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
- Senior Nutrition Services
- Delivers hot meals to the homebound frail elderly and serves noon meals at various sites throughout the county.
- 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 - Helps disabled recipients apply for Social Security Disability and SSI/SSP benefits.
- HOMELESS PROGRAMS
- Homeless Programs
- The Homeless Continuum of Care is made up of programs operated by diverse community-based organizations and the county. Services assist clients with short-term shelter needs, transitional/permanent housing, and counseling that addresses the core issues of unemployment, physical/mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence.
- Mather Community Campus
- A transitional housing program that provides skill building and job readiness for individuals and families with children.
- 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
- Helps county residents without other medical coverage obtain health services at area clinics.
- 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.
Serving Throughout Sacramento
The Sacramento Department of Human Assistance operates throughout the community, including at school-based sites and neighborhood multiservice centers. Foreign language and American sign interpreters are available in some locations. A mentoring program for high school students, a scholarship program for college-bound students and an advisory panel to assist clients are additional DHA services.
DHA also has knowledgeable staff members available to speak to community groups and organizations about welfare reform, department programs and other topics of public interest. Neighborhood and church groups, service clubs, professional and business associations, and landlords will find the DHA speakers’ bureau a valuable resource. For further information about the bureau, contact the Community Relations Office at (916) 875-3736.