Press Releases
Sonoma County issues Health Advisory for Tough Mudder race participants
The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services has issued a Health Advisory concerning multiple reports of participants in a Tough Mudder race at Sonoma Raceway on Aug. 19 and 20 having developed rash with fever, muscle pain, or nausea/vomiting occurring about 24 hours after the event. Read full story
Sonoma County to host overdose awareness event August 31
Sonoma County Department of Health Services is inviting the public to attend an Aug. 31 event to raise awareness about the dangers of overdosing from substances. The public event, which will include food and demonstrations of overdose prevention tools, is scheduled for International Overdose Awareness Day. Read full story
Sonoma County launches new community health dashboard
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services today launched a new community health dashboard to increase public awareness of local health trends and improve the community’s ability to respond to changing health needs. Read full story
Former state public health director named Sonoma County interim health officer
Dr. Karen Smith, an experienced public health official who previously served four years as director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, has been named interim health officer by the director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. A physician specializing in infectious disease and public health with a master’s degree in public health, Dr. Smith has led health departments at the state and local level. Read full story
County-funded program announces 282 youth, people with mental illness prevented from becoming homeless
The Sonoma County Human Services Department today announced preliminary results of a new program that identifies people at risk of becoming homeless and helps them obtain stable housing and supportive services to improve their lives. Read full story
County of Sonoma awarded $4.6 million in state funding to assist with homeless encampments
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that the County of Sonoma will receive $4.6 million to help individuals experiencing homelessness in encampments by moving them off the streets and into safe and stable housing. The county is one of 23 entities targeted to receive the special state funds. Read full story
Sonoma County Supervisors award $3 million for homelessness solutions
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved $3 million in additional funds for housing-focused homelessness intervention projects as part of the county’s overall goal of reducing the homeless population by 10 percent every year. Read full story
Sonoma County Department of Health Services recommends awarding ambulance contract to Sonoma County Fire District
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services today announced it is recommending that the Board of Supervisors award a contract to the Sonoma County Fire District for advanced life support ground ambulance services for Exclusive Operating Area No. 1, which includes Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and much of central Sonoma County. Read full story
Sonoma County saw 22 percent decrease in homelessness, annual Point-in-Time count shows
Sonoma County saw an overall 22 percent decrease in the area’s homeless population last year including a 24 percent decline in those identified as being chronically homeless, according to preliminary results of the 2023 Sonoma County Point-in-Time count in January. Read full story
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Department of Health Services host special mental health forum
With Sonoma County experiencing a rise in substance use disorders, homelessness and a shortage of services to address an unprecedented mental health crisis, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and Department of Health Services on Tuesday convened a first-of-its-kind summit of behavioral health professionals from across the county for a listening session on the mental health care needs of the community. Read full story