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Building Bridges to Better Futures

CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY

The Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance brings together more than 2,000 skilled and dedicated employees each day to plan, implement and oversee a spectrum of programs and services designed to move people from public assistance to independence. DHA’s mission of fostering self-sufficiency among those it serves touches every facet of daily life, from employment, housing and health care to transportation, education and child care.

Guided by the specific needs of the Sacramento community, DHA’s primary goal is to create and carry out programs and activities that help families and individuals reach their highest potential.

SERVICES THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN

Throughout Sacramento County, DHA offers a range of services. Among them:

  • Senior Volunteer Services
    • Provides volunteer opportunities for people 55 and older and includes:
      • Foster Grandparents
      • Senior Companions
      • Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs
  • Veterans Services
    • Counsels veterans, their dependents and survivors, and determines eligibility for benefits.

PROGRAMS DESIGNED WITH WORK IN MIND

DHA’s programs are specifically designed to help low-income families and individuals find workable solutions to daily-living problems as they make the transition from welfare to the workplace. These programs include:

  • CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids)
    • The blueprint for what is sometimes referred to as “welfare reform,” this program helps families find and keep jobs through a variety of employment services and activities. It also provides short-term cash assistance to those who qualify, including children being cared for by relatives.
  • Employment Assistance
    • Helps community members find and keep jobs through practical, hands-on activities such as pre-employment training workshops, resume assistance, job referrals, on-the-job training, and “dress-for-success” seminars, among others.
    • At the Stockton Boulevard Business Information Center, DHA’s job professionals help would-be entrepreneurs start and manage their own small businesses.
  • General Assistance
    • Provides short-term cash aid and social services to help single adults find work or, if disabled, obtain aid from other sources.
    • Disability Case Management (DCM) - Helps disabled recipients apply for Social Security Disability and SSI/SSP benefits.
    • Shelter Plus
    Provides permanent housing assistance for disabled homeless. Individuals and families must be referred by qualified case managers.
    JobLink
    Connects qualified job seekers to employees.

    DHA also determines benefit eligibility for these programs:

    Medi-Cal
    Provides medical and dental coverage to those who meet certain federal/state qualifying criteria.
    County Medically Indigent Services Program (CMISP)
    Helps county residents without other medical coverage obtain health services at area clinics.
    CalFresh (Food Stamps)
    Enables low-income households to buy more food and stretch their monthly food budgets.
    Foster Care
    Provides financial and medical help for children who are placed in foster homes.