Community Resources

Discounted internet services 

Alliance members can get up to a $30 monthly discount on their internet services through the Affordable Connectivity Program. Learn more about this benefit by visiting AffordableConnectivity.gov or FCC.gov. 

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.

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. The local food bank can also help you enroll in CalFresh.

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

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

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.