Community Resources

Discounted internet services 

Alliance members may qualify for the Lifeline program, which lowers the cost of internet or phone services.

Internet for All Now   

A new program called Internet For All Now is now available to help you get low-cost home internet. To find out if you qualify and to learn more about the program, read our news post or visit the Internet For All Now website.  

Apply for Medi-Cal

Mariposa County Human Services Division

Apply for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWorks.

County Health Services

Mariposa County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS)

Services available include:

• 24/7 crisis response and local 24/7 crisis line.
• Behavioral health court.
• Substance use disorder.
• Wellness center.

Mariposa County Public Health Department

Provides information and help with:

• Clinical services.
• Community health.
• Emergency services.

Adult and Aging

Area 12 on Aging: Mariposa Senior Resource Connection

Mariposa residents should call for services. Offices are in Sonora and Tuolumne counties.

Mariposa County Health and Human Services Adult & Aging Support

The Mariposa County Adult and Aging branch includes many supportive programs, services and events that support independence and quality of life for:

• Children, youth and adults living with disabilities.
• In-home caregivers.
• Older adults (age 60+) and their families.
• U.S. military veterans.

Children and Families

Mariposa Safe Families

Provides services, activities and opportunities to empower families and individuals while nurturing and enhancing the safety and well-being of children.

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

• Assistance with nutritious foods.
• Breastfeeding support.
• Nutrition education.

Food Resources

Merced County Food Bank

Merced County Food Bank serves Merced and Mariposa counties. Each food bank offers different ways to get food. Contact the food bank for services, distribution times and locations.

Other Resources

Alliance for Community Transformations

• CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) of Mariposa: advocacy for abused and neglected children.
• Connections: emergency shelter.
• Ethos Youth Center: youth support and programming.
• Mariposa Heritage House: peer counseling and recovery support services.
• Mountain Crisis Services and Valley Crisis Center: prevention of domestic and sexual violence, and direct services for victims of abuse.

Valley Crisis Center

Advocates provide services to survivors impacted by intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

Apply for Medi-Cal

Merced County Human Services Agency

Get help applying for Medi-Cal. You can apply in person, online, by phone or by mail.

County Health Services

County of Merced Department of Public Health

Provides information and help with:

• Community health.
• Emergency services.
• Clinical services.

Developmental Disabilities and Special Needs

Central Valley Regional Center

Provides behavior/early intervention, supported living and employment, respite care and adult day activities for people with developmental disabilities.

Challenged Family Resource Center

Provides support groups, play groups and parent education for those who have family members with disabilities.

Family Resources

Family Resource Council

Connects families with resources to educate parents, prevent child abuse and support family wellness.

Food Resources

Merced County Food Bank

You can go to your local food bank to get fresh food. The local food bank can also help you enroll in CalFresh.

Parents

First 5 Merced County

Head Start Merced County

First 5 Merced County and Head Start Merced County provide information and help with:

• School readiness.
• Child development.
• Parent education.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Merced County

Provides information and help with:

• Breastfeeding support.
• Food assistance and nutrition education.

Other Resources

Merced County Area Agency on Aging

Helps provide a network of services to keep seniors healthy and independent.

Mobile Care Clinic  

The Mercy Medical Center’s Mobile Care Clinic travels with a care team to offer bilingual (English and Spanish) health care at different locations in Merced. The clinic offers:  

• Evaluation and treatment for episodic medical conditions. 

• Help finding medical homes for patients with chronic needs. 

• Help finding social services and resources in the community. 

• Blood pressure, BMI and glucose screenings. 

• Referrals for health insurance enrollment. 

And more.  

United Way Merced County

Provides grants and direct services covering education, health, emergency needs and translation services.

Apply for Medi-Cal

Monterey County Children’s Health Outreach for Insurance, Care and Enrollment (MC-CHOICE)
Learn how to apply for Medi-Cal in person, online, by phone or by mail.

