Press Releases

July 14, 2022 | Department of Health Services

Best-selling author Johann Hari to present county-sponsored lecture on “Rethinking Addiction”

Sonoma County residents are invited to hear best-selling author and journalist Johann Hari, who has written extensively on substance abuse and addiction, speak at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts on July 21. The free lecture is being sponsored by the Sonoma County Department of Health Services as well as Directing Change, a mental health nonprofit for students. Read full story

June 29, 2022 | Department of Health Services

Sonoma County COVID response transitions to new phase

With federal relief funding set to expire at the end of the month, Sonoma County is completing preparations for transitioning its COVID-19 response to a new phase, one focused on providing critical resources for vulnerable communities. Read full story

June 23, 2022 | Department of Health Services

Bay Area health officials urge awareness about monkeypox as summer travel and gatherings begin

As the summer season begins with increased travel and major events and gatherings, Bay Area health officials urge people to protect themselves against the monkeypox virus, which spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids, such as through crowded settings or sexual contact. Read full story

June 21, 2022 | Department of Health Services

County of Sonoma Health officials issue heat alert

The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services has issued a Heat Alert in response to the National Weather Service’s Heat Advisory for parts of the county from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, June 21. The heat alert applies to inland areas of Sonoma County, where high temperatures are forecast in the high 90s and low 100s. Santa Rosa is forecast to reach 103 degrees. Read full story

May 24, 2022 | Department of Health Services

Sonoma County collects over $500,000 in sales tax funds for behavioral health, homelessness

Sonoma County’s Department of Health Services today reported to the Board of Supervisors that more than $500,000 in Measure O funds have been collected to date to support mental health and homelessness services, two major priorities for the Board of Supervisors. Read full story

April 04, 2022 | Department of Health Services

HomeFirst to operate the Sonoma County Continuum of Care’s Coordinated Entry System

The Coordinated Entry System in Sonoma County has changed operators from Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa to HomeFirst, a nonprofit agency based in Santa Clara County. The change in operators was approved by the local Continuum of Care Board and took effect on April 1. Read full story

February 18, 2022 | Department of Health Services

Tina Rivera to be appointed director of SonomaCounty’s Department of Health Services

Tina Rivera, a veteran government official and nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of experience delivering health care and social services to the public, has been named director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services following a nationwide recruitment search. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote to confirm her appointment for a three-year term at its March 1 meeting. Read full story

May 27, 2021 | Department of Health Services