The Human Services Department's Latest News Archives

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:


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

The 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.

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.


CORE Investments Receives Statewide Recognition


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.


Six-Month Report on Santa Cruz County’s Housing for a Healthy Santa Cruz Framework

On August 22, 2023, the Human Services Department presented its regular 6-month update to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on the Housing for a Healthy Santa Cruz strategic framework. You can watch this August 22, 2023 presentation to the Board of Supervisors to hear specifics updates and learn about our strategic achievement from our Housing for Health Director, Dr. Robert Ratner.


NEW! Retroactive CalFresh Replacements for Stolen Benefits!

If your CalFresh benefits were stolen on or after 10/1/2022, you may be eligible for retroactive benefit replacements! CalFresh recipients who were victims of electronic theft between October 1, 2022 through November 30, 2023 must complete a Report of Electronic Theft Form (EBT 2259) by February 29, 2024 to be eligible to receive retroactive benefit replacements. Cardholders may be eligible to receive retroactive replacements for any of the following reasons:

EBT-Card-Front

  • The cardholder did not file an EBT 2259 form,
  • An EBT 2259 was previously submitted and denied for not meeting reporting requirements, or
  • The cardholder was previously provided with only one month’s worth of benefit replacements but had lost more than that amount.

Santa Cruz County Earns AARP Age-Friendly Designation

In line with state and local efforts to develop a statewide Master Plan for Aging, the County of Santa Cruz has been designated an “Age-Friendly Community” by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Photo with Board of Supervisors and Age Friendly Team

“The safety net for older adults and people with disabilities is a blending of county administered programs, health care services, city services, and non-profit programs which together provide a network of essential services. while the safety net needs to be strengthened as we prepare locally to meet our aging community’s needs, significant expansion and investment has already been made locally and at the state level.” - Randy Morris, Human Services Director


Create Your BenefitsCal Account!

Access to MyBenefitsCalWIN ended July 3, 2023. All applicants and benefits recipients can now create a new BenefitsCal account:

  • Go to www.benefitscal.com to apply for, view or renew benefits for health coverage, food & cash assistance.
  • Select “log in.”
  • Create a new account (you’ll need an email address).
  • Link your account if you have an existing case.

Learn more here: 

BenefitsCal  BenefitsCal Logo

 


Medi-Cal Renewals are Back!

Medi-Cal renewals are back! Do not lose your benefits, be on the lookout for your Medi-Cal renewal inside a yellow envelope in the mail. Ask a Benefits Representative when your renewal is due next time you call the County at 1-888-421-8080, or when you visit at 1020 Emeline Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or 500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076.

Medi-Cal Renewals Flyer (PDF, 724 KB)