Sonoma County has a new tool to bring county services closer to residents who don’t live near a government office — two new tools, actually.
Two 24-foot vans outfitted with office space, technology and equipment to facilitate a range of in-person services with three county departments debuted Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the county building on Administration Drive.
The vans are a major component of the county’s Open Doors Mobile Services program, which aims to make accessing county government services more convenient for all county residents, according to a news release from the county’s Human Services Department.
The mobile sites will facilitate meetings with county staff from the Sonoma County Human Services Department, Department of Health Services, and Department of Child Support Services.
“It’s a simple idea, to ‘Open our Doors’ more widely so that constituents can get the help they need with one less barrier in their way.”
Rebecca Hermosillo, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors chair
Staff can help answer questions and navigate applications for a range of benefit programs, including creating accounts for the state’s online benefits system, BenefitsCal, along with help with CalFresh and Medi-Cal, and obtaining Electronic Benefits Transfer cards.
Support services for families with behavioral health, nutrition and child support needs will also be offered, including opening and managing child support cases.
Employment assistance and services for elderly and disabled residents will additionally be available. Staff can also make necessary referrals to nonprofit organizations to help with next steps for various support services.
County Board of Supervisors Chair Rebecca Hermosillo said the vans would help reduce the challenge people have in rural parts of the county getting face-to-face services from their local government.
“Open Doors Mobile Services brings County resources and support directly into those neighborhoods,” Hermosillo said. “It’s a simple idea, to ‘Open our Doors’ more widely so that constituents can get the help they need with one less barrier in their way. This innovative program will make it easier for everyone to access the care and support they need and deserve.”
The Open Doors Initiative was established as part of the county’s 5-year strategic plan in 2021. About $800,000 was allocated in 2023 to purchase and retrofit the vans, according to the county.
The vans will roll out on their first assignment on April 21, in Cloverdale, at Alexander Valley Healthcare on Tarman Drive.
On May 5, the vans will be in Windsor, at Calvary Chapel River Fellowship, on Windsor River Road.
And on May 12, staff will make their way to Healdsburg and set up at Corazon Healdsburg, on Healdsburg Avenue.
Locations and schedules will change as the program evolves, the county said.
More information on the program and services offered is available online at OpenDoorsSC.com.