Monterey County Department of Social Services
Get help applying for Medi-Cal in person at the Salinas, King City or Seaside offices.

County Health Services

County of Monterey Health Department

Provides information and help with:

• Behavioral health.
• Clinical services.
• Health education.

Developmental Disabilities and Special Needs

Gateway Center of Monterey

Provides a day program and residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Monterey Peninsula Autism Assistance

Provides parent education, training and community events for children and families affected by autism.

Special Kids Connect

Provides family resources and community activities supporting children with developmental disabilities.

Family Resources

Community Human Services
Provides substance use disorder and mental health counseling.

Family Service Agency of the Central Coast

Provides information and help with:

• Counseling.
• Senior outreach.

Food Resources

Food Bank for Monterey County

You can go to your local food bank to get fresh food.

Parents

Early Learning/Head Start Monterey County

Provides information and help with:

• Child and family development.
• Early education.

First 5 Monterey County

Provides information and help with:

• Child development.
• Parenting classes.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Monterey County

Provides information and help with:

• Breastfeeding support.
• Food assistance and nutrition education.

Other Resources

Monterey County Area Agency on Aging
Helps provide a network of services to keep seniors healthy and independent.

United Way Monterey County

Helps families achieve financial stability and access affordable child care and housing.

Apply for Medi-Cal

San Benito County Health & Human Services Agency Public Assistance Division 

Get help applying for Medi-Cal or understanding your Medi-Cal eligibility. They can also help you apply for other benefits or get county medical services.

County Health Services

San Benito County Behavioral Health Department

Mental health and substance use disorder services.

San Benito County Public Health Services

Monthly mobile unit pop-ups at various locations. Services may include:

• Cal Fresh Healthy Living Program.
• Car seat education and checkups.
• Narcan training.
• Oral health.
• Tobacco education.
• Vaccines and COVID-19 tests.

Developmental Disabilities and Special Needs

County of San Benito Medical Therapy Unit (MTU)

Medical, physical and/or occupational therapy for children. Contact the County Health and Human Services Agency for more information and qualification.

Adults and Aging

Adult Protective Services – San Benito County Health & Human Services Agency

Report adult abuse and neglect.

Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of San Benito County

Provides information and referral assistance to long-term services and supports to seniors, persons with disabilities and caregivers in San Benito County.

Seniors Council of Santa Cruz & San Benito counties

Assists older adults and caregivers with information and resources.

Children and Families

Child & Adult Services Division

• CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates).
• Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Benito County.
• In-Home Support Services.
• Public Authority.
• Resource and Foster Family Program information.

Let’s Talk: Navigating Youth Substance Use  

The San Benito County Opioid Task Force organization offers a toolkit to assist parents and caregivers with talking to youth about mental health and substance use.

Toolkit for children who are middle school ages. (English | Spanish)

Toolkit for teens who are high school ages. (English | Spanish)

First 5 San Benito

Offers programs and resources for families and children ages 0 to 5, including:

• Family Resiliency Center.
• Parents as Teachers.
• Raising a Reader.
• Story times.
• Strengthening Families Program.

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

• Breastfeeding support.
• Monthly benefits for healthy foods.
• Nutrition education and health information.
• Referrals to medical providers and community services.

Youth Alliance

Youth Alliance is a youth development organization offering comprehensive, innovative and culturally relevant services to youth and families.

Food Resources

Community Food Bank of San Benito

Food assistance and programs, including:

• Brown bag deliveries to seniors and homebound individuals.
• Mobile food pantry and distribution sites throughout the county.
• On site food distribution via The Marketplace.
• Student Snack Bag program.
• USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Other Resources

Community Action Board of San Benito Community Services & Workforce Development

Provides help with utilities and homeless and housing services.

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
• Migrant Housing Center.
• Transitional Housing Program.
• Utilities.

Hollister H.O.M.E. Resource Center

• Case management.
• Daily meals.
• Housing navigation.
• Referral and linkage to additional services.
• Transportation.

