Press Releases

August 16, 2023 | Department of Health Services

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

August 01, 2023 | Department of Health Services

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

June 26, 2023 | Department of Health Services

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

June 16, 2023 | Department of Health Services

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

June 12, 2023 | Department of Health Services

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

May 26, 2023 | Department of Health Services

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

May 24, 2023 | Department of Health Services

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

May 04, 2023 | Department of Health Services

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

April 27, 2023 | Department of Health Services

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Department of Health Services to host special mental health forum May 2

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and Department of Health Services are hosting a day-long community forum on Tuesday, May 2 concerning the state of mental health in the county. The forum, to be held at the Finley Center in Santa Rosa, will include panels of county behavioral health officials and mental health service providers discussing key challenges and issues facing the community. Read full story

April 18, 2023 | Department of Health Services

Sonoma County supervisors approve $250,500 in mental health funding for students; additional funding set to be approved later

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved $250,500 to provide behavioral health services in schools in partnership with the Sonoma County Office of Education. The funding is from Measure O, the quarter-cent sales tax measure voters approved in 2020 to fund mental health and homelessness services. Read full story