Sonoma County launches Open Doors Mobile Services to bring essential programs directly to communities

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Sonoma County today launched Open Doors Mobile Services, a new program that makes it easier for residents to access food, health care and family support by bringing services directly to their neighborhoods.

The initiative, which uses two 24-foot vans converted into mobile offices, will deploy staff from three County departments into areas across the county, prioritizing communities without nearby County offices. The County is partnering with local nonprofits to host mobile service days in their communities, starting April 21 in Cloverdale, May 5 in Windsor and May 12 in Healdsburg.

The program was unveiled today during a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the Board of Supervisors chambers. Photos and video from the event are available upon request.

“For many people, getting to a County office can be a real challenge, especially in the more rural parts of our county,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “Open Doors Mobile Services brings County resources and support directly into those neighborhoods. It’s a simple idea, to ‘Open our Doors’ more widely so that constituents can get the help they need with one less barrier in their way. This innovative program will make it easier for everyone to access the care and support they need and deserve.”

Open Doors Mobile Services is led by the Sonoma County Human Services Department, Department of Health Services, and Department of Child Support Services. Together, these departments serve approximately one in three residents through programs that provide assistance with food, health care, child support services and other essential support.

Using two customized vans equipped with secure satellite internet and private meeting spaces, County staff will help residents:

• Apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal benefits 
• Create and manage BenefitsCal accounts, the state’s online benefits system 
• Print new or replacement Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards 
• Connect to behavioral health, nutrition and family support programs 
• Obtain financial assistance for children, including opening and managing child support cases 
• Connect with services, including employment assistance and services for older adults and people with disabilities 
• Access referrals to community-based resources

The mobile model allows the County to extend services in a flexible and cost-effective way, reaching multiple communities. Initial service sites include partnerships with Alexander Valley Healthcare, La Familia Sana, Calvary Chapel River Fellowship and Corazón Healdsburg. These locations were selected to reach residents in areas where distance and transportation challenges can limit access to services. Locations and schedules will evolve over time based on community needs.

The program builds on the County’s broader Open Doors initiative, which aims to make it easier for residents to find and connect with services provided by the County and local nonprofits. Last September, the County launched OpenDoorsSC.com, an online directory that connects residents to more than 600 organizations offering support with housing, health care, food assistance, employment and other essential needs.

Improving access to services is a priority outlined in the Board of Supervisors’ five-year Strategic Plan. The County operates offices in Petaluma, Guerneville and Sonoma to serve residents who have difficulty traveling to its central offices in the Santa Rosa area. To extend services to additional communities, the Board of Supervisors allocated $800,800 in 2023 to create the mobile service program, including startup costs and funding to purchase and customize the two vans.

Residents can learn more about upcoming mobile service dates and locations at OpenDoorsSC.com.

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Media Contact:  
Susan Hsieh, Communications Manager 
Sonoma County Human Services Department 
shsieh@sonomacounty-hsd.gov  
(707) 565-8085