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls (Cuestión de Equilibrio: Manejando Preocupaciones sobre las Caídas).

Improve your balance, flexibility and strength and get helpful tips to make your home safer by attending a free, eight-class series based on the nationally acclaimed program, A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls. Register for a series near you at mob@schsd.org or (707) 565-5936.

Applications are open through Friday, March 29, 2019 to become an elected California Senior Legislature (CSL) representative for Sonoma County.

La registración está abierta hasta el viernes, 1 de abril, para el desfile de arte de adultos mayores para el año 2019.

Register through Friday, April 1, for the 2019 Senior Art Show, the annual non-juried display hosted by Sonoma County Human Services Department Adult and Aging. Santa Rosa, CA. 

The Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder’s Office is excited to announce an expansion in records available for purchase online. This increased access is designed for expediency and to save citizens time, money, and frustration when trying to get copies of records.

Harmful falls are the #1 reason older adults and seniors end up at the emergency room. Don’t restrict your activities because of worries about falling on uneven ground or stairs.

Though some Sonoma County households saw their incomes rise in 2017, 60,000 low-income households – about 1/3 of county residents – couldn’t afford enough food to eat a healthy three meals a day, according to the latest Sonoma County Hunger Index report. 

Sonoma County Animal Services invites members of the community to its Coffee with an ACO (Animal Control Officer) event on Wednesday October 3^rd from 7:00 to 9:00 AM at Kaffe Mocha located at 397 Aviation Boulevard in Santa Rosa.

Harmful falls are the #1 reason older adults and seniors end up at the emergency room. Don’t restrict your activities because of worries about falling on uneven ground or stairs.

During National Pride Month, it’s important to remember the history of why we celebrate gains for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and intersex (LGBTQI) people. Many LGBTQI older adults grew up during a time when to love someone of the same gender was considered a crime, mental illness or a sin. LGBTQI people could be put in jail, fired from a job or put into a mental institution.

After the fire disaster in October, Sonoma County residents know it is wise to be prepared for a future flood, earthquake, or fire. There is potential for any of these.

The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership (Partnership) will be implementing a regional multi-media effort throughout the North Bay region with a simple message: There’s never enough to waste.

Efforts to improve the health of youth and adults in Roseland through installation of water stations and education about sugar sweetened beverages may have led to a decrease in sugary drink consumption.

The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and partners are developing free landscape design templates to help fire victims get back in their homes faster, while encouraging long-term environmental sustainability. Sonoma County residents are invited to attend two community input sessions to participate in the development of these landscape design templates, which will help define the look, feel, and functionality of the landscapes in the neighborhoods being rebuilt.

This Valentine’s Day, Bay Area health officials remind everyone who is sexually active to have a conversation with your primary care provider and to be screened regularly for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The Sonoma County Department  of Health Services (DHS) has released the first in a series of surveillance reports, describing life expectancy and the leading causes of death and premature death across Sonoma County communities.

Flu activity in Sonoma County continues to be widespread. Every year, the flu sickens and kills thousands of Americans, and this year rates of illness in California and the rest of the country are trending moderately high. Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged get a flu shot as soon as possible. The flu vaccine is available in Sonoma County and it is safe and effective.

Falls are the #1 reason that Sonoma County seniors go to the emergency room. Fracturing a hip or spraining a wrist means a long rehabilitation, which can decrease seniors’ quality of life or even prevent them from living independently in their own homes. Yet falls don’t have to be accepted as a normal part of aging.

Covered California renewal and open enrollment periods have begun. Individuals and families can buy brand-name, private health insurance under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Public health departments around the Bay Area are announcing that influenza season is beginning.