Weekly roundup for February 28, 2025

Published: February 28, 2025

Today’s digest provides helpful and important updates on the following:

Sonoma County’s 2025 economic outlook: Holding steady amid shifts
CalFresh call-backs, phone hours update
SoCo Chat podcast addresses mental health, opioid epidemic
Latest Sonoma County career opportunities
Other Sonoma County news of note

Annual update from Economic Development Collaborative

The 2025 Economic Outlook from Sonoma County Economic Collaborative is now available. The annual report shows that job growth is slowing, but employment is keeping pace with state and national trends.

And while Tourism is still finding its footing, Healthcare is on the rise. The jobless rate ticked up since mid-2022 but leveled out in 2024 as the labor force shrank. The report also shows that housing is still a challenge—limited supply is driving prices up, and transactions are near lows for the decade.

On the bright side, consumer spending remains strong, and early reports from the 2024 wine grape harvest look promising. How will these trends shape Sonoma County’s future?

Read the full report here: https://hubs.la/Q038j4-j0.

CalFresh call-backs, phone hours update

Starting in March, if you are scheduled for a CalFresh phone appointment, an Eligibility Specialist will call you. Plus, phone hours are changing.

For all the details, please visit:
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/health-and-human-services/human-services/health-food/calfresh-ebt-food-benefits.

Weekly episode of SoCo Chat addresses mental health, opioid epidemic

In light of recent tragic events involving the fentanyl-related deaths and hospitalizations of local students, SoCo Chat is re-airing previously recorded episodes on youth mental health awareness, the opioid epidemic and suicide awareness.

Youth mental health awareness: https://bit.ly/3XkfnXM
The opioid epidemic: https://bit.ly/3XjUls6
A hard but honest discussion about suicide: https://bit.ly/41AhpFI

We hope these conversations offer perspective and support as we navigate together through these challenging times.

Latest Sonoma County career opportunities

Ready to take the next step in your career journey? The County of Sonoma has fantastic job opportunities this week.

Recent listings include:

Residential Service Worker, Human Services — https://bit.ly/4bkKR5D
Deputy Public Health Officer, Health Services — https://bit.ly/43cy6YK
Maintenance Worker I – Extra Help, Public Infrastructure — https://bit.ly/3Qy1LEt
Real Property and Right of Way Manager, Water — https://bit.ly/4gYvLUW
Removal Defense Attorney II and III - Bilingual (English/Spanish) – Extra Help, Public Defender — https://bit.ly/4ih5sdj

Discover more job opportunities by visiting the County of Sonoma Careers Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/sococareers. For additional details, check out our career portal at https://bit.ly/3Js0XOg, or call (707) 565-2331.

Other Sonoma County news of note

US Foods CHEF’STORE Resolves Allegations of Price Overcharges and False Advertising
https://da.sonomacounty.ca.gov/us-foods-chefstore-resolves-allegations-of-price-overcharges-and-false-advertising

County Executive names Nolan Sullivan as new director of Sonoma County’s Department of Health Services
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/county-executive-names-nolan-sullivan-as-new-director-of-sonoma-countys-department-of-health-services

Board of Supervisors narrows post-storm eviction ban to just Lower Russian River
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/board-of-supervisors-narrows-post-storm-eviction-ban-to-just-lower-russian-river