Apply for Medi-Cal

Santa Cruz Human Services
Get help applying for Medi-Cal. You can apply in person, online, by phone or by mail.

Community Activities

City of Watsonville - Programs and Events 

Educational and recreational programs for children, teens, families, and adults. 

Santa Cruz Public Libraries Community Information Database

County Health Services

County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency (HSA)

Provides health education, advocacy and clinical services.

Disabilities and Special Needs

Dignity Health's Community Health & Wellness Education Program 

The Dignity Health Wellness Center in Santa Cruz County includes fitness options for people using wheelchairs. The center has a gym with adaptive exercise equipment, weights, a cable machine and other exercise options that are accessible for community members in wheelchairs. To use the gym, you must register online for a class. There are multiple classes geared towards individuals with disabilities. Classes start at $12. The gym is located at 21340 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. For information, call 855-692-4635.  

Life on Wheels support group 

If you are interested in learning more about life in the Central Coast as a wheelchair user, visit the peer support group Life on Wheels. 

Abilities Outdoors for Health- County Park Friends  

Learn about how accessible Santa Cruz County parks are for people using wheelchairs.

Early Start

Early Start is a Santa Cruz County Office of Education program for children under 3 years old.

Easter Seals Central California

Provides family support, education and advocacy for children and adults with autism and other disabilities.

Got Transition

Health care transition for adolescent special populations

• Let's Talk About Sex: Students with Disabilities and their Sexual Health (Parent Toolkit) 
• Resources & Research - Special Populations
• Turning 18: What it Means for Your Health

Hope Services

Provides day services, training and development, community living and mental health services for people with developmental disabilities.

Leo’s Haven Playground
An inclusive playground in Live Oak for children of all abilities.
1975 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Shared Adventures
Inclusive social and recreational interaction.

Family Resources

Community Bridges Family Resource Collective

Provides information and help with:

• Advocacy.
• Counseling.
• Food distribution.
• Parent education.
• Public benefits enrollment.
• Youth tutoring.

Family Service Agency of the Central Coast

Provides services including counseling and senior outreach.

Food Resources

Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County

You can go to your local food bank to get fresh food. The local food bank can also help you enroll in CalFresh.

Parents

All parents

Boys and Girls Club
Educational, vocational, recreational, social, and character development for youth.

RC Fam | Raíces y Cariño: A Community Collective for Families 

• Afterschool activities like:
  • Bilingual guitar and family singing.
  • Professional art classes for teens and young adults.
• Educational events for families.
• Positive Discipline classes for parents.

Parents of young children

The Circle Family Center 

• Maternal mental health circle.
• New parents support group.
• Dad’s group.
• Bilingual music and story time.
• Lactation support.
• Clinical services such as acupuncture, clinical psychology, and massage therapy.  

First 5 Santa Cruz County
Head Start Santa Cruz County

First 5 Santa Cruz County and Head Start Santa Cruz County provide information and help with child development and school readiness.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Santa Cruz County

Provides information and help with:

• Breastfeeding support.
• Food assistance and nutrition education.

Teens and Parents of Teens

CAL-Learn  

• Case management for pregnant and parenting teens to support them in completing high school/GED.
• Child care and transportation.
• Incentives for going to school and getting good grades.

Encompass Youth Services 

• Individual and group counseling services.
• Drug treatment.
• Parent support groups.
• Employment services.

 Sequoia High School County Office of Education  

• High school classes.
• Child development and parenting education.
• Counseling in career and personal development.
• On-site childcare provided during school hours for eligible students.

Teen Health Outreach Program – County of Santa Cruz 

• Sex education.
• Help accessing health care and community resources.

Preparing teens for adult health services 

• Health Care Transition Skills Checklist 
• Life Skills Checklist
• What is a health care transition? (video)

Other Resources

Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties
Contracted services include home-delivered meals, case management, transportation, adult day care and caregiver support.

United Way Santa Cruz County

Supports community programs for education, health and financial stability.