Report Child Abuse and Neglect

To report child abuse or neglect, please call:

  • Toll Free at 1 (877) 505-3299 or (831) 454-2273
    • Available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
  • If this is an emergency dial 911 for immediate assistance.

Report Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse

If you suspect abuse, please call:

  • Toll free 1 (866) 580-HELP (4357) or (831) 454-4101  
    • For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
    • Available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week
  • In a long-term care facility, call (831) 429-1913 or (831) 688-8833.
  • If this is an emergency, call 911 for immediate assistance.

Report Welfare Fraud

To report suspected fraud:

  • Call us regarding CalWORKs or CalFresh: (831) 454-4109
  • Email us regarding CalWORKs, CalFresh or General Assistance: SIU@santacruzcountyca.gov
  • Call us regarding Medi-Cal or In-Home Supportive Services: (800) 822-6222
  • To email regarding Medi-Cal or In-Home Supportive Services: fraud@dhcs.ca.gov
  • Or, visit the Stop Medi-Cal Fraud web page. 

 

Your Rights

Whether you are eligible or not, you have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and courtesy when you apply for services. The Human Services Department will not discriminate against anyone because of race, color, national origin, political affiliation, religion, age, sex, marital status, physical or mental disability, ethnic group identification, sexual orientation or domestic partnership. If you believe you have not been treated equally, contact the County Civil Rights Coordinator at (831) 454-4117.

ADULT AND LONG TERM CARE

Adult Protective Services (APS)

1400 Emeline Avenue, Building K, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Toll Free Hotline: 1 (866) 580-HELP (4357)
Phone: (831) 454-4101
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
 

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

SANTA CRUZ

1400 Emeline Avenue, Building K, 3rd Floor, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 454-4101
Referrals: (831) 454-4101, option 2
Fax: (831) 454-4290
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711

Metro Bus Route

WATSONVILLE

500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076
Toll Free (888) 421-8080
Phone: (831) 763-8800
Referrals: (831) 763-8800, option 2
Fax: (831) 763-8906
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711

Metro Bus Route 

Website: http://www.santacruzinhomecare.org
 

IHSS Public Authority and Advisory Commission

500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076
Mail: P.O. Box 1300, Santa Cruz, CA 95061
Toll Free: (888) 421-8080
Phone: (831) 454-4036
Fax: (831) 763-8906
If injured while working for IHSS, you must call (831) 454-4036
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711

IHSS Fiscal

Mail: P.O. Box 1320, Santa Cruz, CA 95061
Automated Call System: (831) 454-7315
Phone: (831) 454-7315
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
Other Counties IHSS Offices
 

Veteran's Services Office

SANTA CRUZ

842 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 454-7276
Fax: (831) 458-7116
Hours: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Walk-in Hours: 1 to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; all day on Wednesdays.
Closed on Friday
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
 

WATSONVILLE

500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076
Hours by Appointment only: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Phone: (831) 454-7276
Fax: (831) 458-7116
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711

Email: dean.kaufman@santacruzcountyca.gov
Facebook: VSO Santa Cruz
Website: http://www.santacruzvets.com

EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFIT SERVICES

Customer Service Centers

Our programs include CalFresh, CalWORKs, General Assistance, Medi-Cal Health Benefits, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, and CalWORKs Employment Services.

Visit one of our Customer Service Centers in:

SANTA CRUZ

1020 Emeline Avenue, Building B, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Call: (888) 421-8080
Fax: (831) 786-7100
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
In-Person Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Metro Bus Route
 

WATSONVILLE

500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076
Call: (888) 421-8080
Fax: (831) 786-7100
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
In-Person Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Metro Bus Route

Phone Customer Service Center

Use this number if you currently receive benefits and have a question, or to apply for benefits over the phone:
Call Toll Free: 1 (888) 421-8080
Phone Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday

FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Child Protective Services

1400 Emeline Avenue, Building K, 1st Floor, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 454-4222
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
Metro Bus Route
 

Foster Care and Adoptions

1400 Emeline Ave., Building K, 1st Floor, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 454-4222
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
Facebook: Santa Cruz Foster Care
Website: fostercare4kids.com
 

Foster and Kinship Care, Foster Care Licensing

1400 Emeline Avenue, Building K, 1st Floor, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 454-4687
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
 

Foster Family Recruitment

Contact Norma Calderon, Foster Family Recruiter by calling (831) 345-2700 or E-mail fostercare@santacruzcountyca.gov.

Independent Living and Transitional Housing Plus Programs

Phone: (831) 459-0444
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Workforce Development Board

500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: (831) 763-8900
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
 

Career Centers 

CAPITOLA
2045 40th Ave., Suite B, Capitola, CA 95010
Phone: (831) 464-6286
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
Metro Bus Route
 
WATSONVILLE
500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: (831) 763-8933
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711
Metro Bus Route
 

Watsonville Youth Center

229 Green Valley Road, Freedom, CA 95019
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Phone: (831) 466-5672
For Hearing or Speech Impaired: Call California Relay Services 711

 

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

United Way

Dial 2-1-1 to find out how to access food, housing, and other services.

Second Harvest Food Bank

Call the Community Food Hotline at (831) 662-0991.

School Lunch Programs

Find school lunch programs.

Metro Bus Routes

Find bus schedules and routes.