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LATEST NEWS

NEW - HSD's Social Services Data Dashboard Published! 

To better serve the community, increase transparency and improve the well-being of social services clients, HSD has published a new data dashboard site, Dedicated to Making a Difference. This new dashboards allow users to access accurate and comprehensive data and performance trends, providing insight into the critical social services and interventions we provide to the community to protect the health, safety and welfare of Santa Cruz County residents. CLICK HERE to learn more!

Recognizing Older Americans the Month of May

Each year in May, Older Americans Month is recognized nationally to celebrate the contributions older adults make to our families and communities. Roughly 69,500 residents in Santa Cruz County are over age 60 - nearly one-quarter of our county's population. This year, help us "Flip the Scrip on Aging" as we re-commit to healthy aging for all, and continue our work as an Age-Friendly designated county.
 
CLICK HERE to read the May 20 proclamation issued by the County Board of Supervisors, recognizing May as Older Adults Month in Santa Cruz County
CLICK HERE to learn more about our Age Well Santa Cruz County initiative

May is CalFresh Awareness Month

  May is CalFresh Awareness Month, and throughout California we celebrate how CalFresh, formerly called Food Stamps, helps mitigate food insecurity. In Santa Cruz County, over 41,700 people receive CalFresh, and in March of this year, over $6.5 millions in CalFresh was spent in local food retail stores just that month. Everyone deserves access to healthy food. This month, as always, join us in celebrating the impact CalFresh makes.
 
  • CLICK HERE to read the County Board of Supervisors resolution proclaiming May as CalFresh Awareness Month
  • CLICK HERE to learn more about CalFresh

April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, where we recognize year-round efforts to strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment. By increasing awareness about child and family well-being for all families, we help prevent child abuse and neglect. HSD’s Family and Children's Services staff protect children at risk of, or who are experiencing abuse or neglect, focusing on child safety and supporting families to create safe and nurturing homes for their children.
 
CLICK HERE to read the County Board of Supervisors resolution proclaiming April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month
 
CLICK HERE to learn more about our work to provide Child Welfare Services

County Commitment to Protect & Support Community

The County of Santa Cruz and the Human Services Department have a longstanding history of providing services to everyone in need and eligible for our services, and remains committed to equitably providing services and benefits to everyone eligible.

Workforce Santa Cruz County Strategic Vision Forums

Workforce Santa Cruz County is shaping the future of our workforce through collaboration, innovation, and community insight. Please join a forum for our Strategic Vision 2025-2030! Whether you're a job seeker, a community organization, or an education and training partner, your voice matters in building a stronger workforce for Santa Cruz County.

Severe Weather Emergency Shelter to Open 12/30/2024

One night of severe weather shelter opening in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, with reassessment on 12/31/2024 for continued severe weather shelter. Read more:

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Statement of Solidarity with Santa Cruz County Residents & Community Partners

Access Benefits Information and Supports Online Without Having to Come In-Person!

Preliminary Age Well Survey Results - A Blueprint for Aging Well

As part of Age Well Santa Cruz County and designing our Master Plan on Aging, we issued a county-wide Community Needs Assessment Survey in early 2024 to collect community feedback focused on aging in the county. Preliminary results from the survey are now available! Learn more and find our preliminary survey results, here:

 

Human Services Department Staff Excel in MSW Internship Program! 

We value the importance of professional development, and participate in the Masters of Social Work (MSW) Internship Program to support current staff who are seeking a MSW degree with a qualifying California graduate school of social work. This year we saw 6 Human Services Department staff either complete their internships toward earning their MSW, or graduate from the program, earning their MSW, and we couldn’t be prouder! Congratulations to all the field instructors, interns and graduates in the program!

Veterans Service Office & Help for LGBTQ+ Veterans with Federal Pardon

VeteranThe Veterans Service Office is here to support LGBTQ+ Veterans forced out of the military and subject to a court-martial because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, to apply for the recent Presidential Pardon issued on June 26, 2024.

Workforce Development Board Releases 2024 State of the Workforce Report

The 2024 State of the Workforce report by the Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board (WDB) highlights economic progress, new opportunities, and the challenges faced by the local workforce. Learn more:

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

 Saturday, June 15, the County's government services center at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz was lit up in purple lights to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day for the County of Santa Cruz, as part of a larger effort to is raise awareness that elder abuse can happen to anyone, and local resources are available to help. Learn more:

Ride the METRO Route 78 Bus to the New South County Government Services Center, Fare Free!

