SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Sonoma County officials debuted a new strategy to bring services closer to residents who don't live near a government office. In other words, if residents cannot reach county offices, the county will come to them.
The strategy rolled out onto Administration Drive this week with a ribbon cutting in two 24-foot vans outfitted with office space, technology and equipment to help provide a range of in-person services beginning in the northern stretch of Sonoma County.
The first event will be in Cloverdale on April 21, followed by Windsor, and Healdsburg.
The vans are part of the county's Open Doors Mobile Services program, designed to make accessing county government services more convenient for Sonoma County residents, according to a news release from the county's Human Services Department.
The mobile sites will facilitate meetings with county staff from the Sonoma County Human Services Department, Department of Health Services, and Department of Child Support Services.
Staff can help answer questions and navigate applications for a range of benefit programs, including creating accounts for the state's online benefits system, BenefitsCal, along with help with CalFresh and Medi-Cal, and enrolling in electronic benefits
Support services for families with behavioral health, nutrition and child support needs will also be offered, including opening and managing child support cases.
Employment assistance and services for elderly and disabled residents will additionally be available. Staff can also make necessary referrals to nonprofit organizations to help with next steps for various support services.
A round-trip drive from Cloverdale to Santa Rosa is about 66 miles, 34 from Healdsburg, and Windsor 26. With gas prices reaching up to $7 a gallon, the van could help with one of the most difficult but necessary costs that cuts into retirement budgets, paychecks, and benefits. Time is also important, either time spent in a car or on public transit — if it's available — and time spent navigating services as well as waiting in county offices.
County Board of Supervisors Chair Rebecca Hermosillo said the vans would help reduce the challenge people have in rural parts of the county getting face-to-face services from their local government. "Open Doors Mobile Services brings County resources and support directly into those neighborhoods," Hermosillo said.
"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."
Services:
Safety‑net benefits
Health resources
Family support services
First stops for the mobile services van:
Cloverdale – April 21
Windsor – May 5
Healdsburg – May 12
Services include Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility checks and enrollment, plus help connecting with other essential programs. Learn more about Open Doors Mobile Services and our upcoming dates and locations.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2026 Bay City News, Inc.
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