 The County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department has partnered with METRO to provide route 78, FARE-FREE, to and from 500 Westridge Drive, the new South County Government Services Center in Watsonville. Route 78 is now operating and will be free to ride for all people accessing services, until June of 2025!
 
To access Route 78 schedules and timing, CLICK HERE.

South County Government Services Center, Officially Open!

 

Human Services Department Staff Graduate Bay Area Social Services Consortium’s 2024 Executive Development Program!

Professional development is a cornerstone of HSD’s staff training opportunities, as professional development ultimately improves our customer service. Congratulations to HSD Senior Analysts Sara Harb and Elizabeth Byrd for completing this intensive program, and gaining skills and insights about meaningful change that will help our department better serve our community. CLICK HERE to learn about the Bay Area Social Services Consortium.

County Releases CORE Investments RFP for Funding Cycle 2025-2028 on June 3, 2024

County Human Services Department's Watsonville Offices Have Moved

No longer at its former 18 West Beach Street location, on Monday, May 20, 2024, the County’s Human Services Department began providing its full array of in-person services from the new South County Government Services Center at 500 Westridge Drive in Watsonville. The new Services Center in Watsonville is now open to the public from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday for in-person employment services, public benefits assistance, and other social services supports. The public may also access the 1-888-421-8080 phone lines for benefits inquiries, and the Human Services Department offices on Emeline Avenue in Santa Cruz will remain open for North County residents.
 

County Board of Supervisors and Santa Cruz City Council Approve CORE Investments RFP for Funding Cycle 2025-2028

April 2024 - Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month

“The County of Santa Cruz is committed to advancing policies and practices that prioritize the well-being of all our county’s children and families. Every family and child deserve supports to help them thrive, feel purposeful and have hope for the future. I encourage our community to join in our efforts this month and become partners in child abuse prevention.” Gloria Carroll, Division Director of the Human Services Department’s Family and Children's Services Division

  • Read the County's Press Release about child abuse prevention month, HERE
  • Watch this HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO from our Children's Memorial Flag Raising event on April 26, 2024
  • READ newspaper coverage of our April 2024 partnership efforts on child abuse prevention

 Housing for Health Partnership Secures Additional Funding

More than $9 million in federal and State Homekey Program funds have been awarded to support permanent supportive housing projects, rental subsidies and youth transitional housing across Santa Cruz County.

SCHOLARSHIP ALERT! Apply for a Path to Success Scholarship!

You may be eligible for one of 32 available scholarships, worth $4,500 each! These scholarships, offered in partnership between Workforce Santa Cruz County and Cabrillo College, will allow a diverse range of Cabrillo College students to enroll in an exciting certificated program in a high-demand field. For more information:

NEW! Medi-Cal for All Expansion of Coverage!

Effective January 1st, 2024, Medi-Cal citizenship requirements have been eliminated to allow more Californians to qualify for full coverage. Adults ages 26 through 49 can now qualify for full scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status (all other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including income limits, still apply). More Information:

NEW! Enhanced Security for EBT Card Holders

EBT Cardholders now have a new tool to better protect your account and benefits — the new “ebtEDGE”! This mobile app and cardholder portal gives EBT users new security features:

  • Manage/change your PIN whenever and as often as needed
  • Card “freeze/unfreeze” to lock and unlock card access as needed
  • Transaction blocking for out-of-state use or for internet purchases
  • Request a replacement if your card is compromised, damaged, lost, or stolen
  • Biometrics access with touch ID or facial recognition to securely log in

The ebtEDGE mobile application is available and ready to download! Go to the Apple App Store for iPhone or the Google Play Store for Android devices and download the application today! Need more info? Download this flyer or visit https://www.ebt.ca.gov/cardholder for more information in English and Spanish.

County Holiday Observances

Please view 2024 County Holiday Schedule Here.

Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Resources

  • Check the forecast regularly at the National Weather Service report for Santa Cruz County to stay informed on weather conditions.
  • Sign up for CodeRed at www.scr911.org and download the CodeRed app for your phone.
  • Santa Cruz County, disaster preparedness/recovery resources related advice to prepare for potential disaster events Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience
  • Most importantly, you should always have an emergency kit, including food, water, and a plan! Emergency disasters can disrupt power, transportation, and other lifelines. Find more preparedness tips Here.
  • If told to evacuate, please do so immediately. Find your zone through ZoneHaven-Aware.

Latest News Archives

To find older editions of our 'Latest News' bulletins, please review the Latest News Archives.